Volume One, Chapter 11: Principal Ning

Yifu Building was one of the teaching halls at Jiangxia Film and Television University, dedicated to the study of the arts. At this moment, in Office 502, the elderly man with graying hair was full of confusion, "He agreed?"

Ning Anbang, the president of Jiangxia Film and Television University.

Su Muyu nodded, "He'll be here soon."

"I really want to see what kind of young man could make you so invested!"

"Grandfather, can you not speak like that? Who's invested?" Her tone carried a hint of annoyance.

Watching the old man’s gossipy expression, Su Muyu couldn’t help but twitch her lips, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

If other students were to see Su Muyu like this, their jaws would surely drop.

The cool, aloof goddess, showing another side.

But what was even more astonishing—Su Muyu was the president’s granddaughter!

"Alright, I won’t tease you anymore," Ning Anbang said seriously. "A student may indeed sing solo at the graduation gala, but only if they are truly exceptional."

"You know what the graduation gala means to the school and the graduating students."

"I need to review it. If it doesn’t pass muster, I won’t let him perform solo."

Many industry heavyweights would attend the gala, which was why the president himself took responsibility for the event.

Su Muyu nodded obediently, "Grandfather, don’t worry. The song 'Bare Face' that went viral online was his original work."

"'Bare Face' was his own creation?"

Ning Anbang was surprised.

He had heard the song before. Although he wasn’t much interested in the romantic affairs of students, it was undeniably a fine composition.

He now looked forward to meeting this Jiang Yu even more.

Five minutes later.

Jiang Yu arrived at the entrance of Yifu Building, took the elevator to the fifth floor, and found Office 502 by its number.

However, he was startled by the three words on the office door.

President’s Office.

"Did Su Muyu give me the wrong room?" was his first thought.

He took out his phone and sent a message, "Xiaoyu, did you make a mistake? This is the president’s office!"

He even snapped a photo.

Inside the office, Su Muyu saw Jiang Yu’s message and couldn’t help but laugh. She opened the president’s office door directly.

Seeing Su Muyu emerge from the president’s office, Jiang Yu was stunned.

"Jiang Yu, you’re here? Come in."

Jiang Yu, still bewildered, entered the office, greeting politely, "Hello, President Ning."

Ning Anbang looked at Jiang Yu and nodded. He had to admit, this young man had a certain charisma—no wonder his granddaughter was interested in him.

"Let’s go to the vocal room next door."

After all, singing in the president’s office was not quite appropriate. The music classroom next door was equipped with all kinds of instruments and was much more suitable.

"Jiang Yu, I approve your solo performance at the graduation gala, but I need to review your work first. If it’s not up to standard, I can’t guarantee your spot. Could you let me hear your song?"

Su Muyu turned around, her eyes clear as autumn water, gazing at him with anticipation.

Jiang Yu nodded and handed over the sheet music he had prepared to Ning Anbang.

Ning Anbang took it, put on his reading glasses, and studied it carefully. Following the staff notation, he hummed a few lines.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu sat at the piano.

Though the song wasn’t ideally suited for piano alone, it was better than nothing.

He tested a few notes and began to play.

As Jiang Yu’s voice rang out, Ning Anbang’s eyes immediately brightened, and his previously hunched posture straightened.

His fundamentals were solid!

That was the principal’s first evaluation.

As Jiang Yu continued, Ning Anbang’s gaze grew brighter still, admiration filling his eyes.

"A wonderful song!"

Ning Anbang couldn’t help but exclaim. As the president of an art university, his standards were high.

He hadn’t expected much from Jiang Yu’s original composition.

A student, no matter how talented, what kind of song could he write?

But hearing this piece, he was stunned.

He never imagined that a student could possess such talent.

"Those so-called pretty boys outside, always making a show of themselves—should really hear what a real song sounds like!"

As the president, he needed to understand the tastes of the audience in this era.

Online dramas were a bit dumbed down, but entertaining enough. Still, songs required lasting appeal.

He’d once heard a so-called rap online, something about cramming at the last minute, endlessly repeated, and it became a hit.

Another performance, on stage, full of incoherent noises, no lyrics at all, claiming to imitate the symptoms of illness—and yet they called themselves the eternal god of the Chinese music scene.

It broke his heart. When did the music scene come to this?

"This is truly excellent!" Ning Anbang looked at Jiang Yu, growing more satisfied with every glance.

Beside him, Su Muyu’s eyes shone like autumn water, fixed intently on Jiang Yu.

The young man before her, dressed in a white shirt, playing the piano and singing softly, left her entranced.

Her memory drifted back to high school, to the boy who had stood in front of her, protecting her.

Jiang Yu’s slender fingers gradually stilled.

"President Ning, I’ve finished."

Ning Anbang took a deep breath, his face full of excitement.

"Excellent, this song is perfect! Jiang Yu, I approve your performance at the graduation gala!"

"Thank you, sir!"

.....

Soon, the day of the graduation gala arrived.

The outdoor stage at Jiangxia Film and Television University.

The audience was already packed, the atmosphere lively.

Unlike the other performers, Jiang Yu was busy logging into the Writer Zone app on his phone, uploading two chapters of his new book before preparing for his performance.

The system had granted him all the songs, but not uploaded them directly into his mind—he still had to memorize them.

Fortunately, after the system left, his skill tree was maxed out—his memory was excellent, though he still needed to familiarize himself.

Compared to Jiang Yu, the other performers were a bit more frantic.

Some were applying makeup, others rehearsing their moves.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu strolled leisurely backstage, humming as he walked.

Just then, a figure blocked his path.

"Zhao Yiyi?"

Seeing who it was, Jiang Yu frowned.

Zhao Yiyi looked aggrieved, "Why did you block me?"

Is she crazy? She came all this way just to ask that?

Jiang Yu ignored her completely and continued walking forward.

"Wait a minute!"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yiyi grabbed his arm, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Jiang Yu, can’t we talk properly? You weren’t like this before."

"Let go."

Jiang Yu was baffled. She was the one who asked for the breakup, so why was she acting so wronged now?