Chapter 156: Free from the Worries of Food and Clothing

Chapter 156: Free from Worries of Food and Clothing

The receptionist at the bar counter was somewhat at a loss for how to answer Chu Dong's question. After a brief pause, she asked cautiously, "Sir, could you please tell me what business you have with the management of the Western restaurant?"

"I would like to offer some feedback, but it's not really something I can pass along through a third party. So, could you please ask him to come over so we can talk face-to-face?" Chu Dong tried his best to look amiable, almost exposing all of his white teeth in a wide smile.

"Oh, I see. Please wait a moment. Let me check if he is available right now, alright?" The receptionist's attitude was very pleasant. If it were any other matter, she might have brushed it off, but she did not dare to be the least bit careless when it came to customer feedback.

Chu Dong walked over to the sofa in the lobby and sat down. He watched the receptionist pick up the telephone at the nearby bar counter. Very soon, the receptionist came over to inform him that the manager would be there shortly.

Indeed, it was very quick. In less than three minutes, a man wearing a grayish-white striped suit walked out. As soon as he spotted Chu Dong sitting on the sofa, his face broke into a broad smile and he extended both hands, "Hello, I am extremely sorry to have kept you waiting."

In the service industry, one fears nothing more than complaints. You could work diligently for an entire year, but a single complaint at the end of it would completely tarnish your record. Therefore, upon hearing that someone wanted to offer feedback, the lobby manager of the Western restaurant had rushed right over, taking the matter very seriously.

"Not at all, not at all. I only just sat down myself," Chu Dong could not afford to act too high and mighty. If people felt your points were valid, that would be fine, but the moment they gave you a cold shoulder, the rest of the conversation would become impossible.

"Was it you who mentioned earlier that you had some feedback to share?" The lobby manager had a slightly bald forehead, but looked very spirited. He asked straight to the point.

"Oh, it's like this. Whenever I was abroad in the past, I could always see people playing the piano or performing other music in Western restaurants. But just now, I took a look around—you have a piano here, yet why is there no one playing it?" Chu Dong smiled.

"Ah, you mean this." The lobby manager experienced a sudden epiphany, "Here is the thing: our Western restaurant has just recently undergone renovations and has only been in operation for a short while. The issue you just mentioned definitely exists, but we simply haven't had the time to find a suitable candidate yet. If you come back again after a little while, you will surely see someone performing. I am truly sorry for the current state of things."

"So that's how it is." Chu Dong felt assured in his heart.

In truth, he hadn't really looked closely at the Western restaurant at all just now; he had simply made that remark off the top of his head. Now, upon hearing the lobby manager's words, it sounded as though the position had practically been prepared just for him.

"Manager Wang, here is my situation: I used to play the piano for a few years, and I'd like to try my hand at it. I wonder if that would be acceptable? If the response isn't good, I'll turn around and leave immediately, and I promise not to cause you any trouble. As for the pay, whatever you say goes." Chu Dong didn't beat around the bush; he was starving at the moment, so he had no energy left to sweet-talk anyone. Seeing the name tag on the manager's chest reading "Lobby Manager Wang Hai," he addressed him directly.

"You?" The lobby manager wasn't looking down on Chu Dong, but the transition was simply too abrupt. A moment ago, he was a customer offering feedback, and now he had transformed into a job seeker, which took a little getting used to. However, Chu Dong's attire was still quite decent. Accustomed to dealing with dignitaries and high officials, Manager Wang could tell that Chu Dong's outfit was extraordinary. The "T" embroidered on his chest represented a top-tier European handmade tailoring workshop—a place that only accepted ten orders a year, all intended for high-end banquets and evening gowns, with each piece valued at over one million Euros. The casual wear Chu Dong had on belonged to an even rarer tier. To think that someone dressed like this would come here to look for a job was something he really dared not believe at first glance.

"That's right, it's me. What, does this place have any other requirements?" Chu Dong naturally knew why he was feeling skeptical, but still asked anyway.

"Well, no, not really. I'm just a bit surprised, haha. Since that's the case, would you like to give it a try?" Manager Wang felt a bit uncertain inside, but for the moment he couldn't figure out Chu Dong's true intentions, nor did he dare to offend him lightly, so he could only let Chu Dong try.

"Thank you." With everything going smoothly, Chu Dong stood up and followed Wang Hai toward the Western restaurant.

It was currently prime dining time. Although there weren't many people in the Western restaurant, there were still about three or four tables occupied. In the middle of the Western restaurant stood a thick, circular pillar, right beside which sat a brand-new piano.

Chu Dong smiled at Wang Hai, sat down, and lifted the piano lid. Looking at the black and white keys, he closed his eyes slightly and composed himself for a moment. He then extended his hands, intertwined his fingers, turned his wrists outward, and stretched to loosen the ligaments in his fingers. Finally, he separated his hands and clenched them into fists, producing a series of popping sounds. His slender fingers were now thoroughly warmed up.

He gently rested both hands on the keys and pressed down. In an instant, his fingers seemed to suddenly come to life, fluttering about as if in flight. Fluid music began to flow out.

An elderly man in a well-tailored suit was dining with a teenage girl. When the sound of the piano reached his ears, his brow suddenly furrowed. He had just seen Chu Dong walk over toward the piano accompanied by the lobby manager, but he hadn't paid much attention. The moment the piano notes began to ring out, however, he was immediately startled.

