Chapter 257: Pretender in the Western Restaurant

“When will Gu An sign the contract?”

Xu Shaochen looked at Liu Rushuang and asked. The food in front of him held no appeal.

Admittedly, it looked exquisite and beautiful, especially in terms of color. It was definitely the kind of color women loved.

But as for taste, that’s subjective. In a place like this, you’re really paying for the ambiance. The flavor at best could be described as average.

“Hey, come on. Have you ever seen anyone bringing a woman to a Western restaurant for a business discussion?”

Liu Rushuang couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Xu Shaochen, looking at him with a bit of speechlessness.

In such a quiet and elegant environment, one’s heart should feel sweet, and later, you can assume whatever position you like. But you had to go and say something to ruin the atmosphere. How annoying!

“That’s because their relationship isn’t solid enough yet. So they need to talk about romantic stuff in settings like this to deepen their bond.”

“But do we need that? My feelings for you are as solid as gold. We don’t need these frilly things. They’re looking for romance, but we’re talking about life. Romance lasts a while, but life is forever.”

Xu Shaochen grasped her hand that lay on the table and spoke to her softly with a faint smile on his face.

Sigh, why do I always end up sounding like a scoundrel? These sweet words to woo women have become second nature.

“Hmm, sweet-talker, but at least you know what to say.” Liu Rushuang’s pretty face reddened slightly. She snorted in a tsundere manner but didn’t dare look Xu Shaochen in the eye. She said, “We agreed to sign the contract tomorrow.”

“Then after signing, let’s wait a couple of days before heading back. We can go together then,” Xu Shaochen said, looking at Liu Rushuang.

Liu Rushuang nodded, “Okay.”

“Dun~ Dun dun~”

At that moment, a piano began to play.

Immediately, everyone’s attention turned almost simultaneously toward the piano.

A young man in a white suit sat before it. His long, slender fingers danced swiftly across the keys. With each strike, a pleasant sound emerged, forming a complete piece of music.

Everyone subconsciously put down what they were holding and listened attentively to his playing as if entranced.

But Xu Shaochen felt nothing special. He was also learning some instruments—the violin and the piano.

Despite learning for so long, he’s still incredibly terrible at the violin. If it weren’t for the money, his violin instructor would’ve probably stormed off by now.

Even so, his violin instructor gently hinted that his musical talent was disappointingly low.

This shows that money can’t buy musical talent.

On the contrary, however, he has an outstanding gift for the piano. Whether it’s true or just flattery, his piano instructor praised him as a rare musical genius.

Two music instructors: One says he’s musically untalented, and the other calls him a prodigy.

Xu Shaochen initially thought his piano instructor was merely flattering him for the sake of money.

But after witnessing this guy play today, Xu Shaochen understood something. His piano instructor wasn’t lying.

He might really be a piano genius since he’s sure he could play better than that young man in the white suit.

Oh, I should mention that Linda had enlisted various etiquette instructors for him, including violin and piano teachers—all big names in the industry.

After all, not just anyone has the qualifications to earn such a high salary teaching Xu Shaochen.

Listening to the young man in the white suit play, Xu Shaochen realized what it felt like whenever his piano instructor listened to him play.

Outwardly smiling while inwardly cursing.

There’s no doubt about it: listening to someone play worse than you is absolute torture.

Because you keep wanting to jump up and correct their mistakes.

“Dunnn~~”

As the final note faded, the restaurant returned to its previous quiet.

“Clap, clap, clap…”

Instantly, the restaurant was filled with applause. After all, to ordinary folks, the young man’s performance was pretty good.

“That was nice, very well-played.”

“Yeah, I even forgot to eat. It was that good.”

Everyone lavished praises without holding back.

Hearing the compliments, a self-satisfied smile appeared on Chen Dongquan’s handsome face. He thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of being praised, as if he could float away.

If not for showing off, playing piano in a place like this would be utterly meaningless.

Why show off? Isn’t it just to see a bunch of amateurs shout, ‘Amazing!’?

Now, the crowd’s reaction gave him immense satisfaction.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on Xu Shaochen, and his brows furrowed.

Because he noticed that Xu Shaochen was different from everyone else—his expression was calm, focused solely on his own food, completely ignoring him. Could it be that Xu Shaochen was unimpressed with his piano skills?

This made him a bit angry. And when his eyes landed on Liu Rushuang, he grew even angrier.

Why are the prettiest girls always taken, and never by me?

A woman as beautiful as her should be with a talented, elegant gentleman like myself.

With a smile still on his face, Chen Dongquan walked up to Xu Shaochen and calmly said, “My friend, I noticed you seem unimpressed with my piano skills. How about you play a piece and guide me instead?”

“Sorry, but I’m not very good. I’d rather not embarrass myself,” Xu Shaochen apologized with a slight smile, not wanting to stir up any trouble for no reason.

But Chen Dongquan wasn’t about to let it go. He pressed forward aggressively, “My friend, don’t be so modest. I insist you show me a thing or two.”

So, you think you’re too good for my piano skills? I want to see what you’re capable of.

He just wanted Xu Shaochen to go up and make a fool of himself, to leave him humiliated, or else this building rage inside him wouldn’t be appeased.

“That’s right, play something!”

“Yeah, let’s hear it!”

The others also sensed the hostility from Chen Dongquan toward Xu Shaochen, but they were all eager to watch an entertaining scene and started egging him on.

“You’re basically serving me your face on a silver platter,” Xu Shaochen looked at Chen Dongquan, helpless, no longer bothering to act humble.

Chen Dongquan sneered dismissively, “We’ll see about that after you play, my friend. I advise you, though: don’t aim too high and fall short. Go ahead.”

With those words, Chen Dongquan’s face held a challenging expression as he gestured for Xu Shaochen to proceed.

“Shaochen…” Liu Rushuang hesitated. She had never heard that Xu Shaochen could play the piano.

Xu Shaochen smiled gently at her, “This piece will be for you.”

He wiped his mouth with a napkin before standing up and walked over to the piano.