At The Beginning Of The Novel, The Villain Forced The Protagonist’s Step-Mom To Bear His Children

Chapter 55:

“Thank you all for coming to this concert. I now declare that the concert has officially begun, and I am honored to introduce the international piano master, Mr. Edward.”

As the host finished his introduction, an elderly man with white hair but a vibrant demeanor took the stage. 

The audience erupted in applause. 

Edward was a legend in the music world, and most of the attendees were there solely to witness his performance. However, not everyone was truly there for the music. 

Some wealthy individuals attended just to flaunt their status, unable to genuinely appreciate the art. They were simply there to show off.

Among the audience was Xu Hao, who wasn’t interested in the piano at all. 

His reason for attending the concert was entirely different. 

Edward spoke a few words in his native language, which were then translated, earning him another round of applause. 

After the brief introduction, Edward sat at the grand piano, and as his fingers danced across the keys, a melodious tune filled the hall. The audience held their breath, closed their eyes, and immersed themselves in the rhythm. Edward’s skill was undeniable; even those unfamiliar with music could appreciate the beauty of his performance.

(In the private box)

Xu Hao yawned. 

“Is this it?” He thought to himself. 

He found the performance lacking, far inferior to his own master-level piano skills. 

The music Edward played was clichéd, not even close to the divine compositions Xu Hao remembered from his previous life. 

For Xu Hao, it was a bit dull, but Xu Hongjiao was deeply engrossed, focusing intently as if she were a student trying to absorb every detail. 

Seeing her so absorbed, Xu Hao smiled. He felt it was time to win over his third daughter.

Xu Hao felt warmth on both sides and realized that his two younger daughters were snuggled up to him. 

Over time, they had grown increasingly dependent on him, thanks to his hands-on teaching. 

This sense of accomplishment filled Xu Hao with satisfaction. But as with all good things, the concert eventually came to an end. 

An hour had passed without anyone noticing, as they were all lost in the music. 

The host returned to the stage to announce the end of the concert, and Edward stood up to bow, receiving a standing ovation.

“This was incredible! He truly deserves to be called a master,” someone in the audience exclaimed. 

“Even I, who have no interest in music, was captivated,” another added. 

“I’ve always loved Mr. Edward’s piano. It sounded even better live than online,” said another fan.

The room buzzed with admiration and praise for Edward.

Suddenly, amidst the sea of compliments, an inappropriate voice broke through the chatter. “Hmph, international piano master? He’s nothing special.”

The audience, composed mostly of well-educated, upper-class individuals, was shocked into silence. 

The voice, neither loud nor soft, had been clear enough for everyone to hear. Instantly, heads turned to identify the source of such audacious criticism. 

All eyes fell on a disheveled figure in an inconspicuous corner—Zheng Feifan. 

He was dressed in ragged clothes, looking out of place among the well-dressed crowd.

“Did I hear that right? Did he really just say that?” someone whispered in disbelief. 

“Who does he think he is? How dare he question an international master?” another person scoffed. 

“Is he crazy? Why hasn’t security kicked him out yet? This guy is lowering our standards just by being here,” someone else added, their voice dripping with disdain.

The room filled with a mix of contemptuous comments and ridicule, all directed at Zheng Feifan. But he remained unfazed, smiling confidently. 

He had spent years in the underworld, honing various skills. Piano playing was just one of the many talents he had mastered. 

In fact, as he watched Edward perform, he could barely contain his laughter. The so-called master’s playing was far inferior to his own. 

Watching the crowd fawn over Edward’s mediocre performance, Zheng Feifan felt compelled to speak out.

Of course, he had done it deliberately. 

With his level of skill, if he were to play a piece, the audience would be left speechless. He imagined the admiration on the faces of the beautiful landlady, Xiao Wanling, and Xu Hao’s daughters as they witnessed his piano prowess. 

The thought filled him with excitement.

Xiao Wanling did look at him, but not with the admiration he hoped for. Instead, she regarded him with pity, as if he were a fool. 

She couldn’t understand how he had managed to sneak into the concert without a ticket. His audacity to openly mock an international master made her question his sanity. She regretted ever renting a house to him. 

“Maybe he escaped from a mental hospital,” she mused. “I need to evict him as soon as I get back.”

“Dad, look at that guy, he’s such a clown.” Xu Huayi said, tugging on Xu Hao’s arm and pointing at Zheng Feifan.

“Young sister, you shouldn’t say that.” Xu Shiqing chided her sister, trying to maintain a ladylike image.

Xu Hao gently patted Xu Huayi’s head and said meaningfully, “Your sister might be right, but don’t be fooled by appearances.”

The women looked at him, puzzled. Xu Hao continued, “That man may seem like a clown, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. His actions may be deliberate, designed to attract attention, but there’s confidence in his eyes. Whether his piano skills are truly on par with Edward’s is another matter, but I believe he has some talent.”

Surprised, the women looked at Zheng Feifan again. 

Despite being the target of everyone’s scorn, he remained composed and unbothered.

“If he’s so skilled, why is he dressed like that?” Xu Shiqing asked, frowning. “Those clothes are old and full of holes.”

“Maybe he’s pretending to be weak, hiding his true strength to surprise everyone later.” Xu Hao speculated. “He might enjoy the satisfaction of proving everyone wrong.”

Xu Hao’s words planted seeds of doubt in his daughters’ minds. 

They now looked at Zheng Feifan with a mix of curiosity and disgust. 

The thought that he was deliberately dressing down to gain attention was distasteful to them.

