The crowd swayed to Lu Ming's music, as if transported back to their carefree childhood, bounding with pure joy and viewing the world with innocent hearts.
Everything was beautiful, even sadness was not painted in shades of gray.
From gentle streams to crackling lightning, scenes shifted rapidly. In just a few minutes, the parents felt as if they had experienced a wonderful and unforgettable summer camp, witnessing the magnificent landscapes of their homeland together.
"This is too beautiful," someone murmured, lost in Lu Ming's piano performance, unable to help but praise him.
The final notes lingered, a melody that would resonate for days.
Silence filled the hall.
It wasn't that people disliked it; they were completely immersed in the world Lu Ming had painted for them and hadn't yet emerged.
Such beautiful scenes, such beautiful people, everything so pure and lovely.
After a long, long while.
People gradually awoke from their fantasy world, like emerging from a gentle dream, reluctant to leave and profoundly moved.
Then, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.
Even the most critical parents were awestruck by Lu Ming's brilliant performance; those who had intended to harshly criticize Lu Ming and blindly praise Isabella, regardless of his playing, were now completely convinced by Lu Ming.
There was no other option but to accept; Lu Ming's skill was unimaginably profound.
It truly lived up to the saying: "This melody belongs to the heavens, rarely heard on earth."
The applause continued for a long time.
Three minutes.
Ten minutes.
Fifteen minutes!
For fifteen minutes, the audience applauded again and again, tirelessly, solely to praise the power of Lu Ming's piano.
Logan, on the side, tried to speak several times but was unsuccessful.
Isabella, standing beside him, lowered her head in shame. She knew she had lost, utterly and completely.
Compared to Lu Ming, their piano skills might not have been vastly different, but their understanding of emotion was worlds apart.
Isabella had merely used the piece to showcase her technique, completely missing its inherent meaning.
Lu Ming had taught Isabella a lesson, making her realize that the piece was not just a display of skill but held profound significance.
"I have learned much," Isabella said in her not-so-fluent Mandarin, and then, in front of everyone, bowed deeply to Lu Ming.
To earn a bow from a piano professor, what an extraordinary achievement!
Lu Ming had done it!
He had, representing China, made the haughty American professor bow her head. This was not just Lu Ming's personal victory, but a victory for Jinling, a victory for China!
Since Isabella herself admitted defeat, what else could anyone say?
Even if Logan desperately wanted Isabella to win, he couldn't say it now. The audience's judgment was clear; to forcibly declare Lu Ming the loser would make Logan appear petty.
Hmph!
Logan clenched his fists and stomped hard on the stage, venting his uncontainable anger.
He couldn't understand why the White Lotus Sect had sent someone like this to cause trouble. Wasn't this deliberately working against him? What about their cooperation? Did it still count?
After the applause subsided, Isabella also bowed deeply to the audience.
She said, "China is vast and rich, and full of talented people. I believe I don't need to show off my meager skills here. Therefore, I apologize, but I have decided to withdraw from the noble school and return to my homeland to continue my studies. I haven't mastered the path of music myself, so I won't mislead any students."
With that, Isabella turned and walked off the stage, leaving the venue under everyone's gaze.
China 2-0 America!!!
First, the boxing champion fell, followed by the musician's self-imposed withdrawal.
Whether in arts or martial arts, Lu Ming had proven that China could completely defeat America, and the Chinese people had no need to feel inferior or subservient to foreign nations.
Logan was greatly displeased; the advantage he had just established had vanished.
He glared at Lu Ming with eyes full of fury, contemplating how to deal with this significant problem.
Below the stage.
Peng Ying smiled at Lu Ming, her affection for him growing.
She had thought Lu Ming, with his perfect pitch, was already extraordinary, but she hadn't expected his practical abilities to be so formidable, even defeating the high-and-mighty musician Isabella.
This was no ordinary feat.
"Lu Ming, I truly suspect you are not human, but a god," Peng Ying looked at Lu Ming with a gaze full of longing and greed.
Beside her, his deputy, He Honghui, also looked at Lu Ming strangely.
He had been watching Lu Ming for a long time.
The more trouble Lu Ming caused, the angrier Logan became, which was increasingly beneficial to He Honghui.
Once He Honghui dealt with Lu Ming, Logan would surely be grateful, and he would be able to profit greatly; therefore, He Honghui now wished for Lu Ming to escalate the situation further and humiliate Logan severely.
The more he was humiliated, the more He Honghui could earn.
A moment later.
Logan's mood calmed slightly. He forced a smile and said to Lu Ming, "Sir, you are truly a remarkable person, skilled in both arts and combat. China probably doesn't have many people as outstanding as you."
