Chapter 142: There Is No One in the World Like a Mother

When it comes to legendary love stories, few captivate the Chinese heart as deeply as that of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Originating during the Eastern Jin dynasty and passed down through generations, their tale has evolved into one of the most poignant romances in Chinese culture.

Jiang Lele’s solo performance of "The Butterfly Lovers" effortlessly drew everyone’s thoughts into that heartrending, mournful love story.

“The Cowherd Star so distant, the Weaver Girl shining bright;
Separated by a river they stand, silent, unable to speak.”

It was as if they all had been transported back to the era of the green and white robes, savoring the bittersweet beauty of imperfection.

As the final notes faded, a faint mist of emotion shimmered in the eyes of many young women present, clearly moved by the music.

After finishing, Jiang Lele, having immersed herself fully in the musical world, took a deep breath and slowly regained her composure.

With a gentle smile, she glanced at her challenger, Qi Yue, saying, “My performance is done; now it’s your turn. Just a reminder, most of the people here are professionals.”

With that, she gracefully walked to the bar, sipped a glass of lemon water, and then regarded Qi Yue with keen interest.

Jiang Lele quite liked Lin Yu’s girlfriend. She found the girl pure and transparent, like crystal — her eyes clear without a trace of impurity, a rare quality in today’s restless world.

Meanwhile, Qi Yue felt uneasy. She glanced nervously at the piano, then at Lin Yu, her brow furrowed as she shyly whispered, “Xiao Yu, I’m scared. My heart is pounding…”

Lin Yu chuckled softly, “Scared of what? You’re Qi Yue, how could you be afraid?”

He then approached the bar, asked Jiang Lele for paper and pen, and began to write diligently. Soon, the pristine sheet was filled with dense lines of text.

Completing this, Lin Yu smiled faintly as he walked over to Qi Yue, enveloping her in a warm embrace. He said gently, “We’re just here for fun, so don’t be nervous. Treat it like you’re at home. Follow what I say, and you’ll win.”

“Are you sure? I feel like... I might embarrass myself!” Qi Yue looked at him with innocent eyes.

“Even if you do, it doesn’t matter. Hardly anyone here knows us,” Lin Yu replied nonchalantly.

“That won’t do! The condition was to beat you. If I lose, you’ll be taken away.”

“...She’s definitely teasing you. Alright, here—take this and go,” Lin Yu handed over the paper and reassured her once more.

Qi Yue tilted her head, glanced at the paper, and then, somewhat timidly, sat down at the piano.

Several artistic young men, all professionals, were eager to see what she would play, especially after Yang Zhilin’s deeply moving performance had won over everyone present.

Qi Yue’s appearance seemed even more spirited than Yang Zhilin’s—her fingers slender, her long, straight legs surpassing those of most girls.

She was clearly a promising music student.

“Such a girl should play Johann Strauss Jr.’s ‘The Blue Danube’—simple and pure,” thought Lang Yunfan, admiring her from the corner of his eye.

In fact, many were guessing what piece she would choose to counter Jiang Lele’s exquisitely tragic expression of love.

“Uh, well... I haven’t touched a piano in a long time. I’ll just try it out first!” The usually lively Qi Yue shyly stuck out her tongue, a cute gesture that instantly charmed several young men.

Then, under the gaze of all, she rolled up her sleeves and lightly pressed a single finger onto the keys.

The notes—do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si—came out irregularly...

At that moment, all the supporters of Qi Yue were utterly speechless. It was obvious: her piano skills were purely amateur.

And yet, she dared to challenge a professional like Jiang Lele? It was almost laughable!

Jiang Lele’s smile grew wider, sipping her lemon juice, finding Qi Yue utterly adorable and amusing.

Lang Yunfan, who had been eagerly anticipating her performance, suddenly darkened his expression and asked, “Hey, are you deliberately making trouble?”

“Making trouble?” Qi Yue shot him a clear-eyed glare, then, mimicking Yang Zhilin and Jiang Lele, took a deep breath.

But as she did, a chuckle escaped her lips.

Amid the murmurs, she playfully stuck out her tongue at Lin Yu, glanced at the black and white keys, and carefully tucked Lin Yu’s written words into the score’s place.

“Serious girls are the most beautiful.”

Whispering this to herself before starting, Qi Yue began to tap the keys gently.

At first, the audience couldn’t discern what she was playing.

After about ten seconds, including Lin Yu, they slowly realized it was “Only Mother is Good in This World.”

Several with a low humor threshold couldn’t help but laugh.

Jiang Lele even spat out the lemon juice she had just sipped in surprise.

“You’re a girl who can’t even play ‘Only Mother is Good’ properly, yet you challenge me, a Grade 8 professional? Isn’t this a joke?”

Not just her—other professional contestants found it hilarious as well. Yet Qi Yue’s beauty and charm won them over, so no one interrupted with boos.

Seeing everyone so cooperative, Lang Yunfan merely smiled and looked back toward Yang Zhilin.

By comparison, he thought Yang Zhilin was the perfect match for him—truly a soulmate.

Qi Yue, sensing the unusual gazes around her, grew momentarily puzzled and inadvertently glanced toward Lin Yu.

At that moment, Lin Yu smiled confidently and nodded at her.

As if receiving a signal, Qi Yue focused intently, playing the piano while reading the words tucked between the sheet music.

Softly, she recited along with the melody:

Whether you see me or not,
I am there.
Neither sad nor glad.
Whether you think of me or not,
Love is there.
Neither coming nor going.
Whether you love me or not,
Love remains.
Neither more nor less.
Whether you follow me or not,
My hand is in yours.
Never letting go, never abandoning.
Come into my arms,
Or
Let me live in your heart—
Silent love,
Quiet joy.