Chapter 141: The Butterfly Lovers

The draw for the final four was very simple: four slips of paper to determine the pairings, one-on-one for both matches.
The final result paired Yang Zhilin against the young Yao Sining, while Jiang Lele faced the handsome Zheng Shaoyang.
In truth, everyone present was an expert, and the moment the draw was announced, they had already guessed who the finalists would be.
Although Yang Zhilin and Jiang Lele were on par with the other two in terms of technical skill, their musical expressiveness far surpassed that of their opponents.
In the first match, Yang Zhilin’s rendition of *Canon in D* completely crushed young Yao Sining’s *Bohemian Rhapsody*.
Meanwhile, under immense pressure, Zheng Shaoyang failed in his attempt to challenge *The Flight of the Bumblebee*, making a major error during his performance that handed Jiang Lele an uncontested victory.
When the names of Yang Zhilin and Jiang Lele were officially placed on the duel roster, every man and woman present applauded with gentlemanly and ladylike grace.
The artistic expression of the two young women had indeed reached a master's level, commanding deep admiration. In terms of expressiveness alone, they were by no means inferior to Lang Lang, the piano prodigy making waves in the international music scene.
Consequently, everyone present eagerly anticipated the ultimate battle for the championship between the two pearls.
Yet at that very moment, the icy-faced Yang Zhilin spoke up, neither sad nor joyful, "Since I have already entered the top three and earned the right to a recorded disc, I forfeit the final."
"Whoa... How can that be?"
"Isn't that just running away? That's not right..."
For a moment, murmurs and sighs filled the modestly sized Classic Piano Store. Many felt as though a World Cup final had just announced a forfeit at the eleventh hour—it was utterly disappointing.
"Zhilin, would you reconsider? Look, everyone is so eagerly looking forward to your performance!" Lang Yunfan, dressed in a handsome black evening suit, gazed at the girl with hopeful eyes, wishing for a positive reply.
There was a saying about living up to expectations; he believed that facing the expectant gazes of so many people, Yang Zhilin would surely change her mind and treat everyone to a truly splendid piano duel.
How pleasing to the eye would it be for two talented, beautiful girls to deliver a breathtaking performance for the audience!
However, Yang Zhilin replied coldly without hesitation, "In my life, I have never gone back on my word."
At that instant, Lang Yunfan felt a chill run through his entire body, as if he had been plunged into an icy winter cave, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

"Ah, the climax is about to dissipate before it even begins. What a tremendous regret in life!" the long-haired handsome man Zheng Shaoyang sighed deeply at that moment.
In fact, not just him; almost everyone present felt a sense of regret. After all, they were merely acquaintances crossing paths by chance, and who knew when or where they might meet again in the wandering rivers and lakes of life.
Eventually, it even evolved into a petition by multiple people urging Yang Zhilin to play just one more piece for everyone.
Yet the aloof-natured Yang Zhilin was clearly not someone easily swayed, and in the end, she left everyone disappointed.
Seeing Yang Zhilin resolutely and repeatedly shake her head, Lang Yunfan, though unwilling, smiled with good grace and said, "Thank you to every brother and sister, and thank you to every passerby who left a stroke of color in tonight's story... We shall meet again in another interesting dream."
Following this heavily literary and emotional speech, Lang Yunfan's expression suddenly turned solemn as he announced in a loud voice, "Now, I will announce the final rankings of the competition and present the mysterious reward belonging to the first place."
"Wait a minute before you announce it. I want to challenge Jiang Lele."
At that moment, a youthful figure suddenly stepped forward. It was Qi Yu, acting under Lin Yu's instructions.
"Well, beautiful, according to the rules, the competition has already ended, so your challenge is too late," Lang Yunfan said with a hint of regret. Rejecting a beautiful woman's proposal made him feel rather uncomfortable.
It was already midnight. Although Heping Road, where the piano store was located, bordered a bustling district, it was not a prominent street in itself, so the streetlights were turned off at midnight, leaving the outside world pitch dark.
The literary youths gathered in the Classic Piano Store had just been disappointed by Yang Zhilin's indifference.
However, hearing Qi Yu—who had come with her—boldly declare that she wanted to challenge Jiang Lele immediately revived their spirits, making them think today's events were truly thrilling after all.
Yang Zhilin's repeated refusals had left everyone deeply disappointed, but Jiang Lele, whose personality was comparatively much more agreeable, shouldn't leave them hanging in suspense, right?
Sure enough! After Lang Yunfan stated that the competition had concluded, Jiang Lele walked over to Qi Yu with a smile, looked the girl over carefully for a moment, and then glanced at Lin Yu.
With a playful tone, she said, "If you want to duel with me in piano, shouldn't we add some stakes?"
"Hah, add them then! What do you want to win?" Qi Yu's temper flared up quickly. Provoked by the other's inherent air of superiority, she glared right back and said.
She was far too easily provoked. Watching everything unfold from the sidelines, both Lin Yu and Yang Zhilin shook their heads helplessly.
"Fine, I'll tell you what you'll win."

Witnessing Qi Yu's innocence—or rather, her foolishness—Jiang Lele chuckled lightly, then walked up to her and whispered in her ear, "It's very simple. If I win, I'll be the primary wife, and you'll be the secondary. If I lose, you can name any demand you like, as long as it's within my power."
"You!" Hearing Jiang Lele put it that way, Qi Yu grew even angrier, feeling an urge to knock the other girl flying with a single kick.
Yet, after frowning in thought for a moment, she gritted her teeth and declared fiercely, "Fine! This big sister agrees, and I'll make you lose with absolute respect. You go first! I'll take the grand finale."
"Hehe, very well."
Jiang Lele flashed an elegant smile, her still-clear eyes sweeping intentionally or unintentionally toward Lin Yu before she turned and walked with a catwalk toward the black grand piano.
However, upon sitting down at the bench, Jiang Lele glanced back in the direction of the group once more. She felt that the heavily made-up girl, who had remained inconspicuous all along, looked somewhat familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before.
After pondering for a moment, she figured she was just overthinking things, so she adjusted her breathing and prepared to immerse herself in the world of the piano.
In truth, what she had just said to Qi Yu about being the primary wife while making the other the secondary was merely a joke. She could tell that the girl was Lin Yu's legitimate girlfriend, and a mischievous impulse had simply gotten the better of her.
When it came to romance, Jiang Lele took things very lightly, treating it essentially as a game, so she was hardly about to throw her life away over a man like Lin Yu.
Her greatest love was music.
Once she centered her mind, she gently touched the keys with a sorrowful expression, beginning a solo piano rendition of *The Butterfly Lovers*.
In an instant, the entire hall of the piano store felt as though a pair of colorful butterflies had flown in, playfully chasing and dancing around one another.
True art can pierce the soul and evoke resonance.
Without a doubt, utilizing the most classic romance from ancient China, Jiang Lele successfully achieved that deeply touching effect.