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Ao Bing pondered for a moment, "For example, I can swim, play Go, and write with a brush..."
"Wait," Nezha interrupted him, "those are all things you 'can' do, not things you 'excel' at. I bet you're not just capable but truly skilled at these things, right?"
Ao Bing smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying, but to Nezha, this reaction felt like an affirmation.
"How do you manage it all?" Nezha couldn't help but ask. "Your studies are already impressive, yet you excel in everything else too?"
Ao Bing shook his head. "I'm not an expert in everything; I've just received a well-rounded education since childhood. My father believes that as the heir of the Dragon Tribe, I should develop in all aspects: virtue, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor."
Mentioning his father brought a flicker of complex emotions to Ao Bing's eyes. Nezha keenly noticed this but chose not to pry. He understood that Ao Bing's family background was complicated, and his father's expectations were both a motivation and a burden for him.
"Do you enjoy it?" Nezha asked softly. "Do you like playing the piano?"
Ao Bing paused for a moment, as if no one had ever asked him that question before. After thinking it over, he nodded. "I do. Especially when I'm under pressure; playing the piano helps me calm down."
"That's good," Nezha sighed with relief. "As long as it's something you enjoy, it's worth doing."
Ao Bing looked up at Nezha with a hint of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. In his upbringing, activities were often pursued to achieve goals or meet expectations; rarely did anyone care whether he truly enjoyed them.
"Thank you," Ao Bing said softly. "I will accept this invitation."
Nezha grinned widely. "That's great! I will definitely come to see you!"
In the following days, Ao Bing began to immerse himself in piano practice. Every evening after dinner, he would head to the Music Department's Piano Room to practice for a few hours. Nezha sometimes accompanied him, sitting nearby to listen to Ao Bing play.
Ao Bing's piano skills were indeed extraordinary. Even someone like Nezha, who was a novice in music, could sense the profound mastery behind the smooth melodies and precise rhythms. Each time he listened to Ao Bing play, Nezha found himself captivated, moved by the beautiful music.
What fascinated Nezha even more was Ao Bing's demeanor while playing. The usually calm and restrained Ao Bing transformed into someone else at the piano—his gaze focused, his expressions vivid. Sometimes he would furrow his brow slightly, other times he would nod gently, and occasionally a faint smile would grace his lips. This state of complete immersion stirred something unprecedented within Nezha.
"Have you chosen your piece?" Nezha asked one evening on their way back to the dormitory.
Ao Bing nodded. "It's 'Rain's Mark,' a work by Debussy."
"Why did you choose this one?" Nezha asked curiously.
Ao Bing pondered for a moment. "This piece portrays the ripples created by raindrops on the water's surface—calm yet filled with subtle changes, restrained yet expressive. I really appreciate that sense of balance."
Nezha nodded, somewhat understanding but not fully grasping the musical terminology. However, he could feel Ao Bing's affection for the piece.
"And," Ao Bing continued, his voice slightly lowered, "this piece reminds me of walking in the rain with my father when I was a child. Back then, he didn't have so many expectations of me; he simply accompanied me and listened to my whimsical thoughts."
This rare confession touched Nezha's heart. It was the first time he had heard Ao Bing speak so openly about his childhood memories. The usually silent and reserved Ao Bing revealed a gentle side hidden deep within.
"I believe you'll play wonderfully," Nezha said sincerely. "I can't wait to hear the full version!"
Ao Bing smiled faintly. "I hope I won't disappoint you."
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