Ordinary people might not understand the horror of absolute pitch, but for someone like Peng Ying, who loves music, the significance of those four words is immense.
Globally, only seven individuals have been identified with such monstrous talent.
It can be considered an "one-in-a-hundred-million" level.
One in a hundred million people can be found, making them even more precious than giant pandas!
Peng Ying said, "Of the seven names I know who possess absolute pitch, none of them seem to be named Lu Ming, right?"
She still harbored some doubt.
Lu Ming smiled and replied, "I'm not a professional musician, and I've never demonstrated this unique skill in front of others, so people don't know about it. As for whether I'm lying, you'll know if you test me."
"Of course, we have to test it!" Peng Ying's interest in Lu Ming intensified. She grabbed his hand and led him towards the music room, forbidding anyone else from following.
It was just the two of them.
Arriving at the music room,
Peng Ying went directly to the piano, sat down, and then asked Lu Ming to stand ten meters away with his back to her.
She inquired, "I'm going to test you now, Lu Ming. Are you ready?"
Huh?
This…
Suddenly, Lu Ming's eyes became a little moist. Upon closer inspection, one could see a faint tremor in him.
Because Peng Ying's question had triggered a memory for Lu Ming, reminding him of his late mother.
When Lu Ming was a child, he had undergone a similar test with his mother.
Lu Ming would stand a distance away while his mother, seated at the piano, conducted music-related tests on him and asked the very same question: "Are you ready?"
The scene was identical to this moment, except back then Lu Ming had faced the piano, whereas now his back was turned to it.
Peng Ying seemed to sense Lu Ming's unusual reaction.
She asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Ming slightly tilted his head up to prevent tears from falling. He, who had never cried, was unexpectedly moved by such a simple sentence.
In truth, it wasn't the words that moved him, but the memories.
It was a longing for his childhood, a remembrance of his mother.
Lu Ming took a deep breath and said, "Nothing, it's just that you reminded me of my mother."
Mother?
Peng Ying was quite speechless. "Do I look that old?"
Lu Ming chuckled. "You've misunderstood. It's just that your actions and words right now are exactly the same as my mother's in my childhood memories."
"Oh." Peng Ying rolled her eyes. She didn't want to be Lu Ming's mother; she wanted to be his wife!
"I'll ask you again, are you ready?"
"Mm," Lu Ming nodded heavily.
Then, Peng Ying began to test Lu Ming's pitch. It was quite simple: Peng Ying simultaneously pressed seven or eight keys on the piano, producing seven or eight sounds at once.
To an ordinary person's ears, it would sound like a single noise. Even if one could discern multiple sounds, they would be chaotic.
Imagine, in an instant, seven or eight sounds blend together – how many notes can you identify? Can you accurately state each one?
It sounded terrifying, something no normal person could do. Only those with absolute pitch could achieve it.
Peng Ying glanced at Lu Ming, then pressed down on the keys.
She deliberately increased the difficulty, pressing down 9 keys simultaneously. Nine different sounds mingled, giving Lu Ming only a fleeting moment to react.
Could he possibly identify them?
As she played, Peng Ying tried to listen herself. Honestly, even she couldn't discern the notes she herself had played.
Her hand dared not leave the keys, fearing she would forget which notes she had played if she did.
It was too difficult.
This was definitely not something a normal human could do. Peng Ying wondered if she was being too deliberately harsh on Lu Ming, so she decided to play a few more times, giving Lu Ming more chances to listen.
"That might have been too fast just now. I'll play it twice more for you, listen carefully."
Giving Lu Ming a total of three chances, Peng Ying felt that should be sufficient.
However, Lu Ming didn't need her to give him three chances!
True absolute pitch only required one attempt.
"D sharp, C sharp, B flat, E, A sharp..." Lu Ming rattled off all nine notes in one go, without a hint of hesitation, as if he were looking at the keyboard.
It was incredibly fluent.
This…
Is it true?
Peng Ying lowered her head to look at her hands, comparing them to the notes Lu Ming had called out, one by one. Finally, she discovered that Lu Ming had answered them all correctly, not a single note was wrong.
Amazing, truly amazing.
Peng Ying was utterly impressed by Lu Ming, exclaiming, "Lu Ming, you are the most formidable person I have ever met. As expected of absolute pitch, you could identify all nine notes in an instant. With such a short time and so many notes, you could discern them so clearly without any reference. Lu Ming, I am truly in awe of you. With your ability, if you were dedicated to music, you might become a great musician like Mozart or Beethoven!"
This wasn't flattery; it was a sincere evaluation based on Lu Ming's capability.
Lu Ming smiled, turned around, and said, "You're exaggerating. I just have some talent in this area; it doesn't mean I can become a great musician like Beethoven. Not every highly intelligent person can become a great physicist like Einstein. Talent and actual achievement are not necessarily related."
To her surprise, Lu Ming had a clear self-awareness and wasn't completely lost in Peng Ying's praise.
The more he was like this, the more Peng Ying liked him.
Lu Ming possessed all the qualities Peng Ying admired: bravery, kindness, and exceptional musical talent.
Peng Ying looked at Lu Ming, smiling as she watched him, then crying as she smiled. This left Lu Ming bewildered.
He asked, "Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Crying and laughing."
Peng Ying explained, "I'm smiling because I see a light in you, and I'm crying because that light doesn't belong to me. Lu Ming, is there truly no chance for us? If you are willing to marry me, I can do anything for you!"
One had to admit, Peng Ying was remarkably brave and persistent when it came to matters of the heart.
Unfortunately.
Lu Ming said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I'm already engaged."
He was already betrothed.
With Peng Ying, it could only be said they were fated but not destined.
"Sigh…" Peng Ying sighed deeply and waved her hand, "Enough, let's not dwell on this sad matter. Lu Ming, your unique skill has indeed moved me and shocked me. Alright, as per our agreement, I promise to bring you to the exhibition conference the day after tomorrow."
"Thank you!" Lu Ming breathed a sigh of relief, overjoyed.
Finally, without having to sacrifice himself, he had secured Peng Ying's help!