King of Classical Music 152

The early winter of B City was much colder than that of Paris. Siberian wind shrouded the city, coating it in a layer of bitter cold. Once people stepped free from the pleasant warmth of their home or the sun, they could do nothing but shiver.ย 

Qi Mu stayed in B City for another day, then left for S City. His holiday was only for a month in total, then he would return to Vienna before Christmas. Now he had less than two weeks left before the end of his holiday, so he needed to hurry.ย 

Just after arriving at the S City airport, Qi Mu saw Zhu Wen Jun and his wife. Theyโ€™d been waiting for a long time at the airport. Smiling, he gave them a big hug, then said, โ€œUncle Zhu, Aunt Cheng, why are you still here in person?โ€

Zhu Wen Jun, in his forties that year, groomed himself well. Wearing a light grey overcoat, he looked much younger than his actual age. Hearing Qi Muโ€™s words, his eyes flashed a dark color, but were hidden by his glasses.

Zhu Wen Jun reached out his hand and pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, saying โ€œLittle Seven, I havenโ€™t seen you for a long time. Of course we had to pick you up when you came to see us in S City.โ€ While talking, Zhu Wen Jun took Qi Muโ€™s suitcase with great enthusiasm, surprising him.ย 

Cheng Tingwen, wearing makeup, snorted from her nose, then glanced dismissively at her good-for-nothing husband. She said, โ€œLittle Seven, donโ€™t worry about him. He wouldn’t be like this if he had something to ask you, would he?โ€

Together, the three walked to the parking lot. Qi Mu frowned a little. Smiling with embarrassment, he said, โ€œWhat do you want me to do? Aunt Cheng, you don’t have to tease me, how could Uncle Zhu ask something of me?โ€

Cheng Tingwen looked at her husband as if she was disgusted, then said, โ€œJust listen to him about this, Little Seven.โ€ย 

Hearing this, Qi Muโ€™s handsome white face flashed a puzzled look. He turned to Zhu Wen Jun, who stood on the other side of the car. Looking at the elegant chief conductor of the S City Symphony Orchestra, he noticed his eyes wereโ€ฆ Deep.ย 

…So he did have something to ask!

When they reached the car, Zhu Wen Jun finally put his thoughts together and explained the situation one piece at a time.ย 

At first, Qi Mu thought there was something wrong with the orchestraโ€™s latest concert and needed his help to perform onstage. But, to his surprise, Zhu Wen Jun said, โ€œLittle Seven, there will be a new Huaqing Cup national violin competition soon, did you know?โ€

Hearing this, Qi was shocked. Fastening his seatbelt, he looked up at Zhu Wen Jun in the driverโ€™s seat, just to see him looking back. In the bright rearview mirror, their eyes met.

After thinking for a long time, Qi Mu helplessly said, โ€œUncle Zhu, if I remember correctly, Huaqing Cupโ€ฆ only those under 20 can compete? I am 22 this year, I may not be able to participate.โ€

Zhu Wen Jun: โ€œ…โ€

Cheng Tingwen laughed out loud, โ€œLittle Seven, you misunderstood me. How could you think your uncle would misremember your age? He didnโ€™t want to invite you to participate in the competition, butโ€ฆโ€ uttering a sound, she glanced at Zhu Wen Jun, whose face was a brilliant red in the driverโ€™s seat, then continued, โ€œHe wants to invite you to judge the competition.โ€

As soon as her voice fell, Qi Mu was stunned. Then he got the reason from Zhu Wen Jun.

It turned out that Huaqing Cup was usually hosted by the Huaxia Classical Music Association, or B City and S City Classical Music Association in turns. This year, it was the S City Classical Music Associationโ€™s turn. Zhu Wen Jun, as the vice chairman of the association, had undertaken the organization work for the competition.

Zhu Wen Jun, as the chief conductor of the S City Symphony Orchestra, had no doubt in his ability. Therefore, the competition ended smoothly from the initial audition stage to the preliminary stage. Three days later, it would be the second stage, and then the final would be held.ย 

Zhu Wen Jun handled the matter properly without any mistakes. He even considered the weather conditions. Who knew that just when he finished making final preparations for the judges and contestants three days before the competition, something big would happen to one of the judges. Because it was a youth violin competition, in addition to three relatively authoritative and heavyweight music masters, two of the five judges were talented young masters.

Qi Mu also knew that Wang Zheng, who worked with the orchestra during the centennial celebration, would be there. Although Wang Zheng was an outstanding pianist, he also had made some accomplishments in violin since childhood and had won some awards.ย 

After thinking for a long time, Zhu Wen Jun finally picked another young violinist in Hong Kong. Although the violinist was a little older and hadnโ€™t won any well-known awards, he was quite popular among the young people, so he could barely be nominated as one of the judges.ย 

But, to Zhu Wen Junโ€™s surprise, after calculating the weather and transportation, he never considered thatโ€”โ€”

One of the judges would fall ill!

The violinist in Hong Kong City suddenly had multiple stomach aches two days earlier. When he went to the hospital, they said his long-term drinking and smoking caused a cyst in his stomach, which needed to be removed as soon as possible. The excisionโ€ฆ heโ€™d be recovering for ten days, which wasnโ€™t good.ย 

Zhu Wen Jun was completely worried.ย 

The candidate was already hard to find, but now he had an accident. Why wouldnโ€™t he be worried?

When Zhu Wen Jun received Qi Muโ€™s call, he learned he was going to visit him in S City.ย 

It was a small thing to visit, but it was a big deal for Little Seven to come there!

