There are different types of xiao (Chinese vertical flute), mainly divided into dongxiao and nanxiao, and there is also the shakuhachi, which is no longer popular in the first district.
Generally speaking, when people refer to the xiao, they are talking about the dongxiao, which is the type that Xia Yu was currently holding.
Played horizontally it is a dizi (Chinese transverse flute), played vertically it is a xiao. The dongxiao is a vertically played instrument, and its sound is deep and continuous.
As some basic knowledge flashed through his mind, Xia Yu grasped the xiao and placed it at his lips.
A quiet, ethereal sound emerged from Xia Yu’s playing.
Liu Manman, who was just struggling with how to explain things to An Siyao, was startled.
This piece wasn’t “Two Little Rabbits.” Instead, it was a famous composition called “Valley Hermit,” which depicted the serene atmosphere of laborers resting after working in the mountains.
Closing her eyes, Liu Manman seemed to feel the tranquil and peaceful lifestyle being portrayed.
Surprise flickered in her eyes.
This level of skill was undoubtedly far beyond her own.
But why had Xia Yu claimed he could only play one piece?
Her confusion was forgotten as the xiao’s melody continued. Leaning against the piano, Liu Manman listened carefully to the music.
Liu Ronglan also closed her eyes, her fingers dancing along with the rhythm.
The xiao sound gradually became more spirited, the breath longer and more sustained.
Playing the dongxiao was a test of lung capacity. Normally, one breath had to last through several notes, and the player needed to carefully control the airflow while playing.
Precisely because of this, xiao music gave people a feeling different from other instruments.
“Valley Hermit” was a lengthy piece, taking about nine minutes to perform. At the five-minute mark, even Xia Yu himself had been drawn into the piece, becoming immersed in the music.
As a result, the xiao melody became even more delicate and melodious.
A long note marked the end of the performance. Xia Yu took a deep breath. Because he had practiced the dongxiao so little, he wasn’t very good at managing his breathing. After finishing the piece, he was somewhat out of breath, his face flushed.
“Who taught you to play the xiao?” Liu Ronglan asked eagerly. Her face was filled with caution.
She had assumed this was someone trying to compete with her for a student.
“I taught myself,” Xia Yu replied.
“Self-taught?” Liu Ronglan relaxed.
Unlike the guzheng, where even slight differences in finger techniques can change the piece, the xiao mainly depends on finger placement and breath control, making it possible to reproduce the same melody. Therefore, self-learning was indeed feasible.
“You should stop playing the dongxiao from now on,” Liu Ronglan continued.
“Why?” Before Xia Yu could speak, Liu Manman asked first.
“Forget it, forget it. I won’t bother with you,” Liu Ronglan sighed. Xia Yu’s dongxiao playing already sounded no worse than the guzheng. If those old xiao masters found out, they would surely try every means to recruit him.
But it wasn’t a big problem. Those old masters didn’t have any promising younger generations; all were mediocre at best.
“And why did you play it and scare me just now!” Liu Manman turned to Xia Yu again, her face showing displeasure.
Xia Yu helplessly said, “I already said, I can only play this one piece.”
“Only one piece?” Liu Ronglan didn’t believe him either, but then she thought about Xia Yu’s astonishing learning speed. She recalled that Kong Hanyue hadn’t mentioned he could play the xiao before.
If Xia Yu had known how to play before, Kong Hanyue would definitely have bragged about it. Since she didn’t mention it…
Her eyes widened: “You recently just started learning the xiao?”
Xia Yu nodded.
“No wonder.” Liu Ronglan clicked her tongue in amazement before growing happy again. “I know all the xiao pieces. Starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you.”
“Okay.” Xia Yu agreed.
“When you first started learning the xiao, how did it feel?” Liu Ronglan asked curiously.
“It was actually pretty simple.”
“Hahaha, you really are a genius.”
Talking as they went, the two walked out of the practice room.
Left behind, Liu Manman leaned against the nearby piano, recalling their conversation.
He only recently started learning the xiao? And thought it was simple?
My time spent learning the xiao is almost as long as the time I spent learning the guzheng!
Is this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person?
Her confidence once again shaken, Liu Manman felt she needed some time alone.
On her way back to her room, she met You Xue, who had just come back from the restroom.
Grabbing You Xue’s hand, Liu Manman said, “Come, come.”
Confused, You Xue was pulled into the room, where Liu Manman handed her a dongxiao.
“Come on, I’ll teach you. Watch closely, hold it like this.” Liu Manman began teaching You Xue hands-on.
An hour later, Xia Yu heard laughter coming from Liu Manman’s room.
Knocking on Liu Manman’s door, Xia Yu was concerned about You Xue inside.
The door quickly opened, and Liu Manman walked out energetically.
She had regained her confidence through You Xue. She was still a genius, it was just that Xia Yu was too extraordinary.
You Xue, holding the dongxiao, blinked her puzzled eyes, looking at Liu Manman, then at Xia Yu.
Rubbing her head, Xia Yu put the xiao aside and said, “The black cat has arrived. Come on, let’s go pick it up, and then we’ll go out for a walk.”
“Okay!” You Xue happily walked toward the door.
“I’ll also find you a tutor,” Xia Yu added.
“Huh?” The girl’s mood visibly dropped.
This made Xia Yu smile: “Don’t worry, a tutor won’t be found immediately. You can play for a few more days.”
You Xue’s mood lifted again.
The two went downstairs together, first returning the black cat to the room, feeding it cat food, setting out cat litter, then leaving the villa, hailing a car and heading to the mall.
Yaoguang wasn’t an ancient city, nor did it have particularly notable natural scenery, but its economic vibrancy was unparalleled.
Xue, who rarely visited high-end malls even in Zinlang, felt the bustling atmosphere of a big city.
However, despite Xia Yu saying she could choose anything she wanted, the girl didn’t ask for anything at all.
After Xia Yu urged her twice, she even refused to enter stores anymore.
They were at a high-end mall, where the shops were all luxury brands. Xue couldn’t find anything cheap, so she simply gave up.
It was still because of money.
If she had hundreds of millions, or even just several million, Xue could confidently choose a few favorite items.
The company matter still needed to be addressed soon.
Before that, she needed to upgrade her programming skill to level 4. The accumulated experience cards should be enough now.
Knowing this place would only make Xue feel constrained, Xia Yu took the girl to a more affordable market, where Xue happily picked out two little dresses.
However, this scene only made Xia Yu sigh even more.
As the sun set, they had a reasonably priced dinner at a nearby restaurant and returned to Liu Ronglan’s villa.
Sitting at the desk, Xia Yu opened his laptop, starting to think about what the first software should be.
After a while, he made his decision.
Opening a browser, he searched where to buy graphics tablets in Yaoguang, planning to go buy one tomorrow after returning from An Siyao’s house.
The creation of the first software would begin tomorrow.
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