Chapter 22

Gu Chuyun covered her mouth and chuckled. “Gu Ci, you’ve only played the violin for a year. Do you even remember how to play?”

Gu Ci couldn’t be bothered to pay her any attention, exuding an extreme coldness. Cai, the director, silently thought to himself that this girl was quite impressive—cold and fierce. She had a strong presence. Zhou Li couldn’t help but glance at Gu Ci, and Cai believed that Gu Ci must have been thoroughly investigated before being invited. It was unlikely for someone who had only played the violin for a year.

Qiao Yamei played the Moonlight Sonata first. She demonstrated skillful techniques and excellent rhythm, and she was satisfied with her own performance. She received applause from Xu Yingjun and Chen Bolan.

Qiao Yamei looked expectantly at Zhou Li, but he only gave a symbolic round of applause. She couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Deep down, she couldn’t help but think that Zhou Li would choose Gu Chuyun. They had the highest popularity, and Gu Chuyun was a talented violinist.

Although Xu Yingjun didn’t have as high of a popularity as Chen Bolan, as a music major, his skills and tone weren’t inferior to Zhou Li’s. Especially Chen Bolan, it would be great if Zhou Li chose her.

Gu Chuyun was the second performer. She wanted to win over Zhou Li and knew that he had recently been fond of ancient-style music. She played “The Butterfly Lovers” on the violin. Gu Chuyun had practiced the violin for many years, and her performance was melancholic and sorrowful. Xu Yingjun, Chen Bolan, and the entire production crew were immersed in her music, moved by her performance. When the piece concluded, thunderous applause filled the room.

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Gu Chuyun looked at Gu Ci with a triumphant gaze, her pride ingrained since childhood giving her full confidence. Gu Chuyun firmly believed that she was the best violinist in her age group.

“How did I do, Zhou Li?,” Gu Chuyun asked Zhou Li with an air of certainty. Zhou Li had the highest popularity and exceptional creative abilities, especially when it came to writing lyrics.

Zhou Li smiled, his dimples making him particularly adorable. “You did great, it was refreshing and the best rendition of ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ I’ve ever heard.”

The director also smiled and said, “It seems that Zhou Li is very satisfied with Chuyun’s performance. We are all excited to see the sparks that will fly when you collaborate.”

In the entertainment industry, there were unspoken rules, especially considering this was a variety show sponsored by Hualan Bank. Moreover, Gu Chuyun was the cousin of Jiang Junlin, the CEO of Hualan Bank. The director naturally assumed that she would be partnered with Zhou Li and successfully advance to the next round.

As for the others, they were simply there like decoration.

“I’m playing ”The Butterfly Lovers’ too,” Gu Ci said calmly, filling the music room with tension.

Qiao Yamei sneered, “Gu Ci, you’re really overestimating yourself and courting humiliation.”

Xu Yingjun chuckled and asked, “Are you doing this on purpose? Do you want to compete with Gu Chuyun? Gu Chuyun has been famous for years, while you’re still young. Don’t let your desire for victory get the better of you.”

Xu Yingjun’s words carried an underlying meaning, mocking Gu Ci for overestimating her abilities.

“You’ve only been playing the violin for a year. You could have chosen a simpler piece,” Chen Bolan also believed that Gu Ci was bringing it upon herself. He was quite taken by Gu Ci’s beauty, and since Gu Chuyun and Zhou Li were already set to advance, it would be great if he could create a buzz with Gu Ci. Perhaps he could even support her financially, considering he was a celebrity with ample resources. She was truly stunning.

Gu Chuyun covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, “Don’t say that. Gu Ci plays very well.”

Gu Ci silently picked up the violin and sat on the performance stage, playing “The Butterfly Lovers.” The sound of the violin was hauntingly bittersweet, carrying the pain of unrequited love and the passion of passionate romance. It culminated in a fervent farewell, a rollercoaster of emotions that touched the heartstrings. Gu Ci was reminded of her own experiences with Lu Zhuyuan, and her performance overflowed with emotions. While her technique might have had slight flaws, her emotional expression compensated for it.

