Chapter 541: Isn’t This Just Embarrassing?

Fiona Vaughn eagerly rushed forward, giving Cecilia a fake smile.

"Sister, shall I move the zither for you? I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time, although the zither I prepared for you isn’t as famous as Spring Thunder, it definitely won’t undermine your talent!"

Cecilia Vaughn gave her a cold glance.

"No need, I’m worried that the zither you prepared might snap a string at any sound."

"..."

Being publicly contradicted like this, Fiona’s smile froze on her face, and she almost wanted to tear Cecilia’s face off then and there. But under everyone’s watchful eyes, Cecilia dared to confront her directly, while Fiona couldn’t drop the pretense of brotherly harmony.

"Sister, how could you joke like that."

Fiona tilted her head gently, and two crystalline tears appeared in her eyes.

"I was genuinely doing it for your sake. Wasn’t it you who always wanted to perform in front of everyone, and I just found you such a good opportunity?"

Upon saying this, the audience suddenly burst into an uproar.

Could it be that despite Cecilia being so arrogant before, looking down on everyone, she’d always been determined to show off her talents?

Such a woman is really hypocritical and pretentious!

...

With just a single sentence, Fiona easily nailed Cecilia’s fate.

If Cecilia played poorly, she would be ridiculed by everyone as a mere topic of idle conversation. Even if her skills were extraordinary, she couldn’t shake off the reputation of being aloof and attention-seeking.

Moreover, Cecilia publicly embarrassed her sister. Even if there were previous emotional entanglements between them, blood is thicker than water—Cecilia, this little girl, seems to be so heartless and ungrateful.

And there are foreign guests present now!

Doesn’t she understand the principle of not airing family scandals in public?!

...

Faced with eyes full of criticism and disapproval from the crowd, Cecilia remained as calm as ever, merely casting a disdainful glance at Fiona.

"Have you had enough of acting? When did I ever ask you to prepare a zither for me? And when did I say I wanted to perform?"

"Sister, I—"

Tears grew increasingly moist in Fiona’s eyes, seemingly about to fall, like a dew-drenched lily, so pitifully endearing.

But Cecilia couldn’t be bothered to look at her again.

"You’re a pregnant woman. You should take care of yourself. Pregnant and still pretending to help me move a zither—you think you’re made of iron?"

Cecilia mercilessly pierced Fiona’s façade. Upon hearing this, the crowd couldn’t help but sigh. Indeed, Fiona was several months pregnant. The well-tailored dress and well-arranged decorations momentarily made everyone forget that she was expecting.

Upon reconsidering Fiona’s earlier words, they seemed somewhat insincere.

Even if she was sincere, she shouldn’t have spoken up herself! No pregnant woman would rush out to do heavy lifting, especially when Cecilia and Fiona didn’t get along in the first place. This kind of fake courtesy is just disgraceful, isn’t it?

...

Meanwhile, Adrian Law had already arranged for school staff to bring Cecilia the best zither available, which, while not as good as Spring Thunder, wouldn’t undermine her performance.

"Go on."

The man’s long phoenix eyes seemed to contain a pool of clear water. He watched his young wife with a smile, having realized Cecilia’s decision as soon as she intended to go on stage.

Perhaps it wasn’t Fiona’s provocation that moved her, but rather for Professor Desmond Fletcher.

True understanding is hard to find, the rarest thing on earth is a soulmate.

...

Seeing the school staff finally place the selected zither in the center of the stage, a serene smile appeared in Cecilia’s eyes. She looked at Adrian Law, then towards Professor Desmond Fletcher in the Veridian judges’ seat.

"This piece is dedicated to my love, and my soulmate."

With that, Cecilia bowed deeply.

Ah, I originally didn’t want to reveal my other life.

However, to be able to connect with others through music, Cecilia suddenly felt that surprising Professor Desmond Fletcher wasn’t so bad after all.

...

Before going on stage, Cecilia removed her large down coat.

Seeing her actions, Rosalind White immediately frowned in displeasure.

"Sister-in-law, you’re not planning to go backstage to change and do your makeup, are you? No one has time to wait for you."

"What’s it to you?"

Cecilia gave Rosalind a cold sneer, then continued undoing her buttons.

What she wore made her look like a cute, puffy little ball. Without the coat, she revealed a slightly long, ruffled sweater and a pair of light blue skinny jeans, giving her a sharp yet radiant air.

Cecilia thought for a moment and tied up her originally loose long hair. Her hair was long, and while watching the performance, it wasn’t a big deal, but it’d be embarrassing if it caught on the strings while playing.

Once fully prepared, Cecilia confidently and determinedly walked onto the stage.

Her face was clear and unadorned, with no makeup. Under the bright stage lights, her face, slightly blurry due to not wearing makeup, revealed an indescribable aura.

Some beauties are beautiful in their features.

Others are beautiful in their spirit.

Though she wasn’t in traditional attire, when Cecilia placed her hands on the zither strings, it seemed as though she was imbued with a classical elegance by the heavens. The atmosphere was astonishingly tranquil, and everyone instinctively held their breath, fearing to disturb this picturesque beauty.

Some couldn’t help but think, if Cecilia really came prepared, as Fiona said, why not wear a Hanfu, truly creating an intoxicating image of a court lady?

This carefree and nonchalant Cecilia made Fiona and Rosalind, who were heavily dressed earlier, seem like mere common decorations.

Alas, fading cosmetics taint a complexion; pure beauty, with such ethereal imagery, becomes all the more precious.

...

Watching the elegant silhouette on stage, Rosalind White clenched her teeth.

"I wonder what she can play? The zither is something if not practiced, you’ll surely become rusty!"

As if to prove Rosalind’s words, Cecilia’s bare hands brushed over the strings, the music was formless, the melody incomplete, sounding almost like a chaotic noise.

Fiona also breathed a sigh of relief and echoed to Rosalind.

"You’re right, Rosalind. She’s completely wasting the good zither that Mr. Law bought, not even able to play a complete note."

The crowd was similarly disappointed, not expecting Cecilia to only have a beautiful face but lacking the depth of a musician.

Just as everyone felt disdainful, Cecilia suddenly plucked a string sharply, and a high note rang out, striking and compelling.

This time, Rosalind couldn’t help but laugh to the point of losing control!

"What on earth is she doing? Just randomly playing without any pattern?"