Her shock was like being kicked by Huo Rou just now, her entire face turned ashen.
Huo Rou's zither melody felt like a heavy kick to her chest.
What's more, Huo Rou was using such an ordinary zither! Without the delicate, clear tone, without the expensive, high-grade wood.
Removing all these factors, she could still play so well.
Huo Rou quickly reached the part where the girl had fumbled. The complex transitions became exceptionally easy under Huo Rou's fingertips.
It was as if every joint was relaxed, her hand posture natural and correct.
Huo Rou said lightly, "Your state of mind is very important. These rules and regulations are meant to help you play better, not to restrict your performance."
The girl nodded excitedly. Just now, she had been so discouraged by Guo Xiu that she didn't believe Huo Rou.
Now, seeing her hand posture and state, she immediately understood.
An'an listened from the side and nodded frequently, "Mm, Mom still plays the most beautifully."
"Right, Dad?" He didn't just like it himself; he had to pull Qin Ningyi in to ask.
Qin Ningyi couldn't look away. He looked at Huo Rou's serene expression and listened to the zither music pouring from her fingertips, his heart filled with immense shock.
How could his Ah Rou be so amazing!
"Dad?" An'an didn't get a reply and frowned, looking at Qin Ningyi, "Doesn't Mom play beautifully?"
An'an tugged at Qin Ningyi's sleeve, and only then did he snap back to reality, meeting An'an's eyes and nodding.
"Beautiful."
He was already entranced by the music. As a child, he used to accompany two elderly people listening to classical instruments. Because his grandmother liked Guqin music, he had heard a lot of it since he was young.
This piece was a relatively basic and classic Guqin piece. He had heard dozens of versions, but in Huo Rou's zither melody, he could hear spring raindrops, a gentle breeze caressing his face, and willows swaying.
The entire room was filled with vitality.
It seemed as if she had poured all her understanding of spring and hope into her fingertips, expressing it slowly through the zither strings.
When the piece ended, Guo Xiu's expression was gone. All the slanderous words she had spoken about Huo Rou now fell flat. Huo Rou's skill was even better than many masters in the Classical Research Institute.
"You try," Huo Rou stood up and gestured for the girl to sit down.
The girl's face was flushed. She carefully tightened the prosthetic she wore on her hand and sat excitedly before the zither.
This time, in front of her was not an expensive zither.
But because Huo Rou had just played this zither, as her fingertips touched the strings, she felt a sacred sensation in her heart.
The same melody sounded again.
Although the direct feeling of vibrant spring was gone, it was indeed vastly different from how the girl had played before.
This time, it wasn't just rote memorization. She relaxed every joint and calmed her mind, focusing on the emotion rather than the so-called dogma.
Like a gentle breeze caressing the face, like sunlight scattering.
Huo Rou nodded. Her few words had not been in vain; this girl's comprehension was also excellent.
A staff member approached Huo Rou, smiling brightly, "Miss Huo, are you interested in joining our Classical Research Institute?"
Although he had little authority, he could certainly get preliminary approval based on Huo Rou's skill. The higher-ups would not disagree.
Their branch in Yuchang City was lacking elites, and with someone like Huo Rou joining, they would have more confidence when communicating with other cities.
Huo Rou found his offer amusing and was about to explain when a hearty laugh echoed from outside the door.
"Oh my, this place is truly full of hidden talents!"
An elderly voice, filled with barely concealed excitement, said, "Although it doesn't compare to the zither music just now, it's still filled with spiritual energy."
"My trip was not in vain," the person declared confidently, "After waiting for so many years, I've finally heard zither music that can rival that of my student!"
A younger voice, with a smile, humbly replied, "How can it compare to your beloved disciple! We are all just music fanatics here."
"You keep being humble, afraid I'll poach someone?" the elderly person teased.
Their voices moved from the bedside, gradually towards the door.
The girl was already lost in her playing and didn't hear these voices, still engrossed in her music.
The staff member looked at the two people who had entered. He stepped in front of Deng Shi's zither, blocking them slightly, and greeted the younger woman, "Teacher Gao!"