Chapter 071: Blushing Heartbeat
That afternoon, 2:30 PM.
Shanghai Television Station.
Huaxia Pianist Master Cup Competition Audition Registration Office.
Zhou Mengyao was accompanying Lin Lang, standing in the crowd, queuing up to register. After showing valid identification, they paid the fee, completed registration, and received performance number B007, which was a relatively early audition performance number.
Only with a participation pass was one eligible to enter the audition studio.
After receiving the participation pass.
Zhou Mengyao said, "Today is the last afternoon of the audition registration, and it's definitely going to be a gathering of masters. Old classmate, do you have confidence?"
Lin Lang struck a pose dramatically and replied in a theatrical tone, "Looking ahead into the dark cave, it must be the bandits' lair! I will chase forward and kill them all!"
"Haha..."
"That was well sung. It seems you're full of confidence!" Zhou Mengyao covered her mouth and smiled sweetly.
"Mengyao, you go wait for me outside the audition studio. I'm going to the restroom and will be right there to find you." Lin Lang hurried towards the restroom.
"Okay." Zhou Mengyao went in the opposite direction, towards the audition studio.
After relieving himself, Lin Lang washed his hands, adjusted his Handsome hairstyle in the mirror above the sink, and then walked out of the men's restroom, coincidentally encountering Marry Yang heading towards the women's restroom.
AI Generated Marry Yang Beauty Pic
Seeing the exotic mixed-race beauty director, Marry Yang, Lin Lang's eyes lit up immediately, and he greeted her sweetly, "Sister Marry, I haven't seen you in days, I've missed you so much!"
Marry Yang, upon encountering Lin Lang, felt her heart pound, but she feigned composure and said, "Since you miss me so much, why didn't you text me or call me?"
Lin Lang scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, "I've been too busy these past few days. Sister Marry, are you secretly thinking about me, just like I'm thinking about you?"
Marry Yang looked at Lin Lang with affectionate eyes but stubbornly replied, "I wasn't thinking about you at all!"
Lin Lang took the opportunity to 'wall-slam' Marry Yang, lightly kissing her trembling red lips, and provocatively teased with extremely electrifying eyes, "Your eyes have already betrayed you. Still saying you weren't thinking about me?!"
Marry Yang looked around frantically, her face flushed, and replied, "Xiao Pa Cai, are you crazy?!"
"This is a busy television station. You'll be seen by my colleagues like this. How dare you kiss me in public?!"
Lin Lang replied domineeringly, "What if they see? It's a good chance for me to declare my sovereignty and let your colleagues know you're my woman."
"Hmph~ Who's your woman?!"
Marry Yang shyly pushed Lin Lang away, tactically adjusting her hair, avoiding Lin Lang's burning gaze.
"What's wrong, Sister Marry? Are you mad at me?"
Marry Yang rolled her eyes at Lin Lang and replied with a resentful expression, "After you messed with me, you disappeared for several days and ignored me. Have you already lost interest in me so quickly?"
"Sister Marry, what are you talking about?!"
"We'll meet normally when we record the 'Appraising Heirlooms' program the day after tomorrow!"
"I'm a man who needs to make money, so I've had a bit more socializing outside. I've deeply reflected on myself. How about I invite Sister Marry to watch a movie tonight?"
Marry Yang replied, "No."
Lin Lang pressed, "Why not? Sister Marry, are you really mad?"
Marry Yang replied, "I'm not mad at you. It's just that I have to work overtime tonight to prepare for tomorrow's recording of the 'Huaxia Pianist Master Cup Competition' program."
"So, Sister Marry, you're the director of this Master Cup Piano Competition?"
"That's right!"
"A Lang, the 'Appraising Heirlooms' program isn't being recorded until the day after tomorrow. What are you doing at Shanghai Television Station today?"
Lin Lang replied sweetly, "Of course, I missed Sister Marry. I came to the TV station to see you!"
"Hmph~ Xiao Pa Cai, don't try that with me!"
"Tell me, what are you really doing at the TV station?" Marry Yang looked at Lin Lang affectionately.
Lin Lang pulled out his participation badge and waved it in front of Marry Yang's eyes.
"No way, Xiao Pa Cai?"
"Are you here to participate in the Master Cup Piano Auditions?" Marry Yang was a bit surprised.
Lin Lang replied, "Yes!"
Marry Yang said, "This is the China Piano Performance Master Cup Competition. The contestants are all top pianists in the country. A Lang, besides playing guitar and writing songs, are you also very good at playing the piano?"
Lin Lang humbly replied, "Actually, I'm not very good, just a little bit! Just a little bit!"
"Xiao Pa Cai, why do I feel like you're playing dumb to catch a tiger?!"
"Someone who 'only knows a little' about piano wouldn't dare to sign up for the Master Cup. Our program team's professional judges are very strict with their scoring. If you're not a top-tier piano performer in the industry, you won't make it past the auditions into the semi-finals."
