DAEYTT ### Chapter 25: Live Performance? Anticipation for the Overall Rankings!

In the afternoon, as the sky darkened, Wang Qian finally wrapped up his day's work. He Fulin, Zhao Wei, Jiang Yu, and Murong Yue all looked a bit fatigued, but their eyes shone with evident excitement.

He Fulin, still brimming with enthusiasm, exclaimed, "Wang Qian, this is what music should be like—it's exhilarating."

Jiang Yu, packing up her things, still had a glimmer in her eyes but spoke in a detached tone, "Rock, it's just so-so."

Murong Yue, however, was bouncing with joy, "Hehe, Jiang Jiang, don't be like that. It's rock 'n' roll, we're playing rock 'n' roll—it's awesome, hahaha... Did you see me drumming earlier? Wasn't I cool?"

She deftly twirled the drumsticks in her hand, making them spin between her thumb and index finger as if they were glued to her fingers, then suddenly struck the drum, producing a crisp sound.

Jiang Yu didn't even glance at Murong Yue, instead focusing her gaze on Wang Qian, "Can you give me the sheet music for the piano piece you played today?"

Wang Qian, gathering the recorded tracks, glanced at Jiang Yu, "I have the sheet music. But I'll give it to you after the contract ends, depending on your performance. If you do well, I'll let you have it for personal enjoyment."

Jiang Yu responded seriously, "I want to play it now."

Wang Qian shrugged, "No can do."

With that, Wang Qian packed up his things and prepared to leave. He extended his hand to He Fulin and Zhao Wei, "It was a pleasure working with you today."

He Fulin shook Wang Qian's hand with both of his, "It's an honor. I'm just more experienced. When it comes to talent and skill, I can't compare to you young folks."

Zhao Wei nodded in agreement, "You guys are amazing. I've learned a lot. If you join the show and want to make a big impression, you might consider having us perform live."

Zhao Wei's eyes were fixed on Wang Qian, full of anticipation. He longed to perform on stage!

Wang Qian smiled but hadn't planned on that just yet, "Let's see. I don't even know how long I'll last on the show. If I get eliminated right away, bringing you guys on would be embarrassing. You're my secret weapon. We'll practice more to build our chemistry. If I make it through, I'll bring you on stage at the right moment."

Jiang Yu pointed out, "There's no mention of live performance in the contract."

Wang Qian retorted, "Then you don't have to go. I'll find someone else."

Murong Yue raised her hand, "I want to go, I want to go."

Jiang Yu glared at Murong Yue, saying nothing.

Murong Yue meekly lowered her hand and continued playing with her drumsticks.

Wang Qian slung his backpack over his shoulder, "Take your time packing up. I'm leaving."

He Fulin responded, "Alright, goodbye."

Zhao Wei added, "Take care."

Murong Yue and Jiang Yu stayed behind, waiting for Qin Xuerong to pick them up. As Wang Qian walked out the door, he ran into Qin Xuerong, who was dressed in business attire, probably having just come from the office. She swiftly grabbed Wang Qian's backpack and carried it herself, asking with concern, "How did the recording go? Were Jiang Jiang and Xiao Yue helpful?"

Hearing Qin Xuerong's voice, Jiang Yu and Murong Yue came to the doorway, glaring at her.

"Helpful...?" 

Are we tools to her?

Jiang Yu's voice was icy, "Qin Xuerong, what are you saying?"

Qin Xuerong turned and gave Jiang Yu an ingratiating smile, then followed Wang Qian out. 

Murong Yue pouted, "Xue'er, where are Jiang Jiang and I staying?"

Without looking back, Qin Xuerong replied, "A driver will pick you up soon. Don't worry about the accommodation."

Murong Yue was unhappy, "What about you?"

Qin Xuerong answered, "I'll take Wang Qian home first and come back for you later."

Wang Qian had already taken back his bag and was quickly heading downstairs. Qin Xuerong followed him into the elevator.

Jiang Yu and Murong Yue stood in the hallway, staring at the empty space, exchanging a look of shared irritation and disbelief.

That girl...

She actually...

Left us for a guy?

He Fulin and Zhao Wei finished packing and waved goodbye to the two women.

"Bye, Jiang Yu, Xiao Yue!"

