Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl
Chapter 115 - 115 115 No Regrets

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: No Regrets Chapter 115: Chapter 115: No Regrets “Sorry, Jiang Zhe,” Wang Xue said with an apology that held no trace of regret.

Jiang Zhe clearly did not accept her so-called apology. Her beautiful, fox-like eyes lifted slightly at the tails in a gesture of defiance, “No need, just remember, it was your own choice not to let me replace him—Xiao Meng owes you nothing. Don’t regret it.”

Her attitude was nonchalant, as if no one present was worthy of her attention.

This pricked at Wang Xue’s comfort, especially the last sentence which, to her, sounded like a thick threat.

What right does Jiang Zhe have?

She let out a sarcastic laugh and said, “What is there for us to regret? Every single one of us in the orchestra has been studying the piano and violin for over a decade, practicing diligently every day. After classes and papers, we still practice for an additional two or three hours, saving time even from our sleep, to ensure that we progress in both academics and art. As long as we work hard, there will be nothing to regret!”

The implication, of course, was a taunt at Jiang Zhe for not practicing the piano at all and even being a mess in her academic performance!

“As long as you’re happy,” Jiang Zhe replied unflustered, without even blinking an extra time.

A nameless sense of unease and regret inexplicably rose in Wang Xue’s heart, but she suppressed it immediately.

How could she have such feelings because of Jiang Zhe? She must be overthinking it!

“Let’s go,” Jiang Zhe said, no longer interested in staying here, to Qin Jingchen.

…

Teacher Cao was currently having trouble coordinating enough people and was in a difficult position.

“Ji Tang will come to our orchestra to help us in the competition,” Wang Xue told Teacher Cao, “Ji Tang can play the violin; he’ll take my spot, and I’ll take Xiao Meng’s place.”

It seemed that Wang Xue had long thought out her backup plan, coming up with an arrangement that was all benefit and no harm to herself.

Nobody in the orchestra objected either since Ji Tang’s violin skills were well recognized.

But Teacher Cao was even more troubled, “However, Ji Tang is paired with Si Qing for a performance that is going on right after yours; he simply cannot do two performances at the same time. There’s neither time to change nor prepare.”

“But Ji Tang has already agreed. Teacher Cao, our orchestra is a favorite to win the championship. The performance by Si Qing and Ji Tang was a bumpy ride just to make it into the finals. There is no other way, and I am offering the best solution,” Wang Xue argued, her previous accolades in violin and piano, and her many awards gave her significant clout in the school’s music classes, and Teacher Cao always respected her opinions, allowing her some leeway.

So she had taken the liberty of making the arrangements, not feeling the slightest bit in the wrong for doing so.

Teacher Cao was still hesitant and troubled when Ji Tang stepped forward and said, “I am also willing to partner with Wang Xue and the others.”

Si Qing’s expression changed slightly, Ji Tang’s arrangement meant he was ready to drop their act.

His choice was to dance, and without Ji Tang’s accompaniment, it would be quite dry.

How would he perform then?

Ji Tang sincerely said, “Sorry, Si Qing.”

Rather than choose a performance that wouldn’t score high, Ji Tang would prefer to aim for the championship with the orchestra.

Since they were both willing to make this arrangement, Teacher Cao couldn’t say much more. Their performance was soon to be on stand-by, and she could only make a resolution, “Alright, then make your preparations and immediately proceed to the waiting area.”

After saying that, she approached Si Qing, “Si Qing, I am truly sorry, but the performance rules don’t allow teachers to substitute. You have to go on stage alone. I will find you a good accompanist.”

Jiang Zhe had heard all of this without leaving immediately.

Qin Jingchen stood with her, waiting on the side.

She turned around, “Si Qing, shall I partner with you?”

It was a question, but the tone was decisively unequivocal.

Si Qing looked at her in astonishment upon hearing Jiang Zhe’s cool voice.

It wasn’t that he doubted her abilities; he couldn’t believe she would help him.

“Okay,” he agreed without hesitation.

He hadn’t interacted much with Jiang Zhe, nor had their acquaintanceship been deep, but he found himself inexplicably trusting her a great deal.

He immediately started to look for the music score in a frantic manner, only to remember later that the score was with Ji Tang, who had not given it to him.

Sweat drenched his forehead, “Only Ji Tang has the music score, and he keeps it on him. He’s already gone on stage now!”

Si Qing felt a chill run down his spine, the grand performance he’d barely managed to get into was now facing such a crisis.

He himself was a decent dancer, but he was not at all familiar with the tune, and there was no way he could hum it for Jiang Zhe on the spot.

Besides, how could humming it once possibly be enough?

Changing the dance moves on the spot was simply out of the question, he had been rehearsing this dance for a long time and it was impossible to make any changes.

Was it impossible even with Jiang Zhe’s help? A wave of coldness washed over Si Qing’s heart.

“Remember whose tune it is,” Jiang Zhe asked.

“It’s an original by Ji Tang; he had it modified by someone hired by his family. That’s why he treasures the score so much, he hardly ever let us see it.”

Jiang Zhe snorted, “No wonder your advance to the finals has been so fraught.”

Si Qing was in no mood for jokes right now, his handsome face wore a smile that was uglier than a cry.

“If you listen to this tune once, do you think you could keep up with the rhythm using your original dance moves?” Jiang Zhe handed over her phone.

Seeing no other option, Si Qing said, “I’ll try.”

“You have five minutes, just enough time to finish listening. Will the on-stage instrument be a violin or piano?”

“Piano,” Si Qing replied.

“Go listen,” Jiang Zhe said, then picked a spot to sit down nearby.

Qin Jingchen did not leave. He watched her with interest, not at all surprised by her decisive action and adept handling of the situation.

Soon, Si Qing finished listening to the score.

Teacher Cao hurriedly said, “It’s your turn to be on standby, Si Qing!”

“I’ll go with Si Qing,” Jiang Zhe declared.

At this point, Teacher Cao didn’t care about the formalities. If Jiang Zhe was willing to try, it was worth a shot.

The performance right before them was Wang Xue’s. It was still ongoing as Si Qing and Jiang Zhe were led by the staff into the backstage area.

Si Qing’s sweat never ceased, and the music Jiang Zhe played for him surprisingly matched well with his dance style.

But having only heard it once, he feared it would be hard to keep up with the rhythm of Jiang Zhe’s playing.

And how could Jiang Zhe possibly coordinate with his dance without having seen it?

“I’m going to the audience,” Qin Jingchen told Jiang Zhe before returning to his seat.

In the audience, their earlier seats were still occupied only by Xia Enci; Xiao Meng and Jiang Zhe’s backpacks were there, and Song Xingyu had left a lot of things too. She had to stay and watch them, so she didn’t follow Xiao Meng to the hospital.

Qin Jingchen came back and sat down in his original place, instructing Fen Ye to handle some matters.

Fen Ye immediately nodded in agreement.

Xia Enci could no longer focus on the competition, only concerned about how Xiao Meng was.

Not far away, Jiang Fanyue and Zhang Xi were also enjoying the performances.

An earlier performance had been very impressive; it was a solo violin, where the player made appropriate adaptations to the instrument, making it standout.