Heh, Lu Ming chuckled lightly, "You are mistaken. China is a land of many talents, with experts hidden among the people. Someone like me is considered mediocre compared to true masters."
Hmph!
Logan felt even more displeased.
If an ordinary citizen, considered mediocre, could defeat both America's boxing champion and musician, how formidable must China be?
Taking a deep breath, Logan decided to teach Lu Ming a lesson.
No matter how capable Lu Ming was, he couldn't be exceptional in every aspect.
His fists were strong, and he played the piano well, but what about painting?
Lu Ming had clearly stated earlier that he knew nothing about painting, so the painting artist standing on stage now, Boris, became the perfect weapon to defeat Lu Ming.
"Sir, you are truly impressive."
"But I wonder about your proficiency in painting? Would you like to compete with Boris in painting skills again?"
This was Logan's deliberate provocation.
The parents in the audience were also fired up, all demanding that Lu Ming accept the challenge.
"He defeated both the boxing champion and the musician, so let's defeat Boris too!"
"Let them see how powerful our China is."
"Lu Ming, don't be a coward."
These people were truly speaking without consequence, all urging Lu Ming to fight, without considering that it was impossible for Lu Ming to be perfect and excel at everything.
Lu Ming gave a wry smile and shook his head, voluntarily admitting defeat, "I said before that I know nothing about painting, so I cannot compete with Boris."
The parents in the audience showed disappointed expressions.
"What's going on? He's backing down before the competition? Useless trash, don't pretend if you can't back it up. The worst is pretending halfway and getting slapped in the face."
"In the end, China might be able to contend with America in some areas, but in the grand scheme of things, we are still inferior."
"In terms of all-around capabilities, we are ultimately no match for them."
"Correctly recognizing one's shortcomings is also a virtue."
These people were truly masters of changing allegiances.
They supported whoever was stronger.
Logan's anxious heart finally settled. He was actually afraid that Lu Ming would truly compete with Boris in painting, as he couldn't gauge what else Lu Ming was capable of.
If even Boris were to lose, then this noble school would be completely undermined.
Logan laughed heartily, "It's okay, sir. You've tried your best, but it's just a drop in the bucket. Faced with our strong American teaching team, you are ultimately unable to contend, so..."
Before he could finish, Lu Ming suddenly added, "Although I know nothing about painting, I have a friend who is quite knowledgeable in this area. Perhaps if I call him over, he could compete with Boris. You are a team, and I can't fight your entire team alone, can I? Let's all stick together, it's only fair."
Uh...
Logan was taken aback. He hadn't expected Lu Ming to be able to call for backup.
Who would he call?
No matter who it was, Lu Ming couldn't be allowed to bring in reinforcements. If the person who arrived was truly better than Boris, then today's demonstration would be a complete disaster.
Just as Logan was about to refuse Lu Ming, Lu Ming seemed to have anticipated his response.
Lu Ming preempted him, saying, "My friend happens to be nearby. He'll be here with just one phone call, it won't take long. Mr. Logan, shall I call him over?"
The parents in the audience chimed in, "Hurry up and call him. We haven't had enough to watch yet, more matches would be interesting."
Logan's forehead broke out in a cold sweat.
At this moment, Boris seemed to sense Logan's apprehension and said nonchalantly, "Mr. Logan, are you afraid I'll lose? You clearly don't hold me, Boris, in high regard."
Uh...
Logan glanced back at Boris, nodded, and said to Lu Ming, "Alright, call your person over. I'll wait for you."
At this point, refusing Lu Ming would be inappropriate and make Logan appear timid.
He had no choice but to accept.
However, Boris was a world-ranked top-ten painter, with extremely high artistic achievements. Few in the world could surpass him, let alone in China.
Were there any painters in China that could be presented with pride?
Therefore, there was no need to worry unnecessarily; even if Lu Ming managed to bring someone over, they wouldn't be able to defeat Boris.
This was Logan's thought process.
Boris thought the same, of course.
However, the moment they saw Lu Ming dial the phone and speak the other person's name, the confidence on Logan and Boris's faces instantly vanished!
Ring, ring, ring...
After a round of phone ringing, the other party answered.
Lu Ming cut straight to the chase, saying, "Hello, Zhu You, I'm in a bit of trouble and need your help to resolve it. Please come over quickly."
His tone was as if he were calling for backup in a fight.
However, some sharp-eared individuals recognized the name Lu Ming called: Zhu You!
That's right.
The foremost figure in Chinese painting, and the number one artist on the world painters' rankings – Zhu You!