After shaking hands, Yuan Daoqi merely smiled.
Bai Jinghong, on the other hand, feigned surprise: “This gentleman’s handshake is firm and powerful. There are quite a few scars and calluses on his palm.”
When these words were spoken, Yuan Daoqi clearly frowned.
He knew Bai Jinghong’s character and must have assumed he did manual labor, thus the disdain.
Just as he thought, this Bai Jinghong was a man who judged people by appearances.
But Bai Jinghong’s next sentence actually surprised Yuan Daoqi quite a bit.
“If I’m not mistaken, sir, you should be fond of music. These scars and calluses are marks left by years of playing various instruments.”
Xiao Yi beside him was equally surprised, not expecting Bai Jinghong to analyze this.
“Jinghong, what makes you say that?”
Bai Jinghong sat down casually and said, “Some instruments are prone to injuring the hands. This gentleman has injury upon injury, and the wear is very severe.”
“But he doesn’t bother to maintain them.”
“From this, it’s clear the gentleman’s passion for music is quite extraordinary.”
This was also some fairly basic knowledge.
For example, the hands of string instrument players—slender, yes, but basically unsightly.
The back of the hand is human, the palm is monstrous. Turned over, the fingertips and the heel of the palm are like old tree bark, rough enough to scratch a face when touched.
Hands full of calluses and scars are standard fare.
Yuan Daoqi fell into this category.
“Oh?” Yuan Daoqi then asked, “Why can you deduce my love for music simply from my lack of hand care?”
Bai Jinghong chuckled: “Sir, to truly care for them properly means enduring the pain of being cut by the strings all over again. That’s excruciating.”
“True lovers of instrumental music don’t care about these minor details. And, of course, loving music doesn’t mean loving self-torture!”
“Hahaha!” Yuan Daoqi suddenly burst into laughter upon hearing this. “That’s a novel way to put it!”
“It seems you, young friend, have some dabbling in music and instruments yourself.”
A smile graced Bai Jinghong’s face. He still preferred it when others played his instrument.
But as for musical instruments and theory, he was originally a dabbler, capable at most of playing “Two Tigers” on a piano.
However, the reward from the System was Mastery of Music Theory. Now, he fully matched an international-level Music Master!
“Just a little knowledge, a smattering. Merely a hobby.”
“Young friend is being modest. Since the banquet hasn’t started yet, why not talk about that ‘smattering’ of yours?”
The two actually began chatting.
This surprised both Xiao father and son.
This kid from the Bai family could actually hold a conversation with Yuan Daoqi? It was simply shocking!
Xiao Tianquan was also astonished. Was this really Young Master Bai?
The conversation continued. What Yuan Daoqi didn’t expect was that they had so many topics in common.
Through this talk, he finally discovered that beneath Bai Jinghong’s seemingly unrestrained exterior, there was substance.
He possessed considerable talent.
Some of his insights even amazed Yuan Daoqi.
They discussed music theory, art, life, and then moved on to philosophy.
Two people, originally strangers, one old and one young, completely forgot their age gap, chatting together and thoroughly enjoying it.
After a long while, their mouths went dry from talking. They had covered countless topics.
In any case, both were delighted, their laughter continuous.
Yuan Daoqi held a paper teacup, shaking his head: “Jinghong, I finally understand. One phrase really suits you!”
“Oh? What phrase is that?” Bai Jinghong asked with interest, his smiling eyes looking at him.
“Never judge a book by its cover!” Yuan Daoqi said.
Hearing this, Bai Jinghong couldn’t help but laugh: “You mean I’m ugly?”
“Hahaha, of course not!” Yuan Daoqi shook his head. “Although you seem like a lawless rogue on the surface, disregarding all rules!”
“But that’s not the case at all. Quite the opposite, you have a unique taste for life, your own insights on life and art!”
“You appear unrestrained and unconventional on the outside, but in fact, you’re a man of great cultivation and talent!”
