Chapter 81: Eighty-one, stunning the whole audience Chapter 81: Eighty-one, stunning the whole audience Song Yan Ning glanced at the keyboard, thought for a moment, and her fingers gently touched the black and white keys. Then, a sequence of melodious music flowed out.
Except for Qin Yushen, everyone present widened their eyes in disbelief, staring at Song Yan Ning in surprise. Wasn’t she supposed not to know how to play the piano? Yet, her piano playing was clearly more melodious than Song Yanxue’s.
The piano sound was flowing and lively, touching everyone’s hearts like strands of silk. It transported them into a wonderful musical world, at times like the initial rising of the moon, filled with hope yet obscured by passing clouds, casting shadows all around, evoking a sense of sorrow; at times it became gentle and warm, like reminiscing about sweet dreams of the past or envisioning future blueprints.
It seemed to soothe wounded souls, creating a serene moonlit night atmosphere; and at times, it was like a torrential waterfall crashing down from great heights. The excited, rapid pace of the music integrated notes that were like stormy weather, incorporating anguish, pleas, and resistance. The melody was beautiful, the tones clear and beautiful, filled with longing and hope towards beliefs. It made one’s mood like the sea, with raging waves that were unstoppable…
The piano sound gradually ceased, yet the venue remained silent, as everyone was still immersed in the music.
Qin Yushen smiled as he looked at Song Yan Ning. She really surprised him greatly.
“How is this possible?!” Song Yanxue’s face showed disbelief. Song Yan Ning’s piano playing was even better than hers.
Yang Xin’er also looked at Song Yan Ning in disbelief. This ugly girl could play the piano too; it seemed she had underestimated her. But even if she was exceptional, she would never admit that she was her daughter. She wanted to return to the Song family, but that would never be possible in this lifetime.
Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang exchanged glances, their hearts filled with excitement and joy. No matter when Xiao Ning had learned to play the piano, they were happy for her.
“Old Song, your granddaughter really is talented and versatile, quite the surprise!”
“Even though I don’t understand music, her piano has touched me. It sounds wonderful! It really does!”
“This tune should exist only in heaven, that girl truly keeps her talents hidden. Astonishing.”
Mr. Song smiled and nodded, his gaze toward Song Yan Ning filled with admiration and affection, and also a tinge of regret. She was his granddaughter, but she was unwilling to return to the Song family, and from start to finish, she never once called him ‘grandfather’, clearly not wanting to acknowledge him as her grandfather.
Song Yan Ning walked over to Li Meixiang and Yang Lisheng and sat next to them.
“Girl, who taught you how to play the piano?” Mr. Zhou smiled as he looked at Song Yan Ning. The more he looked at her, the more he liked her.
“I learned a bit from watching TV previously, and he also taught me some just now.” Song Yan Ning looked toward Qin Yushen. She was proficient in music theory, but she didn’t know how to play the piano. If it weren’t for Qin Yushen’s explanations, she really couldn’t play, although she wouldn’t have any problem with the guzheng.
“Hasn’t she been taught by a professional teacher?” Mr. Song looked at Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang. Xiao Xue trained for five years to achieve what she can do today; Xiao Ning plays even better than Xiao Xue, she must have been taught.
“No,” Yang Lisheng and Li Meixiang shook their heads. Xiao Ning was still young, and they didn’t want to put too much pressure on her, so they had never hired any teachers for her. They were also surprised when they heard Xiao Ning playing the piano just now, not knowing when she had learned to play. However, Xiao Ning had always been smart and learned quickly; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been called “Little Genius” by the villagers.
“So she taught herself?” Mr. Li looked at Song Yan Ning in surprise.
Yang Lisheng nodded, a hint of pride on his face, “Xiao Ning’s medical skill was also self-taught; I hardly taught her anything.” He felt Xiao Ning was still young, so he planned to teach her in a few years, but unexpectedly, she had learned by herself.
The several elderly men present all looked at Song Yan Ning with shocked expressions. They hadn’t expected this young girl to be a genius. Such a talent, if properly cultivated, could achieve limitless accomplishments in the future.
“Xiao Ning, Grandpa hopes you can stay with the Song Family. I will definitely take good care of you and provide you with the very best,” Mr. Song truly didn’t want to let Song Yan Ning go. With her intelligence, she might take the Song Family to new heights.
Song Yan Ning swallowed her food and looked at Mr. Song, “My decision won’t change.”
Mr. Song had anticipated Song Yan Ning’s refusal, but he couldn’t help feeling disappointed, “Won’t you really consider it? In the Song Family, you can have the best life, the best education.”
Song Yan Ning shook her head, “Those aren’t what I want.” What she wanted was to seek cultivation resources to strengthen herself quickly and return to the Demon World as soon as possible.
Mr. Song sighed helplessly, “Grandpa still hopes you will consider it. Whenever you make up your mind, just call Grandpa, my mobile number is 139…” Xiao Ning was so smart, she would surely remember his number.
Thinking for a moment, Mr. Song took off a white jade pendant from around his neck and handed it to Song Yan Ning, “Xiao Ning, this is a gift from Grandpa.”
Song Yan Ning glanced at the white jade and shook her head, “Thank you! I don’t want it.” The jade was of good quality, but she didn’t want to have any future entanglements with the Song Family. If she accepted the jade, Yang Xin’er would surely keep causing her trouble. She wasn’t afraid of trouble, just too lazy to deal with people like Yang Xin’er.
“Xiao Ning, this is the first gift Grandpa has given you when we met; please accept it.” Mr. Song looked at Song Yan Ning with a mix of hope and regret in his eyes. If he could turn back time, he definitely wouldn’t agree to send Xiao Ning away.
“Xiao Ning, please accept it,” Li Meixiang said from the side. She could see that Mr. Song genuinely wanted to give it to Xiao Ning, and refusing it would surely hurt Mr. Song’s feelings. Today was Mr. Song’s birthday; they should make him happy.
Song Yan Ning sighed helplessly and took the white jade, “Thank you!” Well, let trouble come if it must. If Yang Xin’er really dared to bother her, she would let her know that she was not to be bullied.
Putting the white jade into her bag, Song Yan Ning thought for a moment, then took out a protective jade pendant she had made and handed it to Mr. Song, “This is for you.” She didn’t like owing favors; this protective jade pendant would serve as a trade for the white jade.
“This pendant is made by Xiao Ning; we all have one,” Yang Lisheng said, showing his own protective jade pendant to Mr. Song.
“Thank you, Xiao Ning!” Mr. Song smiled happily, nodded, and took the protective jade pendant, wearing it around his neck. If Xiao Ning had given him this pendant, did it mean she acknowledged him as her grandfather? After all, she had only given pendants to her maternal grandparents.