Guo Xiu didn't dare to meet her gaze. The woman was boasting about her achievements as if they were unparalleled.
Master You was initially curious, but as she listened, her frown deepened. Guo Xiu's loud voice, as if to ensure everyone could hear, only grew louder.
"Master You, I'm not one to brag, but my Nannan is truly obedient. She follows every single instruction I give her, practicing diligently from morning till night without a word of complaint or weariness."
"She genuinely loves playing the guzheng and is incredibly gifted!"
Guo Xiu glanced at the girl engrossed in her playing. Though her words were full of praise, she was inwardly cursing.
She was trying so hard to commend the girl, yet her goddaughter wouldn't even offer a single word of response.
Guo Xiu's glare was intense enough to turn her goddaughter into a sieve. When Master You looked over, she forced a benevolent smile and chuckled, "My goddaughter is so adorable, so focused on her practice. Haha, hahaha!"
Master You was so distracted by the bizarre laughter that she could barely hear the music.
However, her lingering doubt made her endure it for a moment longer. "So, the previous melody was played by you?"
The question left Guo Xiu speechless. She glanced at Huo Rou, who was smiling and looking their way, and then at Qin Ningyi, whose expression was somber.
The words of affirmation she had intended to utter got stuck in her throat.
Master You didn't receive the answer she sought. Still, she found it hard to believe that such a garrulous and boastful woman could produce such a melody.
She put on her glasses and carefully examined Guo Xiu standing before her.
Someone of her age could, theoretically, possess such skill.
She sighed inwardly, having hoped to encounter another prodigy like her former student, but it seemed...
Guo Xiu continued her incessant chatter, "Master You, when she finishes this piece, I'll have her play another for you!"
"Let me tell you..."
Master You finally couldn't help herself. "Alright, please be quiet for a moment."
Master You's tone was rather calm, yet it was precisely this calmness, coupled with her sharp gaze, that revealed her intense displeasure.
Guo Xiu's voice abruptly ceased. Her face was still flushed with excited smiles.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed her eyes after Master You's interruption, but she dared not say another word.
This was her hope!
Since Master You had listened to her for so long, it meant she was still interested in Nannan. She wouldn't have to worry anymore.
With her ears finally freed from the noise, Master You quickly turned her attention back to the guzheng, focusing on the girl playing.
With her glasses on, she could clearly observe the girl's every finger movement and posture, including the engrossed smile on her face.
"Hmm, her composure is steady, relaxed. Good." She nodded. While there were still some imperfections, for someone her age, such artistry was truly rare.
Though not comparable to her former student.
The more Master You watched, the more she realized that the details of the girl's playing were not as Guo Xiu described. Within the established rules, there was a subtle hint of transcendence.
She leaned towards Teacher Gao and whispered with a smile, "She really has a bit of my student's style."
Someone who sought freedom within the confines of discipline.
The melodious guzheng music gradually softened, like a gentle breeze and a light rain, lingering with unspoken emotions.
The girl gracefully lifted her wrist, her movements elegant and natural, and the piece concluded.
Excitedly, she lifted her head, intending to find Huo Rou, who had been beside her, but her eyes fell upon the two people seated at the doorway.
"Teacher Gao!" the girl quickly stood up, her face flushed, and greeted her respectfully.
Ever since she had come here with her godmother, many accomplished teachers had paid them little attention. This Teacher Gao, with her excellent guzheng skills, had always been someone she admired, but her godmother had dismissed her as all show and no substance.
From then on, she had refrained from seeking Teacher Gao's guidance, and Teacher Gao had stopped looking at her directly. This was the first time Teacher Gao had watched her play with such concentration.
This time, her eyes held not helplessness and regret, but an abundance of admiration. Her tone also carried praise for her, "Yes, you played very well today."
Previously, Teacher Gao had felt that the girl's association with Guo Xiu was a waste of her talent. Every time she heard her play with such awkwardness, she couldn't bear to watch.
She had tried to offer advice, but Guo Xiu had vehemently retorted, so she had stopped bothering. Since the girl herself wasn't realizing it and insisted on following Guo Xiu, what else could she say?
It was like trying to awaken someone who was pretending to be asleep.
The girl's gaze unexpectedly fell on Teacher Gao's side. Her pupils widened slightly, and her face lit up even more, "Mas... Master You!"