Chapter 149: Chapter 149

Shen Jianian was taken aback, looking puzzled, "Now?"

"When do you want?" Liao Kai took a sip of coffee and asked with a smile.

Shen Jianian took a deep breath, and spoke as if putting it all on the line, "Then I’ll go with you, now."

If she had known it would be , she wouldn’t have relaxed in the past few days. If she doesn’t perform well, not only would she embarrass Teacher Yan, but she might also lose this precious opportunity.

For art students like them who study musical instruments, they spend their lives longing to stand on a bigger stage, performing for more audiences and winning applause.

During her school days, she often participated in public events. After her family incident, she once thought she would have to give up this path. Now, with this olive branch in front of her, she wouldn’t want to miss it for anything.

The tool of his trade, Liao Kai always carried with him. He said to wait a moment, went out to the car and brought back a black bag.

As Liao Kai adjusted the equipment, Yan Qiusheng patted Shen Jianian’s shoulder to cheer her up, "Relax, you can do it."

Shen Jianian curved her lips into a smile for him, then turned to ask Director Liao, "Where do we shoot?"

Liao Kai hefted the camera, scanned around the room for a pleasing background, and finally pointed to the balcony, "There’s plenty of sunshine there, and the green hills and trees look vibrant, perfect for filming."

With a casual gesture, a picture formed in his mind where humans and nature complemented each other.

Yan Qiusheng went to the music room and brought over a cello.

Shen Jianian sat down on the black carved chair.

Liao Kai started the camera and said to her, "Pretend my camera doesn’t exist, just play like you usually do, naturally and casually."

In her heart, Shen Jianian encouraged herself, exhaled softly, raised the bow with her right hand, placed it on the strings, slightly closed her eyes, and the familiar E minor cello concerto floated into the spring mountains and forests.

In the distance, birds flew across the azure sky, adding a touch of interest to the scene.

When the piece ended, Yan Qiusheng, standing behind Liao Kai, applauded with a smile and appreciation in his eyes, "Very good."

Shen Jianian’s cheeks flushed; it was the first time Teacher Yan praised her so straightforwardly. Usually, his comments ranged from "Not bad" to "Okay," and sometimes he would seriously say "Keep working hard" or "Emotion isn’t in place."

It might be because of Liao Kai’s presence, she thought.

Liao Kai turned off the camera and put it back in the bag, "I’ll edit it when I get back and post it online, let’s see the reaction."

Shen Jianian nodded reservedly, her heart racing with both anticipation and anxiety.

Yan Qiusheng saw Liao Kai out, and after stepping down the stairs, Liao Kai paused and turned his head, "Your student is quite excellent. I’ve filmed countless people; some look good but aren’t photogenic. It’s rare that she looks beautiful on camera too. If this looks were in the industry, any company could make her a star."

"Don’t give random suggestions. She’s dedicated to the cello, won’t enter the entertainment industry," Yan Qiusheng crossed his arms and looked displeased.

"I know you cherish your student, so I won’t say more." Liao Kai smiled, waved, "I’ll stop here then."

Yan Qiusheng went back inside. Shen Jianian was still on the balcony practicing the cello. Seeing him approach, she stopped, "Did Director Liao say anything?"

Yan Qiusheng rested his hands on the balcony railing, "It’s pretty much settled."

Shen Jianian’s eyes lit up, unable to hide her excitement, "Really?"

Her face revealed a pure and sincere smile, infecting Yan Qiusheng, who curved his lips and told her the truth, "When I recommended you to Director Liao, he already had an answer in his heart."

Shen Jianian was stunned, "Ah?"

Then why did Director Liao explain so much and let her record a video?

Yan Qiusheng said, "He did want to use my influence to create buzz for the variety show, but the topic of ’Yan Qiusheng’s only personal student’ could also draw enough viewership. Even after confirming I wouldn’t participate, even if he had other options, you still had the biggest chance."

Shen Jianian’s previous joy subsided a little, "So I’m riding on the teacher’s coattails after all; I thought..." She thought her musical skills impressed Director Liao.

Yan Qiusheng patted her head, smiling reassuringly, "It’s not all my coattails; Director Liao just praised you as very excellent in front of me."

Shen Jianian’s drooping eyes regained their shine.

After Liao Kai returned, he slightly edited the footage and posted it on his personal Weibo account.

As a behind-the-scenes person, his personal account didn’t have many followers, not even a million, but those who mutually followed him were industry bigwigs.

