Chapter 169 - 165: Opening Ceremony Special Guest Performer

Chapter 169: Chapter 165: Opening Ceremony Special Guest Performer

As the competition approached, Su Yunzhou’s daily routine surprisingly became regular. Every morning, he would wake up in a different tender embrace before heading to the rock climbing training center. There, he began his day of "hard and serious" training.

Generally, this high-intensity training would last until around four-thirty in the afternoon. He finished early because he was afraid of hitting rush hour traffic if he stayed any later. Besides, it wouldn’t be good to keep his beautiful companions waiting too long.

Every evening, Su Yunzhou would buy flowers from the little girl. Over time, as they gradually became familiar with each other, Po would always tell her granddaughter to give him a few extra flowers. The little girl also started talking a bit more. When Su Yunzhou occasionally brought her small snacks, she no longer refused them, but instead took them back to share with her grandmother.

With only one week left until the rock climbing competition, Pan Yong, the number one figure in domestic rock climbing, finally returned from abroad. He had accepted the management’s arrangement to undergo a month of intensive training in another country. Coming back at this time, he was meant to be their secret weapon.

Unfortunately, what he didn’t know was that this secret weapon was already a thing of the past.

After returning, he naturally heard about the wildcard athlete. No one knew the wildcard’s true strength; they only knew that he trained at a snail’s pace every day and had easily defeated the eternal runner-up, Ning Xiangwu.

Pan Yong was a tall, energetic man. He observed Su Yunzhou’s training methods but said nothing, nor did he initiate the internal match that everyone was hoping to see. Instead, they simply stuck to their own respective training.

As the competition drew nearer, the atmosphere in the rock climbing center grew increasingly tense. Of course, this didn’t include the perpetually cheerful Yan Peisheng and a certain Mr. Su. The two of them went about their daily training in a secretive, mysterious manner, acting as if they were hiding some kind of secret weapon.

Lin Wei couldn’t stand it and went to complain to the higher-ups. However, the leadership merely offered a breezy reply.

"Don’t be a busybody..."

After that, Lin Wei didn’t dare to ask any more questions.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the evening of the eighteenth. Phoenix Mountain International Sports Arena.

"Next, I announce that the Rongcheng International Rock Climbing Competition is officially..."

As the host finished the opening speech, the lights gradually dimmed. The neon lights on the stage background flared to life, instantly illuminating the entire arena. Immediately after, a passionate and energetic song echoed throughout the venue, making everyone’s blood boil.

"Next, please welcome the national delegations as they enter... First up is the delegation from Beautiful Country. This time, they have nine athletes..."

The applause was sparse.

"Now entering is the delegation from Little Days Country. This time, they have..."

"Booo!"

"Booo!"

The entire audience tacitly erupted in boos. The faces of the few athletes in the Little Life delegation shifted slightly, and they quickly hurried to their designated area.

The national delegations continued to enter. Finally, it was time for the last one.

"Now, let us use our warmest applause to welcome the Dragon Country delegation! This time, they have..."

The venue instantly boiled over. All the spectators stood up, waving their fists, shouting, and whistling in cheers. It was a lively, fiery scene.

After all the delegations had entered, the host invited the guest leaders on stage to say a few words, and then the cultural performances began.

The first act was a drone show led by a team of doctoral students from Rongcheng Science and Technology University. Amidst the starry night sky, the drones formed various patterns. Finally, they spelled out the word "Welcome" in the languages of the participating countries across the canopy of the sky.

Following this incredibly brilliant performance, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. Next came a variety of other cultural performances designed to showcase the nation’s soft power.

Meanwhile, in the Dragon Country athletes’ area, Yan Peisheng was pointing out a few strong contenders for the championship to Su Yunzhou—people they had only seen in photos but never in person.

"That man is Alex Honnold. He free-soloed Mexico’s Path of Light. He’s a true legend.

"However, even legends grow old. His participation in the competition now is driven more by passion, but he still can’t be underestimated.

