King of Classical Music 109

Evening fell, and the brilliant sunshine, with all the liveliness and vitality of afternoon heat, faded into darkness.

The cry of cicadas filled the stuffy air along the Spree River. Sitting in the passenger’s seat, Qi Mu recalled Akkad’s words.

Min Chen and Akkad held a private conversation for three hours. Though he didn’t know its content, he wasn’t curious. Since they didn’t say anything, they had to have a reason. When the time came, maybe he would know. 

Min Chen had just told Qi Mu about his visit to Farrell’s house, and their time in the study. They had discussed at length how to get Akkad to agree to their relationship, as well as Farrell’s latest composition. 

Although Min Chen’s expression read, “Just talked about his composition,” Qi Mu felt… it wasn’t that casual for Farrell.

But, that didn’t matter, since it had already happened. Now, though… He was returning to Paris.

Qi Mu turned to the man whose gaze was fixed on the road. He frowned, heart reluctant.

When Min Chen first brought him to Berlin, Qi Mu wanted to refuse. Now that they were going to separate, Qi Mu felt… the time they spent together was too short.

He only came to the city the day before, and he was already leaving. 

The youth’s lovely face was filled with loss, and Qi Mu kept his head down. He gazed at the ground, not focusing on anything until he felt warmth on the back of his hand. He looked at it in surprise, finding Min Chen’s distinct knuckles. Though his fingers were thin, they were powerful from years of playing.

Qi Mu’s gaze followed the hand to his arm and up, only to find the man looking down at him with tenderness.

“When you get back to Paris… Contact me more.”

The car stopped in front of Tegel Airport. Its tinted windows prevented anyone from peering inside.

When Akkad saw their complicated expressions, he self-consciously excused himself, “I’ll get off and take my luggage first.” Opening the door, he slipped away, leaving them alone.

Only Min Chen and Qi Mu were left in the car.

Each moment spanned for hours. Nodding, Qi Mu gently said, “Well, I’ll take time… and contact you more. Paris isn’t that far away.” To ease their parting, Qi Mu added, “You see, Paris and Berlin aren’t as far as B City and S City.” 

“I’ll miss you.”

With just those three words, Qi Mu’s throat contracted, and his words froze in place.

Min Chen’s skin was hot, and his heat surged up the back of his hand into his veins and directly to his heart. It burned in his chest as his pulse sped up.

Qi Mu didn’t know how to reply. The man had reached some sort of consensus with Akkad. Now that he was saying such stimulating words, Qi Mu don’t know what to do.

Finally, Qi Mu squeezed his fingers. He chuckled, “I’ll go help professor with his luggage. It’s too much for him alone.” Qi Mu started to turn away, his hand on the doorknob. 

The moment he turned, Min Chen’s low voice called——”Qi Mu.”

Turning around, Qi Mu whispered, “Yes, what… Umph…”

Their lips met. Involuntarily, his mouth parted and the the tip of the man’s tongue swept inside.

Seatbelt already unfastened, Min Chen leaned in and pressed his beloved against the door. He held Qi Mu’s waist in one hand and the back of his head with the other, locking him in place.

Somehow, this one-sided kiss became an elusive dance, impossible to separate.

Their lips and tongues twisted together, ambiguity filling the car. Min Chen held the youth firmly in his arms, and Qi Mu too earnestly responded to the kiss.

By its end, Qi Mu was breathless, and his dazed expression drew Min Chen even closer. They clutched each other close for a long time, foreheads touching and gasping for breath.

“Will you miss me…”

Qi Mu lifted his gaze. The man’s dark eyes were locked on his, gazing at him in hesitation. It felt as if Min Chen was close to giving up whatever decision he had made to keep him here. 

His breath slowly evened out, but Qi Mu didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “Will you miss me?”

Min Chen smiled. “I will… I really will.”

Qi Mu smiled, too, eyes pinched closed. “Then, me too… I will also really miss you.”