"Bye..."

Murong Yue huffed angrily, stomping her foot hard on the floor before rushing back to her drum set and furiously drumming away.

Thump, thump, thump...

Jiang Yu, still cold-faced, watched Murong Yue's tantrum and softly said, "Do you think he really composed that piece?"

Her mind was still fixated on the piano piece. The intrigue had captured her heart, and the thought of not obtaining it left her restless.

Murong Yue struck the drum hard, as if imagining Qin Xuerong's face on it. Hearing Jiang Yu's words, she calmed down and carefully recalled the piano piece Wang Qian played. Although a whole day had passed, the memory was still vivid for both of them. That feeling lingered, making it hard for these two music enthusiasts to forget.

"I can't think of any piece like that. Maybe he really composed it? He named it 'Wang Qian's Tenth Etude,' so there might be a first, second, and even a fifteenth etude..." Murong Yue speculated, but stopped short. If that were true, Wang Qian would be far more talented than they imagined.

Jiang Yu squinted, "Let's ask him for the sheet music tomorrow."

Murong Yue replied, "Judging by his attitude, it won't be easy."

Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway, "Still not leaving?"

The two were startled and turned to see Qin Xuerong.

Murong Yue's eyes widened, "You didn't leave?"

Qin Xuerong, looking slightly dejected, said, "He took a cab by himself."

Murong Yue's curiosity ignited, her eyes almost blazing with gossip, "So, Qin Xuerong, are you chasing after him? And the problem is, he doesn't like you, yet you keep clinging to him?"

Both Murong Yue and Jiang Yu stared at Qin Xuerong with eyes that seemed like laser beams, ready to pierce through her.

Jiang Yu laughed softly, "Heh!"

Qin Xuerong's face turned red, and then she lifted her head defiantly, "So what? Is there a problem? Can't I chase him? Can't I like him?"

Murong Yue walked up to Qin Xuerong and reached out to touch her up and down.

Qin Xuerong hurriedly backed away, "What are you doing?"

Murong Yue seriously said, "I'm checking if you're an alien in disguise."

Qin Xuerong pushed Murong Yue away, "Alright, I'm not an alien. I'm Qin Xuerong, and I like Wang Qian. I'm pursuing him, and he's ignoring me. Got it? If you get it, pack up your things and come with me. I'll take you to the villa. I finally became friends with him, and now that you're working with him, you need to help me out, say some good things for me."

Jiang Yu picked up her bag and walked out, "Betraying friends for love!"

Murong Yue glared at Qin Xuerong, "Xue'er, does he enchant you that much? You'd sell us out for him? I thought we were best friends!"

Qin Xuerong hugged Murong Yue, "You are my best friends. That's why I need your help to win him over!"

Murong Yue hesitated, "But, but..."

Murong Yue felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint it, so she just huffed and pushed Qin Xuerong's hand away, following Jiang Yu.

Qin Xuerong didn't mind their attitude, trailing behind them.

Murong Yue's anger subsided in less than two minutes, "Xue'er, where are you taking us for dinner tonight?"

Qin Xuerong, driving, replied, "You and Jiang Jiang can eat wherever you want. Put it on my tab. I'm staying somewhere else..."

Murong Yue asked, "Where? You're not staying with us?"

Jiang Yu, looking out the window, sneered, "Heh..."

Qin Xuerong explained, "I bought a house in XXX community. I’ll stay there for a while, it's closer to the company."

Jiang Yu immediately exposed her, "Wang Qian lives in that community too, right?"

Qin Xuerong stayed silent, focusing on the road.

Murong Yue reached out to grab Qin Xuerong's face, "Ah... Qin Xuerong... you're dead..."

Qin Xuerong yelled in panic, "I'm driving! I'm a woman driver..."

...

Of course, Wang Qian wouldn't take Qin Xuerong's car home. The more she tried to appear close to him in front of others, the more vigilant he became. This tactic... he had used it dozens of times in his past life. He wouldn't fall for it.

Back home, Wang Qian played the recorded music on his computer, prepared a hot bath, and checked the data on the music website. It seemed like he had received a major recommendation on the homepage today, so there should be a surge in numbers. He looked forward to seeing his progress on the overall rankings.


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