Hearing Jiang Yonghe's confident and provocative words, Jiang Youli smiled. "Jiang Yonghe, it seems your performance just now has gone to your head? You're already thinking about how to teach me."
"Too bad I don't need it."
As soon as she finished speaking, the guests who had been captivated by Jiang Yonghe's talent snapped back to reality.
The fake and real heiresses were about to clash again!
How entertaining!
This homecoming banquet was definitely worth attending!
This was getting really interesting!
Jiang Yonghe maintained her poised smile. "Sister Youli, is it that you don't need it, or do you feel incapable of learning?"
"If it's because you've returned to the Jiang family and think you don't need to improve, that's not a good mindset. One shouldn't give up on oneself—learning knows no bounds. Since Sister Youli now has the opportunity to cultivate more talents, why waste such a rare chance?"
"But if Sister Youli wants to learn but feels overwhelmed, I can start from the very basics and slowly teach you what I began learning at the age of three."
Jiang Yonghe deliberately emphasized "what I learned at three."
The implication was clear: at Jiang Youli's current age and learning capacity, she might only be able to grasp the skills Jiang Yonghe had mastered as a toddler.
Jiang Youli retorted, "I thought being called the 'Prodigy of Jing City' meant you must possess some extraordinary talent. But now it seems this title was just a case of mutual flattery within your little circle."
Her words were so audacious that many young masters and ladies felt personally attacked. If Jiang Yonghe didn’t qualify as a prodigy, what did that make them, the idle rich?
"She’s way too arrogant!"
"Who does she think she is?"
"The Qi Family, obviously. Didn’t you see how pleased Old Master Qi seemed with his future granddaughter-in-law?"
"If it were back when the Qi Family’s eldest young master hadn’t been crippled, she might have had the right to boast. But with the Qi Family’s succession still up in the air, isn’t she afraid her arrogance will backfire?"
At this, many glanced toward Qi Huan, expecting a reaction. But instead of displeasure, they found him watching the scene with amusement, as if enjoying the spectacle.
Jiang Zhao’s face twitched. "Here we go again! This Jiang Youli—her tongue is as venomous as ever!"
Jiang Xing remained silent.
He knew better than anyone that Jiang Youli wasn’t just sharp-tongued—her methods were even more ruthless. She had crippled one of his legs and poisoned him as leverage.
Jiang Yonghe’s smile finally faltered. "Since Sister Youli speaks so boldly, you must have some real skills to back it up. Why not take this opportunity to show everyone?"
"Yes! Give us a demonstration! Let’s see if you’re truly better than Miss Jiang Yonghe!"
"Don’t think you can get away with empty boasts just because this is your homecoming banquet!"
Jiang Yonghe’s friends among the young elite chimed in again.
Jiang Youli didn’t hold back. "Since everyone’s so eager for my performance, how about this: I’ll improvise a piece on the spot—one of the same difficulty as the world-renowned piece Jiang Yonghe just played—and perform it for you all."
Her declaration landed like a thunderclap, leaving the guests stunned.
"Did she just say… improvise?"
"On the same level as Jiang Yonghe’s piece?"
"Either she’s insane, or the world is."
Jiang Zhao scoffed. "What a joke! Does she even know the international prestige of the piece Yonghe played? I’d love to see how she plans to dig herself out of this hole!"
Jiang Xing sneered. "She’s clearly lost touch with reality."
Jiang Yonghe stepped back.
As she passed Jiang Youli, she whispered mockingly, "Sister Youli, do your best. Everyone’s watching—don’t embarrass yourself too badly."
Jiang Youli flicked a glance at her. "You’re the one who should worry. With talent like yours, you’d better learn farming from me. At least you’ll have a way to feed yourself after the Jiang family kicks you out."
Jiang Yonghe: "…"
Under the crowd’s gaze, Jiang Youli walked to the piano and sat down, casually rolling up the sleeves of her evening gown—a far cry from Jiang Yonghe’s earlier elegance.
Once seated, she didn’t start playing immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air as she hummed softly.
"Looks like she’s actually trying to compose something."
"Just putting on an act."
"How much longer? Are we supposed to watch her sit there all night?"
Just as impatience began to spread, Jiang Youli opened her eyes—no longer indifferent, but filled with unwavering focus.
In the crowd, Qi Huan raised his phone again, zooming in on Jiang Youli at the piano.
These were precious moments, all worth preserving.
Noticing this, Duan Jinghan refused to be outdone. He pulled out his own phone and even reached toward his father, Duan Pinchao.
"Dad, lend me your phone."
Duan Pinchao frowned. "What nonsense are you up to now?"
Duan Jinghan scowled. "Just hand it over. Am I even your real son?"
Duan Pinchao muttered under his breath, "If I’d known you’d turn out like this, I’d have left you delivering takeout for a few more years!"
Grumbling, he still reluctantly passed his phone to his son.
Duan Jinghan took it, activated the camera, and aimed both devices at Jiang Youli.
When it came to Jiang Youli, he wouldn’t lose to Qi Huan—that cripple!
As Jiang Youli’s fingers touched the keys, the piano’s notes filled the hall.
Just when everyone expected something extraordinary, they realized she was playing—
"Little White Rabbit."
Jiang Yonghe’s friends erupted in jeers.
"Is she mocking us?!"
"She must be!"
"Just step down if you can’t deliver. Stop humiliating yourself."
Jiang Youli ignored them, her fingers dancing across the keys until the final note—
Silence.
For three seconds, the hall was utterly still.
Then—
A tempest of music erupted, so powerful it stole the breath from everyone’s lungs.
They were transported to a storm-ravaged sea, standing on a fragile boat about to capsize.
Lightning split the sky, danger looming at every moment.
Just as despair set in, a massive ship appeared on the horizon, sailing toward them—
Hope surged, and their hearts soared.
Amidst the thrilling and tense anticipation, the massive steamship arrived safely and came to a stop before them.
A faint silhouette stood at the bow, gazing down at them from above.
This must be a celestial maiden descending to their rescue!
In the next moment, they found themselves lying on the deck of the steamship, tears of joy streaming down their faces as they watched the once stormy sky gradually clear. The clouds parted, and sunlight poured through the gaps, bathing them in a warm, golden glow.
