Chapter 364: The Rogue Instrument

Although Conan hadn’t learned much, he knew the general meaning of these words. Xiao Wu’s smile was warm and welcoming.

Conan’s fighting spirit was stifled. He awkwardly said a common phrase he had just learned. “Thank you.”

Then he repeated himself. “I’ll definitely beat you!”

Xiao Wu: “Good luck…”

After saying that, Xiao Wu pulled Mu Jingzhe to meet Ji Buwang for dinner, leaving Conan sulking and muttering to himself.

Xiao Wu’s encouragement and attitude made Conan feel that he probably despised him, so he was even more eager to fight.

When Mu Jingzhe got out of the elevator, she looked at Xiao Wu. “Xiao Wu, you’ve never participated in a competition before. Are you nervous?”

“I’m not nervous because I’ve never participated in one before.”

Alright, this logic was invincible.

When they walked out of the elevator, they happened to hear Xiao Wu’s name at the front desk. “I don’t know which room he’s staying in. I won’t look for him either. I’ll let him prepare for the competition. I just need you to help me pass these to Shao Zhong…”

“Uncle Jiang!” Xiao Wu ran over and interrupted him. “What are you doing here?”

“Xiao Wu.” Jiang Feng’s eyes lit up. “I heard that you’re going to compete, so I wanted to give you something.” Jiang Feng was holding something in his hand.

“Thank you, Uncle Jiang.”

Jiang Feng was about to speak when he saw Mu Jingzhe behind him. “Sister-in-law.”

He had just shouted with a smile when he saw Ji Buwang behind Mu Jingzhe. Jiang Feng also knew Ji Buwang and was aware that Ji Buwang shamelessly wanted to snatch Mu Jingzhe away.

The moment he saw Ji Buwang, the smile on Jiang Feng’s face disappeared. “Why are you here?”

His sharp gaze swept over Mu Jingzhe. “Sister-in-law, what’s going on?”

He knew that Shao Qihai couldn’t come because he had to take care of the other children and that Mu Jingzhe had come with Xiao Wu. However, he hadn’t expected Mu Jingzhe to bring Ji Buwang. “Why is he here too?”

His mood was a little off, and the way he looked at Mu Jingzhe had changed from respect to coldness.

Back then, Mu Jingzhe hadn’t abandoned the kids and had even taken care of them. Jiang Feng had always respected her for this, but he hadn’t expected Mu Jingzhe to…

Jiang Feng thought of his ex-wife. Back then, he had really been serious about getting married and had treated his wife very well. However, later on, his wife had done something to let him down. While he had been busy dealing with work, she had been busy hanging out with a wild man.

The reason for her betrayal was that Jiang Feng was too busy, so she had been feeling too lonely. Back then, she had liked Jiang Feng because of his previous identity. However, after retiring from the army, Jiang Feng had become an ordinary person, so she didn’t like him anymore.

Regardless of whether a man or a woman had an affair, it was very hurtful for their spouse. In the end, Jiang Feng held back and didn’t hit his wife. However, after getting drunk, he kept saying that he would beat that man to death and perish with her. This was the reason Shao Qihai had gone to look for him during the New Year.

Shao Qihai had accompanied Jiang Feng through his most difficult life period. It was said that the latter was planning to get a divorce.

The county city had become a sad place. It just so happened that their business in Ocean City had expanded and someone had to be stationed in Ocean City for a long time, so Jiang Feng was sent to Ocean City. This way, he could recuperate and cheer up.

After experiencing betrayal, Jiang Feng was very sensitive. He looked at Ji Buwang with a murderous gaze. Ji Buwang frowned. “I’m Xiao Wu’s biological uncle and teacher. If he wants to compete, can’t I tag along?”

Only then did Jiang Feng remember Xiao Wu’s background. He frowned and immediately agreed reluctantly. However, because he knew that Ji Buwang wouldn’t give up, he wanted to help Brother Hai keep an eye on him when he heard that they were going to eat.