Although most of Qi Muโ€™s fans gathered in B City and didnโ€™t usually come to S City, Zhu Wen Jun had heard countless words like, โ€œAhhhh, Little Seven!โ€, โ€œLittle Sevenโ€™s fingers are so beautiful!โ€, and a little girl saying, โ€œOh, the screen is so dirty, let me lick it clean!โ€ย 

Zhu Wen Jun and Cheng Tingwen had borne a musical family, with an older son who devoted himself to classical music. However, their younger daughter was totally uninterested in music. Even when she was an adult and had the right to make her own decisions, she sometimes didnโ€™t even bother listening to the S City Symphony Orchestraโ€™s concerts.ย 

However, such a little girl, who was not interested in classical music at all, happily bought one of Qi Muโ€™s albums. She even learned how to climb over the wall and go to foreign websites to search for Qi Muโ€™s video!

Even my daughter is like this. What is Little Seven like, amongst the young people?

Although it wasnโ€™t very kind, compared with Little Seven, Zhu Wen Jun really thought that the original violin judge was just a scum of combat effectiveness!

When Qi Mu listened to Zhu Wen Jun, he put down his chopsticks and looked at the man, wearing an expression of โ€œLittle Seven, you would never refuse me, would you?โ€ After thinking about it, he said, โ€œUncle Zhu, although Iโ€™m honored that you could invite meโ€ฆ My qualifications are still too shallow, Iโ€™m afraid I canโ€™tโ€ฆโ€

โ€œNo! Little Seven, youโ€™re perfectly qualified. Last night, Mr. Tan was very proud to tell me you became the chief of the Palisade Theatre Orchestra in Vienna, and that you cooperated with the Symphony Orchestra in Dresden, and you were invited by the New York Philharmonic before, and your qualifications are not shallow at all!โ€ย 

After a pause, Zhu Wen Jun recalled, โ€œI remember Tan always saying, โ€˜Of course, my family, Little Seven, is the most powerful, and your stupid son canโ€™t match him at all!โ€™โ€

Cheng Tingwenโ€™s face turned dark. She gave her husband an elbow.

Qi Mu: โ€œ…โ€

It turned out thatโ€ฆ In Lao Tanโ€™s heart, he had such a great image?

But, even so, Qi Mu hesitated. โ€œUncle Zhu. Iโ€™ve never been the judge of a competition, so this will be the first timeโ€ฆโ€

โ€œNo, Little Seven, I believe you have the ability to appreciate music. You just need to comment on the playersโ€™ music and give scores from your cognition.โ€ย 

After a pause, Zhu Wen Jun pushed the glasses up on his nose and smiled. โ€œLittle Seven, there are so many good young people among those who have reached the semi-finals. Like you, they are the pillars of the future of the Chinese classical music industry. In fact, Iโ€™m also a bit selfish. That is, I hope you can see these children and give them some advice, so they can grow and be better artists.โ€

Qi Mu was shocked and looked up at him. He saw the elegant, middle-aged man looking at him, his eyes deep and inclusive, as if looking at a beloved generation of growing hope.ย 

Any reservations he had, he could no longer admit. Looking down at his warm, simple meal, he finally sighed and said, โ€œUncle Zhu, even if I wanted to refuse youโ€ฆ I have eaten Aunt Chengโ€™s dishes, so I canโ€™t refuse. Youโ€™ve fed me, so I must repay you. Well, Aunt Cheng, your stir-fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs are delicious.

Cheng Tingwen was very happy to put more food into Qi Mu’s bowl with her own chopsticks, just to show how much she cared. โ€œLittle Seven, Eat more if you like the food. Child, why did you lose so much weight in Europe? Didnโ€™t you eat well there? Let me tell you, the pizza and sandwiches or whatever they have, will never be tastier than ย  our ribs with honey sauce, shredded pork with garlic sauce, and hope pepper chicken, eat more!โ€

Qi Mu nodded very obediently.ย 

On the side of the dining table, Zhu Wen Jun looked at the cute scene and slowly laughed. Seeing the smiling child before him with such deep eyes, warmth spread from his heart to his body along his blood vessels.ย 

After thinking about it, Zhu Wen Jun smiled and said, โ€œLittle Seven, I just thought of something. Now that I think about itโ€ฆ Maybe itโ€™s a prophecy.โ€ย 

Qi Muโ€™s hand, holding green vegetables, suddenly stiffened. Looking up in confusion, he asked, โ€œUncle Zhu, I donโ€™t know what you saidโ€ฆ?โ€

โ€œDo you remember what Master Farrell said half a year ago?โ€ย 

In his heart, Qi Mu felt a trace of his mistake. โ€œ…โ€

โ€œAs he said, you are indeed like an angel!โ€

Qi Mu: โ€œ…………………โ€

Can. I. Please. Take. Back. On. Agreeing. To. Judge!!!

Translator(s): Empress
TL Check: Teo
Editor(s): Empress
Proofer(s): Ayn

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Chimmy
May 1, 2020 12:38 pm

Hahahahaha! Qi Mu, just accept the fact you are a little angel… Thanks for the update! Have a good day ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜˜

Renkayli
Renkayli
May 1, 2020 2:49 pm

I actually laughed out loud at the last lines. It’s too late, Qi Mu! That nickname has stuck! I wonder what our resident vinegar jar/ Qi Mu’s little girlfriend has to say about this? Is he one of the judges too? Thanks for the update!

Blood
Blood
May 2, 2020 9:37 am

Thanks for the chapter! ^ ^