“Then he really is a clown, and maybe even a little crazy,” Xu Huayi concluded, her initial curiosity now replaced with disdain.

However, Su Wanqiu remained deep in thought.

Xu Hongjiao looked away, unable to believe what Xu Hao had said. 

Edward was an international piano master, yet this man, dressed in ordinary clothes and with an unremarkable appearance, dared to look down on him. 

Could it be that his piano skills surpassed those of everyone in the world? 

She didn’t believe it at all.

Piano master Edward had just finished his performance and was about to leave the stage when he overheard someone criticizing his piano skills. 

Having devoted his life to the piano, he valued it more than his life and wouldn’t tolerate any insult. However, he kept his composure and didn’t get angry right away. He wanted to see what kind of talent this critic had to be so bold.

Edward addressed Zheng Feifan, who was standing in the corner. “Young man, since you’re so critical of my performance, would you care to go on stage and play a piece for the audience to judge?”

Meanwhile, someone had alerted the security about a possible intruder. 

A group of guards rushed in, recognizing Zheng Feifan. 

“Aren’t you that beggar? How did you sneak in here?” one of them sneered. 

“I thought I kicked you out. Leave now and stop disturbing everyone.”

The security team jeered at Zheng Feifan, but at that moment, Edward’s voice cut through the air. 

The guards were stunned. 

Seizing the opportunity, Zheng Feifan straightened his clothes and flashed a confident smile. “What are you afraid of? Today, I’ll show you what a true master is.”

Amid the crowd’s hostile glares, Zheng Feifan walked to the stage with his head held high. Edward approached him, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor. “May I ask your name, young man?”

“Zheng Feifan,” he replied briefly, then impatiently waved his hand. “Enough talk. Can I start?”

“Please,” Edward responded, extending his hand graciously. 

He saw the confidence in Zheng Feifan’s eyes and was curious to see how he would perform. If it turned out to be a mere act, Edward wouldn’t hesitate to expose him. 

After all, no one had ever questioned his piano skills before. Zheng Feifan was the first.

“What a nerve!” someone in the crowd muttered. 

“That guy’s so arrogant; he doesn’t even respect Mr. Edward.”

“Everyone here must be crazy,” another added. “Letting a beggar play the piano on stage? If word gets out, we’ll be the laughingstock of the upper class.”

“Get out of here! You have no right to be here. Go back to picking up trash—where you belong.”

The room buzzed with ridicule and disdain. But Zheng Feifan remained unfazed, a smile playing on his lips. 

He thought inwardly, “Keep insulting me. I’m looking forward to seeing your faces later.”

With that, Zheng Feifan took his seat at the piano. 

The moment he sat down, his demeanor changed completely. His eyes sharpened, and his entire aura transformed. He lightly pressed a few keys to test the piano, and Edward’s eyes lit up. 

Just from the warm-up, it was clear that this man had extraordinary piano skills.

As Zheng Feifan’s fingers danced across the keys, a powerful and majestic melody filled the hall. The tempo was urgent and fierce, evoking the chaos of a battlefield. 

It was a piece he had composed himself, inspired by his many years in the dark world and his experiences on the battlefield. 

The audience was captivated, fully immersed in the music.

When Zheng Feifan struck the final note, the room fell into a stunned silence. 

Everyone stared at him in disbelief. This piece, in terms of rhythm and melody, surpassed even the one played by the international master, Edward. 

The music had transported the audience to the heart of a battlefield. It was almost impossible to believe that this performance had come from a so-called beggar.

Then, someone started clapping, breaking the silence. 

Soon, the entire hall erupted in applause. Edward, recovering from his shock, approached Zheng Feifan with excitement written all over his face. 

“Master Zheng,” he said, “you are the true master here. Would you be willing to discuss the piano with me?”

It was clear that Edward’s love for the piano was deep. He treated it as more important than life itself. Now, with an opportunity to learn and improve right in front of him, he didn’t hesitate to humble himself.

Zheng Feifan stood up calmly and smiled. “Sorry, but my piano skills have been passed down through generations and aren’t shared with outsiders,” he said. 

In truth, he simply didn’t feel like discussing the piano with an old man. 

It would be different if it were a beautiful woman. 

He had only taken this chance to show off. His gaze involuntarily drifted to one side of the room, where Xiao Wanling stood, looking completely stunned.

Zheng Feifan felt a surge of pride. But just as he was basking in the moment, something unexpected happened. 

Edward, the international piano master, suddenly knelt before him. “Master Zheng, please, accept me as your disciple.”

“???” Zheng Feifan was taken aback.

“What’s happening?” the crowd murmured. “Edward is an international master—why is he kneeling before a beggar?”

“Don’t you get it yet?” someone responded. “That beggar we all looked down on is actually better than Edward at playing the piano!”

“The international piano master begged to be his disciple… This is unbelievable.”

“If he’s so talented, why does he dress like a beggar? He couldn’t even afford a ticket.”

The hall was in an uproar. Xiao Wanling, still in shock, couldn’t believe her ears. 

Was this really the same careless rogue who only knew how to talk big? 

He seemed like a completely different person now.

On the stage, Zheng Feifan was equally stunned by the turn of events. Yet, hearing the crowd’s exclamations, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. 

An idol worshiped by countless people was now kneeling before him, begging to be his disciple. The feeling of triumph was indescribable.

However, he had no intention of accepting a man in his fifties or sixties as his apprentice. 

Just as Zheng Feifan was about to refuse, a melodious and soothing sound of a piano echoed through the hall…