Teacher Wang's expression stiffened as she asked, "When you learned the guzheng, why didn't you get certified?"
Mu Yuting blinked and gave an answer that sounded the least believable yet was entirely true: "Because I was just a practice partner (for the child) and self-taught as a hobby, so I never got certified."
A practice partner? Self-taught? And she could play this well? Teacher Wang felt her eyelids twitching uncontrollably. After a long moment, she finally remembered what she needed to say: "That's fine. You should take the grading exams as soon as possible. Our province holds exams during winter and summer vacations each year, and you can skip levels. Usually, you start from Level 4."
"I can finish them in two years," Mu Yuting calculated. Level 4, 6, 8, and 10—skipping levels would only require four exams. She gave her answer.
"Even a year and a half would work. With your skill level, you could start from Level 6. Levels 6, 8, and 10—just three exams would be enough," Teacher Wang suggested.
Mu Yuting nodded in agreement. The current exam system was quite lenient, actually allowing candidates to skip multiple levels. In later years, the system would become much stricter, permitting at most one level to be skipped at a time.
"Right now is the registration period for the winter vacation exams, and the tests are held before the New Year. Would you like to sign up?"
"I'll register." Mu Yuting found it amusing—she had found a part-time job, but before earning a single cent from it, she already had to spend money on exams. Life was so unpredictable; it felt like banging her head against a wall.
"Your exam fees will be covered by our music school, but you'll need to sign a three-year contract."
Mu Yuting was instantly delighted. The feeling of not having to pay out of her own pocket was wonderful.
They discussed a few more details, and once both sides confirmed everything was in order, they signed the contract.
By the time she returned to her workplace, it was almost time for her shift to start.
Qin Jie hurried over and eagerly asked about the job application result. Mu Yuting simply said she had been hired.
"The owner of that music school, Teacher Wang, is really impressive. She's the chairperson of the municipal guzheng association and the vice-chairperson of the provincial guzheng association. She's also a postdoctoral researcher and has many titles."
"She says she'll never marry or have children in this lifetime. She only wants to grow and strengthen her guzheng training business and focus on her career." As Qin Jie spoke about this, her eyes were full of admiration.
"Isn't she only around thirty? It's too early to say 'this lifetime'—she hasn't even lived half of it yet." Mu Yuting had seen many people loudly proclaim they would stay single forever, only to eventually compromise with reality.
Qin Jie shook her head mysteriously and said, "No, she's actually in her fifties and has truly remained single all this time, which is why she's maintained her youth so well. The guzheng is her beloved career and also her spiritual solace."
"Truly remarkable!" Mu Yuting praised sincerely. Such an elite, strong woman was also her lifelong goal. So, it turned out that a woman could indeed delay aging by not marrying or having children and maintaining a positive mindset.
"Ah Ting, learn well from her, and your future will be limitless. She's determined to become a female CEO, and you could even become a vice president," Qin Jie teased.
"What if I want to be a female CEO too?" Mu Yuting asked with a laugh.
"Then go for it. Who wouldn’t want an extraordinary life? If one can excel, who would choose to be mediocre?"
Mu Yuting deeply agreed.
That evening, after work, she went home and told her mother that she wanted to learn the guzheng and had already registered at the music school.
Mu's Mother did not interfere but asked in detail about the shop’s name, address, schedule, and other specifics. Once she confirmed it was safe and reliable, she said nothing more.
Mu Yuting was very happy that her mother was beginning to respect her choices. This was significant progress. In the past, if she had acted first and asked for permission later, her mother would have been furious, often resorting to silent treatment for ten days or even half a month to pressure her. Now, her mother was learning to let go bit by bit, allowing her daughter to make her own decisions.
"The new house is completely furnished," Mu's Mother suggested. "Let's go take a look this weekend."
"Alright, we'll check it out first. If everything's fine, we'll let it air out for a few months to get rid of the formaldehyde, then move in."
"...Okay," Mu's Mother agreed with a complicated expression. Since the wedding house wouldn't be used for a wedding now, of course... they might as well live in it themselves.
The next day, Saturday, around 10 a.m.
Mu Yuting was typing on her computer when her mother knocked on the door and said, "Get ready, we're heading out."
"Mom, what's going on? Where are we going?"
"To Defu Restaurant. I booked a private room to have a meal with Du Dawei's family and formally call off the engagement."
"Marriage isn't a joke. Both families' elders need to speak openly and settle things clearly."
Mu Yuting nodded. "I understand." So, they would go.
When the two arrived at Defu Restaurant, they were half an hour early. Before they even pushed the door open, they could hear loud voices coming from the private room.
"Dawei, why do you want to call off the engagement now? Son, why not get married first, wait until the house is in your hands, then divorce her?" This was the voice of Du Dawei's mother, Zheng Xiangmei, sharp like nails scratching a table.
Her name was fitting—Zheng Xiangmei, "thinking too beautifully"! Mu Yuting thought to herself.
"Calling it off early is for the best! I've said all along, this Mu Yuting isn't from an official's family or a wealthy one. She's not good enough for you. You should find the daughter of a leader or a real estate tycoon! That way, either the leader promotes you, or the tycoon gives you a house!" This was Du Dawei's father, Du Daqiang.
Too bad the daughter of Du Dawei's unit leader was still in elementary school—they'd have to wait at least another decade or so. As for the daughter of a real estate tycoon, would she even look down on a family so mismatched in status? Mu Yuting scoffed inwardly.
"I've said it before—Brother is an idiot. That real estate tycoon's daughter is just a bit chubby and has a bit of a temper, but her family is rich! Can't you just put up with it for the money's sake? If Brother just endures it, our whole family could get several houses from her! After we call off the engagement today, go chase after that fatty." This was Du Dawei's younger brother, Du Xiaowei.
The group in the private room was discussing loudly and freely, becoming increasingly outrageous. They spoke as if Du Dawei could marry the daughter of a head of state or summon the daughter of the nation's richest person at will, if only he were willing.
Du Dawei, irritated, snapped loudly, "Can you all just stop?! It's so noisy!"
Du Xiaowei laughed angrily. "Why can't we say it? Who do you think you are! Do you think our whole family is here today just for fun? We're here to back you up in calling off the engagement! To help you win this battle!"
Du Daqiang sided with his younger son, saying, "Dawei, don't be afraid. When they get here, we'll settle accounts properly. The engagement will be called off, but we won't settle for less money. They won't get out of this without paying dearly. Xiaowei, we need to coordinate well."
"Right, we deserve compensation for emotional damages! At least 100,000, no, 200,000!" emphasized younger brother Du Xiaowei.
Du Dawei took a deep breath, deciding to temporarily leave the suffocating private room and not involve himself in these people's stifling discussions. It was precisely because of his family's foolish arrogance that he hadn't dared to tell them he and Mu Yuting had already privately signed a dissolution of engagement agreement.
Just as he opened the door to the room, he was startled by the mother and daughter standing outside.
"When did you get here?" Du Dawei's voice was a bit hoarse.
"We've been here for a while, long enough to hear what needed to be heard," Mu Yuting said with a sarcastic expression.
Mu's Mother also looked stern as she said, "Du Dawei, are you worthy of my daughter Mu Yuting? You are not!" Her contemptuous gaze swept over these despicable people. "Your entire family is unworthy! A pack of jackals doesn't deserve to be related by marriage to me, Mu Yaojia!"
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