100. When you can't figure it out, just change the tune.

18:20.
Building 24, Guan Shan No.1 Residence.

Ji Yang put down her chopsticks. "I'm full," she said, bouncing as she left the dining room.
It was clear she was in a good mood.

The family had already reached a consensus: that evening, they would discuss with Li An the "next steps" regarding their child's academic aspirations.

The couple’s plan was to have Li An arrange a meeting with Teacher Wei first, to put a face to the name, listen to Teacher Wei’s attitude, and then decide how best to proceed.

Ji Yang’s approach was much simpler: if Li An told her to focus on practicing piano and not worry about anything else, then she would just practice and nothing more.

At exactly seven o’clock, Li An appeared promptly at the door of her piano room.

Hu Rong accompanied Li An to the door, hesitated for a moment, then followed him inside.

—

Tonight’s lesson was far from smooth; to put it bluntly, Ji Yang felt a sting of defeat.

By the end of the class, she was crying.

It was the first time since she started lessons with Li An that she had been reprimanded.

She could tell the difference between feigned sternness and genuine anger.

Previously, when she played poorly, Li An would be blunt, but today was different: her beloved teacher calmly said, “Why don’t we change the piece?”

What did it mean to change the piece?

It was rejection.

The implication was that she lacked the skill to handle the third movement of Moonlight Sonata.

Being rejected by the teacher she respected most was deeply painful.

At that moment, she wanted to defend herself, but no words came out.

Because the teacher was right.

After more than a month of lessons with Li An, she had long realized that the praise from Professor Yu about her solid fundamentals had been a complete lie.

Studying with Li An made her quickly aware that her finger technique was inadequate, she didn’t know how to use her upper arm properly, and even her wrist control was a mess.

How could she possibly play Moonlight Sonata’s third movement?

So she worked hard to improve, to confront her poor playing honestly, and to strive toward the proper standards.

But why did the teacher have to say such things to her?

The quiet piano room was filled only with the sound of her sobbing.

Ji Yang’s shoulders heaved as she stared at the dense sheet music on the stand.

Li An sat calmly beside her, quietly watching the tears fall from her chin onto the pristine white keys.

By the window, Hu Rong had already risen from her seat, heart aching at the scene, but she knew she could say nothing at this moment.

—

A minute passed.

The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive. Hu Rong couldn’t stand it any longer and was about to step forward when Li An signaled her from behind to stay put.

His reassuring gesture did not truly comfort her, but it stopped her in place.

Another minute slipped by, and finally Ji Yang spoke, her voice full of grievance:

“Teacher... I... really... tried very hard.”

She sniffled and blew her nose, evoking a pang of pity.

Unexpectedly, Li An asked, “Are you sure you understand what it means to really try?”

“Think carefully about that. If you don’t understand, then change the piece.”

After a pause, he said,

“Ji Yang, I’m leaving this with you. If you can’t get past this hurdle, don’t even think about the Rongcheng Conservatory of Music.”

“Also, I’ll tell you this—treating piano as a hobby isn’t a bad thing.”

With that, Li An took two tissues, placed them on the piano, stood up, ignored Ji Yang, gave Hu Rong a meaningful glance, and walked out.

Just as he reached the door, a sudden sob broke out behind him, and he gently closed the door.

At least the parents were somewhat cooperative.

He sighed and went downstairs.

—

In the piano room, Hu Rong hurried over, only to find her daughter looking up, red-eyed and gasping for breath while blowing her nose.

“Mum, I’m fine. You go stop Teacher Li from leaving,” she urged.

Hearing this, Hu Rong felt relieved and soothed her briefly before following Li An out.

But outside, she saw Li An already sitting in the living room drinking tea with Mr. Ji, so she returned to the piano room.

“Teacher Li hasn’t left; he’s downstairs talking to your father.”

Hearing Li An had stayed, Ji Yang stopped crying, though her shoulders still trembled.

Hu Rong looked on with a heavy heart, feeling some blame toward Li An for not speaking more kindly, but she understood that his harshness was for Ji Yang’s and their family’s benefit.

After sitting with her for a while and seeing her mood stabilize, Hu Rong stood and said, “Go wash your face, have some juice, and rest a bit. I have to go downstairs.”

—

In the living room, Ji Chenguang had laid his cards on the table with Li An, who agreed to help pull some strings.

But Ji Chenguang didn’t immediately grasp the difference in the issues raised.

At that moment, Hu Rong returned to the living room and sat beside Ji Chenguang.

With both parents present, Li An carefully rephrased his earlier words:

“Perhaps I wasn’t clear before. What you two want is for Ji Yang to be admitted to Rongcheng Conservatory of Music’s piano department through Teacher Wei, right? Or do you just want Ji Yang to study with Teacher Wei for a few months and then try the entrance exam?”

This time, Ji Chenguang understood.

The couple exchanged a glance.

After deciding against studying abroad, they had been discussing various academic plans for their child.

Ultimately, after careful consideration, they chose the Rongcheng Conservatory of Music as the best option.

So in their hearts, they were clear: do everything possible to get Ji Yang admitted to Rongcheng Conservatory.

That was their bottom line.

As for whether to reveal this bottom line to Li An now, Hu Rong hesitated somewhat.

But Ji Chenguang did not hesitate.

Although he wasn’t yet sure of Li An’s purpose in asking, after a month of interaction, he trusted him.

Since the conversation had reached this critical point, as a parent, even for the sake of their child, he had to show sincerity and a clear stance.

“We want Ji Yang to be admitted through Teacher Wei,” Ji Chenguang disclosed, then pondered, “Li An, if there’s anything you want to say, just say it.”

Hearing this, Li An felt he had a grasp of the situation:

“After Ji Yang told me you intended for her to apply to Rongcheng Conservatory, I looked into it.”

“The current situation is that Teacher Wei already has seven students this year, and none of them are less skilled than Ji Yang.”

“If you want Ji Yang to get in through Teacher Wei, the current circumstances are very unfavorable for her.”

“There are only five months left until the arts entrance exam.”

The couple frowned simultaneously.

After a moment, Li An continued:

“So the problem now isn’t whether I’m willing to take Ji Yang to meet Teacher Wei tomorrow, but whether Teacher Wei is willing to accept a student of Ji Yang’s level at this point.”

“I can say with certainty that, given Ji Yang’s current level, Teacher Wei will not accept her.”

After hearing Li An’s words, Hu Rong grew restless. “Teacher Li, could you try to help us negotiate? We won’t let your efforts go to waste...”

Li An waved her off, interrupting, “I know Teacher Wei’s temperament well. The key issue isn’t what I say but whether Ji Yang can meet his standards.”

Seeing Hu Rong still wanting to say more, Li An added, “Ji Yang’s mother, the situation your child faces right now has nothing to do with what you’re thinking.”

He pinched his thumb, index, and middle fingers together and rubbed them slightly.

He felt it necessary to sober the two parents up before continuing the conversation.

Sitting in Wei Sanwan’s place—can you still call it money?