ECG -Chapter 153 Gold Award

Zhu Yao choked back her sobs and said, “Both my dad and my mom are actors. Ever since I was little, they wanted me to study acting, but I just didn’t want to let them control my life, so that’s why I enrolled in a music academy!”

“B-but you actually said I’m suited for acting. It’s driving me crazy! Wuwu—”

After hearing her out, Lin Hao was stunned. He hadn’t expected that by accidentally hitting the mark, this little girl’s parents would actually both be actors.

The surname Zhu, from Shanghai, an actor?

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There weren’t many actors with the surname Zhu. After thinking for a moment, Lin Hao suddenly froze. Could it be him?

He remembered an entry he had read on a quick-search encyclopedia online last year.

Zuo Xinghui, 44 years old, graduated from Shanghai Theatre Academy. He had an excellent reputation in the industry, with both his acting skills and professionalism highly praised. Over the years, he had acted in many award-winning works, and when he was thirty-one, he even won Best Actor at the domestic Blooming Flowers Film Festival!

He never expected that Zhu Yao would have an award-winning actor for a father!

Zuo Xinghui’s partner was also very famous in the industry, but she had always been active on the theatrical stage, so many ordinary people weren’t very familiar with her.

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Lin Hao sighed inwardly. Teenage rebellion really could delay things. With such good conditions, it was truly a pity that this girl hadn’t gone into acting.

Sometimes, you really had to believe in genetics. Otherwise, why would people say: “A dragon gives birth to a dragon, a phoenix gives birth to a phoenix, and a mouse’s child knows how to dig holes”?

On stage, the second-place winner went up to receive the award.

Lin Hao’s guess was correct. The second-place winner really was the tall, thin young man with glasses. He was a third-year student at the China Conservatory of Music.

The piece he had performed was Winter Wind, and he had ultimately scored 9.45 points.

The other winner was indeed Chen Chen, just as he had expected.

Looking at the two award-winning contestants on stage, Lin Hao felt very comforted. Chen Chen’s level was already extremely good for someone her age, and winning an award was well deserved. It was just a pity that such a cheerful and kind girl had somehow ended up together with Wan Yong.

The host called out Lin Hao’s name. After adjusting his suit jacket, he stood up calmly. Zhu Yao had a huge smile on her face, tears still hanging from the corners of her eyes, and she clapped for him with all her strength.

Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Lin Hao walked onto the stage.

The host began reading the judges’ comments about Lin Hao. They said that he had extremely sensitive finger control, a very strong ability to perceive musical movement and melodic lines; his fundamentals were solid, his stage presence was excellent, and the piece he chose for the finals was a classic.

Afterward, a graceful etiquette attendant wearing a cheongsam walked up. In her hands, she carried the award certificate and a glass-like trophy. A chubby, slightly dark-skinned middle-aged man also stepped onto the stage. From the host’s introduction, Lin Hao learned that this man was actually a high-ranking official from Shanghai’s cultural department.

The official presented Lin Hao with the certificate and trophy, then stood together with him for a photo amid enthusiastic applause.

Throughout the entire process, Lin Hao remained polite, neither arrogant nor humble. After giving a deep bow, he extended his hand to let the official leave first. However, the host quickly stopped him, then spoke into the microphone and asked all the contestants who had entered the finals to come onto the stage.

Only then did Lin Hao realize that they still needed to take photos with the organizing committee, judges, and various officials. Participating in a competition really was troublesome—he simply didn’t have much experience.

After all the contestants came onto the stage, the officials and judges stood in front. The first-, second-, and third-place winners stood in the middle of the second row, while the other contestants who didn’t receive awards stood on both sides. After a barrage of camera flashes that seemed to cost nothing, everyone finally came down from the stage one after another.

The host continued speaking on stage. Lin Hao carried his trophy and certificate back toward where he had been sitting earlier. From far away, he could already see that Zhu Yao was smiling so happily that her little face looked like a blooming flower. She looked even happier than if she herself had won the award.

