Chapter 176: Ruin

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The tutor continued, “She had never touched the piano before. 1 introduced her to world-famous songs, but she struggled to remember melodies, and her finger placement was consistently incorrect. However, a few days later, as if enlightened, she presented me with a melody for evaluation.”

“I had never heard such beautiful music. It sounded majestic!”

“At that moment, 1 suspected she might have taken the work of a master. After all, she had only been learning the piano for a few days. How could she compose such exceptional music? Despite searching online extensively, I found nothing similar. So, 1 chose to believe her and commended her on her apparent talent.”

“When I inquired about her composition process, she claimed it was inspired. Frankly, after teaching the piano for so many years, I couldn’t produce such a piece. I felt inadequate and resigned from my role there.” The piano teacher’s sixth sense had been correct; Fang Jiayi had copied the work of a master.

Fang Jiayi took two steps back, rendered speechless by the damning evidence. Trembling, she realized her piano career had come to a devastating end.

The audience below the stage erupted in condemnation.

“Shameless!”

“A plagiarist who only admits guilt when confronted with evidence!”

“She’s quite skilled at distorting the truth. I wonder how she’ll defame Master Qingyin!”

“Apologize to Master Qingyin immediately!”

“You owe the original creator an apology!”

“Apologize!”

Enraged spectators rose from their seats, shouting at the girl on stage. This marked the first time Fang Jiayi truly understood the weight of losing her reputation.

Below the stage, Lu Chen suddenly realized how unfamiliar the girl he deeply loved was. Her vanity was terrifying—taking Fang Yuan’s work and insisting it was hers until she reached such a sorry state. He seemed to have never truly known her.

Mrs. Lu, who had rushed over at that moment, also witnessed the scene, and her expression was filled with fear. She was grateful that this disgraceful woman was not officially part of the Lu Family. Otherwise, the Lu Family’s reputation would have suffered greatly today.

“You’ve finally arrived…” Madam Bi couldn’t help but ridicule Mrs. Lu. “Fortunately, you don’t acknowledge this daughter-in-law. Look, she plagiarized the master’s work and still denies it… She’s truly disgracing herself in Jing City.”

“Why are you here?” Lu Chen asked his mother.

“Son, come with me quickly!” Mrs. Lu grabbed Lu Chen’s hand. “You’ve witnessed it yourself. This girl is not worthy of your affection! Marrying her would be a lifelong joke!”

“As for that girl, she’s actually Master Qingyin at such a young age…” Madam Bi sighed.

“Who are you talking about?” Mrs. Lu followed Lu Chen’s gaze.

“The one standing in the middle of the stage, the most beautiful one…” Madam Bi pointed at Fang Yuan. “She’s Master Qingyin. Quite unexpected.”

Mrs. Lu looked at Fang Yuan’s cold face in shock. She was Master Qingyin? This revelation dealt a significant blow to the Lu Family.

“I wonder which fortunate man will marry her. I heard the entertainment industry once offered a high price for her to compose a piano song, but she declined, saying she doesn’t need the money…”

Madam Bi’s words stunned Mrs. Lu. Previously, she believed Fang Yuan lacked talent and was merely putting on airs. It turns out, she was truly gifted. Her arrogance stemmed from genuine capability. It was Mrs. Lu who lacked the discernment.

Lu Chen gazed at Fang Yuan on the stage, still as beautiful as ever, radiating like the brightest star in the crowd. In contrast, Fang Jiayi, standing beside her, appeared vastly inferior—a mere passerby, ordinary and unremarkable. He couldn’t fathom why he had liked her before.

Lu Chen stood up and left with his mother.

On stage, Fang Jiayi witnessed his departure and wanted to call him back, but a group of people blocked her path, demanding an apology.

Fang Liguo and Song Ling, too, felt the weight of ridicule. They wanted to escape the humiliation as swiftly as possible.

“You’ve violated my rights by plagiarizing my work without consent. You’ll face the corresponding civil consequences,” Fang Yuan declared coldly. “You’ll soon receive a letter from my lawyer…”

Fang Jiayi attempted to speak but found herself unable to justify her actions.

The clamor for an apology persisted. When she saw her parents surrounded as well, Fang Jiayi’s eyes welled with tears as she deeply bowed to Fang Yuan. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I apologize to you.” With those words, she swiftly fled the stage, unable to endure another moment.

Fang Liguo and Song Ling, witnessing their daughter’s retreat, hurriedly followed suit, eager to escape the unfolding scene..