Chapter 88: Master-Level Piano Talent!

During this time, several wealthy women inquired about Lin Fan’s family background and personal interests. Lin Fan answered each question honestly, explaining that he came from a rural area and, with the help of a benefactor, now owned a live-streaming company and a hotel. He also mentioned his fondness for martial arts. He shared these details intentionally for Li Li’s benefit. As expected, her favorability toward him rose to twenty.

At the same moment, the one million “loyal dog points” he had spent were refunded to his account.

[Host spent one million loyal dog points on ‘Li Li’. The rebate has been issued, please check it yourself!]
[Wealth: 10,349,000 + 1,000,000!]

Both auction items he’d purchased were gifts for Li Li, so both earned him a rebate.

At the other table, Su Qianlong and his friends watched Lin Fan chatting and laughing with a group of beautiful women, their envy and resentment plain to see. Su Qianlong considered himself a handsome and elegant scion of wealth—so why did he never attract the attention of such women? Had women’s standards changed? Did they now prefer average-looking men?

Even Su Juanmo found it puzzling and couldn’t help but ask his cousin.

Ouyang Qi, too, was a socialite, but tonight’s charity auction was not her stage. Not knowing many people, she couldn’t fit into the celebrity or rich wives’ circles. She belonged to the socialite circle, but the other two were a tier above.

“Cousin, women’s tastes have indeed shifted a bit. There’s a common belief now: handsome men are more likely to be unfaithful, especially those arrogant rich second-generation types. By contrast, even though Lin Fan is ordinary, he’s still better-looking than someone like Ma, the richest man, and he’s gentle and articulate—of course women like him…” Ouyang Qi explained, her tone laced with sarcasm directed at Su Qianlong.

Su Qianlong snorted coldly, “Eloquent, is he? All talk, nothing more than a sycophant!”

“So what if he is? At least he’s won over a superstar. Could you do the same? No, you couldn’t—not even if you had a million!” Ouyang Qi rolled her eyes and retorted icily.

Su Qianlong’s lips twitched with anger.

Su Mingxuan, unwilling to be outdone, snapped back, “He’s just rich, nothing else. A woman like Li Li, at her age, prefers talented young men. What can he do? Paint? Dance? Play the piano?”

“Oh, so now you’re the expert? If you’re so talented, why not go perform for the superstar yourself, instead of just flapping your gums?” Ouyang Qi shot him a look of disdain.

“Who says I’m all talk? When the auction ends, I’ll show you what I can do!” Su Mingxuan was full of indignation.

Half an hour later, the auction concluded and the banquet began.

But before the dishes were even fully served, Su Mingxuan suddenly stood up and approached Li Li.

“Miss Li Li, I’m also a fan of yours. May I have a photo with you?” Li Li agreed graciously. After the photo, Su Mingxuan got straight to the point.

“Miss Li Li, as a fan, I’d like to perform ‘The Blue Danube’ for you. I hope you’ll enjoy it.” He turned to Lin Fan, his smile insincere, and asked, “Hey, do you know ‘The Blue Danube’?”

Lin Fan narrowed his eyes, seeing through Su Mingxuan’s intent to embarrass him. Still, he remained calm and unflustered. “Isn’t it just a piano piece? I can play it too.”

He knew that these wealthy heirs had received elite educations from a young age, attending numerous extracurricular classes—magic, musical instruments, martial arts, and the like. They often looked down on ordinary people who lacked such hobbies. It was a hierarchy of disdain: those with elite educations scorned exam-based and poor people’s education, considering themselves superior.

“So why don’t you tell us the origin of ‘The Blue Danube’?” Su Mingxuan pressed aggressively.

Before Lin Fan could answer, Ouyang Qi stood up and interjected, “’The Blue Danube’ was composed by the Austrian pianist Johann Strauss. The piece is elegant and splendid, lively in rhythm, and is one of the world’s most famous piano pieces. However, it’s not particularly difficult—any arts student can play it.”

Su Mingxuan shot her a glare, surprised she would speak up for Lin Fan, but his confidence remained unshaken.

“I don’t believe he can play it! Miss Li Li, there’s a piano right here—I’ll perform it for you. I hope you’ll enjoy it.” With that, Su Mingxuan strode confidently toward the small stage where a grand piano stood.

As the music began, he drew the attention of the entire room. Many women expressed their admiration.

“I didn’t expect such an elegant and beautiful piece. Truly, men with talent are the most attractive.”

“Of course—he’s Su Mingxuan, the eldest young master of the Su family. Naturally, he’s talented. Most of the wealthy heirs here have some kind of talent…”

Li Li listened for a while and nodded appreciatively. Su Mingxuan wore a smug smile and shot Lin Fan a provocative glance.

Ouyang Qi approached Lin Fan and whispered, “Can you play the piano? If not, I can step in and perform a couple of pieces for you. I’m a teacher at the Broadcasting Academy—piano is my strong suit. It’s a breeze for me!”

Ouyang Qi didn’t want Lin Fan to lose face and was ready to help him out, but Lin Fan politely declined.

“I can play the piano as well…” Lin Fan replied with composure.

“You can?” Ouyang Qi was astonished. She and Su Juanmo knew Lin Fan’s background inside out—what elementary school he attended, his grades, his college entrance exam scores. Su Juanmo had thoroughly investigated all of it. Given his humble origins, how could he possibly play the piano?

Lin Fan smiled mysteriously. “I have a few hobbies, and I tend to pick things up faster than most people. I’m not boasting—just that I’m not one to show off intentionally. Talents like these are for cultivating one’s character, unless you’re a professional, of course…”

“I don’t believe it!” Now Ouyang Qi was the one who doubted him.

“I’ll play a couple of pieces for you later—you can be the judge,” Lin Fan said with confidence.

With that, he silently spent one hundred thousand wealth points in his mind to redeem a ‘Master Card’ item.

[Ding! One hundred thousand wealth points spent to redeem ‘Master Card’. Which talent does the host wish to learn?]

“Piano!”

[Master-level piano skills are loading!]
[Item takes effect immediately. Host will possess master-level piano skills for the next two hours!]
[One hundred thousand wealth points deducted. Current wealth: 10,439,000!]

Soon, Su Mingxuan finished his performance. More than half the room applauded.

As Su Mingxuan descended from the stage and was about to speak, Lin Fan stepped forward.

“Sister Li Li, allow me to play two pieces for you as well. I prefer something more challenging… First, ‘Moonlight Sonata No. 3,’ and then ‘Flight of the Bumblebee.’ I hope you’ll enjoy them!”