“I’m telling you, I’ve exhausted all my resources and reached out to all my connections, but I still couldn’t find anyone qualified to substitute for those guys. I don’t know what to do!”
If giving up had been an option, he would have thrown in the towel right then and there.
Sadly, it wasn’t.
Fang Hui had been spiraling into despair these last few hours.
“It’s all right,” Yao Tangsaid calmly.
“We don’t need those people.”
Fang Hui felt like weeping. The symphony orchestra had a designated number of participants for a reason. If they missed a person or two, the difference in sound would be distinct and noticeable.
More importantly, they had standards to adhere to for the assessment.
They had been practicing according to these standards for so long. Losing a bunch of musicians would make significant changes to their overall performance.
As their ensemble leader, Yao Tangshould be well-aware of these matters.
So, how could she dismiss the problem as if they weren’t teetering over the edge of disaster?
“Actually, I did find some musicians who are willing to fill in the gaps. The problem is that I don’t find them suitable in any way!”
Fang Hui had already lowered his standards several times, much to his chagrin.
Even then, none of the prospects passed muster.
If they went ahead with these candidates, they might affect the orchestra’s performance and ruin the entire assessment entry. The consequences for that would be far worse than the initial lack of musicians.
And yet, Yao Tangdidn’t seem bothered by the alarming predicament at all.
Fang Hui mustered all the patience he had left and tried to explain the situation again.
To his utter bewilderment, Yao Tangdidn’t even change her tone. “It’s fine. I know where to find the right people.”
Relief washed over Fang Huiwhen he heard this.
Since the captain herself seemed confident, then he had faith that they would pass the assessment with flying colors.
“All right. I’ll leave it to you, then, Captain Yao.”
Yao Tang was good friends withXiao Jing. She was fairly certain that he could find her the musicians they needed.
They ended the call and Fang Huiturned to his team members to update them on the situation. He hoped that it would ease their worries, if only a little.
“How can she possibly get substitutes on such short notice?”
“I know, right? Even if she finds willing candidates, there’s no telling whether they would be compatible with the rest of the orchestra or not.”
“Exactly! If these stand-ins are just going to mess up our performance and waste all our hard work, then I’d rather not have them at all!”
Fang Hui scowled when he heard this. “Okay, everyone, calm down first. Believe in Captain Yao. If she says there is a way, then there is a way. We shouldn’t lose spirit this early in the competition.”
“But the Captain is not like the rest of us,” someone muttered. “She has other options. She doesn’t even need to participate in the assessment in the first place. As President Tan’sapprentice, she should be able to join theMusic Associationwith a snap of the man’s fingers.”
A whispered discussion followed these remarks.
Just like that, everyone lost what little confidence they had left.
They all knew that someone as promising as President Tan’s apprentice didn’t have to undergo these formalities.
Their position spoke of their skills, and therefore guaranteed them a spot in the Music Association.
If Yao Tanghad this guarantee, could they really trust her not to abandon them now that they faced the risk of failing the assessment?
This test was important to all of them, and might even be life-changing to some, but it was probably nothing more than a trifle for Yao Tang.
Besides, even though President Tanwas an esteemed man in the music industry, his connections were all in Beijing.
Even the higher-ups of the Music Associationwould be hard-pressed to scout substitutes inCity Ain less than 24 hours, let aloneYao Tang.
They wanted to be like Fang Huiand believe in her, but the odds just weren’t in their favor.
Fang Hui glared at the one who had just spoken, then the crowd as a whole.
“If Captain Yao wanted to use her identity as President Tan’s apprentice to pass the assessment, then why did she bother to train and guide us? Why did she show up at every rehearsal? She even took the time to advise us about our respective instruments.”
