King of Classical Music 54

Min Chen’s words embarrassed Qi Mu.

Although it was March, a cold wind howled through B City. Qi Mu stood out on the balcony for a while then went back inside. The call had already dialed out, so he didn’t dare hang up.

Even he did not know why he made the call. Maybe it was because he noticed the empty, dark apartment next door and suddenly remembered that he hadn’t seen his neighbor in over a month. Or maybe, he realized. . . Berlin and Paris weren’t that far apart.

After thinking about it for a while, QI Mu smiled, “I was on the balcony just now. I looked over and remembered I hadn’t contacted you in a while. Bai Ai is already preparing for this year’s global tour, right?”

Since Qi Mu had changed the topic, Min Chen’s brow furrowed a little but he didn’t bring it up again. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows next to the rehearsal hall and glanced down at the passers-by coming and going on the street below. “Well, the first performance is next week.” After a pause, he asked, “Do you want to listen? I can reserve a seat for you.”

Though a little surprised at first, Qi Mu stopped to think a little. If he recalled. . . Bai Ai’s first performance was going to be at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, England.

Although England and France were only separated by the English Channel, there was bound to be a lot of work to do when he got to the college. He shook his head helplessly and said, “I probably won’t have the time to go. But thank you for your kindness.”

Min Chen frowned.

When he was in S City, Farrell had said he wanted to recommend Qi Mu to Paris for further studies. The first thing one would think of when they hear “Paris” is the National Conservatory. With a little recollection, he remembered Reed Akkad had gone there two months ago.

Only a few people knew about it, and it wasn’t widely publicized.

But listening to Qi Mu now, he didn’t sound as if going to Europe was going to be a short-term thing. Min Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised——

It turns out Farrell recommended Qi Mu to Reed?

Min Chen did not ask for an explanation, and after exchanging a few more words with Qi Mu, he hung up.

This short conversation may have just been casual on the other side, but Min Chen’s narrow eyes sharpened, sniffing out a disturbing scent.

Bai Ai was so busy that he couldn’t return to Huaxia and the investigation into Qi Mu. . . had already fallen to the wayside. Min Chen wasn’t a curious person but this identical 《Bell》  gave him bizarre ideas.

In this world, there can never be identical music.

If this person came to Europe. . . there would be more opportunities for contact.

Qi Mu didn’t know that this phone call had helped a certain someone make rapid connections. After everything was packed, he climbed into bed and slept.

This was his second to last night in B City and he slept well though the moon’s light was cold.

The first performance of B City Symphony Orchestra’s season was usually held in the National Theatre.

It had a large hall with 2019 seats. The crystal chandeliers lit up the concert hall, and the noble white background gave the hall a solemn atmosphere.

However, by seven o’clock, nearly two thousand seats were filled with people.

B City’s Symphony Orchestra was at the country’s highest music level, and this time, their opening concert was even more carefully prepared with a grand finale.  Last year’s was played by the Huaxian violinist, Master Li Chengde, who came all the way from Canada to play Mozart’s 《A major》.

This year, they might invite a well-known conductor, or perhaps a famous musician from abroad. But, regardless of who, the audience was looking forward to it, and even whispering before the concert began.

“I don’t know who will lead the finale this year? Master Li Chengde’s song last year was magnificent!”

“Well, yeah, but this year, they’re a little different. The concertmaster isn’t Du Sheng, but that newcomer. . . Who was it, something like Qi Mu?”

“You don’t know him? He was invited to S City’s Symphony Orchestra last month to perform the closing at their 100^th anniversary! The music section of the Times reported on it. Even Farrell Louis was very appreciative of him!”

“Who?! Farrell Louis? Really? He admired this Qi Mu?”

“Yes. I heard that he’s going to study in Paris, though I don’t know who’s going to teach him.”

. . .

This whispered exchange was happening throughout the concert hall. Amidst these discussants, a young woman sat, seemingly out of place. Tonight, she wore light makeup, a beautiful skirt, and she wasn’t afraid of the cold, sitting with a performance program in hand.

This was the first time Li Yue Yue had come to the National Theatre. It was still cold in March, but she only wore a coat over her short dress and entered the hall.

Over the past six months, she had listened to over a dozen performances. Except for the one in Hong Kong, the others were B City Symphony Orchestra’s concerts.