Along the way, the audience members greeted Lin Hao one after another. Lin Hao responded with smiles.

A middle-aged woman reached out and stopped him.

“Young man, do you accept students?”

Lin Hao smiled bitterly. “Ma’am, I’m still a student myself!”

“It’s two different things. With your level, you absolutely have no problem teaching students!” This older sister looked to be only in her early thirties, and her head was full of curls.

“But I’m not in Shanghai!” Lin Hao said helplessly.

“Where are you? We can bring our child there once a week!”

Lin Hao sighed inwardly. These parents really weren’t having it easy.

“Big sister, it’s not about the distance. First, I’m too busy with my studies and don’t have the time. Second, I’m still young. Being good at playing doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be good at teaching! I suggest you find a nearby piano school instead. That way, neither you nor your child will be exhausted…”

The woman sighed and touched the little boy’s head beside her.

“Good teachers are really hard to come by!”

Lin Hao looked at the child. He was probably no more than five or six years old.

“For children, when they’re building their basic skills, there’s no need to insist on finding some famous teacher. As long as the teacher has studied piano from a young age and graduated from a proper music academy, that’s completely fine.”

“Really?” the woman asked.

Lin Hao nodded. He reached out and patted the little boy’s round head with a smile.

“Really. Keep working hard!”

“Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome!”

After saying that, Lin Hao quickly left. Otherwise, he would soon be surrounded by these parents of piano students, because he had already noticed many parents nearby looking eager to come over.

He walked over to Zuo Yao and didn’t dare sit down again. He hurriedly said:

“Let’s go!”

Zuo Yao smiled and stood up.

“You won the gold award. Shouldn’t you treat me to a meal?”

“No problem!”

As he spoke, Lin Hao quickly headed outside. The host on the stage had already started announcing the end of the competition, and he was afraid it would soon become difficult to leave.

“Wait for me!” Zuo Yao called out and hurried after him.

Although the sun was already setting, the temperature was still very high. Lin Hao had only walked a few steps out of the theater before he started sweating, so he quickly took off his suit jacket.

At this moment, more and more people were leaving. Lin Hao immediately felt Wan Yong’s hateful gaze.

He was still sitting there. It seemed his leather shoes had already dried, and he was wearing them again.

Lin Hao couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to him anymore. With his suit draped over his arm and the trophy and certificate in his hands, he followed the growing crowd and hurried outside. Zuo Yao grabbed the corner of his clothes and stayed close behind him.

After leaving the theater courtyard, they found a convenience store not far away. Lin Hao went in, bought two bottles of mineral water, and asked for a larger bag. He put his jacket, trophy, and certificate inside.

After the two of them left the convenience store, Lin Hao opened a bottle of water and handed it to Zuo Yao.

“You’re a Shanghai native. Aren’t you going to show some hospitality as the host?”

Zuo Yao took the water and drank a big gulp. Then she giggled.

“You stingy guy. You agreed so happily just now, and now you’re going back on your word?”

Lin Hao burst out laughing. This little girl was really interesting.

“Fine, what do you want to eat? Today, your brother here will spend some money!”

“Anyone can tell you’re used to being stingy. Even treating someone to a meal has become ‘spending blood’ for you!”

“Oh? You can even tell that?”

“Of course!”

Zuo Yao thought for a moment.

“I’ll take you to a Western restaurant in an alley. It’s definitely unique!”

The two of them hailed a taxi.

Lin Hao sat in the passenger seat, while Zuo Yao sat in the back. She told the driver an address in Shanghainese, then fell silent.

Lin Hao knew that although she acted cheerful and playful on the outside, losing this competition must have made her feel very upset inside. Right now, she probably needed some time to calm down.

He didn’t say anything to comfort this quirky little girl. Instead, he sat quietly in the taxi, looking out the window and silently observing this city.