"The guy next to him is called Bojack. You could consider him his direct disciple. It’s said that the student has surpassed the master, but they’ve done a good job keeping it secret. We haven’t been able to get any actual data on him."

Su Yunzhou nodded and glanced in that direction, but his attention was mostly drawn to the other side. Sitting there was a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore a white checkered team uniform adorned with the Stars and Stripes. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, complementing her curvy figure. Although he could only see her profile, her pretty face was as flawless as a cover girl’s.

Sensing something, she looked up and cast a glance at Su Yunzhou. The two locked eyes for a second. Then, the corners of the woman’s mouth turned up slightly into an elegant and charming smile. Su Yunzhou nodded and returned the smile.

Yan Peisheng followed his gaze and introduced her. "Her name is Lilia. Don’t be fooled by her harmless appearance; she has absolute dominance in the field of women’s rock climbing."

Su Yunzhou withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly without saying a word.

On stage, the host announced the next act. "Please enjoy the performance brought to you by Rongcheng Music Academy, ’High Mountain and Flowing Water’."

In the center of the gorgeous stage, Gu Sanming stood at the forefront in a black tuxedo. Ye Xiaofei, Chu Chengxian, Dazhuang, and a few other students also stood on the stage holding their instruments.

The next second, the prelude of the guzheng began. The tune was melodious and soothing, like the trickling of a clear spring. The unique, distant, and drawn-out melody of the erhu soon joined in, and the low, graceful notes of the pipa followed closely behind.

This highly representative piece of classical Dragon Country music opened the eyes of the foreigners. Especially a group of foreign athletes—after hearing these melodies, they couldn’t help but marvel at the overflowing talent of the Dragon Country People.

When the performance was more than halfway through, Su Yunzhou checked the time. Seeing it was about right, he told Yan Peisheng he was getting ready to head over.

"Yunzhou, whatever you do, don’t drop the ball," Yan Peisheng urged, patting Su Yunzhou’s shoulder.

Su Yunzhou just chuckled. He didn’t feel much pressure in his heart. He was very confident in his own performance; after all, any product of Tong was bound to be a masterpiece.

A moment later, "High Mountain and Flowing Water" concluded. Applause erupted from the audience. Gu Sanming led all his students in bowing to the crowd to express their gratitude.

"Thank you! Thank you, everyone."

Subsequently, under the guidance of the host, they walked toward the backstage area. Gu Sanming finally let out a sigh of relief. Even someone like him got nervous every time he took the stage; it was out of respect for the music and respect for the live audience. Although this performance had a few minor flaws, its overall execution was excellent, and they had successfully completed their performance task.

At this time, Gu Sanming spotted a familiar figure appearing backstage. "Huh?" He took a closer look. "Su Xiaoyou? It really is you!"

Su Yunzhou nodded and praised, "Mr. Gu, your performance just now was absolutely wonderful!"

Ye Xiaofei politely called out, "Brother Yunzhou."

Sancai blushed slightly and gave a small nod.

Gu Sanming smiled and said, "So you’re the special guest! A while ago, I was wondering why a special performance was suddenly added to the program."

"Hehe." Su Yunzhou scratched his head and smiled. Hearing the urging of the staff nearby, he followed them to the stage entrance area.

At this moment, the host’s tone rose passionately.

"Alright, next, let us use our most enthusiastic applause to welcome our special guest!

"An athlete from the Dragon Country rock climbing delegation—Su Yunzhou!

"Tonight, in his dual identity as an athlete and a performer, he will bring all of you a brilliant piano solo.

"Please enjoy ’March of the Steel Torrent’."

As his voice fell, thunderous applause filled the arena. The audience offered enthusiastic cheers. To think it was an athlete performing! How interesting. However, most people weren’t overly optimistic about it. After all, everyone had their own field of expertise.

Yet, amidst this lively atmosphere, the Dragon Country athletes’ area alone was dead silent.

Ning Xiangwu stammered, "This... why is he going on stage?"

Lin Wei stared in disbelief. "What the hell? This guy is going to play the piano?"

Yu Jiao gasped. "Wow! He’s so talented!"