With Jiang Feng around, the dining atmosphere wasn’t very nice. Ji Buwang didn’t even get to speak to Mu Jingzhe.

After the meal, Jiang Feng even dutifully took them back, saying that he would continue to pay attention to the competition.

At night, Mu Jingzhe asked Xiao Wu to sleep early to conserve energy for the next day.

The next day, at 8 a.m, the ‘Sound of Music’ International Music Competition officially started. The television station filmed the entire process, and the radio station broadcasted the whole event.

The competition was kicked off with a musical performance. The local and foreign musicians, who were also the judges of the music festival, were introduced. Their performance was a feast for the ears.

However, the main protagonists were still the participants. After that, the organizers focused on introducing the participants, who came from all over the world. Because the ‘Sound of Music’ mainly targeted teenagers, all participants were under the age of 24. There were quite a few contestants around 20. There were also people in their teens, as well as kids around Xiao Wu’s age. In other words, they were basically all geniuses.

Reality proved that this was indeed the case. When these people’s resumes were introduced, everyone learned that they had all achieved good results in the industry. Xiao Wu’s resume seemed ordinary in comparison, as he had never participated in a competition before.

After the introduction of the contestants, it was time for a performance prepared by the participants, who would show their best or most representative work.

Geniuses from all over the world displayed their abilities perfectly. Pianos, violins, cellos, and other musical instruments took turns appearing on the stage. None of the performers were bad. They even displayed instruments unique to each country. Xiao Wu listened attentively, his eyes shining.

He had never been afraid that his opponents would be outstanding. In his opinion, the more outstanding they were, the better. The stage allowed him to truly get to know these competitors. He might not have the heart to remember their names, but he would remember the music very clearly.

Xiao Wu was scheduled to perform toward the end and he was not sure which piece of music to perform or which musical instrument to play. He could follow the crowd, but he always wanted to use representative musical instruments.

However, there were also many representative musical instruments in China. Xiao Wu knew how to play many of them. After hesitating for two days, he finally chose one. He decided on the instrument that had stirred his heart the most right from the start, the very first musical instrument he had learned.

Hence, after Xiao Wu was introduced, he went up with the suona[1].

Many of the foreign contestants weren’t familiar with the suona, but the domestic contestants knew all about it. When they saw what Xiao Wu was holding, they couldn’t help but stare—a suona? No way. Was this a joke?

Wasn’t this a folk musical instrument? Why would he choose to play this at such a big competition?

The staff present couldn’t help talking in low voices. When the contestants saw their attitude, they were momentarily uncertain. Conan also sat up straight. Could this be some kind of special formidable weapon? But why were their expressions so strange?

When Xiao Wu blew it, Conan immediately knew. What a… killer weapon.

Coincidentally, the performers right before Xiao Wu had played the piano and the violin, so everyone was still immersed in elegance. However, the moment Xiao Wu’s suona sounded, they felt a tremor from the depths of their souls.

Everyone was shocked, and they couldn’t help but sit up straight.

As soon as the suona was played, who could compete with it?

It wasn’t called a rogue instrument for nothing. Everyone’s ears were completely conquered by the melody of the suona.

Conan’s body even leaned forward. What kind of musical instrument was this? Why was the tone so special and penetrating? He tensed as if he was facing a formidable enemy.

In the audience, Mu Jingzhe looked at Xiao Wu, who was shining on the stage. She couldn’t help but think of the first time Xiao Wu had plucked up the courage to speak so he could learn to play the suona. She also recalled how he had blown the suona for her after learning it.

Back then, Xiao Wu had learned from an old master and Mu Jingzhe had felt like he was sending her off as he had blown the suona for her. However, this was no longer the case. Xiao Wu was now playing a tune he had composed himself.

[1] Also called a Chinese double-reed horn, a traditional Chinese musical instrument widely played in rural China