Chapter 215: Chapter 215 Assessment Begins
Tang Yuxiu finally compromised.
Gu Yan smiled slightly, "Thank you."
Tang Yuxiu felt helpless. In situations like this, it’s all due to his mishandling of the relationship. And here she is saying thank you. Ultimately, it’s because he didn’t do well that it brought trouble to her.
However, Young Master Tang wouldn’t easily admit he was wrong, so he followed Gu Yan’s words and said proudly, "This is only temporary."
"Alright, alright, temporary is fine too. I believe you’ll handle it soon." So temporary is good enough.
The two of them were having their first solo meal at the company, and they almost had an argument over a small matter again. Fortunately, they cleared things up in time.
As Gu Yan ate, she said to Tang Yuxiu, "Boss, in the future, no matter what happens, we need to say things clearly out loud. Don’t just show the other person a bad face for no reason. If things aren’t as we thought, it really damages the relationship."
Tang Yuxiu raised an eyebrow, thinking that Gu Yan’s words seemed to be directed specifically at him?
Oh, so Young Master Tang does have a bit of self-awareness.
How rare.
Yes, Gu Yan was subtly targeting him.
Every time something happened and Tang Yuxiu acted coldly towards her for no apparent reason, she wasn’t him and couldn’t read minds. How could she know what random mood swing he was having?
Occasionally she could tolerate it, but if it happened often, it would drive her crazy.
Tang Yuxiu didn’t say anything. Gu Yan nudged his hand, "Did you hear what I said?"
Tang Yuxiu nodded, "I heard."
Only then was Gu Yan satisfied, nodding her head and continuing to eat.
After finishing the meal, Gu Yan washed the lunchbox in the pantry on that floor and then left it there, reminding Tang Yuxiu to remember to take it with him after work and not to leave it behind.
"Since you’re going to be here after work waiting for me, just remember it yourself."
Gu Yan thought about it and agreed, nodding before she left his office to go downstairs back to her own office.
You Shuyang and the secretary hadn’t returned yet, making Gu Yan feel somewhat relieved. Otherwise, it would feel awkward even though she knew they were trusted by Tang Yuxiu.
Gu Yan sneaked downstairs, ensuring no one saw her before relaxing.
This was how Gu Yan spent her lunchtimes afterward.
Back in the office, Yang stopped her, informing her that the assessment would take place tomorrow.
Gu Yan repeatedly nodded in acknowledgment.
Being suddenly told the assessment was tomorrow made her nervous; this day had finally come and wouldn’t be delayed any further.
But she also felt it was good; at least she had been given so much time to practice beforehand.
She wasn’t afraid of this assessment, but it was the first time in years she’d be playing the piano in front of a crowd, and the thought was a bit unsettling.
She was very afraid she might get stage fright or make mistakes, even though her personal practice was going very smoothly and pleasingly.
"Don’t be nervous, just perform normally," Wang Qi patted her shoulder, comforting her.
Gu Yan nodded, "I’ll adjust my mindset."
In the afternoon, Gu Yan stayed in the piano room, completely unaware that it was past quitting time.
Tang Yuxiu, in his office, glanced at the clock from time to time. She arrived yesterday at 6:15, and now it was already 6:20, yet she hadn’t come up, making him less focused on his work.
At 6:30, Gu Yan still hadn’t come up, so Tang Yuxiu immediately packed his things, not forgetting to take the lunchbox, and went downstairs.
He originally wanted to call her, but only remembered picking up the phone that her phone was thrown away by the kidnappers last time. She didn’t buy a new one while recuperating at home.
Damn it, not having a phone is inconvenient.
Most of the employees in the company had already left. Tang Yuxiu went straight to the fifteenth floor but didn’t see Gu Yan in the music team’s office, though he saw her bag.
She still hadn’t left.
So he walked straight to the piano room. This time the room wasn’t locked. He pushed open the doors one by one, finally finding Gu Yan in the middle.
The door to the small room suddenly opened, interrupting Gu Yan’s playing. Startled, she turned her head to see Tang Yuxiu standing at the door, not looking happy.
Gu Yan was surprised, "Boss, why are you here?" She glanced around him to see if there was anyone else.
Tang Yuxiu walked in, raising his wrist to show his watch, "You can see what time it is."
Gu Yan glanced at it, and it was already past 6:30...
She blinked, scratched her head sheepishly, "I forgot the time while practicing, I’m sorry, Boss, for making you come down to find me."
"Hmph," Tang Yuxiu snorted coldly, almost thinking something had happened to her again.
"Alright, let’s go home."
Gu Yan nodded obediently, "Okay."
Tang Yuxiu turned around, and Gu Yan followed him out.
With no one left in the company, Gu Yan didn’t have to worry about being seen, so she openly went down with him.
Sitting in the car, Gu Yan said to him, "Boss, my assessment is tomorrow."
"Hmm," he responded lightly.