Sometimes, Qi Mu would play as concertmaster for a few songs, and other times, he didn’t get the chance. Most often, he sat at the head position of the first violin group and gave his own performance.

Li Yue Yue was an ordinary amateur violin enthusiast. Unless the concertmaster performed a colorfoul cadenza, she could not hear Qi Mu’s violin. However, as long as it was B City Symphony Orchestra’s concert, she was never absent.

At the start, she may have been fascinated by just Qi Mu’s beautiful face, but after she bought a few albums and listened to him play as concertmaster, she was immersed in the name of this “Qi Mu.”

Even if she couldn’t understand, it still made her feel good.

The sound of this young man’s violin was particularly gentle. Even when playing a high-spirited piece of music, it had a delicate softness to it and it rubbed at her heart like a feather.

Li Yue Yue had bought a lot of B City Symphony Orchestra’s albums, and even if there was no way to listen to the centennial celebration’s “Huaxia’s Perfect Song” in S City, she had watched the live broadcast on TV and later bought the album.

She would love to listen to him play all the time. She was present at all of his concerts, but. . . a few days ago, 《The Sound of Music》 interviewed Tan Zheng Hui and announced that “Qi Mu was going to Paris to study.”

This hit the industry huge, not only because it was Paris’ National Conservatory of Music but also because Tan Lao refused to reveal the instructor.

Everyone knew the Conservatory had already been in session for two months. It was difficult to transfer now. Moreover, the enrollment quota for all the teachers had already been met. If they were allowed to take on another student, it would be a burden for both the teacher and the student.

This set the industry on a wave of “guessing the mentor” but the B City Symphony Orchestra maintained tight lips, claiming that it wouldn’t be publicized until it was approved by the professor.

Li Yue Yue didn’t pay much attention to the matter. She naturally knew it was one of the top music schools in the world. She also believed that her idol should be taught by only the best. However, what caught her attention more than anything else was. . .

Qi Mu was leaving.

No one knew when it happened. But the orchestra’s nickname of “Xiao Qi” had long passed outside the circle. Many fans of his had formed a fan group called “7:47*” and Li Yue Yue was one of them.

*Qi Mu’s nickname isn’t actually “Little Qi” as in his last name. It’s actually “Little Seven” so this name 7:47 is playing on that.

When they learned Qi Mu was about to leave Huaxia, many fans were saddened at this “powder removal*.” There were also fans like Li Yue Yue who sincerely wished Qi Mu received better guidance.

*Remember powder fans? The ones that follow a celebrity because they like his/her face. These ones are said their “pretty face” is leaving.

Blessings were blessings, but when this last concert really came, Li Yue Yue felt her eyes heat up.

Even if she looked at the empty stage, she felt sad. Paris was too far away. It would take her twenty hours to go back and forth, and she didn’t have the energy for such a huge journey.

This evening was very likely the last time she would get to hear Qi Mu in the flesh.

Li Yue Yue was one of the most expectant.

. . .

Huaxia’s National Grand Theatre, concert hall backstage.

After Tan Zheng Hui gave one last sentence to the members, the percussion group and the others entered from both sides of the stage.

Qi Mu held the neck of his violin and watched the members enter one by one in order.

When it was almost his turn, he took a step forward but Du Sheng stood in front of him. He smiled, “Xiao Qi, go on!”

Qi Mu dipped his head in a nod and stepped onto the stage.

With more than 2000 of its seats filled, this magnificent stage was one of the most prestigious concert halls in Huaxia. Here, there was the largest organ in Huaxia, and all the seats surrounded the stage.

Qi Mu confidently but calmly walked to just left of center stage and stopped.

Since the members of the orchestra were in their seats, the audience’s applause had yet to stop. When this handsome young man appeared on stage, it became even more thunderous as if to lift the stage.

Under the stage, Li Yue Yue and many of his fans applauded with all their strength.

On stage, Qi Mu looked out over this large audience. There were so many people and the stage was huge. A special kind of joy and excitement burst in his chest, filling his heart.

After a long time, Qi Mu bent and bowed deeply. It was finally time for Qi Mu’s concert to begin.

Translator(s): Bet
Editor(s): Bet