Mother and daughter let their eyes settle upon the TV. At the beginning of the show, it was not the performance of any competitor, but a short video of a boy following his piano dream.
"It's really touching, motivational," Yang Yanli said.
Song Xue nodded in approval.
After the video, a man and a woman appeared and introduced the piano competition. Then, the performances of the competitors began to be broadcasted.
The first competitor was a sweet girl in white dress. She greeted the judges and started her performance.
The girl passed the audition. Yang Yanli, however, said in a scornful tone, "She's a pretty girl, but not so good at playing piano."
Song Xue nodded, agreeing with her mother. Judging from the girl's performance, Song Xue bet she only reached Professional Level 3 with the premise that the girl hadn't hidden her true level. After all, it was the initial audition. As the song went, "save the best for last."
After a dozen of performances, here came the advertisements.
Yang Yanli complained, "Damn TV station! Our dearest Xue is both beautiful and good at playing piano. Why didn't they broadcast your performance first?"
On hearing that, Song Xue became a little nervous and wondered, "What if they don't broadcast my performance?"
After the advertisements, the show went on. Song Xue face popped up after seventeen competitors.
Yang Yanli flashed a row of teeth. "Our dear Xue looks so beautiful! What a great performance!"
Song Xue played one of the world's most famous pieces of music, and her performance was highly praised by all the judges.
A faint smile passed across Song Xue's lips. Apparently, she was very proud of herself.
"Eh? Is this man Song Yan's friend? He did well, but looks ugly," judged by Yang Yanli.
Song Xue widened her eyes as she could tell that the man named Xia Xiang equaled her in playing piano. He would be a strong rival in the following competitions.
"Ah!" Yang Yanli cried, pointing to the TV. "Look! Song Yan is also on the TV!"
Only outstanding competitors were broadcasted on the TV. Now that Song Yan appeared, it meant that he reached a professional level.
"Is he a professional player?" Song Xue asked herself.
Song Yan began to play the music. His had a calm face, but Song Xue's face changed after she heard the sad melody. This music was strange to her.
"He played an original music? People usual don't play original music in the initial audition." She furrowed her brow, attracted by the music, bit by bit.
Even Yang Yanli couldn't help but speak highly of him. "Song Yan is great!" But she immediately added, "He is nothing compared to you."
Song Xue kept silent after hearing the music. She had reached Professional Level 9 in playing piano, and could be a piano master if she went a step further. That's why she was sure she would win the piano competition. There were only a few piano masters in this world, and less than ten in the State of Yanhuang.
Song Yan, however, might be a piano master!
It was a beautiful music; she was deeply attracted by the scene created by it. At this moment, she felt a desperate urge to ask him whether he was a piano master or not.
"Honey, what's going on?" Yang Yanli asked in a caring voice.
"Nothing. I'm a bit tire. I'm taking a rest." Song Xue stood and proceeded to her bedroom.
Yang Yanli knew her daughter well, so she was a little worried about her. Though she knew nothing about piano, she could tell that Song Yan played better than her daughter.
She frowned and thought to herself, "Will my daughter lose out to him?"