He had informed friends with good relations beforehand. Shortly after the video was posted, many famous actors helped to share it, including award-winning ones.

As more people watched, the comments naturally increased.

"Oh my gosh! Where did this fairy descend from! I clicked the video and was almost amazed by her beauty!"

"Mom, I saw a person who glows!"

"As expected from Director Liao, you’ve mastered the atmosphere and use of light and shadow."

"When will ’Forest Band’ Season 5 come, Director Liao?"

Liao Kai replied to this viewer’s question, "Due to special reasons, ’Forest Band’ will end at Season 4, but there will be new programs coming soon. Please look forward to it."

"Case solved, so the fairy in the video is a guest on the new program?"

"As a professional cellist, I watched the video twice. Honestly, the first time I was just admiring the lady’s beauty. Only on the second time did I seriously listen to the piece. This level is definitely master level, not something you can achieve without at least fifteen years of experience. Where did Director Liao find this immortal?"

Liao Kai replied, "Borrowed from Teacher Yan."

The replied viewer excitedly typed a series of exclamation marks, then responded to Liao Kai, "What have I seen? Teacher Yan? Is it the Teacher Yan I know? When is he coming out of retirement? I’ve been longing for his performance for ages! Director Liao, can you pass a message to Teacher Yan, the fans really hope he continues to shine on stage."

Liao Kai didn’t reply to her again.

As the number of views skyrocketed, some issues became apparent.

"Isn’t this Shen Jianian, the one who trended with Mr. Pei last year?"

"It’s her! She’s really beautiful! Dear God, can you see? In my next life, I want this kind of appearance!"

"I’m more curious if she’s reconciled with Mr. Pei."

"I heard Mr. Pei... died. I don’t know if it’s true. I saw some speculation on Douban. There was news before, a group of people was racing at ’Eye of Death’ in Ling City, and an unfortunate second-generation rich kid with the surname Pei from Beicheng fell off a cliff into the sea and died. Since then, there’s been no news about Pei Che online. It should be him."

"My God, I just learned about this! I even shipped them as a couple, the fallen socialite and the favored son, childhood friends, and love rekindled, such a heart-wrenching romance, packed with domineering CEO tropes, I was so invested, didn’t expect it to BE."

Liao Kai grew more and more surprised as he read.

Was Shen Jianian formerly the Lingyue Group’s precious daughter?

He hastily called Yan Qiusheng to ask if he knew about Shen Jianian’s background.

Yan Qiusheng was equally astonished after hearing it.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and Liao Kai knew the answer, "You don’t know your student’s background?"

"I met her once when she was little. From her parents’ attire and manners, it could be seen they were from a wealthy family, but I never looked into it closely. I accepted her as a student because she seemed talented and genuinely wanted to pursue this path. I never inquired about her family background," admitted Yan Qiusheng, "I wasn’t aware of her background."

"Did you know about your student’s background?" he asked again.

"When she was little, I met her once," he replied.

Liao Kai asked, "You didn’t know about your student’s identity?"

"I know you value your student a lot, so I won’t say anything more," Liao Kai chuckled, waving his hand, "I’ll leave it at that."

Yan Qiusheng walked into the house, where Shen Jianian was still practicing on the balcony. Seeing him approach, she paused, "Did Director Liao say anything?"

He just shared a piece of good news, saying, "There’s an 80% chance this is sealed."

Shen Jianian’s eyes lit up with uncontrollable joy, "Really?"

Yan Qiusheng, affected by her genuine and heartfelt smile, smiled and revealed the truth: "When I recommended you to Director Liao, he already had an answer."

That made her stunned, "Ah?"

Then why did Liao explain so much to her and make her record the video.

Yan Qiusheng said, "He indeed wanted to leverage my fame for the variety show’s publicity, but the topic of ’Yan Qiusheng’s only last disciple’ could also attract enough viewership. Even after ensuring I wouldn’t participate, even though he had other choices, you still stood a better chance."

Some of the joy on Shen Jianian’s face cooled down: "So it turns out that I was riding my teacher’s coattails all along, I thought...." thought my musical talent had won over Director Liao.

Yan Qiusheng gave her a reassuring pat on the head with a smile, "Of course, it’s not completely because of my influence. Director Liao did praise you for being excellent."

Shen Jianian’s drooping eyes sparkled with renewed vigor.