Volume One, Chapter 15: A Blind Shot, She Astonishes Everyone

Jiang Kexin trembled with anger, but the last shred of reason told her not to make a scene here. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "I don't know what you're talking about. I have some matters to attend to. Excuse me."

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave," Sheng Weiwei said, grabbing her wrist firmly. Jiang Kexin winced in pain and frowned.

Leaning close to her ear, Sheng Weiwei whispered with a malicious smile only they could hear, "Miss Jiang, you’re dressed so beautifully today. Aren’t you going to go over to Mr. Gu and make your presence felt? I heard MK is currently looking for a spokesperson, and the tentative choice is Ma Xiaoxiao. If you don’t step up your game, this big opportunity will slip away."

MK is now an international high-end brand under the Gu Group’s cosmetics division.

Jiang Kexin’s heart tightened sharply.

Gu Group’s endorsement? Ma Xiaoxiao?

That woman has been gaining momentum recently. If she snatches the Gu endorsement, Jiang Kexin’s position in the fashion world will be shaken. More importantly, on the Gu family’s side...

Her face paled and flushed in turns. She forcefully shook off Sheng Weiwei’s hand and glared at her venomously, no longer bothering to maintain her movie queen composure. Hastily, she strode off in a certain direction.

Watching Jiang Kexin flee in disarray, a trace of triumph flashed in Sheng Weiwei’s eyes.

She waved to a nearby waiter.

The waiter immediately approached with respectful demeanor.

Leaning close, Sheng Weiwei whispered a few words into his ear with an air of casual ease, as if giving an insignificant instruction.

The waiter listened attentively, showing no extra expression, merely nodding slightly when she finished.

Then he quietly slipped away into the crowd.

Only then did Sheng Weiwei turn around and return to Gu Xingnian’s side.

Gu Xingnian was sipping juice calmly, as if the earlier commotion had nothing to do with her.

"Did she get angry?" Sheng Weiwei sat down and winked at her.

Gu Xingnian smiled softly and said, "Do you underestimate me, or overestimate her?"

Sheng Weiwei lightly tapped her fragrant shoulder and grinned mischievously.

"That champagne tower stunt was definitely Jiang Kexin’s doing. Don’t worry, I’m here. We’ll have our revenge!"

At that moment, the banquet hall lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on the main stage.

The host spoke, inviting Fu Beichen onto the stage.

He had changed into a black tuxedo, his injured hand wrapped in gauze, yet it did not diminish his nobility. His deep gaze swept the room with a faint smile.

“Good evening, esteemed guests,” his low, magnetic voice echoed through the hall.

“There was a small incident earlier which may have startled you all, and I would like to apologize for that.”

He bowed slightly.

Warm applause filled the room, signaling understanding.

“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend the Fu Group’s 50th anniversary celebration. Over fifty years of trials and triumphs, none of this would have been possible without the support and trust of our friends, partners, and all our staff.

Tonight, we not only look back at the past but also look forward to the future. The Fu family has prepared a wonderful program. Please enjoy your evening with good food, good drink, and good company.”

Fu Beichen’s speech was concise and powerful, earning enthusiastic applause.

After he stepped down, the host announced the start of the evening’s performances.

The first act was none other than Jiang Kexin’s violin solo.

The spotlight brightened again. Jiang Kexin appeared on stage in an elegant white evening gown, holding her violin gracefully.

One had to admit, as an actress, her stage presence was exceptional.

Every smile, every glance perfectly showcased her charm.

The melodious sound of the violin began — a technically complex classical piece.

Jiang Kexin’s performance was smooth and precise, drawing admiration from many guests.

“Wow, didn’t expect Actress Jiang to be such a skilled violinist!”

“Indeed, so talented, beautiful and gifted.”

“With that level, she could hold a concert, right?”

“Actress Jiang is destined to be the future Mrs. Fu. Truly outstanding.”

Hearing the praises and the growing applause, Jiang Kexin’s smile grew more confident and proud.

From the corner of her eye, she even cast a barely noticeable, provocative glance toward Gu Xingnian and Sheng Weiwei.

Sheng Weiwei curled her lips and whispered to Gu Xingnian,

“Such a show-off. Sounds like she’s sawing wood. Just fooling the amateurs here.”

After Jiang Kexin’s performance ended, the host excitedly invited the next guest performer.

“Next, we are honored to welcome a heavyweight artist from country F! She is known as the Nightingale of F, a grand opera singer of the highest order. Let us give a warm round of applause to Ms. Marianne!”

The audience erupted into even more enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Marianne’s name carried great international prestige. Aside from performing at national theaters, she never accepted private invitations.

Her presence here testified to the Fu family’s strength and connections.

A full-figured, dignified woman approached the stage.

She wore an elegant dark gown and greeted everyone with a kind smile in fluent French.

Even her simple words carried the rhythm of opera, then she gestured for the music to begin.

As the prelude played, Marianne closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly opened her mouth.

“Ah…”

Just a simple vowel sound seemed to carry a magical power, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

Marianne’s voice was high, clear, and penetrating, as if it could pierce directly into one’s soul.

The entire hall was stunned into silence by her singing.

The heavenly voice resonated throughout the banquet hall.

Jiang Kexin, who had been quite proud of her violin performance, suddenly paled upon hearing Marianne’s singing.

That plump woman was actually this formidable?

No, she absolutely could not allow this woman to steal her spotlight!

A ruthless gleam flashed in Jiang Kexin’s eyes.

At the climax of Marianne’s song, suddenly the banquet hall plunged into darkness.

Emergency lights flickered on.

The music stopped abruptly, as did Marianne’s voice.

“Ah—”

Screams and gasps filled the hall. Chaos erupted immediately.

“What’s going on? Is there a power outage?”

“What happened?”

“Could it be some problem?”

Whispers of unease rippled through the crowd.

Jiang Kexin’s lips curled into a barely perceptible cold smile.

Amid the panic, suddenly a clear piano melody began to play in the dark.

The piano was bright, pure, like a mountain spring, instantly soothing the anxious crowd.

The restless murmur gradually quieted.

Everyone held their breath, listening silently to the unexpected piano music.

The notes were gentle and soft, tinged with a faint melancholy, yet full of hope and strength.

As if guiding people forward through the darkness.

Then, a crystalline, ethereal voice began to sing again, intertwining perfectly with the piano, creating a seamless harmony.

The piano accompanied Marianne’s song flawlessly, drawing everyone back into the spellbinding ambiance.

They forgot the darkness, forgot their unease, left only endless emotion and awe.

The lights came back on.

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

Before them, at the white grand piano on stage, fingers flew over the keys with elegance — it was Gu Xingnian!

At that moment, she looked like a goddess of moonlight, pure and beautiful.

Even more astonishing, Gu Xingnian was playing with her eyes closed!

Her slender fingers danced nimbly across the keys, every note precise.

Each melody was deeply moving, as if she wasn’t playing the piano, but singing with her soul.

Blind playing!

She was playing blind!

Everyone was stunned by Gu Xingnian’s piano skills, hardly believing their eyes.

Fu Beichen’s pupils trembled in shock.