I am a Big Player
Chapter 242 - 240, Breaking out of the Cocoon into a Butterfly (Third Update)_1

Chapter 242: 240, Breaking out of the Cocoon into a Butterfly (Third Update)_1

If someone can play three instruments, that might be understandable, after all, there have been geniuses who’ve mastered ten languages, which makes playing three instruments seem somewhat less impressive.

But everyone has heard Ren He play the guitar, and that’s really good, and in the aspect of piano, even Liu Jiamin, a special piano recruit in the Tao Essence Class, wants to learn from that figure, so what kind of existence is that?!

And now he’s taken up the violin...

The host announced, "There’s a club in our school that has always been the center of attention, from its seven banners at the beginning to the murder game that followed, to now being the only club with an independent headquarters on campus and its own scholarship. I think everyone knows what I’m talking about. Please welcome Qinghe Club to perform ’Croatian Rhapsody’!"

Croatian Rhapsody? What’s that?

Most of the audience, skilled in at least one instrument and well-versed in both domestic and foreign famous pieces, had never heard of something called the ’Croatian Rhapsody’?!

At that moment, some recalled the piano sound that had drifted from the comprehensive building before, along with that unheard melody—could it be that piece?

Even within the Qinghe Club, no one knew for sure if Ren He had composed this song, because Ren He had never admitted it himself, but Yang Xi knew in her heart, and it was as if Ren He had proven it with those ten songs in her album.

On stage, the Qinghe Club paid no mind to the noisy surroundings but instead looked towards Liu Jiamin. Liu Jiamin smiled and nodded to everyone. She had never imagined she could have so many friends, and she was fully aware of why everyone was still in school uniforms at such a dance party, Yang Xi included.

She was moved and cherished the stage that Ren He and the others had fought for her, and she was grateful that Ren He had given ’Croatian Rhapsody’ to her.

During this time, her mindset had truly changed a lot. No longer so melancholy, she had become genuinely cheerful.

It was also during this time that her mood seemed to have cleared up a lot, and she seemed to understand better the feeling of desperation yet filled with hope in the ’Croatian Rhapsody’ played by Ren He’s fingertips. Though the homeland rebuilt after the war was still in ruins, war would eventually pass, spring would come, flowers would bloom, and people would sing!

Liu Jiamin’s fingers lightly touched the piano keys, her expression serious and focused.

This was the first time the entire school experienced the complete ’Croatian Rhapsody,’ played by the current Liu Jiamin, with such an inexplicably stunning effect.

At this moment, everyone else was merely an accompaniment to Liu Jiamin, even Yang Xi. The girl at the piano shone so brightly!

What’s it like when a piece of music can truly shake one’s soul? The black and white keys on the piano ascended and descended swiftly under delicate fingertips like flying birds, and the notes, like tears, flowed into the heart, yet remained clear.

"It turns out special piano students really are different from us..." someone murmured in awe.

"Quiet."

At this very moment, every member of the Qinghe Club was striving to provide the best backdrop for Liu Jiamin, with Liu Bing’s drum beats tightly following her rhythm, Yang Xi’s guitar softly singing to fill the empty spaces, and Jiang Haoyang whistling nonchalantly...

The violin part in ’Croatian Rhapsody’ was significant, so crucial that if played poorly, the entire piece would lose its luster. In the middle of the piece, Liu Jiamin’s right hand suddenly stopped, and it was at this moment that Ren He’s violin burst forth!

It was as if the people of Croatia had finally stood up amidst the unbearable bombardment, turning back to the battlefield, ready to face death.

Everyone was shocked once again—this guy’s violin skills were also so good!

So the damn president of Qinghe Club is actually a music special recruit, right?!

The instruments in this performance were a complete mishmash, nothing like the formality of No.4 Middle School’s chamber orchestra, with guitars, basses — what the hell kind of setup was this?! Also, could somebody please tell me what Jiang Haoyang was doing sitting on stage, idly whistling away?!

Yet, this ragtag bunch managed to deliver a level of shock that was utterly unprecedented to everyone else.

Many of them had never experienced a live concert before, and the experience Ren He and his friends brought them was far beyond anything they had heard through headphones. This was the true charm of music.

As she played, a tear suddenly fell from Liu Jiamin’s eye onto the piano keys. Yet, it was at this exact moment that her piano playing soared even higher. She was grateful for everything that was happening right now, grateful to these friends for everything they had done for her. Right there at the dance, Liu Jiamin’s heart was elevated once again, and her playing style finally became clear!

In the final moments, Ren He’s violin and Liu Jiamin’s piano complemented each other magnificently, with piano sounds in the violin and violin sounds in the piano, and the performance came to an end alongside their duet.

When the performance concluded, all the students applauded from the bottom of their hearts, a sound that lingered on.

They weren’t sure why the performance had been so impactful; they only knew that being moved was enough.

Ren He led everyone to their feet to bow deeply to the audience, and then they left.

They hadn’t even planned to attend the dance but rather to perform and then bolt! For Ren He, the true significance of the dance lay in helping Liu Jiamin perform and completing his mission.

Now that both tasks were perfectly concluded, there were no regrets left about the dance. He headed out with the Qinghe Club towards the school gates, "Our club’s debut today was a huge success. I’m buying; let’s have a great meal together!"

Everyone was thrilled. Compared to staying at the dance, watching everyone bounce around, and the rich kids flaunting their taste and status, they much preferred the idea of Ren He treating them to some street food, barbecue, and beer!

Ren He turned to ask Yang Xi, "When are you heading back?"

"I can join everyone for dinner; my dad went to Luo City tonight to deal with some business," Yang Xi replied with a light smile.

Holy crap, Yang En isn’t at home? Ren He felt a sudden itch in his heart... but after thinking it over, he just smiled helplessly and let it go. It was still too early anyway; he wasn’t even of age yet at 16! Focus on the skewers!

By the way, the Divine Punishment System hadn’t issued any rewards yet. Could it be waiting for the dance to be completely over before doing so? Ren He didn’t give it much thought.

A group of radiant youths walked along the busy streets, Jiang Haoyang still excitedly asked, "Come on, was my whistling good or what?"

"Who the hell could hear you whistling..." Liu Bing snorted.

Li Yifan chimed in with a tease, "I bet by tomorrow a whole bunch of people will be complaining, ’Who was that guy whistling boredly the whole time during the Qinghe Club’s performance at the dance?’"

"I’ve already lost a lot of weight, okay?!" Jiang Haoyang raised his eyebrows but wasn’t offended.

It was during these years that one could tease without restraint, show off without inhibitions, make mistakes without considering the consequences, and love without thinking about the aftermath. Because time would eventually smooth out your sharp edges, and when you look back on these moments, they will quietly lie in the ocean of your memories, emanating with a burning glow.

However, they hadn’t gone far when Ren He’s facial expression began to change oddly, as if something significant had happened.

...

Thanks for the additional reward.