"So, goddesses can swear too,"
"But goddesses are goddesses, even when they curse, they're still beautiful."
"Zhang Lianghui was really out of line this time. I never noticed how narcissistic he was until now."
"I hope he pushes it a bit further, I want to see what it looks like when a goddess hits someone."
"Haha... I want to see too."
"Want to see +1."
Hearing the discussions, Lin Yanyu realized she had lost her composure.
However, she didn't care.
Instead, she looked at Zhang Lianghui's flushed face and continued, "Su Yu is my friend. I can barely bring myself to say anything bad about him, so who are you to talk?"
"Also, I advise you not to be so confident. Forget a second place in a city-level piano competition; even if you win national or even international championships, you're still not a match for even a finger of Su Yu."
Lin Yanyu exhaled a breath of stale air after speaking.
She didn't know where this person's bizarre confidence came from; it was truly disgusting.
If it were any other time, Lin Yanyu might not have bothered with him and simply dismissed him as crazy.
But he dared to speak ill of Su Yu in front of her, so Lin Yanyu saw no need to spare him any face.
"Fine, to defend some trash, you insult me like this. You'll regret it!"
Zhang Lianghui's heart shattered, breaking into pieces.
He thought that when they clinked glasses at the celebration party, it meant Lin Yanyu also had feelings for him.
He had been fantasizing about surpassing Lin Yanyu in piano, winning the championship, and confessing his love to her on the award stage.
Now, this dream, along with his heart, was broken.
After speaking, he intended to leave in anger.
"Stop, you still haven't apologized!"
Lin Yanyu hadn't expected that even after saying all that, he would still dare to insult Su Yu.
Her pretty face grew colder. He cursed someone and then tried to leave?
Just as she was about to lash out, a hand stopped her.
"Su Yu, don't hold me back!"
She looked back at Su Yu, then rolled up her sleeves and put her hands on her hips.
Her demeanor was fierce yet cute.
"Alright, don't be angry. Maintain your idol singer image..."
Su Yu, afraid she might say something even more astonishing, quickly stepped forward.
If Lin Yanyu's goddess persona were to collapse because she was defending him, he would truly be unforgivable.
"I was just upset," Lin Yanyu's icy expression instantly vanished, replaced by her usual gentle smile.
Her tone even carried a hint of coquettishness.
Su Yu was stunned by her transformation.
Good heavens, no wonder people say women change their moods faster than flipping a book; it's true.
"Hmph, why should I apologize? What did I say wrong? I heard him play just now, and he played like trash. Aren't I allowed to say it?"
Zhang Lianghui stopped and turned to face Su Yu, speaking dismissively.
He had lost face earlier, but in terms of piano skills, he had absolute confidence.
Moreover, after hearing Su Yu's intermittent playing, Zhang Lianghui had already written Su Yu off as a novice.
"Kid, it's not impossible for me to apologize, as long as you demonstrate a skill that matches this piano, I'll apologize to you."
He seemed to have found a way to retaliate.
His mind became clear.
Lin Yanyu was defending this kid named Su Yu, so I'll thoroughly humiliate him.
You want to use this piano? I'll let you use it.
In front of so many people, do you dare to use it?
"Su Yu, don't bother with him, he's just crazy." Lin Yanyu stood in front of Su Yu.
She had never heard Su Yu play the piano before, and they had known each other online for so long, yet Su Yu had never mentioned he could play.
"Heh, if you don't dare, then forget it. I need to practice now, so please leave. After all, according to school regulations, I, as the second place winner in the city-level competition, have priority for using the piano."
Zhang Lianghui became even more smug.
He dismissively showed Su Yu his little finger.
Today, although he had lost some face earlier, he had managed to regain it later.
The school didn't have a rule against using this piano, but it did have a rule that award winners could use it with priority.
Now, he intended to use this rule to drive Su Yu out, thus recovering some of the face he had lost.
"You!"
Lin Yanyu's pretty face turned red with anger.
Just as she was about to use her status as the city-level competition champion to help Su Yu, Su Yu grabbed her wrist.
"Su... Su Yu."
The warmth from his wrist made her pause.
The words she was about to speak were swallowed back.
"You sit down first. It's not worth getting upset over someone like this."
Su Yu gave her a faint smile and then had her sit on the stool in front of the piano.
"Okay..." Lin Yanyu's face flushed crimson.
Now, she had no time to be angry.
This was the first time Su Yu had actively held her hand.
The feeling made her heart flutter, and she completely forgot about being angry.
"You're right, my piano skills aren't great."
Su Yu glanced at Zhang Lianghui.
After Piano Level 10, it was considered the entry level, followed by Professional, Virtuoso, Pianist, and Master levels.
The system had only granted him Virtuoso-level piano skills. In the eyes of amateurs, this level was already considered expert.
Ordinary people might not reach this level in decades.
However, there were quite a few people who could reach this stage.
"Hmph, you know your place. Then leave here."
Zhang Lianghui's head lifted upon hearing Su Yu's words.
His expression grew even more smug.
"Sigh..."
Su Yu sighed and shook his head, but he did not leave.
Instead, he walked to the piano and sat down.
Lin Yanyu sat beside him, tilting her head and looking curiously at his profile.
"I wanted to be low-key, but he insisted I show off..."
Su Yu muttered in a low voice.
Hearing his words, Lin Yanyu couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"Su Yu, are you really capable? Zhang Lianghui is at a professional level."
She leaned close to Su Yu's ear and asked softly.
"Professional level?" Su Yu seemed surprised.
"If I recall correctly, it should be," Lin Yanyu was not entirely sure, as she hadn't paid much attention.
Seeing Su Yu's surprise, she thought he was merely amateur, and a flicker of worry crossed her eyes.
"Your city-level competition must be too weak if a professional can only get second place?" Su Yu wasn't surprised by Zhang Lianghui's skill, but by the competition's prestige.
Lin Yanyu pouted at him upon hearing this.
Su Yu saying the competition was weak was equivalent to saying her championship lacked prestige, so she continued to explain, "The competition has an age limit; only those under twenty can participate."
"Cough cough... Alright." Su Yu coughed to ease the awkwardness.
This earned him another roll of Lin Yanyu's eyes.
Su Yu said no more, instead straightening his posture, his eyes slightly closed.
His long fingers rested on the keys, as if by muscle memory, he was intimately familiar with every piano key.
"Hmph, putting on a show," Zhang Lianghui, for some reason, felt a tightening in his chest, then let out a cold snort, suppressing his inner unease.
The crowd also held their breath, anticipating Su Yu's performance.
"Forgive my presumption."
Su Yu gathered his emotions, smiled at everyone,
and then began to play.