"Xiao Pa Cai, do you have the confidence to pass the audition and enter tomorrow morning's semi-finals?"
Lin Lang exaggeratedly tossed his hair, boasting, "This participation pass is Handsome's ticket to victory. A small Huaxia Pianist Master Cup, isn't it a piece of cake?"
Marry Yang couldn't help but laugh and said, "I hope you're not bragging. I'm really looking forward to your performance in the preliminary audition later."
"Sister Marry, I'm going to the competition. Bye-bye..."
Lin Lang patted Marry Yang's shapely bottom, then left with a mischievous smile.
"Hey..."
"Xiao Pa Cai, you're taking advantage of me again?!" Marry Yang bit her red lips, watching Lin Lang's proud retreating figure.
The Handsome Lin Lang didn't look back, but raised his right hand in a heart gesture towards Marry Yang and replied, "Love you~"
Marry Yang covered her burning cheeks with both hands, her face flushed as she walked into the women's restroom. Despite Lin Lang's 'perverted hand' taking advantage of her, a hint of secret joy blossomed on her face, shy, charming, and smiling, looking absolutely beautiful.
Huaxia Pianist Master Cup Competition Audition Studio.
Five highly respected judges in the piano performance world sat below the stage, holding their scoring pens, professionally and rigorously screening and scoring the audition contestants.
The female host announced, "Next, please welcome contestant B005, Lang Lang, to perform. Contestant B006, Li Yundi, please prepare."
"Contestant B005, Lang Lang, will perform a selection from 'Defend the Yellow River.' Please begin your performance."
Eighteen-year-old, chubby Lang Lang, with slicked-back hair, wearing a suit and bow tie, slowly walked onto the stage and sat on the piano stool. The moment his hands touched the black and white keys, it was as if he had hit a nerve, and the expression on his face was simply captivating.
Lin Lang's audition number was B007, scheduled to perform after Li Yundi.
Zhou Mengyao, in a corner below the audition studio stage, quietly teased, "This little chubby guy is so funny when he plays the piano. Look at his expression, it's like he's about to ascend to heaven, strangely comical."
Lin Lang replied, "Mengyao, don't underestimate this little chubby guy."
"Why?"
"Is this little chubby guy named Lang Lang very good at playing the piano?"
Lin Lang truthfully replied, "As far as I know, Lang Lang signed with IMG management in late 1997, beginning his professional performance career. Last year, he even performed at the Ravinia Music Festival in Chicago, USA."
Zhou Mengyao replied after hearing this, "It really goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover!"
AI Generated Zhou Mengyao Beauty Pic
Lang Lang performed a selection from the piano piece "Defend the Yellow River" on stage, earning warm applause from the audience.
Without surprise.
Lang Lang's performance was merely a formality in the audition registration.
The five judges' on-site scores, the lowest being eight points, ensured his advancement to the semi-finals without suspense.
Of course, two of the five judges also praised Lang Lang's piano performance, extolling his talent and calling him a strong contender for the championship.
Lang Lang bowed in thanks, a smile on his chubby face, and slowly walked off the stage.
Zhou Mengyao whispered below the stage, "Lang Lang's performance of 'Defend the Yellow River' was decent, but was it really that outstanding?"
Lin Lang whispered back, "Lang Lang clearly held back. It's enough to get into the semi-finals in the audition. When it's the real competition, he'll bring out his best piano skills."
"I see." Zhou Mengyao nodded.
Immediately after, the female host announced, "Next, please welcome contestant B006, Li Yundi, to perform. Contestant B007, Lin Lang, please prepare."
"Contestant B006, Li Yundi, will perform a selection from Liszt's 'Feux Follets.' Please begin your performance."
Eighteen-year-old Li Yundi, with a slightly youthful face, slowly walked onto the stage and sat on the piano stool, beginning a dazzling technical performance. He played the extremely difficult 'Feux Follets' with lightness and charm, earning unanimous praise from the judges.
Zhou Mengyao weakly said, "This Li Yundi seems very impressive!"
"This piece, 'Feux Follets,' was once called one of the most difficult etudes in the world by Rachmaninoff, yet Li Yundi performed it so perfectly. It seems he's a strong rival on your path to victory!"
Lin Lang thought to himself, "Although Li Yundi plays the piano well, his character is lacking. In 2021, he was administratively detained for soliciting prostitution and was listed as a 'bad artist' in China, leading to his ban."
Having thought that, Lin Lang proudly replied, "Just a little shrimp, let's do this!"
Zhou Mengyao asked, "What does 'little shrimp' mean?"
Lin Lang explained, "'little shrimp' is a Northeastern dialect, meaning a person of low status or insignificance, similar to the Shanghai dialect 'xiao chi lao.'"
"Haha..."
"A Lang, you're so funny. The term 'little shrimp' is quite interesting."
"But A Lang, this Li Yundi seems very strong. Don't underestimate him!" Zhou Mengyao felt a slight worry, sensing a crisis for Lin Lang.