Chapter 382
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Chapter 382: “Dedicated to Theresa”
Bai Wei sat down in front of the grand piano.
Far East University, despite its ample resources, lacked a piano in the vocal room—a strange omission for an institution that hadn’t yet fully integrated every musical instrument into its curriculum. Many could only watch, unable to play. The university also lacked foreign teachers proficient in the piano, given the instrument’s complexity. Piano lessons were often reserved for dedicated musicians, who didn’t typically come here to teach.
Why would a professional musician teach at a university when they could be performing in the Vienna Golden Hall instead?
Traditional Eastern vocal instructors had little to no connection with the piano, leaving it to gather dust after its purchase.
Bai Wei began by gently tapping the keys, listening to the notes. It wasn’t as precise as his earlier skill, but the sound remained familiar. He had been away from the piano for a while, as his first passion was painting. His works were original, unlike the music he played—pieces of others that he never released.
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” was a simple piece, almost too easy for the seasoned musician. As he played, the students in the room couldn’t help but laugh at how straightforward the melody was. It was a song that every beginner could master, a piece that had traveled from a French nursery rhyme in the 18th century, later adapted by Mozart. Over two centuries, it became a beloved children’s tune.
But for Bai Wei, it was a warm-up, a simple connection to the piano’s feel.
The melody began to transform as his fingers gained speed, and soon, he was playing Mozart’s twelve variations on the song, a piece that turned a simple lullaby into a complex cascade of melodies. It started with stars, then progressed to shooting stars, comets, and eventually a meteorite—all part of the variations’ increasing difficulty.
Bai Wei, though unsure he could finish, was enjoying himself. The few mistakes he made didn’t hinder him but instead gave him more freedom to play with even more flair.
The room fell silent, captivated by his performance. The speed and precision of his fingers were mesmerizing. Piano playing was a form of performance art, a solo experience that other instruments couldn’t replicate. The complexity of the piano allowed it to shine in a way that no other instrument could.
The variations grew more intricate. In the fourth, his left hand stretched across ten notes, while the seventh variation intensified the atmosphere with an octave scale. The music shifted through keys, from the somber C minor to the lively C major, before returning to the main theme, more refined than before.
The vocal teacher watched, utterly captivated by the unexpected brilliance. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.
Bai Wei finished the piece, letting out a long breath. It was a challenging piece, far beyond what he, a mere novice, should be able to play. But the piano had helped him, reconnecting him with both the sheet music and the sensation of playing. It wasn’t perfect—his expression was lacking, and there were mistakes—but the performance was extraordinary for someone who hadn’t touched a piano in so long.
Applause erupted from the students. Some looked at him in awe, especially the young girls holding shakuhachi flutes, who blushed at the elegance of his playing.
Bai Wei’s piano playing was undeniably professional. The control, the grace, the emotions he conveyed—every movement of his fingers seemed effortless, even in moments of intense concentration. It was as if he wasn’t playing the piano, but rather toying with it.
Xue Hanlei couldn’t help but wonder, “Where did he learn that?”
Yun Wuxin’s cold voice answered, “I’m curious about that too.”
The dragon maiden shivered slightly, startled by Yun Wuxin’s sudden presence. “You scared me!”
Yun Wuxin, unfazed by the dragon maiden’s playful reaction, continued. “He’s a warrior. He spends all his time practicing martial arts, taking care of his younger sister, and attending classes. He doesn’t have time to learn the piano. That technique you just saw—there’s no way he could have picked it up in such a short time.”
Xue Hanlei nodded. “Warriors do have good control over their bodies. Maybe it wasn’t so hard for him to learn the piano.”
Yun Wuxin shook her head. “Martial arts focus on wrist and arm strength, but not on finger dexterity. His hands are built for fists, not piano keys. I really don’t know how he learned to play.”
“Oh, it’s not over yet?” Xue Hanlei asked, noticing Bai Wei exchanging words with the vocal teacher before sitting back down at the piano.
Bai Wei began playing again, and the room went quiet. This time, the song was familiar—yet different.
“I think I’ve heard this before,” a student whispered. “But it sounds a little different from how I remember it.”
Bai Wei played Beethoven’s “Dedicated to Elise,” a piano piece known around the world.
This piece, originally titled Bagatelle in A minor, was written for a female student named Teresa. After her death, the manuscript was found among her belongings, but someone mistakenly wrote “Elise” instead of “Teresa.” Thus, the piece became known as “Dedicated to Elise.”
It’s a classic melody—one that Bai Wei had kept hidden until now. He had given it as a birthday present to the third princess, whose name was not Elise but Theresa.
As the final note played, the applause was overwhelming. The vocal teacher clapped furiously, shouting “Bravo!” as though he were a piano enthusiast himself.
Bai Wei approached Xue Hanlei, who looked flustered under the gaze of the crowd. “Your teacher promised you wouldn’t fail. Thanks to this piece.”
“Thank you,” Xue Hanlei replied, though she seemed more uneasy than excited, avoiding his gaze.
Bai Wei noticed Yun Wuxin’s
presence, her ethereal, ice-cold
aura filling the room. Before
he could speak, she asked,
“Was that piece really
dedicated to Elise?”
“Yeah,” Bai Wei answered.
“Have you heard it before?”
“It’s a world-class masterpiece.
Of course, I’ve heard it.”
“There’s nothing special about
it,” Bai Wei said dismissively.
“Anyone can learn the song.”
Yun Wuxin’s expression
softened, but her voice grew
serious. “No… this version of
the song is incomplete.”
Bai Wei blinked, taken aback.
Incomplete? It was just a
three-minute piece with a
simple structure. How could
anyone consider it
incomplete?
Yun Wuxin continued, “The
versions we know today are all
separate adaptations. But
your version… it’s different. It’s
the version my sister used to
play.”
Bai Wei’s mind raced. He was
caught off guard. “Ah?”
