Since that's the case, let's try something challenging—Maksim, Exodus! Jack Young's eyes flashed, his fingers poised and then pressed down steadily, and powerful music erupted. From the very first note, the hall was transformed into another world.
Exodus is a powerful piano piece inspired by the legendary story of Moses parting the Red Sea. (Technically, Maksim's piece is about Israel, but it's based on the story of Moses, so we'll describe it this way.) As Jack's fingers danced over the keys, everyone felt as if they'd been whisked away to the windswept deserts of Egypt. A ragged figure led a group of frail, weary people across the sands. Ahead, the vast sea blocked their way.
At that moment, the leader raised his wooden staff high and slammed it down, shouting, "Open!" Boom—like thunder crashing, as if the heavens themselves shook. The endless Red Sea suddenly surged with towering waves. The roaring water split to both sides, and an awe-inspiring force carved a path straight through the sea.
Sunlight poured in, the crowd surged forward, and ahead—was freedom!
Whether or not anyone knew the story of Moses, the torrent of music swept them up like endless waves. They were carried along, tossed by wild winds and crashing surf, powerless to resist. (Highly recommended listening—it's really something!)
When the piece ended, the lingering notes hung in the air. Jack Young let out a satisfied breath and opened his eyes. Man, that was exhilarating! Fast fingers really have their perks—I've never played piano so freely before. "So, how was it?" Jack looked out at the girls, only to find them staring in stunned disbelief, mouths agape.
"What's wrong?" Jack waved. "Hey, can you hear me? Give me some feedback!"
"Waaah—!" Screams erupted, echoing through the music hall and nearly bursting Jack's eardrums. The dozens of girls were shrieking, fainting, jumping up and down, clutching their chests to catch their breath—hey, what's up with that one crying her eyes out? It's just a song, is it really that moving?
"Sophie!" a girl grabbed Sophie Soo's hands, biting her lip and sobbing, "I never knew listening to live music in a concert hall could be so moving—I have goosebumps all over!"
Jack scratched his head. Girl, you're flattering me way too much, I'm embarrassed now.
The girl clutched her chest like a lovesick heroine: "So tall, so handsome, so capable—and he can play the piano too!"
Jack grinned, thinking to himself, Haha, am I really this awesome now?
The girl, starry-eyed, blurted out, "Who is this cool uncle?"
Jack nearly flipped the table in mock outrage—Uncle? Who are you calling uncle? Do I look that old?!
"Who are you calling uncle!" Sophie chimed in, then jumped up, laughing loudly. "Remember, ladies, this handsome guy is my boyfriend, my personal bodyguard!"
"Ooooh—!" Over thirty girls gasped in perfect harmony, their voices so in sync it was clear they had choir potential.
"Just a minute ago I was thinking we needed a music teacher, but now it's all solved!" Sophie laughed so hard her eyes disappeared, patting Jack on the shoulder. "Comrade Old Geng, it's all on you now!"
"Sure thing," Jack said, happy to help, especially after that exhilarating performance. He felt his Wheel Pulse Technique had even improved. In high spirits, he declared, "Leave it all to me! By the way, why are you practicing choir right before finals?"
[Web novel reading prompt skipped per guidelines.]
"Oh, because right after summer break, the freshmen arrive, and the student council has to organize a welcome event. So we have to practice ahead of time."
Makes sense. Sophie really is dedicated.
"So, what's your chorus song anyway? Let me guess, some pop hit from the latest idol group? There are so many new stars these days, I barely know any of them. I might have to learn the song before I can play it."
"No need, absolutely no need! Our chorus song is one you can definitely play." Sophie waved her hand and announced each word with dramatic emphasis: "Today Is Your Birthday—My China!"
"Uh..." Jack squinted, a faint black line appearing on his forehead. This song choice was just begging for a snarky comment. Not that there's anything wrong with the song, but is it really the best fit for a freshman welcome event? A bunch of nervous, hopeful high school grads walk into college and get hit with this patriotic classic... Not exactly wrong, but somehow it just feels a little off.
