130. Recognition

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The students crowded around the doorway erupted at once, each of them staring wide-eyed at Ji Fanxing in disbelief.

“So this is Ji Fanxing herself… She’s beautiful…”

“No wonder she’s my goddess! I could never reach her level of pipa playing in my entire life!”

“Goddess Ji’s voice is so beautiful, my ears are practically getting pregnant.”

“Happiness came too suddenly! I actually got to hear Goddess Ji perform live! Just as people online said—her live performances are the ultimate pleasure!”

The commotion outside grew louder. Only then did Gu Huaiyuan notice the students gathered at the door, and his brows drew together slightly.

One sweep of his sharp gaze sent the students scattering like startled birds.

“Fanxing, the chanting in the middle of your piece was a stroke of genius!”

Fang Zhijing’s eyes were filled with admiration. Every time he heard Ji Fanxing sing, he could not help praising her. She was simply perfect.

If the girl did not write her own songs, he would truly want her to sing one of his compositions.

“I apologize for doubting you earlier. Girl, do whatever you want without hesitation. If there is anything I can help with, just let me know.”

Ji Fanxing’s traditional-style songs had already made an important contribution to the promotion of traditional music.

The last of Gu Huaiyuan’s reservations vanished with Ji Fanxing’s composition. From now on, he would spare no effort in supporting anything beneficial to the development of national music.

“Mr. Fang, Professor Gu, can this piece, ‘The Language of the Pipa,’ be released as our first work?” Ji Fanxing asked with a faint smile.

“That should be possible.” Fang Zhijing pondered for a moment before analyzing the situation. “But instrumental music is different from songs. Without lyrics to carry it forward, it may take longer for the public to accept.”

“Why would such a beautiful piece need lyrics? Everyone shares the same longing for beautiful things. Why should accepting it require any special process?”

Gu Huaiyuan scoffed at Fang Zhijing’s opinion.

In any case, it was possible. Once she had her answer, Ji Fanxing wasted no time. She borrowed pen and paper from Gu Huaiyuan and wrote out the score in one fluid motion.

The complete version of “The Language of the Pipa” featured the pipa as its main instrument, accompanied by the flute, xiao, erhu, violin, piano, and others.

As a result, the piece possessed a distinctive charm and profound artistic conception.

Watching her compose the score in a single uninterrupted flow, Fang Zhijing and Gu Huaiyuan gained yet another appreciation of her talent.

Although the Department of Folk Music had declined, it still possessed everything they needed.

The group worked without pause, and soon the piece was produced and released.

Meanwhile, after seeing the negative comments about himself online, Zhao De guiltily went to apologize to his teacher, Qu Feiyang.

“I’m sorry, Teacher. I was too impulsive today.”

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Unexpectedly, Qu Feiyang not only failed to criticize him but even patted him on the shoulder to reassure him.

“A-De, you did nothing wrong. We were merely manipulated by Ji Fanxing.”

A trace of confusion flashed across Zhao De’s face.

Qu Feiyang’s gaze turned vicious. “If that girl Ji Fanxing were truly an ignorant and discourteous brat, Fang Zhijing would never have taken a liking to her.

“She provoked us repeatedly today and even proposed the wager herself. She was probably trying to use us, master and disciple, to draw attention to herself.

“And the reason Fang Zhijing indulged her was likely that he wanted to use this incident to promote the traditional-style music he advocates.”

“No wonder she’s been surrounded by news ever since her debut. So she was manufacturing all of it herself!”

Zhao De suddenly understood. The scheming behind this Ji Fanxing was astonishingly deep.

“Teacher, what should we do now?”

“Obviously, we win the wager.” Qu Feiyang looked utterly unperturbed. “If you walk along the riverbank often enough, sooner or later your shoes will get wet. Ji Fanxing has relied on this trick too smoothly for too long. She even dared to say that she would use only traditional-style music.

“A style that has only just emerged—how much innovation can it really offer? In the end, it is nothing more than the same few melodies repeated over and over. Listeners will easily grow tired of it after a while.”

