Zhao Wei left in a hurry, not because he truly didn't want to argue with Han Lang anymore.
As a scion of a prominent family, how could he not want to regain his lost dignity?
However, Ma Long's words reminded him of something.
When it came to looks, Miss Luo was the undisputed champion!
Miss Luo!
Wasn't that Luo Jiaying, the very person Zhao Wei had been thinking about, whom he'd coincidentally met at the airport, and later learned at Lingyue Mountain Villa was Han Lang's girlfriend?
Instead of engaging in a war of words with Han Lang here, wouldn't it be more appealing to find a way to seek out Luo Jiaying backstage and orchestrate a chance encounter to improve his standing?
Therefore,
After leaving Han Lang, Professor Wang had barely settled into his seat when Zhao Wei whispered something to him. Professor Wang nodded repeatedly, then respectfully stood up and led Zhao Wei out through the door on the right side of the hall.
Han Lang and Ma Long naturally observed everything.
Ma Long couldn't help but ask with concern, "Young Master, won't this Zhao Wei, after being rebuffed by us, collude with the judges to target Miss Luo later?"
Han Lang felt as if he'd been awakened by a single remark. He looked at Ma Long in astonishment and replied with disbelief.
"No way, right? He's a scion of a prominent family, he wouldn't stoop to such petty tactics, would he?"
"That's not necessarily true; some people hold grudges."
Ma Long's words made Han Lang feel a pang of self-reproach.
If his momentary impulsiveness led to Luo Jiaying, whom he valued so highly, not even making it onto the leaderboard in this important piano competition, wouldn't he become a sinner?
Just as Han Lang was worrying about this, Wang Fang smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry, little miracle doctor. I just checked, and there are several other contestants with the surname Luo on the list. They wouldn't target all of them, would they? Besides, if Miss Luo found out about such a scandal in such a universally recognized international event, I doubt she'd care about winning!"
Han Lang agreed with Wang Fang's words, but a hint of worry still lingered on his face. He replied sheepishly.
"I hope so!"
Meanwhile, Zhao Wei, led by Professor Wang, quickly arrived backstage.
After some inquiries, they soon located makeup room number 8, where Luo Jiaying was.
"Knock, knock, knock!" He knocked on the door.
Soon, one of the service staff attending to Luo Jiaying opened the door.
Upon seeing Zhao Wei at the door, the service staff's normally ordinary and indifferent expression immediately turned to one of shock and disbelief.
Figures like him were often the ones she, and all her friends, dreamed of encountering.
As she stood there in a daze, Zhao Wei asked with exceptional politeness.
"Hello! Is Miss Luo in? Is her makeup finished?"
The service staff dared not delay, nor did she want to. She nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, it's basically done. May I ask if Young Master Zhao needs me to call her over?"
Zhao Wei seemed a bit surprised by the service staff's enthusiasm and, at the same time, worried about being too forward with Luo Jiaying. After a moment of thought, he replied.
"Uh... in that case, please trouble yourself to inform Miss Luo that Professor Wang, the piano prodigy from Huanan Conservatory of Music, has arrived for a visit and wishes to meet her!"
Given the cold reception from their first encounter, Zhao Wei dared not request a meeting under his own name this time.
As Professor Wang was a well-known piano master throughout the province, and even the country, Luo Jiaying, having come to participate in this piano competition, would naturally have heard of Professor Wang. Therefore, using his name would be a more reliable approach.
Indeed,
After a short while, the door opened, and Luo Jiaying, holding her long black formal gown, stood behind it. Upon seeing Professor Wang, a hint of joy clearly flickered across her face, but her tone remained neither humble nor overbearing. She bowed slightly and said.
"Hello, Professor Wang! It's an honor to meet you. May I ask if there's anything specific you needed to see me about before the competition?"
The moment Professor Wang saw Luo Jiaying, he was as stunned as Zhao Wei, and even his male DNA felt a slight stir.
