Bern nearly spit blood in anger.

He had never intended for him and Rivata to apologize publicly to Nancy and Andrew. It was supposed to be the other way around!

He couldn’t believe that even Zach had gotten involved and was now publicly embarrassing him in Nancy’s favor.

His face turned uglier, like he had swallowed a fly. It was a look of deep humiliation and discomfort.

"Zach, it was all just a joke. Besides, do Nancy and her Master even deserve a public apology from me? Especially Nancy's Master. Who is he? Who knows him? Just some nobody without any fame. Me apologizing to him in public? Can he even handle that?"

"That's funny."

Zach smirked coldly, his eyes narrowing. He walked up to Andrew, taking his hand.

In front of everyone, he declared loudly, "You don’t recognize Andrew and yet you call yourself a famous pianist? I’ll tell you, even I admired his talent back in the day, and my Master said I wasn’t as good as him! You think just because you've been in the piano world for a few years you’re something special? Not just apologizing to him, but even carrying his shoes, you're not worthy!"

"Andrew?"

The crowd, half of whom were teachers of students, and some about Andrew's age or younger, started murmuring.

Those around Andrew's age suddenly realized who he was, exclaiming, "Andrew! I remember him! He was a legend in the young pianists' category, a champion! Every competition he participated in, he always won first place!"

"Yeah, I think I remember now. There was such a person who was unbeaten in the youth category, but then he disappeared."

"Right, right, that name rings a bell. So... he’s Andrew!"

Bern listened to these comments, feeling his heart sink.

He knew the name Andrew.

Bern, five or six years younger than Andrew, remembered his own teacher proudly mentioning Andrew and even advising him to learn from Andrew's performances.

Andrew was known for creating an ambiance with his piano playing, easily drawing listeners into his musical world. Thinking back to Nancy’s performance, wasn't it just that?

Regretting his arrogance, Bern closed his eyes in frustration, recognizing his mistake in not seeing the greatness before him.

"Fine."

He slowly opened his eyes, his pride crumbling, and exhaled wearily, "I admit defeat. I apologize."

"Teacher!"

Rivata, who had never heard of Andrew and considered him insignificant, was frantic upon hearing her teacher was about to apologize publicly, "You can’t! If you apologize now, you’ll never be able to continue in the piano world!"

Bern raised his hand, gently pushing away Rivata's hand, and then deeply bowed to Andrew.

"Andrew, I’m a pig, inferior in skill. I apologize to you. I’m a pig, inferior in skill. I apologize to you. I’m a pig, inferior in skill. I apologize to you."