Chapter 124: My Identity Has Been Discovered [Fifth Update]

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Lu Xiao drank to his heart’s content, and everyone else was equally exhilarated. Not only had they enjoyed fresh delicacies they had not tasted in ages, but they had also sampled such explosively potent liquor. The trip had certainly been worthwhile.

Xiao Xuefeng already felt so thoroughly outclassed by this chef that he could barely breathe, and he was rather miserable about it. Before encountering that jinx, Fang Nian, he had never suffered such crushing humiliation. Yet over the past few months, he had endured every kind of setback imaginable—so many that he had practically swallowed even the humiliations from before he was born.

He had no idea where this head chef had come from. In secret, he swore that, given the chance, he would teach this arrogant cook a proper lesson.

Xiao Xuefeng had prepared this three-part presentation according to Lu Xiao’s preferences: delicious lantern-shadow beef, fine Jimo aged wine, and exquisite piano music. By now, however, it was clear that the first two held no value whatsoever. Nor did Xiao Xuefeng believe Lu Xiao would hand him the investment simply because of his grandfather. He could only stake everything on his final offering and bring out his last gift.

“President Lu, I still have one more gift for you. I know how much you love the piano, so I obtained a section of sheet music from somewhere and would like to present it to you. I hope you will accept it.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiao felt rather helpless. He knew Xiao Xuefeng had gone to considerable trouble for his sake, but he was also gratified. At least it showed that the man was sincere. He took the sheet music and glanced at it.

“This is an excerpt from Edro’s ‘Etude No. 2’?”

Xiao Xuefeng nodded.

“Yes. It is part of ‘Etude No. 2,’ the work Edro was most proud of before his death. Unfortunately, I am no great collector and could obtain only a copy. It is not the original manuscript.”

Lu Xiao hurriedly waved his hand.

“Ah, what does it matter if it is a copy? A copy can still produce the melody.”

As he spoke, Lu Xiao eagerly had someone wheel over a piano. He sat down and began to play. Beautiful notes resounded throughout the room, filling every corner with sublime piano music. The melody was undeniably intoxicating.

Qian Xiaoxiao and Wang Jiang even rose from their seats and swayed along with the music. The atmosphere became exceptionally lively.

When the piece ended, Lu Xiao slowly stood and gazed at the sheet music in his hands, unable to part with it. After returning to the table, he examined it carefully. Unfortunately, the score contained only about one-third of “Etude No. 2.” Lu Xiao knew the remaining two-thirds must be in Xiao Xuefeng’s possession, and his conditions…

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Before Xiao Xuefeng could state his conditions, the piano suddenly sounded again. Everyone froze, their eyes once more converging on the instrument.

But when they clearly saw who was seated at the piano, they were instantly dumbfounded. There sat Fang Nian, dressed in a chef’s uniform, playing with effortless elegance.

Fang Nian had loved playing the piano since childhood. So although he was a homebody, all those years spent at home had given him formidable piano skills—at the very least, he was no worse than Lu Xiao.

Soon, Fang Nian’s performance reached its climax. Many of those present were captivated by the music, and they soon realized that what Fang Nian was playing was on an entirely different level from “Etude No. 2.” His composition surpassed it by who knew how many levels.

Lu Xiao was completely immersed in Fang Nian’s music, utterly forgetting that the man was supposed to be a cook. For a moment, Lu Xiao felt awkward. He wanted to ask where the piece came from, but he was afraid of disturbing Fang Nian and missing part of the performance. Thus, he could only wait silently until Fang Nian finished.

Several minutes later, Fang Nian finally played the last lingering note. He slowly rose and bowed to everyone, who responded with a round of applause.

Lu Xiao had been impatiently waiting. Disregarding appearances entirely, he rushed over to Fang Nian.

“Old Li, Old Li, just how many things are you still hiding from me? How can you play the piano too? And you’re no worse than I am. Most importantly, who wrote this piano piece of yours? How can it be so beautiful?”

Fang Nian was about to explain, but at that moment, a middle-aged man wearing nothing but underwear suddenly burst through the door. Bare-chested, he came clattering toward Lu Xiao and cried:

“President Lu, you must be careful! Someone knocked me unconscious in the corridor just now and stole one of my uniforms. I’m sure he sneaked into the villa to do something illegal. You have to be careful…”

The man was none other than Li Long, the genuine head chef, whom Fang Nian had knocked unconscious and left trapped in the corridor. He looked truly wretched. Fang Nian had not expected so many complications and had remained here far longer than planned.

Everyone else in the room was dumbfounded. What on earth was going on? Was this some kind of undercover drama?

Li Long was the most bewildered of all. The person who had knocked him unconscious and stolen his clothes was standing right beside him. Fang Nian did not even need to remove his mask; one look into his eyes was enough for Li Long to know that it was definitely him.

Fang Nian could only smile helplessly. Seeing that he could no longer keep up the act, he removed his mask and took off the chef’s uniform. Then he turned to the astonished Lu Xiao beside him.

“My apologies, President Lu. I never expected our first meeting to take place under such circumstances. My name is Fang Nian, and I represent Hunter Cloud Pavilion and the Tan Family Hunting Grounds. I came today intending to discuss a partnership with you. However, we could not get through your front gate, so we had no choice but to resort to this strategy. I hope you will forgive us.”

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After hearing Fang Nian’s explanation and looking at the disheveled Li Long beside him, Lu Xiao finally understood the whole sequence of events. The others understood as well. So this man was one of their competitors.

But the most agitated person there was Xiao Xuefeng. Everyone else was meeting Fang Nian for the first time. Though they had heard of him, their knowledge was only superficial and they had no deeper understanding of him.

Xiao Xuefeng was different. He knew Fang Nian far too well. The grudge between them ran deep, and they worked in the same industry, making them direct competitors.

“No wonder I kept feeling as though that vengeful ghost had come back to haunt me today. So it really was you. You’ve come again.”

As he spoke, Xiao Xuefeng suddenly turned toward Lu Xiao and said anxiously:

“President Lu, you absolutely must not believe this swindler. He has terrible character and behaves disgracefully. You can cooperate with anyone, but you must never cooperate with him. He…”

Lu Xiao, however, did not hear a word. He walked over and took Fang Nian by the hand.

“What are you saying, Brother Fang? It is my fault for failing to keep proper control of my own people. Besides, you prepared such delicious food for us and showed us such an incredible way to enjoy our drinks. I do not even know how to thank you.”

Seeing Lu Xiao trying to cultivate a personal relationship with Fang Nian, Xiao Xuefeng knew that he was completely finished this time.

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