Zhou Li watched in astonishment as Gu Ci performed on stage. To him, music that could move people’s hearts was the best music, and this was the best rendition of “The Butterfly Lovers.”

The director and the production team were fully immersed in the performance, and a few girls even teared up.

“Gu Ci’s performance was so profound. I felt like I witnessed a poignant love story.”

“When Gu Chuyun played, it sounded beautiful. But when Gu Ci played this piece, I felt like I was electrified all over. She’s so powerful.”

Gu Chuyun felt a mix of anger and astonishment. Gu Ci had secretly learned to play the violin, deceiving everyone. Gu Chuyun felt a sense of panic and jealousy at Gu Ci’s natural talent for playing the violin.

After Gu Ci’s performance, a silence fell over the room. Chen Bolan and Xu Yingjun instinctively looked at Gu Chuyun, while Zhou Li applauded enthusiastically. Amidst the silence, Zhou Li asked Gu Ci, “Gu Ci, I choose you. Are you willing?”

Gu Chuyun remained silent.

The members of the production team were shocked and troubled. Music shows also followed a script, and the script for this episode was for Gu Chuyun and Zhou Li to team up and advance to the next round.

“I’m willing!” Gu Ci smiled lightly. She admired Zhou Li’s musical skills and respected his compositions. When she bought the rights to ” Strategy of the Land” and the lyrics were tailored to the style of the song, Gu Ci fell in love with it.

Annoyed, Qiao Yamei said, “Zhou Li, Gu Ci’s technical skills are far inferior to Chuyun’s. You should choose Chuyun. Why did you choose her?”

Zhou Li smiled, revealing two adorable dimples. “Music has many ways of expression. I like Gu Ci’s style of performance. It’s a mutual choice. Is there a problem with that?”

Gu Chuyun was slightly annoyed. It seemed that the rumors about Zhou Li were true, that he didn’t understand social conventions. Wasn’t he blatantly saying that her performance lacked emotion and only had technical skill?

Chen Bolan’s mind was quick, and he had initially thought he would be a supporting role. But now, unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise had come. This was a project sponsored by Hualan Bank, so how could Gu Chuyun be eliminated?

“Chuyun, I choose you. Is that okay?” Chen Bolan asked.

Xu Yingjun also wanted to choose Gu Chuyun and gave a coy smile. “Chuyun, since Zhou Li chose Gu Ci, who do you want to choose?”

Gu Chuyun’s face turned extremely ugly. Even Director Cai, was in a difficult position. The production team watched this intense power struggle, with the camera zooming in on everyone’s faces. This backstage manipulation was truly remarkable.

Gu Chuyun was furious. “Zhou Li, when you received the offer, didn’t you read the script?”

“What script?” Zhou Li was puzzled and looked at the director. Gu Chuyun wasn’t worried either since it wasn’t a live broadcast and could be edited later. “You must choose me. We will advance to the next round, and they are just supporting roles!”

Everyone was speechless.

The director broke out in a cold sweat. He had intended to advise against it, but Gu Chuyun challenged him instead. “Song and Dance Youth is sponsored by Hualan Bank. If you don’t choose me, do you not want to advance?”

Gu Ci, having learned the art of manipulation from Gu Ziyu, softened her voice. “So there is a script for the variety show. Director, why didn’t you tell me? If I had known I was just a supporting role, I wouldn’t have come.”

She appeared both aggrieved and sad.

Director Cai’s head was pounding, and he blamed Gu Chuyun for being overbearing. Why did she have to expose the hidden rules? “Th-this…”

The situation became extremely awkward. Gu Chuyun sneered, “Gu Ci, from now on, you will always be my supporting role. You don’t have the qualifications to touch anything I don’t want. That’s the rule of the game!”

The members of the production team were all stunned by her words.

No one had expected the variety show to turn into such a chaotic scene.

“What script?” Zhou Li was puzzled.