Save Myself from Desperation

Finally, the contestants for both teams were finally confirmed.

The director gave them considerable freedom. “Ashley and Shirley, either of you can start playing first. It’s up to you to decide.” Shirley was quick to respond and stepped forward. “I'll go first.”

She was always confident in her harp skills, especially being a student of the harp maestro Eddy. She believed she could surely outperform Ashley.

Moreover, she thought that by playing first, she could set high expectations for the audience, making Ashley's performance seem mediocre in comparison.

Shirley glanced at Ashley with a slight smile. “I'll play first, then you can follow. Do you have any objections?” Ashley glanced at her in a nonchalant manner. “I’m fine with anything

Shirley turned to the camera, her smile warm and modest. “I really admire Ash and love the piece The Land. Please don’t mind if there are any flaws in my performance.”

[Shirley is being too modest. | remember her playing the harp on a show, outshining all the professional harpists that time!]

Shirley took a seat in front of the harp, took a few deep breaths to calm herself, placed her hands on the strings, and began playing The Land.

Her posture was clearly professional. The music from the harp was lingering and evocative. After she finished, applause immediately filled the room.

Hayes couldn’t help but praise, “Shirley, you truly are a student of the harp maestro Eddy. Your performance was enchanting! I've never heard such a beautiful harp playing!”

Flattered by the compliments, Shirley felt proud but maintained a humble demeanor when she faced the camera. “Hayes, you're exaggerating

Hayes insisted, “Not at all. Your exquisite harp skills combined with Ash’s composition are a perfect match! Matthew, don’t you agree?”

Matthew nodded. “Indeed, it was very well played.”

In Matthew’s mind, the best rendition was by his mentor, Ash.

The director raised the microphone towards Ashley’s team. “Shirley has finished playing. It’s time for your team to comment.” Miranda, not well-versed in the harp, commented first, “It was pretty good.”

Then Bryce spoke casually. “It was okay.”

Hayes jokingly teased, “Bryce, you can’t downplay our team just because we’re competitors.”

Bryce casually cleaned his ear and nonchalantly replied, “What can | say? | don’t know much about harps. | can only give a general opinion.”

“Alright, let's leave it at that,” Hayes said, turning to Ashley with a smile, “What do you think about Bryce’s comment?” Ashley glanced at Bryce and spoke calmly. “He was being too polite.

He thought, “What?”

Hayes was taken aback.

Shirley's face turned sour as she looked at Ashley discontentedly. “Ashley, what do you mean by that?”

Ashley looked directly at her, unfazed. “The Land is divided into four parts. You played the first two parts well but struggled from the third part onwards, even could not play fluently, almost entirely focusing on technique rather than emotional expression.”

Matthew frowned slightly upon hearing this analysis.

The Land was divided into four parts. It was indeed challenging from the third part. Many people found it difficult to continue learning past the third part.

to

Shirley's performance did become strained from the third part, focusing more on avoiding mistakes rather than conveying emotions.

But compared to others, Shirley's performance was commendable.

Shirley stood up abruptly upon hearing Ashley’s critique.

The harp was her pride and joy, and she couldn't tolerate such criticism.

Shirley's fans in the livestream were also unsettled.

[Seriously? Ashley dares to criticize Shirley this way? Does she think too highly of herself?!]

[Shirley is a student of the harp maestro Eddy! This isn’t a joke!].

[Exactly, Shirley's harp skills are evident to all. Ashley, a mere amateur, has no right to judge!]

[I think Ashley just wants fame and is using this as a publicity stunt!]

Shirley also thought Ashley was seeking attention and said disdainfully, “Ashley, what gives you the right to judge me this way?” Ashley lifted her chin slightly, gesturing towards the director. The director asked me to give my opinion.”

Shirley, taken aback and clenching her fists, retorted, “Ashley, | was trained by Mr. Moore, and he never criticized my playing. What right do you have to say that? By the way, you do know who Mr. Moore is, don’t you?”

Ashley smiled smugly, “I just heard about it. Mr. Moore is your mentor.” Shirley, proud and defiant, said, “Good that you know. He never criticized my playing, so what qualifies you to say so?” Ashley replied, “If Eddy didn’t say you played poorly, it means he wasn’t being honest.”

“You!” Shirley, speechless and gritting her teeth, challenged. “Since you say so, Mr. Moore is nearby. Let’s call him over, and you can confront him face-to-face!”

After saying this, Shirley looked at the director. T’d like to invite my mentor over. Is that okay?” The director nodded immediately. “Of course!”

He thought to himself, ‘Eddy is a renowned harp maestro!

‘His presence will be an honor for our show!

‘Besides, he’s nearby, so it won't take long.

However, the director still asked the livestream audience for their opinion.

The online audience quickly expressed their enthusiasm through live comments. After all, encountering someone as prominent as Eddy wasn’t an everyday occurrence. They were eager and delighted at the rare opportunity to see Eddy.

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Astaff member handed Shirley her phone.

Shirley dialed Eddy’s number.

But the call didn’t go through. No one answered.

Shirley gritted her teeth and dialed again.

There was a long time busy signal this time, but just before the waiting time ended, the call connected. Responding to the show's advice, Shirley switched to speakerphone...

Eddy’s voice, tinged with impatience, came through. “What?”

Shirley respectfully greeted. “Mr. Moore, | played Ash’s The Land on the show, a piece you personally taught me, but someone claimed | didn’t play well.”

Eddy casually responded, “So what if they said that?”

Shirley anxiously explained, “Mr. Moore, that person criticized iny playing and claimed you weren't honest with me.” Eddy paused for two seconds and quickly asked, “Who said that?”

Shirley promptly answered, “Ashley Ramos!”

There was silence on the phone for two seconds, then followed by a loud bang as if something had fallen.

Shirley quickly asked, “Mr. Moore, are you okay?*

Eddy’s voice trembled as he replied, “I’m coming over right now!”

After hanging up, Shirley felt a triumphant satisfaction, thinking, ‘Mr. Moore really cares about me.” She looked disdainfully at Ashley. “Mr. Moore will be here soon.”

Ashley remained composed, her expression unflustered. “Fine.”

Shirley sneered internally.

She thought, Just keep pretending. You'll regret it when Mr. Moore arrives!”