Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 100: The Look of Admiration

Fang Meng had been watching Jiang Qian’s expression the whole time as the two tutors enthusiastically explained their theories.

She knew it was only a matter of time before they lost their jobs.

—

The next day was Friday, and the last two periods in the afternoon were PE class.

Students were unusually excited—after all, the long-awaited weekend was just a day away.

Lin Zhengran remembered that Jiang Qian had asked him to meet her in the piano room. So when he noticed that she had disappeared from the field, he informed the teacher and headed to the academic building.

As he approached the newly established piano room in the school’s multimedia building, which wasn’t officially open yet, he heard a beautiful melody floating through the air.

Standing at the back door of the classroom, he gently pushed it open.

Jiang Qian was at the piano, and her playing had once again halted at the first climax of Observing Snow.

The tutoring session last night hadn’t helped her improve at all. At best, it gave her a better understanding of the piece.

As the music stopped, Jiang Qian turned around and saw Lin Zhengran standing there. Her cold eyes locked onto him as she stood up.

“You’re here.”

“You said you had something for me?”

Lin Zhengran walked up to her, and Jiang Qian pulled a key out of her pocket.

“This.” She handed him the key. “The teacher gave it to me last night. Didn’t you say before that you had nowhere to practice the piano? Now, with this key, you can come here anytime you want.”

She glanced around the room and spoke seriously.

“Our school doesn’t offer piano lessons, so even though I donated these two pianos, this room will probably stay empty unless there’s some performance event. You don’t have to worry about anyone disturbing you. Plus, the piano is the same one you played that night—I noticed you handled it quite smoothly.”

She looked up at Lin Zhengran and extended the key toward him.

“Think of it as repayment for your help last time. That simple explanation you gave me was incredibly useful.”

Lin Zhengran was a little surprised—this second Miss Jiang actually knew how to return a favor. He smiled and explained,

“Actually, I only helped you because, back when the teacher assigned us to the freshman showcase, I didn’t have a piano. You went and brought an extra one for me, didn’t you? So I was just returning the favor. You don’t have to pay me back for that.”

Jiang Qian stared at his smiling face, and for some reason, her cheeks flushed slightly.

Her curiosity about him flared up again.

But she quickly adjusted her emotions and looked at him once more.

“Is that so? So you helped me because of that…” She hesitated slightly before saying,

“But since I’ve already given you the key, it would be a waste to take it back. How about…” She paused briefly.

“How about you teach me again today in exchange for the key? Besides, this room isn’t just a piano room—you can treat it as your personal lounge for the next three years. No one else can get in, after all.”

—

[The Key to Myoyin Temple: Once obtained, you may freely enter Myoyin Pavilion. This place is rich in spiritual energy and serves as an excellent resting spot.]

Myoyin Pavilion, huh…

Lin Zhengran took the key.

“Alright. I do need a quiet place to practice sometimes. I’ll accept it.”

—

[You have obtained the Key to Myoyin Temple. Due to your encounter with the Imperial Princess, your stamina has increased by 1.]

—

Jiang Qian smiled slightly—something she rarely did.

She sat back down at the piano, placed her hands on the keys, and started playing Observing Snow again.

“I’ve actually tried to play this piece before, but I never got it right.”

She reached the first climax and got stuck.

Lin Zhengran pulled up a chair and sat beside her.

Jiang Qian asked, “I know how to play this part, but my notes always feel stiff, and the rhythm doesn’t flow properly. How do you think I should improve?”

Lin Zhengran picked up the sheet music she had placed on the piano and flipped through it briefly.

Thanks to Harmony with All Things, he quickly developed a familiarity with the piece.

But what surprised him was—

“This piece is really difficult. It’s practically a gateway piece for professionals.”

Jiang Qian was slightly surprised. “It is a gateway piece. But… you’ve never heard of it before? You’re obviously so good at piano…”

Lin Zhengran glanced at the sheet music and admitted,

“No, I haven’t. I try to listen to and learn as much as I can, but there are only so many hours in a day. There’s still a lot I don’t know.”

He looked at Jiang Qian. “But now I do.”

He suggested, “Can I try playing it first? I need to figure out the key points myself.”

Jiang Qian nodded and stood up, giving him space.

As Lin Zhengran sat down, he suddenly felt a bit flustered.

The seat was still warm from where Jiang Qian had been sitting.

There was lingering body heat…

He exhaled lightly and, after memorizing the sheet music, placed his fingers on the piano keys and began to play.

Jiang Qian was absolutely stunned.

If this was really his first time playing Observing Snow…

The fluidity, the ease, the natural mastery—

It was something her two piano tutors couldn’t even come close to.

It was hard to believe that this boy was only in his teens.

Among the pianists Jiang Qian had seen, only those with thirty to forty years of experience and natural talent could play at this level.

Lin Zhengran finished playing once.

Finding the piece interesting, he played it again.

Jiang Qian’s lips parted slightly, but she was too stunned to say anything.

His second playthrough was even more refined than the first…

This boy…

She slowly closed her lips and watched him, fully focused on his playing.

For the first time in her life, she felt completely out of reach compared to someone else.

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The more she interacted with Lin Zhengran, the more she realized the vast distance between them.

Her cold eyes—eyes that had never shown admiration for anyone—now carried a glimmer of awe.

—

After playing the piece twice, Lin Zhengran stood up and smiled.

“I think I’ve figured out the technique. Your turn. It’s actually pretty simple—let me point out the key areas, and you try again.”

Jiang Qian sat back down.

And suddenly—her cheeks flushed.

For the exact same reason Lin Zhengran had felt flustered earlier.

Lin Zhengran carefully explained the techniques he had discovered.

Jiang Qian listened closely.

She was certain now—

He was different.

Everything he said was crystal clear. Every sentence carried an almost enlightening effect.

After listening to his explanation, Jiang Qian nodded seriously.

“I understand now. Let me try.”

She carefully started playing Observing Snow again.

This time, she flawlessly passed the first climax.

As she approached the second climax, her expression turned tense and astonished.

She had never successfully played this part before.

Lin Zhengran reminded her, “The second climax is coming up. The difference in pitch is extreme—just do as I said and don’t hesitate.”

Jiang Qian nodded. Her fingers danced across the keys.

She passed the second climax, too.

Last night, she had practiced for hours. Even before, she had never been able to get through it.

But Lin Zhengran had only taught her a few sentences.

Suddenly, she stopped playing.

The smooth melody still lingered in the air, but her mind went blank.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Lin Zhengran thought she hadn’t learned it properly and said regretfully,

“You were so close—just one more section. But even stopping here, you should understand the techniques I explained, right?”

Jiang Qian clenched her hands slightly, curiosity about him filling her mind once more.

Her cheeks turned slightly pink, and even her voice became a little softer.

“Mm… I understand better now. Teach me again—I want to finish the whole piece.”

“Alright.” Lin Zhengran nodded.

As he explained further, Jiang Qian listened intently.

She didn’t take her eyes off him.

Her gaze was full of admiration.

—

Outside the classroom, Fang Meng had been watching through the window for a while.

She stared in shock at Jiang Qian’s expression as she gazed at Lin Zhengran.

People in the moment might not realize it.

But as an outsider, Fang Meng clearly saw it—

That fleeting curiosity Jiang Qian had for Lin Zhengran…

Was beginning to take root.