However, knowing that such a peerless beauty had attracted Zhao Wei's special attention, Professor Wang understood that she was beyond his reach. Thus, he immediately adopted a kind and amiable demeanor, playing the role of a mentor to help Zhao Wei out.
"Heh heh... it's nothing major! Director He from the music department at Lelan University is my classmate, and he called me beforehand to specifically praise you while asking me to keep an eye on you! Out of curiosity, I decided to pay you a visit beforehand!"
As an insider in the industry, being noticed by an industry giant would surely bring immense joy to anyone, wouldn't it?
Luo Jiaying was no exception. After hearing Professor Wang's words, her heart was filled with joy, and she replied repeatedly, "That's truly an honor, Professor Wang! Director He is my major professor, and he often mentioned you to us!"
"Oh? Is that so? It seems he hasn't forgotten his old classmate! Haha..."
Professor Wang casually engaged in small talk with Luo Jiaying, but he hadn't forgotten the purpose of his visit. He then feigned a sudden realization and changed the topic, introducing Zhao Wei.
"Oh, right! Let me introduce you to a friend. This is Young Master Zhao Wei, the eldest son of the prominent Zhao family in Xingcheng city. Like me, he is also one of the judges for this competition. He also heard Director He's praises and came to see you out of admiration!"
Professor Wang's introduction was very well-executed.
Not only did he reveal Zhao Wei's background, which many girls aspired to, but he also specifically conveyed the information that he was a judge for the competition to Luo Jiaying, and even expressed his own stance.
In a way, it was almost a veiled threat!
However, Luo Jiaying didn't seem as clever as he expected.
Because she couldn't possibly fathom that level of thinking!
Moreover, regarding Zhao Wei,
Although she had seen him at the airport, she hadn't paid him any mind.
Therefore, at this moment, she had no recollection of Zhao Wei whatsoever!
She simply extended her hand politely, as if meeting him for the first time, and said with a surprised smile, "Hello, Teacher Zhao! I'm amazed that you've become a judge for such a high-level competition at such a young age. It's truly astonishing! I hope to receive your guidance in the future!"
Facing Luo Jiaying's suddenly extended delicate hand, Zhao Wei, who considered himself to have a mature mindset, was momentarily agitated. He hastily reached out and symbolically shook Luo Jiaying's fingertips, then replied with utmost gentlemanliness.
"You're too kind! Actually, I've had the pleasure of meeting Miss Luo before, but you were in a hurry back then, so we didn't get to properly get acquainted!"
"Met before?" Luo Jiaying asked with a puzzled expression.
Zhao Wei subtly reminded her, "About half a month ago, in the departure hall of Lecheng Airport!"
Luo Jiaying tried hard to recall and finally remembered that encounter from the depths of her memory. However, her expression changed slightly, and her tone immediately became stiff.
"Oh, oh, you mean that time! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were... back then, so..."
Zhao Wei seemed completely oblivious to Luo Jiaying's subtle displeasure. Instead, he became excited that she remembered him and repeatedly replied.
"It's alright, it's alright! It's good that we could meet through a competition like today's. At least it shows we have some fate, haha..."
Zhao Wei was smiling happily, but Luo Jiaying's smile was very awkward.
If it weren't for Professor Wang and Zhao Wei's status as judges for the piano competition, she might not have given Zhao Wei any face at all.
"Heh... hehe... yes! Fate, fate!" After saying that, she changed the subject and continued, "Uh... right! The competition is about to start, and I still have some makeup to finish. If Professor Wang and Teacher Zhao have nothing else, I think..."
Luo Jiaying gestured towards the dressing table, and Zhao Wei suddenly realized.
He didn't sense Luo Jiaying's impatience at all. Instead, he was completely immersed in the word "fate" that Luo Jiaying had spoken.
Little did he know that the "fate" Luo Jiaying mentioned was merely a coincidence; while his understanding of fate might truly be destiny!
"No problem, no problem! You go ahead and finish up. We can chat after the competition!"
Just as Luo Jiaying was about to close the door and leave, Professor Wang, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke again.