"Wow! *Reminiscences of Don Juan*! Grandpa, it's *Reminiscences of Don Juan*!" the young girl exclaimed in surprise, her eyes filled with wonder. The girl looked to be about thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing her hair in a small ponytail, with a round face that looked exceptionally cute in her state of astonishment.

"Mmm." The elderly man simply nodded, then fell silent again, continuing to listen to Chu Dong's performance.

Seeing that her grandfather was ignoring her, the young girl turned around to search for the source of the music. Previously, her back had been turned toward the piano, so she hadn't seen Chu Dong approach. Now, she could only see his back. With great curiosity, she twisted her body around to watch Chu Dong playing from behind.

After a short while, the elderly man stood up directly and walked over toward Chu Dong, with the young girl skipping along behind him.

Chu Dong had somehow produced a pair of dark sunglasses and put them on, looking somewhat like a street performer. He was entirely absorbed in the music and didn't notice at all that two people had appeared beside him.

As the piece came to an end, Chu Dong opened his half-closed eyes.

"Young man, what is your name?" The elderly man's voice suddenly rang out behind Chu Dong, carrying a hint of urgency.

Turning back around, Chu Dong saw the impeccably dressed elderly man. He scratched his head, stood up, and chuckled, "It's you. Is something the matter?"

"Haha, it's nothing much. I just wanted to ask, who was your teacher? I believe I should know them." The elderly man also felt that his question was a bit abrupt and looked slightly embarrassed.

"A teacher? I haven't seen my teacher in over a dozen years. He was just a guidance instructor at the children's palace when I was little. His name seemed to be Li Mingbo, but we've lost touch for many years now." Chu Dong didn't know why the man was asking him this, but he answered anyway.

"Is that so? Then did you practice this entirely on your own?" The elderly man still felt unwilling to let it go. As an authoritative pianist, he believed that there were only a handful of people capable of teaching someone to fluently play such an ultra-difficult piece as *Reminiscences of Don Juan*, and it was unlikely he wouldn't know them.

"Um, yeah. But I haven't played for several years now, so I'm quite out of practice." Chu Dong was not being modest at all; he truly hadn't touched a piano in years.

"Then would you be willing to continue studying?" A look of having discovered a miracle shone in the elderly man's eyes.

"Haha, I'm already this old, so let's forget it. I just treat it as entertainment; I really haven't thought about pursuing any career in this field." Chu Dong smiled indifferently. He could tell what the old man was getting at, but he simply didn't have the time for any advanced studies—this was merely a temporary expedient.

"Sigh, what a pity." The elderly man felt an immense sense of regret. He hadn't expected to be refused, but he still wanted to make an effort, "My name is Lan Tian. If you ever change your mind, you can call me at any time."

"Haha, I've seen your photographs when I was young, so I recognize you. It's a great honor to meet you here." Chu Dong respectfully extended both hands to accept the business card handed over by the old man. He had recognized him earlier, otherwise he wouldn't have stood up. Lan Tian was a world-renowned pianist; during his piano-learning days, photographs of the old man performing could be seen everywhere. Even though he was a bit older now, his appearance hadn't changed dramatically, so Chu Dong naturally recognized him.

"Do you really not want to continue practicing? I've listened to *Reminiscences of Don Juan* so many times, and you aren't the only one who has played it flawlessly, but this is the first time I've ever heard a performance with such spirit. If you are willing, I believe there will definitely be a place for you in Vienna." Lan Tian still refused to give up. True geniuses were hard to find; playing a piece without a single mistake wasn't difficult—with hard work, many people could achieve it. But moving people's hearts was not so simple. Having stumbled upon Chu Dong by chance, Lan Tian simply didn't want to let him go just like that.

Chu Dong naturally understood the old man's intentions, but this truly wasn't what he wanted. However, facing such an earnest invitation from the elderly man, it was indeed a bit difficult to refuse outright. Finding a way to decline without hurting the old man's feelings proved rather tricky to think about. Lowering his head to ponder for a moment, he finally looked back up, "Teacher Lan, the truth is, I do have my own difficult circumstances preventing me from pursuing piano further. But since you think so highly of me, I can't let you down too much. How about this: give me some time to consider it, and when I have a moment, I will personally pay you a visit at your home. We can discuss this matter further then, how does that sound?"

"Good, good! Call me anytime. I have no plans to go abroad for now, and should be staying right here until June." Seeing a glimmer of hope, Lan Tian didn't give up and actually looked quite pleased. Resisting the urge to drag Chu Dong away on the spot, he bade farewell to him, settled the bill, and left the restaurant with his granddaughter. Before leaving, the young girl playfully stuck her tongue out at Chu Dong.

Wang Hai had witnessed the entire exchange. As the lobby manager of a five-star hotel, he certainly wasn't indifferent to it. He gave Chu Dong a pat on the shoulder, "Not bad at all, brother. Even a master appreciates you this much. Tell me, how much pay do you want? I'll go apply for it right away."

Although he was the manager, many decisions weren't solely up to him to make, but his words clearly served as an acknowledgment of Chu Dong's ability.

Having a skill to rely upon is wonderful indeed; as long as you have talent, you can make money. Chu Dong finally no longer had to worry about food and clothing.