Bai Jinghong couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “Then I must truly thank you for your praise!”
Yuan Daoqi couldn’t help but sigh: “To think that some of the rumors I’ve heard were false.”
“I was even somewhat disdainful about talking to you earlier. Indeed, I’m getting old; I misjudged you.”
The most shocked were the Xiao father and son beside them.
Xiao Yi’s jaw nearly dropped.
Who was Yuan Daoqi? A master of philosophy.
And this kid Bai Jinghong could actually make Yuan Daoqi admit his worth? What did this mean?
Xiao Tianquan was still in a daze, thinking to himself: “Usually Young Master Bai is all, ‘Whoa, those legs. Whoa, that waist!'”
He was the type to get through life on a single word: “Whoa.” Today completely overturned his perception of Bai Jinghong.
“Mr. Yuan flatters me. Actually, what you see and hear is not wrong. I, Bai Jinghong, am exactly that kind of person!”
“It’s just that, for me, I judge people, not things!”
Upon hearing Bai Jinghong say this suddenly, Yuan Daoqi’s eyes lit up.
This Bai Jinghong really knew how to handle things.
With one sentence, he not only said the other’s judgment wasn’t wrong but also elevated him.
‘Judging people, not things’—did that mean that here, Bai Jinghong, the Prodigal Young Master, showed respect because he was worthy of it!
Without his identity being exposed, no one would bother sucking up to an old man like him.
But Bai Jinghong, without asking about his status, talked freely with him like an old friend of many years. This showed that Bai Jinghong was someone worth dealing with.
“Good, very good!” Yuan Daoqi nodded repeatedly. “Candid, straightforward, excellent!”
“Jinghong, next time you’re in the Imperial Capital, you must let me know. We’ll drink and chat merrily then.”
“A kindred spirit is rare in life. Today, this friend you have in Old Yuan, I’ve definitely made!”
These words also shocked Xiao Yi.
Who was Yuan Daoqi? The power broker of a top family in the Imperial Capital.
He was so proactively proposing to befriend a junior.
Even though Bai Jinghong had a noble status, he was still a junior.
Even Bai Jinghong’s father, Bai Zhennan, could only be considered on par with Yuan Daoqi.
Not even he had received this kind of treatment!
“Definitely. Since we’re friends, I’ll boldly call you Old Bro Yuan!”
“Good, good, good! Makes me feel younger!” Yuan Daoqi instead burst out laughing.
After this exchange, Bai Jinghong was basically certain that Yuan Daoqi had a very good impression of him.
The process of intercepting this opportunity of Chen Lin’s was incredibly successful.
Even if Chen Lin appeared now, he’d no longer have the chance to hit it off with Yuan Daoqi.
After all, in the original story, he hadn’t been present. And today’s banquet was mainly about announcing the Betrothal Agreement between Fan Ning’er and Chen Lin.
Even if there was a chance, it didn’t matter. He was still here!
Losing a powerful ally like Yuan Daoqi early on would make things extremely difficult for Chen Lin.
Even if he wanted to smirk smugly in front of everyone, it would be very hard to pull off.
Maybe someone would even tear into him!
“Jinghong, from our conversation just now, I can tell your understanding of music theory is more than just a smattering. You’re rather a hidden Music Master!”
“How about, since the main banquet hasn’t started yet, giving it a try?”
“I truly want to witness your skill!”
Yuan Daoqi suggested.
In the Fan Family’s courtyard, there were instruments like a piano set up.
The piano was the best way to showcase musical foundation. Having Bai Jinghong play a piece would be harmless.
“Of course, no problem. If Old Bro Yuan is in the mood, I shall make a fool of myself!”
Bai Jinghong agreed immediately.
To make Yuan Daoqi deeply remember him, putting on a performance was absolutely necessary.
Only then could he thoroughly secure this figure, once “Chen Lin’s benefactor.”
Furthermore, the purpose of his performance was also for someone else!