"Actually, we're also preparing for the National Day Red Song Competition. The welcome event is just a chance to get some stage experience and build up our performance chops."
"Oh, that makes more sense." Jack thought, this girl really doesn't waste a single opportunity. He stretched out his hand: "Hand over the sheet music, let me see how you've divided the vocal parts."
Sophie just blinked.
"Uh, do you have soprano and alto parts? Which of these girls sing high, and which sing low?"
Sophie just gave a goofy smile.
Jack was sweating bullets, gritting his teeth. "Xiao Yueyue, you..." Smack! He slapped the bench and jumped to his feet. Cracking his knuckles, his eyes flashed with determination. "From now on, you all have to call me Teacher Yang. I'm going to whip you all into shape, one step at a time!"
Jack Young switched into teacher mode.
Jack got right to work, and sure enough, he was super efficient. He picked a random song and played piano while the girls sang. Thanks to his sharp hearing, he could pick out every girl's voice and pitch, even in a group. Since there was no sheet music, formal practice couldn't start, so Jack began teaching vocal techniques. For the shy girls who couldn't bring themselves to sing, Jack gently encouraged them. For those trying to fake it and just mouth the words, Jack called out their tricks with pinpoint accuracy.
Basically, when Jack switched into lecture mode, he was like a strict homeroom teacher—no nonsense, no slacking. He whipped the choir girls into shape in no time. It was a productive day, and Sophie kept sneaking little laughs.
By 8 p.m., everyone returned to campus and went their separate ways. After cooking and eating, Jack turned on his desk lamp and got to work writing sheet music. Without proper scores, they couldn't practice multi-part harmonies, so Jack found a choral audio track and transcribed the parts himself. Singing in harmony is tough and requires skilled performers, so Jack prepared several arrangements of varying difficulty, just in case.
Under the desk lamp, Jack wrote furiously. Sophie quietly stood outside the door, watching his back, her smile sweet and silent.
Elsewhere, at the same time, someone else was also smiling—but his grin looked more like a grimace. It was Harry Huang. He sobbed into the phone, "Big Bro, you have to help me this time, I'm really down bad!"
Sophie just blinked.
"Uh, do you guys have soprano and alto parts? Which girls sing high, which sing low?"
Sophie just gave a goofy smile.
Jack was sweating bullets, gritting his teeth. "Xiao Yueyue, you..." Smack! He slapped the bench and jumped to his feet. Cracking his knuckles, his eyes flashed with determination. "From now on, you all have to call me Teacher Yang. I'm going to whip you all into shape, one step at a time!"
Jack Young switched into teacher mode.
Jack got right to work, and sure enough, he was super efficient. He picked a random song and played piano while the girls sang. Thanks to his sharp hearing, he could pick out every girl's voice and pitch, even in a group. Since there was no sheet music, formal practice couldn't start, so Jack began teaching vocal techniques. For the shy girls who couldn't bring themselves to sing, Jack gently encouraged them. For those trying to fake it and just mouth the words, Jack called out their tricks with pinpoint accuracy.
Basically, when Jack switched into lecture mode, he was like a strict homeroom teacher—no nonsense, no slacking. He whipped the choir girls into shape in no time. It was a productive day, and Sophie kept sneaking little laughs.
By 8 p.m., everyone returned to campus and went their separate ways. After cooking and eating, Jack turned on his desk lamp and got to work writing sheet music. Without proper scores, they couldn't practice multi-part harmonies, so Jack found a choral audio track and transcribed the parts himself. Singing in harmony is tough and requires skilled performers, so Jack prepared several arrangements of varying difficulty, just in case.
Under the desk lamp, Jack wrote furiously. Sophie quietly stood outside the door, watching his back, her smile sweet and silent.
Elsewhere, at the same time, someone else was also smiling—but his grin looked more like a grimace. It was Harry Huang. He sobbed into the phone, "Big Bro, you have to help me this time, I'm really down bad!"