{Chapter: 168 Lin Yuan: "You didn't even reached the passing line."}
"Wonderful!"
As his words notes of the piece echoed through the grand hall, many among the audience broke into enthusiastic applause. A wave of praise rippled through the venue, and quite a few women even clapped with more fervor than others.
Ye Feng stood confidently on stage, his figure highlighted under the soft stage lights. With his sharp features and refined appearance, he was undeniably handsome—and that charm, combined with the audacity to step up in front of such a distinguished crowd, made him seem even more magnetic.
His courage alone was enough to garner admiration.
Many of the guests, especially the younger generation, found themselves eager to see how this mysterious young man would perform. And for Ye Feng, this was more than just a casual performance. He wanted this moment to be unforgettable, not just for the crowd, but especially for a few individuals—Yan Ruyue, Qiao Siying, Mei Yuxian, and Gui Qingtong.
He wanted all of them to look at him with admiration, awe, and maybe even a hint of desire.
Ye Feng took a deep breath, settled himself comfortably, and gently placed his fingers on the keys of the grand piano. Silence fell across the hall, everyone waiting in anticipation.
Then, he began to play.
A soothing, elegant melody began to fill the air.
Lin Yuan, who was seated with a glass of fine red wine in hand, casually sipped from it while chatting quietly with Gui Qingtong. He listened with a calm expression as Ye Feng's performance continued.
The music was indeed graceful and well-paced. It carried an emotional undertone that resonated with the audience. Still, Lin Yuan noticed a few awkward pauses—slight hesitations in Ye Feng's playing, likely a result of not having practiced consistently over the years.
Despite this, Lin Yuan had to admit that Ye Feng's piano skills were undeniably at a professional level. His technical foundation was solid, and even the imperfections couldn't overshadow the quality of his playing.
In fact, some of the other guests who had originally considered performing themselves quietly gave up the idea. Compared to Ye Feng's confident and skillful performance, anything they could offer might seem amateurish.
After the final note lingered and faded, the banquet hall once again erupted into applause.
"That was wonderful!"
"Excellent performance!"
Voices rose from all corners of the room, and noble young ladies, in particular, stared at Ye Feng with sparkling eyes—some even with admiration burning in their gaze. It was clear that Ye Feng had managed to captivate quite a few people that evening.
Compliments poured in.
His piano skills, after all, were nothing short of impressive. He had delivered a commendable performance, especially considering the context and pressure.
Still standing at the piano, Ye Feng smiled modestly and said, "It's really nothing special. If this piano hadn't had a few faulty keys, I think I could've played a little better."
Though he appeared humble on the surface, his voice carried an unmistakable air of pride.
Lin Yuan, who had been quietly observing the entire time, caught the subtle arrogance in Ye Feng's tone. He met Ye Feng's eyes briefly—his own expression cool and unreadable.
Ye Feng, hoping to receive some kind of emotional reaction, was disappointed to see Lin Yuan remain utterly indifferent. He quickly looked away, discomfort stirring in his chest.
What frustrated Ye Feng even more was Yan Ruyue's reaction. He had eagerly looked her way, hoping to see surprise or admiration in her eyes.
Instead, her expression showed nothing but disgust.
It was a blow to Ye Feng's confidence. He couldn't understand her at all. His performance was undeniably good—why couldn't she acknowledge that?
But the truth was that Yan Ruyue had already listened to Lin Yuan play the piano before, and his performance had been far more breathtaking, moving her in a way Ye Feng's couldn't dream to replicate.
In comparison, Ye Feng's playing felt dull and unimpressive.
Moreover, her hatred for Ye Feng had long since reached a boiling point. Nothing he did could change her opinion now. In fact, every time he showed off, it only deepened her disdain.
Still not willing to give up, Ye Feng shifted his gaze to Qiao Siying, hoping at least she would be captivated.
However, to his dismay, Qiao Siying wasn't even looking at him. Instead, her gaze was fixed on Lin Yuan.
Ye Feng frowned slightly, confusion building inside him. 'What the hell is going on?' he muttered internally.
In the original development he imagined, Qiao Siying should've been impressed by his piano skills. But now—nothing.
What he didn't know was that Qiao Siying, having spent so much time listening to the 'Blue and White Porcelain' track, had unconsciously raised her standards when it came to piano music.
To her, Ye Feng's performance was decent but nothing special.
She was far more entertained by the idea of seeing Lin Yuan make a fool of himself. In fact, she was already scheming a way to make that happen—her curiosity and playful cruelty toward Lin Yuan outweighing any interest she had in Ye Feng's talents.
Noticing her gaze, Lin Yuan casually glanced her way.
Then, with a calm and mischievous expression, he raised his hand and made a subtle gesture—rubbing and pressing something in air.
Qiao Siying instantly remembered what Lin Yuan had done to her at the equestrian club that day. Her cheeks flushed red, and her eyes flickered with a mix of fury and shame.
The boldness of that memory, combined with Lin Yuan's teasing look, completely overwhelmed her focus. Ye Feng's piano performance became the last thing on her mind.
Feeling completely ignored, Ye Feng turned to his final targets—Mei Yuxian and Gui Qingtong.
But he found the two chatting comfortably with Lin Yuan, paying little attention to him or his music.
Ye Feng stood dumbfounded, staring out into the crowd as disappointment flooded him.
He truly believed his performance had been top-notch.
He thought he'd finally seize the attention and admiration of the women he desired.
But now, not even one of them showed the slightest interest.
