Backstage, Wen Shiyu was also getting ready, trying out the strings.
When she saw Pei Shixi and Cathleen walk in arm in arm, she immediately raised a smile to greet them, “Teacher Pei, you’re here too.”
Unexpectedly, when Pei Shixi saw her, he subconsciously pulled his hand out of Kathleen’s arm.
Kathleen’s original intention to show off with Wen Shiyu was instantly dashed, and her smile froze on her face.
Pei Shixi’s soft and nice voice came to her ears.
“Senior invited, I dare not not come.”
As the words were spoken, Pei Shixi looked deeply at Wen Shiyu, his voice was indescribably gentle, “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.” Wen Shiyu thanked happily.
The dress she was wearing tonight was prepared for her by Feng Shenye, and she also felt that it suited her very well and looked very good.
Pei Shixi continued, “Are you going to perform a show tonight?”
“Well, my teacher asked me to perform on stage to build up my stage skills.”
Wen Shiyu’s starry eyes twinkled as she nodded her head, and it was clear that she was looking forward to the performance that was to follow, then she thought of something else and smiled, “Is Mr. Pei performing tonight too?”
Pei Shixi was just about to respond, but Kathleen beat her to it.
“Seh-hee has promised to play a piece with me.”
She said, rejoining Pei Shixi, looking at Wen Shiyu with a smug yet aggressive look.
Wen Shiyu frowned slightly, she could feel the hostility emanating from Cathleen and the smile on her face faded a few notches.
Pei Shixi also frowned a little in displeasure.
But without waiting for him to say anything, Cathleen pulled him with her and intended to leave, “The party will start soon, let’s hurry up and do a practice.”
Pei Shixi was helpless, but he agreed.
Because no matter how big or small the performance was, as long as it had to do with music, he would approach it with unparalleled seriousness.
Later in the evening, the party officially started.
Hathaway, as the founder of Hathaway’s band, was bound to give a speech on stage.
Almost fifty years old, she was elegant and graceful in her modest teal bat-sleeved gown.
“I would like to thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to the celebration of Hathaway’s Orchestra’s twentieth anniversary, and to keep everyone entertained, I intend to have my own opening song tonight.”
The words were followed by a round of applause from below the band.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard Hathaway play the piano, so it looks like we’re in for a treat tonight.”
“Yeah, it’s been rare to hear her have a performance since she retired with a hand injury some years ago.”
“If it wasn’t for that accident, she’d still be on stage for years at least.”
As Wen Shiyu listened to the talk around her, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of curiosity about her teacher’s past.
At that moment, a light and strong rhythmic melody came out from the stage.
The crowd heard that it was “Scottish Fantasia”, which was also Hathaway’s famous song back then.
Wen Shiyu was listening to the song with great interest, and inwardly she could not help but sigh that her teacher had not aged even after her retirement.
At the end of the song, thunderous applause erupted from the stage again.
Hathaway put down her violin and bent down to give a salute before walking off the stage.
“A perfect performance.”
“What a ghost violinist, retired for so long and still falling ill, his technique is still on the level.”
“It really wasn’t a waste of time coming here today.”
Numerous famous musicians praised Hathaway.
They were all confidant friends of Hathaway’s in the industry.
“If I don’t show some real ability, how can I hold down you big names.”
Hathaway was not modest either, and talked and laughed with her friends.
Wen Shiyu saw that her teacher and her friends were having a good chat, so she didn’t go up to disturb them.
She found a less crowded place with her gla*s of wine and quietly waited for her performance time.
The programme was actually very slow tonight, as there were quite a few of the teacher’s friends in the industry, who were also going to perform on stage.
There are famous pianists, cellists and some rare players of ethnic instruments.
It could be said that the evening was a musical extravaganza and an aural treat.
Just as Wen Shiyu was immersed in the beautiful music, the gentle and nice voice of Pei Shixi rang in her ears.