Chapter 5: Even a Stay-at-Home Husband Has Taken to Giving Advice

In the VIP lounge, Gu Ningning was blunt with Jiang Qianyun: "Qianyun, you really should look forward to how your mysterious husband will perform."

"As soon as he steps out, he’ll definitely overshadow this kind of 'free-range' upbringing."

"For people like us in high society, children receive the finest education from an early age, mastering everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. Unlike this, where the kid just does whatever she wants with no discipline at all."

Jiang Qianyun’s expression darkened as she listened to her friend’s harsh words, but she remained silent, offering no rebuttal.

She pressed her lips tightly, her mind swirling with thoughts.

Should she… should she use her connections to ask the production team not to reveal Chen Yu as her “husband” in the final reveal?

If everyone found out that the president of Jiang Corporation had married such a… seemingly unreliable man, where would that leave her dignity?

Sigh… Jiang Qianyun sighed heavily in her heart, feeling a headache coming on.

Meanwhile, Nian Nian was already sitting obediently in front of the grand piano.

Her small fingers danced nimbly across the black and white keys, producing a smooth and pleasant melody.

Though it was just a simple practice piece, Nian Nian played with great seriousness, her little face full of concentration.

The live chat was instantly flooded with praise.

“Wow! This little girl is amazing! So young and already playing so well!”

“This is exactly how a wealthy heiress should be—talented in many ways!”

“AWESOME! This piano sound is so soothing! A true little fairy!”

“This kid clearly received a good education from the start, totally contrasting with her unreliable dad!”

In the kitchen, Chen Yu had just finished washing the last dish and drying his hands when he heard the intermittent sound of the piano.

He frowned. This piano playing… something sounded off.

Following the sound, he walked step by step toward the separate piano room.

The door was slightly ajar; Chen Yu gently pushed it open a crack and saw his daughter sitting upright in front of the piano, playing diligently.

However, when a familiar melody began, Chen Yu’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Hey, Nian Nian,” Chen Yu couldn’t help but say, “you seem to have… been playing this part wrong all along.”

As soon as Chen Yu’s words fell, the live chat exploded.

[??? Did I hear that right? What is he saying?]

[He said Nian Nian played it wrong? Seriously? Is this dad crazy? He’s good for nothing but dares to criticize?]

[Lol, this househusband probably can’t even read sheet music properly, yet he dares to question a kid who plays so smoothly?]

[You guys are giving him too much credit. I bet he doesn’t even know how many keys a piano has!]

[Oh my god, I feel suffocated for Nian Nian! Having such a self-righteous dad must be so oppressive! He’s trying to crush a genius’s confidence!]

[Classic case of “ignorance is bliss,” right? Doesn’t understand but loves to boss others around. So suffocating, punching the air!]

[Why isn’t the production team stepping in? This dad has violent tendencies, right? Psychological abuse! Protect our dear Nian Nian!]

[Haha, men taking care of kids is a disaster. If it were the mom, she’d be gently encouraging instead of interrupting and criticizing like this.]

The audience’s simple sympathies naturally aligned them with the “prodigy” Nian Nian.

In their eyes, Chen Yu’s behavior was like a drunkard at a world-class wine tasting, accusing a glass of Romanée-Conti of being watered down.

Both ridiculous and pitiful.

Inside the VIP lounge.

Just when everyone was certain Chen Yu was spouting nonsense, a woman who had been silent all along suddenly uttered, “Hmm?”

This woman’s surname was Wang; her husband’s family was in the cultural industry, and she herself was a recognized musical prodigy, having graduated from the Vienna Conservatory of Music with a major in piano performance.

She hadn’t joined the discussion earlier, merely listening with interest to the piano sounds coming from the screen.

“The little girl does have good talent and solid fundamentals,”

“But… in the third section of Chopin’s Nocturne in C minor, the emotional transition part, her interpretation indeed… has some issues.”

Her words instantly silenced the entire lounge.

Gu Ningning’s smile froze.

The other affluent ladies who had been chattering just moments ago exchanged glances, unsure what to say.

Mrs. Wang was an authority—if she said there was a problem, then there must be one.

Mrs. Wang patiently explained, “The issue isn’t with the fluency, but with emotional expression. Chopin’s Nocturne’s essence lies in its delicate, melancholic yet slightly sweet and complex feelings.”

“That passage, transitioning from the passionate C section to the serene ending, requires a very gentle diminuendo, with the fingers applying a ‘weighty’ touch rather than a ‘striking’ one.”

“The little girl played it too ‘solidly,’ lacking some of the hazy and ethereal quality. So…”

“So, from a professional standpoint, the father saying she ‘didn’t play it right’ is entirely valid.”

As her voice trailed off, one of the ladies who had mocked Chen Yu earlier couldn’t help but retort,

“Hmph, so what if he’s right? Just a lucky guess! Maybe he overheard that part once and is just showing off!”

“Exactly,” others quickly chimed in, “knowing some theory and being able to play are two different things. If he’s so capable, why doesn’t he play it himself?”

The topic was cleverly shifted, and the crowd felt a bit more at ease.

Then new speculations began.

“But… who exactly is this man’s wife? He actually knows some music?”

“Could he be Mrs. Liu’s husband? I remember Mrs. Liu studied piano since childhood and even won the national youth piano competition gold medal! Her husband picking up some knowledge wouldn’t be surprising.”

Mrs. Liu, who had been named, paused briefly before smiling wryly and shaking her head, “No way. My old Zhang can’t even tell do-re-mi apart. To him, listening to Chopin is like hearing a tractor engine.”

Laughter erupted, and the atmosphere lightened.

“So whose husband could he be? I’m getting more curious.”

“Doesn’t matter whose he is, just as long as he’s not Qianyun’s, haha!”

Gu Ningning smiled, glancing at Jiang Zhiyun.

Jiang Zhiyun’s heart was like a roller coaster at that moment.

When Mrs. Wang confirmed Chen Yu’s critique, she quietly breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Thank goodness… thank goodness he hadn’t embarrassed himself completely.

At least, he wasn’t just making things up.

A small, subtle sense of relief even blossomed in Jiang Zhiyun’s heart, one she hadn’t even noticed herself.