CHAPTER 352: CHAPTER 345: THE PERFECT STRIKE

"It seems I was too imposing, not consulting Miss He beforehand. I’m truly sorry." Seeing He Shishi unable to move her feet for a long time, Sisi smiled radiantly.

Sisi deliberately said this. Miss He, you didn’t even consult me or give me a heads-up before making me accompany you on stage just now, and yet I cooperated fully with you, Miss He! Now that I’m about to perform, and I’ve invited you, Miss He, to be my partner, you’re being so hesitant. It’s clear who is superior and who is not. Everyone here is smart, so there’s no need for Sisi to say more.

He Shishi really wanted to say she could cooperate, but upon seeing those shiny dinner knives, she couldn’t utter a word. While face is important, life is even more precious!

"Miss He, it seems you’re also being too demanding. How do we know if your Flying Knife skills are as excellent as that miss’s just now? What if there’s an accident? That’s a matter of life and death!"

A girl suddenly confronted her from below. She wore a yellow dress, had a pointed chin, and looked somewhat mean.

"That’s Miss Bao, her family is in plastics. She’s He Shishi’s lackey, not a good sort," He Chunfeng explained to Sisi.

At this moment, many other girls also echoed Miss Bao’s sentiments, those who are usually on good terms with He Shishi. Most importantly, their family businesses depend on the He Family, so they had no choice but to flatter He Shishi.

Sisi scoffed, "Miss Bao, whether my Flying Knife skills are good, you’ll see in a moment."

Before Miss Bao could react, everyone saw a flash of white. With a flick of Sisi’s bare hand, a dinner knife shot towards Miss Bao.

"Ah!"

Someone screamed involuntarily, and everyone was shocked into silence.

"Brilliant! What a Flying Knife!"

Soon after, everyone applauded loudly again, but Miss Bao herself had yet to recover, only to see all the guests in the room staring at her. If it were any other day, she would have enjoyed being the center of attention, but now she could sense, even without thinking, that nothing good was happening to her.

Sure enough, Miss Bao wore a high bun today adorned with a strand of pearl necklace, which ordinarily gave her a delicate air, but now it looked ridiculous with a shiny dinner knife stuck in her bun.

The girls who were friends with her helped to pull out the knife, supporting a terrified Miss Bao who was about to collapse.

With a smile, Sisi said, "Forgive my poor performance!" then she turned and walked back to her seat, leaving He Shishi, who was forcing a smile, standing alone on stage.

"Sisi, your Flying Knife skills are incredible, too!" Li Junji squeezed his way to Sisi, brimming with excitement.

"I’m not as good as your master. Just practiced for fun," Sisi replied, not out of modesty. Her Flying Knife skills might impress amateurs, but experts could pick apart its flaws at a glance.

"I practiced for only a few years; you’ll be great with more practice," Sisi comforted him, and Li Junji’s confidence soared.

He Chunfeng was in an excellent mood. He Shishi embarrassed herself, and he couldn’t be happier. Humph, your Old Dou wants my money and life; I’ll have my friend make you a fool.

The hall returned to lively conversations and clinking glasses; the atmosphere was electric. A man in his forties in a suit came over with a glass of red wine and greeted Sisi with a smile.

"Miss He, hello! I am Zhou Ruosi. Here’s my business card."

The man spoke in an awkward Mandarin and pulled out a gold-rimmed business card from his pocket, handing it to Sisi with both hands.

Sisi took it and saw that it was emblazoned with ’Hong Kong University Faculty of Arts Professor Zhou Ruosi.’ So, he was a professor, but what would a professor from the Faculty of Arts want with her?

"Professor Zhou, hello, may I ask what brings you here?" Sisi replied politely.

"Miss He, it’s like this—I found the piano piece you played just now extremely beautiful and melodious. Please forgive my ignorance, but could Miss He inform me of the composer of this piece? And what is the name of the piece?"

Sisi’s heart skipped a beat—oh no, this piece wasn’t supposed to be released until 2004; what should she say now? Li Runmin, I’m so sorry, but I have to use your name!

"The piece is called ’Kiss the Rain.’ One night, while I was admiring the starry sky, it suddenly began to drizzle. That’s when I was inspired to compose it. You flatter me, Professor Zhou!" Sisi said humbly.

Professor Zhou Ruosi was visibly moved and muttered to himself: "Kiss the Rain, what a great name, Miss He is truly graceful like an orchid, and talented beyond compare!"

At this moment, the look on Professor Zhou’s face when he looked at Sisi contained an additional measure of respect. If he initially admired Sisi merely for her beauty, learning now about the piece she had composed, he felt even more admiration for her.

"It’s nothing, just a bout of inspiration, Professor Zhou. You’re too kind," Sisi said with a heart quivering with guilt. This feeling of stealing someone else’s work was truly uncomfortable; better to do less thievery in the future.

To Professor Zhou, this talented and beautiful girl had demonstrated another virtue—modesty, which only increased his fondness for Sisi.

They joyfully discussed music, and when Professor Zhou found out that Sisi was also proficient in the guzheng and pipa, his admiration for her knew no bounds. He said that he would definitely love to hear her play someday.

Suddenly, a man in his thirties spoke up: "There’s an opportunity right now. We just happen to have a guzheng at home. If Sisi doesn’t mind, why not perform a couple of pieces on stage now and really treat our ears?"

Sisi looked around and realized that, unbeknownst to her, she had become surrounded by people while talking with Zhou Ruosi.

"Uncle Liu," Mo Liu called out, recognizing that the man who had spoken was his Uncle Liu, Mo Tang’s second son—Mo Wu, a renowned painter, known for his depictions of orchids.

"Yes, Miss He, please go on stage and give us a performance!" The crowd around them began to egg her on.

With no other choice, Sisi smiled and said, "With everyone being so kind, I shall respectfully oblige. If my performance is not up to par, I ask for your understanding."

"Of course not, Miss He will surely play wonderfully," a few young men said with grinning enthusiasm.

The Mo Family’s servants had already moved the guzheng and its table onto the stage. Sisi walked up, sat down slowly, and looked to the senior seated at the head, Grandpa Mo, "Grandpa Mo, what would you like to hear?"

Grandpa Mo smiled and replied, "Let’s start with ’Ten Sides Ambush.’"

Starting with that? Seems like you’re taking me as a free zither master! Sisi inwardly scoffed, but she kept a smile on her face.

Putting on her finger guards, Sisi took a deep breath, and her hands started dancing rapidly upon the strings. The grand melody of ’Ten Sides Ambush’ echoed through the room. It was as if one could also hear the fearsome march of soldiers and horses—a one of China’s top ten ancient pieces.

The audience below the stage was enraptured. Those knowledgeable in music nodded their heads smilingly, their faces showing approval of Sisi’s skill with the guzheng.

Suddenly, another distinct, sonorous music filled the hall—somehow, a young man had taken a seat at the piano and began playing along with ’Ten Sides Ambush.’