Chapter 25: The Great Pianist

Dusk had already fallen when Liao Yuan arrived at the piano market. He stood before the Steinway flagship store, hesitating endlessly. He was calculating the balance on his bank card, considering renting a piano worth around two hundred thousand, but soon realized that even the daily rental fee exceeded his current funds.

Forget it, perhaps I should wait a little longer.

Liao Yuan cast a reluctant glance at the music shop, sighed, and was about to turn away when the glass door swung open.

The female sales consultant who had received him yesterday regarded the familiar figure with surprise. “Sir? It really is you! Please, do come in!”

Liao Yuan hesitated, but in the end, unable to resist her enthusiastic invitation, he stepped inside.

“Yesterday, you left in such a hurry and didn’t leave your contact information. During our morning meeting, the manager specifically called me out for it—I felt so wronged!”

She invited Liao Yuan to sit on the guest sofa, quickly brewed him some tea, poured water, and after making a call on her phone, selected a business card from the counter and handed it to him with both hands. “Here’s my card. I’m Miao Bizhu, the sales consultant here—you can call me Miaomiao. May I ask your name?”

“My surname is Liao,” he replied with a strained smile.

By now, the other sales consultants in the store had noticed the scene. Recognizing the handsome young man from yesterday, they hurried over, exclaiming excitedly:

“It really is you, Maestro! The piece you played yesterday was absolutely wonderful!”

“Yes, yes, our manager told us this morning that if you came back, we must make sure to keep you here—at the very least, we have to get a photo together!”

“Our manager says you’re truly an outstanding young talent!”

“Wow, I didn’t expect someone of your stature to come in person to select a piano!”

“Sir, you’re so approachable—not at all aloof like most great pianists.”

“This is my first time up close with a piano master—it’s such an honor!”

“By the way, sir, what’s your full name? If we get the chance, we’d love to attend one of your recitals.”

Even Liao Yuan, usually composed, couldn’t help but feel his face grow hot under such flattery.

He cleared his throat and said seriously, “May I ask if I could rent a piano?”

The room fell silent at once.

Miao Bizhu was momentarily stunned.

Looking at Liao Yuan’s earnest expression, she suddenly burst into laughter. “Sir, you do know how to joke.”

The others joined in, amused. This young piano master was not only handsome but also humorous.

In this world, any pianist with performance-level skill—even if fallen on hard times, unable to hold concerts—could still become a guest of honor at major theaters, or be hired at generous salaries by opera houses.

And a true piano master—let alone one piano, even if he needed ten—would have admirers lining up to provide them.

Now, this remarkable young pianist was asking to rent a piano...

Heavens!

This completely upended their understanding of the industry.

After all, they knew well what the status of a real piano master meant.

In this era, those with profound knowledge and outstanding talent were considered the most valuable treasures of humanity.

And pianists were precisely such treasures.

Especially those who could compose independently—they were even more precious.

Though a little embarrassed, Liao Yuan remained utterly sincere and earnest. “I really do need a piano, but I don’t have enough funds, so I’d like to rent one. Just for a day.”

Miao Bizhu and the others exchanged stunned glances, growing more serious by the moment.

“Please wait here, I need to report this to our manager,” Miao Bizhu said, rising from her seat.

Liao Yuan frowned slightly and sighed. “If it’s not possible, never mind. I’ll think of another way.”

He was about to get up when another sales consultant hurriedly stopped him. “Please, sir, don’t rush off. Actually, our store doesn’t offer a rental service. After all, we’re a flagship store—every piano here is brand new, with its own serial number, and all imports and sales are globally tracked. Second-hand trading isn’t permitted. If you really want to rent a piano, you might try one of the nearby second-hand shops.”

“That makes sense,” Liao Yuan acknowledged.

Seeing he was still intent on leaving, the consultant quickly added, “Wait, please, sir. Though we don’t rent pianos, we do offer installment plans—up to two years interest-free! And most importantly, our manager would like to meet you…”

“Meet me?” Liao Yuan asked, puzzled. “Why?”

The consultant gave a wry smile. “The piece you played yesterday was simply stunning! After hearing it, our manager was convinced you must be a master returned from overseas and really wanted to befriend you.”

The others chimed in, “Yes! At the morning meeting today, our manager instructed us that if you returned, we should inform him immediately.”

“Please, sir, don’t go.”

Miao Bizhu had returned by now and tried to reassure him. “Second-hand pianos may look new, but most have been refurbished, and their tone and sensitivity are often diminished. Brand new pianos are expensive, but their performance is guaranteed.”

She poured him another cup of tea and smiled sweetly. “I know you’re short on funds at the moment, but that’s okay. Once our manager hears about this, I’m sure he’ll find a way.”

“That’s right!” the other staff enthused. “We’ve all witnessed your talent—truly extraordinary. Our manager has great connections in the music world. If nothing else, he can introduce you to a few theaters. Just play a couple of pieces, and the cost of a piano will be easily covered!”

Liao Yuan listened quietly for a while, then finally stood up. “I’m sorry, but I’m not a professional pianist. I’m just an enthusiast.”

With that, he turned to leave.

The sales team grew anxious.

Just then, the glass door opened once more.

A portly man in his thirties entered, smartly dressed but short of breath, his steps heavy, clearly tired. Upon seeing Liao Yuan, his bushy brows and bright eyes lit up, and he quickly fished out a card case from his bag. “Hello, hello! I’m Zhang Chao, the manager here, and also a senior agent for Steinway. Here’s my card, please accept it.”

Somewhat surprised, Liao Yuan took the card. “Hello, but I have other matters to attend to…”

“I understand, I understand, but please, just a moment.” Zhang Chao’s face was alight with excitement. “On my way here, Miaomiao told me about your situation. You’re just having a temporary cash flow problem, right? No matter—someone of your caliber shouldn’t be troubled by such mundane things.”

Liao Yuan glanced at his watch and said bluntly, “First, I won’t perform at any so-called opera house. Second, my credit card limit isn’t sufficient for an installment plan. So, Mr. Zhang, please let me go. My time is precious.”

Zhang Chao froze, falling silent.

After a few moments’ thought, he took out his phone, opened WeChat, fiddled with it, and finally handed it to Liao Yuan with genuine concern. “That piece you played—was it your own composition? If possible, could you play it for us again?”