ALL NOVEL Chapter 55: Who Else? Him, Of Course
Chapter 55: Who Else? Him, Of Course
“What are you laughing at? How do you explain your father’s testimony?”
Zhang Yitian found his colleague oddly out of character today – usually quiet, why was he suddenly taking the lead?
The matter wasn’t settled yet – how could they reach conclusions based on one person’s claims?
Su Mu glanced at this judge. “Mr.,” he looked at the nameplate, “Judge Shen.”
“Do you know who this Su Ning that Su Yuanshan mentions is?”
Shen Song truly didn’t know who Su Ning was. He’d just taken a bribe and followed orders to get Su Ning into the online competition.
Could Su Ning be some pianist’s descendant? Surely not just some talentless nobody? That would mean he’d really messed up.
Su Mu sensed something off about Judge Shen, as if he’d coordinated with Su Yuanshan beforehand.
Supporting every statement Su Yuanshan made.
“This Su Ning is the biological son of this man who’s reporting me.”
What? Even Shen Song was just learning these details.
“See? He’s protecting his real son while framing his adopted son!”
It was the same person Father Su had glared at earlier, seizing his chance for payback.
Father Su, desperate to clear his name, burst out, “That’s bull****! I’m the head of Su Corporation – would I do such a thing? When Su Ning played this piece, our home security cameras recorded it. I have video proof.”
So that’s it. Su Mu now understood how Su Ning had replaced him in his previous life.
Like covering names during college entrance exam grading to prevent favoritism, the preliminary videos only showed hands playing, not faces. With similar hand shapes, one could easily cheat.
“This is outrageous!” Shen Song slammed the table. “Such competitions absolutely cannot allow impersonation. I suggest disqualifying Su Mu.”
Zhang Yitian disagreed, “Shen Song, you’re being too hasty. Cheating can’t be determined by your word alone.”
Chu Hanting watched intently, hands folded on his crossed legs, expression ice-cold. He’d already ordered an investigation into Su Yuanshan.
Now, [Check Shen Song’s recent contacts and any unexplained large deposits.]
Having taken bribes, Shen Song was naturally in league with Su Ning and his father.
“What’s left to discuss? He’s the head of Su Corporation and has surveillance footage as proof. How could this be fake?”
Zhang Yitian looked at Shen Song suspiciously. “Shen Song, why do you automatically believe his word over the contestant’s? And what’s this Su Corporation? I’ve never heard of it. Beijing has dozens of prominent families – who even are they?”
Shen Song retorted: “Who would admit to cheating?”
“Everyone,” Su Mu stood straight on stage, composed and dignified, remaining calm despite Father Su’s accusations and false charges, as poised as if he weren’t the one facing disqualification.
“This is actually simple to prove. I can reproduce my preliminary piece right now. Since Su Yuanshan claims Su Ning played it, why not have him play too? A direct comparison will reveal the truth.”
Zhang Yitian: “I agree with this proposal. The truth will be obvious once we see both performances.”
Shen Song: “Nonsense! This is a competition – should we waste everyone’s time for one person? Since there’s doubt, we should disqualify Su Mu.”
Zhang Yitian frowned: “Shen Song, if Su Mu is truly talented, can you take responsibility for that loss? How is it fair to dismiss him without proper investigation?”
Shen Song: “He’s just a cheater. Would China’s piano world really lose a master without Su Mu?”
The competition had three official judges from China’s Piano Association. The third, being quiet by nature, stayed neutral until things became clear.
As Zhang Yitian and Shen Song argued, a staff member rushed in with urgent news.
“Emergency! Contestant Su Ning’s hands are injured severely – he might not be able to perform.”
“What? How did this happen?”
The staff member hesitated. Shen Song pressed, “Speak up! What happened?”
“Well, Su Ning just came to us for treatment, claiming another contestant injured him in the bathroom.”
“Outrageous!” Shen Song feigned righteous anger. “Did you check the cameras? Which contestant could be so vicious!”
Who else? Him, of course.
On stage, Su Mu thought, so that’s it.
No wonder Su Ning had followed him to the bathroom. He’d known Su Ning hadn’t come just to talk.
He had only been watching out for Su Ning attacking him, but hadn’t expected Su Ning to harm himself to frame him.
What a commitment to the act!
They must have chosen the bathroom because it had no cameras, making it impossible for him to prove his innocence.
The staff member pointed at the person on stage, “Su Ning said he did it.”
“Aha!” Shen Song shouted, pointing at Su Mu. “I wondered where your confidence came from about comparing performances. So you injured Su Ning’s hands first, knowing he couldn’t perform!”
Zhang Yitian, with his years of experience, began seeing through things.
Too many coincidences stopped being coincidental!
But suspicions aside, with the cheating accusation standing and no way to prove innocence, that label would be hard to remove.
The previously silent judge suddenly suggested: “Let’s set aside Su Mu and Su Ning’s matter for now. Let’s finish the competition, let other contestants perform, then judge their situation.”
“I agree,” Zhang Yitian said without hesitation.
Shen Song wanted to object – delay could bring changes, better to remove him now – but the vote was two to one. Among the three judges with decision power, he could challenge Zhang Yitian who was near retirement, but not this potential next chairman.
Shen Song had no choice but to listen.
So Su Mu sat in the pending seat, waiting for the remaining contestants to finish.
He looked in a certain direction and saw the man.
He’d noticed Chu Hanting earlier during Father Su’s accusations but hadn’t had time to focus on him.
Now waiting idly, he turned his gaze toward Chu Hanting.
Chu Hanting was also watching. He saw Su Mu give him a calm smile and wink, seeming to be in good spirits, which put him at ease.
Wait, he thought. However the truth stands, I’ll investigate and restore justice for you.