Hearing this, coupled with the sight that had greeted him a while ago, Xiao Jing assumed that Wu Hai and the others were the members of Yao Tang’s new orchestra.
“What’s this?” he teased. “You can’t be seriously worried about your performance tomorrow, right?”
Yao Tang could carry their entire group on her back with her eyes closed. This minor competition should be a piece of cake for her.
Xiao Jing glanced atYao Tang, feeling smug with himself.
He thought he did well in boosting the morale of his captain’s new team. She would definitely be pleased with him!
When their gazes met, however, Xiao Jingnoticed a mocking edge toYao Tang’s eyes. His heart jumped to his throat, and he felt oddly apprehensive all of a sudden.
He was well aware of her temper. She wouldn’t be exuding this ominous aura if she wasn’t upset about something.
“And who might they be?” Xiao Jingasked tentatively, gesturing in the direction ofYao Tang.
“They are the Glory Orchestra,”Wu Haireplied.
Xiao Jing looked back and forth between the two groups, the knot in his stomach growing by the second. It seemed that his sense of foreboding was not misplaced.
“Who are you, then?” he asked Wu Hai.
The latter immediately turned serious. He squared his shoulders and answered in a booming voice, “We are the Shanna Orchestra. We look forward to SeniorXiao Jing’s guidance!”
In Wu Hai’s mind, being able to stand before the renownedXiao Jingand introduce his orchestra was truly an honor.
If they managed to make a good impression and etch their names in his mind, then all the better.
Wu Hai was practically glowing with pride, especially when he noticed thatXiao Jinghad only been addressing him and theShanna Orchestra.
This was as good as any recognition they could hope for.
The fact that Xiao Jingwas ignoring theGlory Orchestrawas just a bonus.
Thinking of this, Wu Haithrew a pompous look over to their rivals and proceeded to taunt them.
“Senior Xiao Jing, I hope I’m not being too presumptuous, but I would like to thank you for your vote of confidence. Hearing you say that we don’t need to worry about tomorrow’s assessment is truly an honor.”
As humble as his words were, they were laced with arrogance, and it was mainly directed at the Glory Orchestra.
The girl who had previously expressed her disdain now snorted and rolled her eyes at Wu Hai. “I can’t believe this shameless bootlicker.”
Deep down, however, she knew that she and her team had good reason to worry, what with Xiao Jingshowing favor to their rivals even before the competition.
And they still lacked members. How were they supposed to perform in this state?
“I’m telling you,” Xiao Jingsaid. “You really have nothing to worry about tomorrow.”
The members of the Shanna Orchestragrinned and preened, clapping among themselves over their tiny victory.
Those from the Glory Orchestra, on the other hand, turned even more glum, their shoulders slumped in defeat. Still, there were a few of them who openly glared atXiao Jing.
Perhaps if he had heard the Shanna Orchestraperform before making that remark, they wouldn’t feel so bad about it. ButXiao Jingdidn’t even know these people an hour ago; how could he declare his bias out of the blue?
What about the Glory Orchestra?
Had he no scruples about crushing their dreams without warning?
Just as Wu Haiwas about to gloat,Xiao Jingspoke again. “Why worry when you’re guaranteed to fail? You’d do better to prepare for next year’s assessment instead.”
“Yes, of course, Senior Xiao Jing. Thank you for your encouragement…”
A smile was still plastered on Wu Hai’s face as he prattled on an automatic reply.
Then Xiao Jing’s words sank in, andWu Hai’s smug expression froze, his voice dying in his throat.
Had Xiao Jingjust backpedaled on everything he had said, or hadWu Haimisunderstood all along?
“I’m sorry, Senior Xiao Jing, I… What did you say just now? Would you mind saying it again?”
Wu Hai looked like he had been struck by lightning. His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief, and a smidgen of hope that he might have misheard.
Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Jingwas inwardly saying a prayer of his own, silently beggingYao Tangfor forgiveness. He couldn’t care less aboutWu Haior his reaction.
“I see that you have quite defective ears, young man. I suggest that you have them checked at a hospital. Hospitals have advanced technology these days, you know.
“All in all, I suppose your courage and perseverance are worth commending. You didn’t give up on music despite your faulty hearing.
“I do hope you get a proper diagnosis once the assessment is over, so that you can start treatment right away. The earlier you address the problem, the sooner you can get back to participating in music competitions.”