What he didn't understand was that Mei Yuxian had never heard Lin Yuan play yet, so she lacked a reference point for comparison. Still, while she thought Ye Feng's playing was acceptable, she simply wasn't invested enough to give him her attention. Her conversation with Lin Yuan was far more engaging.
Gui Qingtong, similarly, felt no emotional connection to Ye Feng's playing.
To them, Ye Feng's shining moment had come and gone without leaving much of an impression.
And for Ye Feng, that quiet indifference from all the people he longed to impress was more painful than outright criticism.
After Ye Feng finished his performance on the piano, Mei Yuxian gently nodded and commented, "This Ye Feng really does play the piano quite well."
Before Lin Yuan could offer a response, Gui Qingtong eagerly chimed in, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Mom, you haven't even heard Brother Lin Yuan play yet. Compared to him, Ye Feng's performance is nothing. Brother Lin Yuan is in a completely different league—far superior!"
She emphasized further, her voice crystal clear and direct, "And no, I'm not saying that just because Brother Lin Yuan is handsome. Objectively speaking, Ye Feng's performance was mediocre at best. If I'm being blunt… he played like crap compared to brother Lin Yuan."
Her words were sharp, cutting through the polite atmosphere with ruthless honesty.
Gui Qingtong had been silently observing Ye Feng from the moment he stepped on stage, and unlike some who remained neutral, she was already deeply critical of his character. In her eyes, Ye Feng wasn't just arrogant—he was an insufferable show-off. Her dislike for him rivaled that of Yan Ruyue, who openly detested Ye Feng's presence.
And truth be told, Lin Yuan's piano skills genuinely surpassed Ye Feng's. He didn't rely on theatrics or showmanship; his music spoke for itself. That was why Gui Qingtong defended him without hesitation.
Mei Yuxian turned to Lin Yuan with curiosity glimmering in her eyes. "Xiao Yuan, is that true? Are you really that good on the piano? Sister Yuxian would love to hear you play."
At first, when Gui Qingtong had mentioned Lin Yuan's piano talent, Mei Yuxian assumed it was just admiration from a girl smitten by his looks. But now, hearing the conviction in Gui Qingtong's voice and the scorn she directed at Ye Feng's performance, Mei Yuxian became intrigued.
She already knew a lot about Lin Yuan. She had heard whispers about how he made 30 billion in a single day through stocks, how he possessed astonishing medical skills, and how he carried himself with confidence wherever he went. Now she was learning he might also be a master pianist?
'So not only is he charming and from a powerful background, but he's talented in so many fields?' Mei Yuxian thought to herself, deeply fascinated. 'He's practically flawless.'
However, Lin Yuan merely took a leisurely sip of wine and replied calmly, with a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "Sister Yuxian, there's no rush. I'll definitely play for you when the time is right. But it wouldn't be polite to interrupt the person onstage right now, would it?"
"You're right," Mei Yuxian chuckled, finding his demeanor refreshingly composed and self-assured. She nodded with anticipation. "Then I'll wait and look forward to your performance."
She recognized that confident expression—she had used it herself many times, especially when she was certain of her own skills. But in her mind, she couldn't help but wonder: Ye Feng's skills are already at a professional level… could Lin Yuan really be even better?
Her curiosity grew stronger.
Meanwhile, Ye Feng continued to play another piece on stage. He forced a smile, but inside he was deeply frustrated. None of the women he hoped to impress—Yan Ruyue, Qiao Siying, Mei Yuxian, or Gui Qingtong—showed any interest in his performance. All their eyes and attention seemed to drift elsewhere… mostly toward Lin Yuan.
Still, Ye Feng found solace in the admiration he was getting from the general audience. His striking appearance combined with his musical talent had captured the attention of many wealthy young ladies. Their admiring gazes gave him a sense of triumph, and he took pride in knowing that he had at least succeeded in winning over the crowd.
From the edge of the crowd, Ye Feng glanced over at Gu Qingshan, his close friend and personal hype man. Gu Qingshan caught the signal instantly and raised his voice.
"Ye Feng! That was amazing! You really know how to move an audience!"
"Ye Feng, your piano skills are phenomenal!"
"You're the best, Ye Feng!"
More and more people followed suit, clapping and voicing their praise.
Ye Feng, basking in the applause, put on a modest expression and waved his hands. "No, no, please, I'm just an amateur. Honestly, I barely passed. The piano's keys weren't very responsive either. If the instrument had been in better condition, I could've played something more refined."
His tone was filled with false humility, carefully constructed to bait more praise from the audience.
As expected, the crowd responded exactly as he hoped.
"How can you say that? You were incredible!"
"You didn't just pass—you aced it!"
"That was a professional-level performance!"
Just as Ye Feng was enjoying the flattering words and standing tall with pride, a cold voice rang out from the crowd—clear and cutting.
"Actually, you were right the first time," the voice said. "You barely passed. In fact… I'd say you didn't even reach the passing line. You overestimated yourself."
The atmosphere fell into a sudden, chilling silence.
Everyone turned their heads toward the source of the voice.
It was Lin Yuan.
Calm, composed, and with a faint, unimpressed expression on his face, he had spoken those words without raising his voice—yet they echoed like a thunderclap through the hall.
Ye Feng's proud smile froze on his face. His expression turned ugly in an instant, his jaw tightening as the weight of Lin Yuan's casual yet brutal words settled in.
The audience, moments ago full of applause and praise, now held their breath, sensing the tension spike in the room.
Ye Feng clenched his fists behind his back, trying to suppress the anger bubbling inside him. No matter how many people had praised him just seconds earlier, Lin Yuan's single sentence had shaken his composure completely.