Chapter Nineteen: The Melody of the Han River

Returning to her seat in the classroom and accepting the guzheng from the homeroom teacher, Yu Qian couldn’t help but want to laugh at the teacher’s triumphant expression. There was no need to ask; their class had clearly performed well—the choral piece had certainly pleased the school administrators.

"Xiao Qing, can you come with me to change clothes?" Yu Qian quietly asked He Xiaoqing, picking up her clothes from under the chair.

The performances didn’t last long; by the time she returned to her seat, only one fourth-grade class remained to sing, then the five fifth-grade classes would take their turns, followed by a second program from each class.

As she returned, she caught a glimpse of the piano guarded by staff outside the gymnasium—clearly reserved for Ge Lulu, whose piano solo was scheduled right after Yu Qian’s.

"Sure, let's go," replied He Xiaoqing, taking the clothing bag and following her to the girls' dressing room the school had specially set up.

Yu Qian’s outfit was a pale blue hanfu, designed by Zhinu and made by her family's factory. Business at the store had been booming since the new year, and its reputation had grown online. People from neighboring cities had even approached them about franchising; after consulting with Lawyer Cao, Yu Wen agreed.

With more storefronts, business improved further. The partnering factory was so busy making the family’s clothing that they could hardly keep up. With more cash flow, they simply took over a garment factory and hired a team of workers.

Handing the guzheng to He Xiaoqing outside the dressing room, Yu Qian quickly changed inside, swapping her current clothes for the hanfu, putting away the hanfu she’d worn earlier and retrieving the choral outfit from her phone before stepping out.

"Wow, Qian Qian, your outfit is so pretty!" He Xiaoqing circled her twice in admiration.

"I found the style online and had my family make it."

"That’s so nice—having a family that makes clothes." He Xiaoqing had long known about Yu Qian’s family’s clothing business and was envious. "Does your family’s store sell this outfit? I really like it."

"No, it doesn’t." But He Xiaoqing’s question sparked an idea. There were hardly any hanfu shops in the country yet, let alone ones selling clothing from other dynasties. Their family could easily start a new line specializing in historical attire.

If the family wanted to expand, focusing solely on young women wouldn’t be enough. That line was already mature; it was time for something new. As for the designs, Yu Qian could create them herself.

She’d just say she drew them out of interest from reading books and watching dramas, and have her parents keep the designer’s identity secret.

In a few minutes, Yu Qian had her plan. He Xiaoqing had finished admiring the outfit. "Well, if you don’t sell it, that’s fine."

"What a mess you're wearing. I thought it’d be something impressive. And you dare sign up for a solo dressed like that?" Ge Lulu had also finished changing and emerged in a white princess dress—beautiful, but the expression on her face ruined the effect.

Ge Lulu was something of a minor celebrity at the Experimental Primary School—wealthy family, good student, talented. If not for her poor personality, she’d be even more popular. Used to being the princess of their grade, she was clearly unhappy now that Yu Qian had appeared.

"Mind your own business. Worry about yourself," He Xiaoqing retorted, annoyed.

"Hmph. I won’t argue with you. I’ll wait to see you beg for mercy." Ge Lulu tossed her head and walked off proudly.

"Bleh, shameless!" He Xiaoqing stuck out her tongue at her.

Yu Qian couldn’t help but laugh. "Come on, don’t stoop to her level. It’s undignified."

"Qian Qian, you have to beat her!" He Xiaoqing squeezed her hand, looking at her expectantly.

"Alright, alright, I’ll do my best!" Yu Qian was so amused by her that her stomach ached from laughing.

Just then, the teacher in charge of the program schedule called her over to prepare—she was up next. Noticing Yu Qian’s smudged lipstick, the teacher turned, took out a lipstick from her bag, and touched it up for her, finishing by dotting a red mark on her forehead.

Yu Qian was speechless. She hadn’t been marked during the chorus and thought she’d avoided it, but hadn’t expected this now.

He Xiaoqing nearly burst out laughing at her exaggerated makeup.

Before Yu Qian could say anything, the host was already calling her name: "Next, we have Yu Qian from Class 1, Grade 4, performing a guzheng solo, ‘Echoes of the Han River.’"

Yu Qian walked onstage, and for a brief moment, the gym fell silent.

Normally, Yu Qian kept a low profile; most people knew her name but couldn’t pick her out. Now, as she gracefully approached the guzheng and took her seat, her bearing was utterly distinct from the others. The students couldn’t describe it, only thinking she looked beautiful, but the teachers felt it even more keenly.

She was a child, yet radiated elegance—a strong sense of classical charm.

Clad in hanfu at the guzheng, she looked like a figure from ancient times.

Ignoring the murmurs, Yu Qian raised her hands, left hand poised beside the bridges, right hand plucking the strings.

The first movement was an exuberant allegro, its lively melody evoking the sound of laughter. The second movement was lyrical and songlike, expressing hope for a beautiful future. The third was a variation and reprise of the first, the tempo quickening as the music progressed, even more spirited than before.

The entire piece was bold and lively, leaving the audience immersed in its joyful atmosphere.

After she finished, seeing the expressions on the audience’s faces, Yu Qian raised an eyebrow. This was the first time she’d used the emotional techniques taught by the Pipa Spirit—and the effect was even better than expected.

She bowed, lifted her guzheng, and walked offstage with poise.

Backstage, she saw Ge Lulu staring at her with a face full of resentment. Yu Qian shrugged and said blandly, "It’s your turn. Good luck."

Ge Lulu had intended to outshine Yu Qian, but this only increased the pressure on her.

Yu Qian, feeling no guilt, wondered if Ge Lulu would be able to perform properly.

Leaving the dressing room, she immediately recognized that Ge Lulu was playing "Memories of Childhood"—a simple piece, but played without spirit or emotion. Ge Lulu’s lack of feeling failed to move anyone.

Yu Qian smiled; it looked like Ge Lulu’s earlier words were about to come back to haunt her.

Children’s reactions are the most straightforward—whoever makes them happy is the best performer in their eyes.

After today, Ge Lulu probably wouldn’t dare act up again for quite some time.

Returning to her seat, Yu Qian saw that Ge Lulu had already finished and left, and several students from the neighboring class were also gone.

"It looks like Ge Lulu was crying. Those girls were called by the teacher to comfort her," He Xiaoqing whispered to her.

Yu Qian fell silent. She had thought it was just a bit of pressure, but hadn’t expected it to make her cry.

It was a little awkward. No matter how you looked at it, Yu Qian had some responsibility for her tears. She considered whether she should go comfort her.

Before she could decide, several girls from Class Two returned, and Guo Juan slipped over to eavesdrop.

"Ge Lulu was picked up by her family. She cried and insisted on going home, and the teacher couldn’t do anything about it, so the people guarding the piano took their young miss home with them," Guo Juan reported back to Yu Qian and He Xiaoqing.

"Forget about her—crybaby. There aren’t many acts left; soon we’ll all be going home," He Xiaoqing said, waving it off.

"Yeah."