Gu Yan continued asking, "Boss, aren’t you going to ask if I’m ready, or if I have confidence for tomorrow’s assessment or something?"
Tang Yuxiu kept his gaze straight ahead, "If you haven’t prepared well with all this time, should I question whether you can stay at Tang Family? As for confidence, that’s entirely your business. If you believe you have the skill, confidence naturally comes. If you lack confidence, that just means you think you lack skill."
"I don’t!" Gu Yan quickly retorted, "I’m not someone without skill, I think I play very well!"
"Then that’s it."
Gu Yan, "..." So Young Master Tang, you also use this kind of method to cheer her on, seriously, can’t you be a bit more direct?
But if Tang Yuxiu were to directly say things like ’good luck’ or ’I have confidence in you’, Gu Yan would probably think something was wrong with him, or that he had ulterior motives, or was just being perfunctory.
"Will you come to watch my assessment tomorrow?" Gu Yan asked.
"I’m very busy, I don’t have time for such a minor assessment."
"Alright then." Gu Yan felt a little disappointed. She knew very well that someone as busy as the President wouldn’t have time for such an inconsequential assessment. If he really did come, others would find it very suspicious.
Thinking this way, Gu Yan still felt that it was better for Tang Yuxiu not to come.
"I really want to play a piece for you, after all, this is my first official performance in the company."
Tang Yuxiu glanced at her in the rear-view mirror, his eyes inscrutable.
"Just perform well."
"Mm, I definitely will!"
The next day’s assessment arrived as scheduled, in the music group’s office.
The office already had a piano for them to compose and tune music at any time, which was convenient for everyone there.
Gu Yan looked at the sheet music, taking deep breaths quietly.
Don’t be so nervous, believe in yourself!
Gu Yan silently encouraged herself.
The President’s office.
Tang Yuxiu pulled up the surveillance video of the music group’s office on the fifteenth floor, leaning back in his chair, staring at Gu Yan, who was clearly nervous but pretending to be calm on the video.
He didn’t forget her saying yesterday that she hoped he could hear this performance, so he had You Shuyang find out the assessment time, and now put aside his work to watch her play personally.
The music group’s office.
Yang came out of her office, sat down at Gu Yan’s spot, and said to Gu Yan by the piano, "Get ready to start, don’t be nervous, and don’t think too much, just treat it as usual practice."
Gu Yan nodded, "Okay."
She sat down and opened the piano lid.
Wang Qi said "Good luck" to her.
The other two people in the office also stopped what they were doing to watch her.
Especially Lin Fei, who quite wanted to hear how well Gu Yan played.
Employees outside the office walked back and forth, seemingly unaware of the assessment inside, not even glancing in.
Gu Yan closed her eyes, took a deep breath; she was very familiar with both pieces and could play them fluently even without the sheet music.
You’ve got this! It’s just a few people internally.
If you can’t face them and play now, then how will you play in the future?
She thought of the man who gave her this opportunity, and she couldn’t let down Tang Yuxiu’s expectations!
Come on, Gu Yan!
She finally lifted her hands and pressed the first note.
She started with "Kiss the Rain," with gentle and soothing melodies flowing from her fingertips.
She slightly closed her eyes, and when her fingers touched the piano, all the previous tension seemed to disappear.
She no longer seemed to feel the presence of others, immersed in her own piano world.
Initially, the notes were a bit stiff due to her nerves, but gradually they became more fluent and pleasant.
She thought of Tang Yuxiu.
She recalled how they met, the things that happened later; though there were unpleasant moments, now the skies had cleared, and she was very satisfied with her current life.
Her heart was at peace, insulating herself from the city’s noise and glitz.
Playing the piano requires not just technique and proficiency, but most importantly emotion.
Few people can truly integrate their genuine emotions into the piano and sheet music, but Gu Yan managed to do so.
Yang Min’s eyes showed a trace of appreciation and recognition.
She seemed to be someone worth cultivating.
It had been a long time since Yang Min had seen someone like Gu Yan, who could truly immerse herself into the piano.
Only those who genuinely love the piano and love playing, with true talent, can achieve this.
This achievement is something many people spend years striving for but may not necessarily attain.
Previously, because she got in through her connection with You Shuyang, there were some barriers, but now they were gone. All she saw was someone who, with proper nurturing, would definitely be extraordinary in the future.
Lin Fei, upon hearing Gu Yan’s performance, was also surprised.
She had always thought Gu Yan had no real skills, and even if she could play, it would only be average. She didn’t expect to hear such a captivating sound.
She had heard this piece over a hundred times, but now, she felt Gu Yan’s performance almost reached into her heart, resonating with her.
This is the charm of the music, the charm of the performer.
So, she really did have this strength.
She even believed that she couldn’t necessarily play better than Gu Yan.
Tang Yuxiu in the President’s office looked at Gu Yan, and a faint smile curved on his lips.