Yu Ze found their exaggerated exclamations irritating.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, someone emerged from the side and blocked his path.
“Qianqian, you go up and play for us.”
His companions immediately chimed in, “Yes, play us a song.”
Xiao Shan grinned mischievously at Yu Ze.
After entering the banquet, Wu Xuerou’s eyes fell upon the piano on the dance floor. She had specifically instructed Xiao Shan to find the right moment to have Qianqian play.
As members of the Di family, living together day in and day out, she knew perfectly well what Qianqian could and could not do.
Xiao Shan, with mischief in his eyes, colluded with other children to push Yu Ze onto the stage.
Looking at the expensive grand piano, Yu Ze showed no fear. He walked towards it deliberately, straightened his clothes, and sat on the bench.
As his arms lifted and fell, melodious piano notes echoed through the banquet hall.
Many people stepped forward to watch the little figure on stage, who appeared like an elf princess.
When the piece ended, Yu Ze politely rose and bowed to the applauding audience.
Wu Xuerou, blending into the crowd, was stunned.
When had she learned this?
Watching Qianqian, along with Jiang Ziyu, being praised and complimented, jealousy consumed her.
They were all children of the Di family, yet her son Xiao Shan existed like an invisible person. No one cared to ask about him, nor was he given any opportunity to be in the spotlight.
She pushed through the crowd, listening to the flattery of the wealthy socialites, and smilingly approached Jiang Ziyu.
“Qianqian is good at everything, but her studies aren't quite up to par. Mrs. Gu, I heard your daughter participated in the Han River competition recently and even won the championship.”
The person being flattered was Mrs. Gu, wife of the head of the Gu Group. She had a daughter who was considered a prodigy, proficient in all aspects of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was a child often used for comparison among the affluent.
Mrs. Gu covered her mouth, modestly saying, “My child just participated casually; it’s not worth mentioning.”
“Mrs. Gu, you are too modest. Your daughter is the same age as Qianqian, but the difference is visibly apparent.” Wu Xuerou said, then subtly glanced at Jiang Ziyu. Jiang Ziyu quickly covered her mouth, apologetically explaining, “Look at my mouth, Qianqian never had a mother, so naturally, she wasn’t properly guided. Now that she has Ziyu, she can even play the piano.”
The implication was clear: Wu Xuerou was subtly telling everyone that Qianqian only knew a bit about the piano. Perhaps she couldn't play anything else.
Jiang Ziyu smiled and looked up at Mrs. Gu, “Hearing that, Mrs. Gu is truly an expert in child-rearing, a role model for us to learn from.”
Pushed to the height of flattery, Mrs. Gu excitedly spoke about the congratulatory gift she had brought.
To celebrate the mayor’s son’s first birthday, she had her daughter create a calligraphy and painting.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziyu lowered her head and looked at Yu Ze.
Yu Ze naturally understood Jiang Ziyu’s meaning. He stepped forward proactively and spoke with poise, “Is it an original poem or prose?”
Everyone was taken aback. Wu Xuerou, with a condescending sneer, remarked, “Qianqian, the adults are talking. Children shouldn't interrupt. Besides, you don’t know how to do it either, so asking is pointless.”
“I do,” Yu Ze retorted.
Wu Xuerou let out a sharp, mocking laugh, “Don’t joke. It’s you, how could I not know?”
She had been motherless since childhood and lacked paternal affection after the age of three. Although the old lady treated her exceptionally well, her heart was focused on her son, and her granddaughter was somewhat neglected.
On the surface, she was a young lady from a wealthy family, expected to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, the Di family was managed by Di Dongsheng at the time, and Zhao Yanxia, relying on her status as the matriarch, had mistreated Qianqian. How could she have had the opportunity to learn these skills?
Yu Ze ignored her taunts and proceeded to present his own original poem and composed a matching couplet.
The face that had been sneering a moment before was now stunned.
How was this possible? How could she know these things!
Mrs. Gu was also astonished. Her own daughter couldn’t compose a matching couplet, yet this child in front of her spoke fluently.