Rachmaninoff's *Piano Concerto No. 3* embodies the most resilient Russian spirit and immense vitality.
This piece doesn't require exquisite piano techniques but demands an ironclad will and extraordinary physical strength.
This piece is referred to as the "Elephant Concerto," symbolizing its size and weight. A famous music scholar once described playing it as being physically equivalent to "shoveling ten tons of coal," highlighting its difficulty.
Moreover, an Australian pianist experienced a mental breakdown after playing this piece, showcasing the emotional impact it possesses!
Rachmaninoff said that only Horowitz could interpret this piano concerto well.
If someone learning piano boasts about being able to play *Piano Concerto No. 3*, please give them a slap to wake them up.
And right now, Jiang Siming is playing exactly this piece.
The prelude matches perfectly, without missing a beat.
The female teacher listens intently; the earlier sections are relatively simple, so it's normal for someone to play them.
However, this piece becomes increasingly strenuous as it progresses, like a person initially equipped for battle who gradually finds themselves weighed down by lead weights, making each step heavier. Eventually, it becomes a struggle even to move, leading to exhaustion and abandonment of the performance.But as she continues to listen, Jiang Siming's playing remains steady; he has unknowingly reached the middle section.
This is already the limit for the female teacher herself; she struggles to play smoothly here, breathing heavily and sweating, her fingers feeling like they've been filled with mercury, becoming increasingly painful.
Yet, Jiang Siming seems completely unaffected by this burden; his playing flows as smoothly and rapidly as before.
The heavy yet vibrant notes fill the piano room, and although the children may not understand the piece, they are captivated by it, sitting quietly and attentively.
The teacher's heart feels heavy, resonating with the emotions conveyed in the music, as if she sees Pavel Korchagin from *How the Steel Was Tempered*.
As a youth, he participated in the revolution, fighting fiercely against the enemy, leaving him covered in scars. After the war, he worked tirelessly until paralyzed and blind. He once contemplated suicide out of despair, but ultimately overcame unimaginable difficulties through his tenacious will.
At that time, Russians were greatly influenced by this book, which indirectly accelerated the development of the industrial revolution in Russia. Many were inspired by this book to cultivate a strong fighting spirit.
The spirit expressed by this piece is the same as that conveyed in the book: a spirit and fighting will as strong as steel.
In the blink of an eye, the final segment arrives.
Yet, Jiang Siming shows no signs of stopping; his fingers are like ten tireless robots, oblivious to fatigue.
As he reaches the final section, the female teacher suddenly sheds tears of emotion.
It isn't until the music ends that she realizes her lapse in composure and quickly turns to wipe her tears.
Jiang Siming has already stood up from his seat, smiling as he says to her, "Are you satisfied?"
The teacher, her face glowing with admiration, responds, "I lacked the insight; I didn't expect you to master *Rach 3*. I thought you were just a stranger wandering into the school."
"It's fine. You're just being responsible for your students; that's understandable. I'll take my leave now." Jiang Siming, feeling a bit guilty, tries to slip away, worried he might reveal a flaw.
"I don't even know your name yet," the teacher smiles at Jiang Siming. "I'm Yin Zhirou, the piano teacher for the second-year students."
"I'm Jiang Daming. Miss Yin, I hope we can chat more next time. I won't hold you up from continuing your class; I'll be going now."
Using a pseudonym when out is a necessary skill.
"Okay, take care, Teacher Jiang." Yin Zhirou smiles, revealing an adorable dimple that makes hearts flutter.
Just as Jiang Siming steps out the door, the classroom suddenly fills with the children's anxious shouts.
"Teacher, teacher!"
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
"It looks like the teacher has fainted! Call 120!"
"Teacher, please don't scare us! Boohoo…"
…
Jiang Siming turns back in confusion, noticing that Yin Zhirou, who seemed perfectly fine moments ago, is now unconscious on the floor. The children are frantically calling for her, but she shows no signs of response.
Something's gone wrong!
Jiang Siming quickly turns back into the classroom.
"Children, step back!" he says anxiously.
"Dad, you're not thinking of taking advantage of my teacher, are you?" Zhao Xiaoxiao whispers to him.
Jiang Siming gives her a light smack on the head in annoyance.
Seeing 'Teacher Jiang' arrive, the other students immediately obediently clear a path.
Jiang Siming took two steps in three and squatted beside Yin Zhirou, lifting her eyelid to check and feeling her pulse.
"Does your teacher Yin have a heart condition?" Jiang Siming asked.
At that moment, a familiar little face leaned over and replied, "Yes, Teacher. Our teacher Yin has mentioned that her heart isn't good."
"People with heart problems usually carry their medication with them," Jiang Siming said, immediately pressing on Yin Zhirou's pocket.
The pocket connected to her thigh, and Jiang Siming unintentionally touched the female teacher's leg, but he pretended it didn't happen.
There was no medication in her pocket, so Jiang Siming said to the students, "Go find Teacher Yin's bag; the medicine might be in there."
The students obediently went to look for the bag while Jiang Siming began to perform…
Don't misunderstand; it wasn't anything inappropriate.
Just some professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, although he had to press on her chest.
At this moment, Jiang Siming didn't care much about that; he completely "ignored" the softness in front of Yin Zhirou's chest.
Yes, he completely ignored it; really, he was an upright doctor!
He waited until the children brought back Yin Zhirou's bag, and indeed, he found a bottle of heart medication inside.
Jiang Siming immediately gave it to her; the medicine dissolved on contact, so he didn't need to use "other" methods to administer it.
After giving her the medicine, Jiang Siming held Yin Zhirou's finger and used a hairpin from a girl student to prick the tip of her finger.
Before long, under the adoring gazes of the children, Yin Zhirou gradually regained consciousness and woke up. Read exclusive content at empire
As soon as Yin Zhirou opened her eyes, she found herself lying in Jiang Siming's arms, his face less than half a meter away from hers, resembling lovers nestled together.
Before Yin Zhirou could move, Jiang Siming immediately let her go, sighing in relief as he said:
"Teacher Yin, you should carry your medication with you if you have a heart condition; it's too dangerous to do otherwise."
Yin Zhirou then realized, feeling embarrassed as she said, "I came in a rush today and left my bag in the office."
"You need to be more careful. It seems like other teachers from the school are coming; I'll take my leave now. Goodbye."
Jiang Siming finished speaking and walked away without looking back. Yin Zhirou wanted to keep him, but as soon as he stepped out the door, he disappeared from sight.
"Kids, can anyone tell me what just happened?"
Yin Zhirou asked, puzzled. Normally, when she had an episode without medication, she would need to stay in the hospital for several days to regain consciousness.
How was she awake so quickly today?
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