At this, Zhao De’s anger turned to delight. “Then all we need to do is use works in different musical styles, and we can defeat her with ease.”

Qu Feiyang nodded. “Exactly. We can also use this matter to drag that old fellow Fang Zhijing down with us.

“Then I will become the true master of popular music, not merely someone who is ‘on par with’ another person or a so-called ‘successor.’”

“If Ji Fanxing refuses to honor her promise, I’ll make her kneel before you and apologize, Teacher! Let’s see how arrogant she can be after that!”

Just as they were basking in their triumph, Ji Fanxing updated her social-media account once again.

@Dragon Media Ji Fanxing: I am honored to collaborate with Professor Gu Huaiyuan, also known as @Pipa Master, of the Dragon State Conservatory of Music.

Here I present “The Language of the Pipa.” I hope everyone can feel the beauty and hope of life through music. [Link]

Zhao De stared at the post in disbelief, then showed it to Qu Feiyang.

“Hmph! That girl is certainly in a hurry. It hasn’t even been half a day—what kind of work could she possibly have produced?

“But her collaboration with Gu Huaiyuan happens to confirm my theory. Fang Zhijing must have had a hand in this as well…”

Qu Feiyang dismissed the matter and tapped on the link. The moment the music began to play, his face darkened.

The pipa’s lingering notes sounded as though they were weeping and lamenting, as if telling a moving story.

The sounds of the flute, xiao, erhu, three-stringed lute, piano, and other instruments intertwined, bringing the piece’s artistic conception to life in full.

The chanting in the middle was especially remarkable, serving as the finishing touch that drew listeners completely under its spell.

Qu Feiyang had never expected the piece to be this good.

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Zhao De clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh without him noticing.

As a rival, he could not help comparing their works. In the end, he realized that he could not compose a piece like this.

But he quickly regained his composure. Purely instrumental music placed great demands on the performer’s skill.

The performer of “The Language of the Pipa” was very likely Gu Huaiyuan, a man who had spent half his life immersed in the pipa. Naturally, anything he played would be extraordinary.

“Who would have thought Ji Fanxing would release nothing but an instrumental piece just to attract attention?” Qu Feiyang said disdainfully.

“What a waste. These young people today—who has the patience to sit quietly and appreciate something like this?”

After hearing this, Zhao De felt completely reassured.

That was right. His teacher was correct.

Young people nowadays—who would have the patience to listen to such outdated music?

Ji Fanxing had ultimately made one mistake too many.

“You’re absolutely right! The works for this year’s exchange conference will be put to a public vote. Those people may not even understand popular songs, so how could they possibly appreciate instrumental music?”

Qu Feiyang nodded slightly, then reminded him, “Given the amount of attention Ji Fanxing receives, this piece will probably attract quite a few listeners very soon.

“I remember you recently produced a rock song. Upload it now.”

The music exchange conference allowed participants not only to collaborate with others but also to release songs under their own names.

However, doing so failed to achieve the benefits of mutual cooperation, so few people chose that route.

Zhao De hesitated. “That song hasn’t been fully polished yet. Wouldn’t it be too rushed?”

Qu Feiyang gave a sinister smile.

“Hmph. Though ‘The Language of the Pipa’ has a beautiful artistic conception, its tempo is too slow. Ordinary people are not like us—they need to savor it carefully before they can appreciate it.

“Your ‘Carefree World’ has a passionate style, and its drumbeats and rhythm are particularly strong.

“Whether people listen to your song first or hers, as long as they finish both within a short period, they will ultimately find ‘The Language of the Pipa’ too bland by comparison.

“Once that first impression has taken hold, no matter how high the quality of ‘The Language of the Pipa’ is, it will be difficult for it to recover.”

Zhao De’s eyes lit up. He gave a thumbs-up. “Brilliant, Teacher!”

And so, barely five minutes after Ji Fanxing released “The Language of the Pipa,” Zhao De released his own song as well.

For a time, netizens grew excited.

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