NABC Chapter 263: 264: Change the Tune on the Eve of Battle
Chapter 263: 264: Change the Tune on the Eve of Battle
Chapter 263: Chapter 264: Change the Tune on the Eve of Battle@@@@
Students from the Finance Department often sing out of tune, forget lyrics, and even fall off the stage while dancing. There have been countless such instances at past events. Thus, many people come just to see them make a fool of themselves, not really to see them do anything in particular.
“What kind of mishap do you think the Finance Department will come up with this year?”
“Who knows! Anyway, we’re here today to watch them make fools of themselves.”
“I bet there will definitely be some singing out of tune this year, and quite a few will forget their lyrics.”
Many of the seated students were discussing this, with some even placing bets on whether someone would sing out of tune, while others bet that the Finance Department would pull themselves together this year.
In the front row of the audience were the department heads and teachers. As per tradition, the Music Instructor from the Arts Department would attend to scout for suitable acts that could be selected for Shuimu University’s welcoming party. Being selected indicated that the performance was of good quality. Although the Finance Department’s acts were rarely chosen, the Music Instructor from the Arts Department would still attend to observe and offer guidance.
“The performances from the Finance Department should be much improved this year, right?” Chen Aiguo, the principal of Shuimu University, asked.
“Definitely!” the head of the Finance Department nodded in agreement.
The Music Instructor from the Arts Department sat next to Chen Aiguo, silent. Being an artistic genius, he was always taciturn. Even in such solemn occasions, he rarely spoke, just continuously observing the stage setup.
“Teacher Liu, we’re relying on you today,” Principal Chen said with a smile.
“Of course.” The Music Instructor, Teacher Liu, nodded.
Xiao Han entered the dressing room from the edge of the stage. After going through a drawing of lots and rehearsals the day before, Xiao Han was unlucky to be drawn first. The first act was generally unlucky, for they would easily be forgotten unless their performance was outstanding. Only the final act tended to be remembered.
“Xiao Han, your act is the first one up today,” Lan Yudie said while looking at the program schedule.
“I know,” Xiao Han nodded.
“Nervous?” Lan Yudie asked.
“Not nervous!” Xiao Han shook his head.
“But I’m more nervous than you!” Lan Yudie looked at Xiao Han anxiously and said, “How can you not be nervous at all?”
“One can only perform their best when in a calm state of mind,” Xiao Han said calmly, glancing at Lan Yudie, then continued, “Being nervous won’t help you in any way. So it’s completely useless for you, understand?”
Lan Yudie glanced at Xiao Han, then said, “Okay then, do your best.”
By this time, the emcee’s prelude had ended.
The beautiful female host stepped lightly to the forefront and said, “Respected teachers and dear students, please welcome Xiao Han from the Finance Department’s first class to perform for us Mozart’s ‘Minuet’ on the piano!”
‘Minuet’ was the piece Xiao Han had initially signed up to perform.
Whooooosh...
“Teacher Liu, what do you think?” Chen Aiguo asked curiously.
“I’m only interested in his music!” Teacher Liu politely replied.
Chen Aiguo fell silent, knowing Teacher Liu to be a music fanatic and a maestro. Apart from music, he had lost interest in everything else; it was as though he was born for music and would die for it as well.
Xiao Han’s slender fingers rested on the piano keys, gracefully dancing and playing the notes.
The beautiful notes flowed through the entire auditorium, like a gentle stream; like the chirping of songbirds; like the sensation of the first light of dawn.
‘Searching for Her’ was composed by Xiao Han for the carefree girl in white. It was an ethereal composition, equally full of charm. The wonderful music quieted the venue, and although the students from the Finance Department might not understand art, their ears knew how to listen. Such tender and exquisite music truly startled everyone with its beauty.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Truly lovely.”
People in the audience began to whisper among themselves.
Chen Aiguo had his eyes closed, listening intently. An art department music instructor was also enjoying the music with closed eyes, gently tapping fingers on the table as if trying to find Xiao Han’s rhythm.
Sometimes Xiao Han opened his eyes, other times he closed them. His delicate fingers kept moving across the black and white keys, alternating between lively and somber. Everyone felt as if a vast Great Prairie had materialized before them. On the prairie flowed a babbling brook, which led into a turbulent and surging river. Suddenly, the scene transformed as they encountered the river’s rolling undercurrents. Everyone felt as if they were aboard a swaying boat, on the verge of capsizing in the river.
After a passion-filled musical interlude, the audience burst through the clouds and found themselves in the calm, boundless ocean. The small boat drifted on the sea surface, eventually nearing an island and stepping onto the soft, fine white sand. There were large patches of flowers on the beach, and amongst them stood a girl in white, waving towards them.
At that moment, the music abruptly stopped.
Yet, the venue was completely silent, without a hint of noise. Everyone had been captivated by Xiao Han’s music, so intoxicate, as if in a trance, as if in a dream...
“Fantastic!”
“So beautiful. Is he really from the Finance Department and not from the Art Department?”
The discussions started quietly among the students but ended in a standing ovation for Xiao Han. The venue erupted with thunderous applause that carried on and on.
The audience began cheering.
“Quite good, indeed a nice piece,” the art department’s music instructor hurriedly spoke.
“Although I don’t understand art, this piano piece has touched me!” Chen Aiguo exclaimed excitedly, “I never imagined the Finance Department would have such an outstanding talent.”
“Exactly!” the department head laughed heartily; Xiao Han’s piece had made the department proud. Ecstatic, he said, “Our students from the Finance Department also have artistic cells. Isn’t that right, Teacher Liu?”
“Right!” Teacher Liu nodded and said, “Everyone has artistic cells; it’s just a matter of how many. Some are born with it, others develop it through hard work.”
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