As the final notes of the “Third Piano Concerto” faded, Wang Haoran received a notification from the system, which surprised him slightly. Previously, he had been rewarded when the favorability of a female protagonist increased from 40 to 50, but the reward from Qiu Qianwei was more substantial than what he had received from other female protagonists. He gained 1000 villain points and 50 halo points. Could it be because Qiu Qianwei’s protagonist halo was particularly strong? Wang Haoran speculated silently.

Below the stage, applause surged like a tide. Qiu Qianwei gazed at Wang Haoran, her eyes visible beneath his paper mask, with a newfound tenderness mixed with a hint of playful reproach.

“So, the Piano God is you. You made me search so hard,” Qiu Qianwei whispered to Wang Haoran, avoiding the microphone.

“I only realized you were looking for me when I saw the poster outside after arriving here,” Wang Haoran replied softly. He hadn’t expected to become famous on short videos, earn the title of “Piano God,” and cause Qiu Qianwei to search for him.

Hearing Wang Haoran’s explanation, Qiu Qianwei’s slight reproach vanished immediately.

“The Piano God, this lucky audience member is the Piano God!” Some audience members with high musical literacy also realized this and shouted loudly. Wang Haoran’s solo performance of the “Third Piano Concerto” had showcased his exceptional skills. Who else could it be but the “Piano God”?

With the audience’s reminder, others quickly came to the same realization. They assumed this was a “surprise program” specially arranged for the concert, thinking the so-called “lucky audience member” was actually arranged by the program team. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence to draw the “Piano God”?

With the revelation of the “Piano God’s” identity, the concert’s atmosphere reached its peak. Seeing this, Qiu Qianwei seized the opportunity to speak into the microphone with a smile:

“Is everyone satisfied with the special guest I invited?”

“Satisfied! Satisfied!”

…

The audience responded in unison. Seeing this, Qiu Qianwei’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she said to Wang Haoran:

“With everyone so enthusiastic, our Piano God can’t just leave without performing well.”

With just one sentence, Wang Haoran was put on the spot. Refusing would mean ruining Qiu Qianwei’s event. However, this was exactly what Wang Haoran wanted.

“A new composition for everyone, I hope you like it,” Wang Haoran said simply before beginning his performance.

Beside him, Qiu Qianwei’s eyes showed anticipation. The audience also quieted down as the prelude of a piece began to play. Qiu Qianwei’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. As she expected, this was the piano piece she wanted to purchase full rights for. A short video recorded on a phone, though clear, couldn’t compare to listening live.

Qiu Qianwei closed her eyes halfway, savoring the music, soon becoming immersed in it. The rhythm of the piece progressed sequentially, with each note easily stirring the listener’s emotions. The melody effortlessly evoked emotions, making one feel as if they were experiencing the composer’s mindset. This was the highest realm of music!

The prelude conveyed a sense of hope and anticipation, starting with warmth and sweetness, moving to panic, loss, and sorrow. Then it transitioned to madness and collapse, and finally, everything returned to calm, with the melody becoming gentle and serene. When the last note of the piece fell, Qiu Qianwei and the audience were left in a state of lingering emotion, forgetting to applaud.

“What is the name of this piece?” After a long pause, Qiu Qianwei asked, gazing into Wang Haoran’s eyes.

“Wounded Farewell.”

“Wounded Farewell? What a fitting name.” Qiu Qianwei pondered for a moment, nodding repeatedly. From the initial anticipation to the sweetness of being together, followed by the betrayal of a loved one, leading to various negative emotions and near collapse, and finally, after enduring all the negative emotions, everything returned to calm.

The emotions conveyed by the piece “Wounded Farewell” felt like experiencing a love story. With this thought, Qiu Qianwei looked at Wang Haoran with a heart full of pity. He was so outstanding; who was the heartless woman who hurt him so deeply?!

[Ding, the female protagonist Qiu Qianwei’s favorability towards the host increased by 10, current total favorability is 60 (admiration).]

[Ding, the host influenced the plot direction, gaining 400 villain points, Lin Chen’s protagonist halo -20, host’s villain halo +20!]

Wang Haoran was unaware of Qiu Qianwei’s thoughts. If he knew, he would have been amused. The inspiration for the piece “Wounded Farewell” wasn’t as complex as Qiu Qianwei imagined. It was when someone from the piano store delivered a piano to the Wang family and accidentally stepped on a pot of orchids Wang Haoran had been nurturing.

Orchids are delicate and difficult to grow well. Wang Haoran would spend a little time caring for them whenever he had the chance, hoping they would grow well. But before the orchids could fully grow, they were trampled! How could he be in a good mood?

However, it was just a pot of orchids, and after feeling down, he naturally moved on. Coincidentally, he was composing at the time, so he used the emotional changes from the incident as inspiration for the piece. Of course, art requires embellishment, and during composition, he exaggerated the emotions significantly. The emotions conveyed by the artistically processed piece coincidentally matched the emotional experience of a failed romance.

That’s why Qiu Qianwei and others felt that way. At this moment, Qiu Qianwei was still staring at Wang Haoran in a daze. Wang Haoran took advantage of this time to communicate with the system and issued a command.

[Ding, the host successfully used the charm halo on the female protagonist Qiu Qianwei, increasing her favorability towards the host by 10, current total favorability is 70 (deep affection).]

Previously, the charm halo couldn’t be used on Qiu Qianwei because Wang Haoran hadn’t demonstrated his musical talent, which didn’t align with Qiu Qianwei’s criteria for choosing a boyfriend. Now that Wang Haoran had showcased his musical talent, the charm halo could naturally be used. Since it could be used, he used it immediately. After all, the charm halo has a 72-hour cooldown. As the saying goes, the sooner you use it, the sooner it cools down.