King of Classical Music 183
by Bet · June 25, 2021
Manchester, Rome, Genevaโฆ
Over the span of 15 days, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra completed four stops in the first quarter of their 2017 European tour. On the morning of April 15th, the world-class orchestra arrived in Paris, preparing for the second-to-last concert rehearsal of the tour.
As soon as he set foot in Paris, Qi Mu put away his luggage at the hotel reserved by the orchestra.
No matter where he performed so far, Qi Mu had always stayed with the members of the orchestra, so even if someone secretly left him a large set of keys while he was in Vienna, Qi Mu didnโt want to stay outside the hotel.
And now, in Paris, Qi Mu wanted to go out alone for the first time.
When Qi Mu passed on his intent for the evening to Dorenza, Dorenza said, โOh, Little Seven, are you going to see Reed?โ
Qi Mu didnโt conceal anything at all, โYes. My teacher and I havenโt seen each other in a long time, and I heard his back has been acting up recently. I wanted to take the opportunity while Iโm here in Paris to see him.โ
Dorenza smiled gently, โOkay, Little Seven. How could I stop you from going to see your teacher? I also havenโt seen Reed in a long time. Why donโt we go see him together?โ
Mr. Dorenza and Professor Akkad were old friends, and it wasnโt unusual for them to visit each other. Qi Mu agreed. โOk, letโs go see Teacher together, Mr. Dorenza. I think Teacher will be very happy to see you too.โ
Just after Qi Mu finished speaking, someone shouted, โHey, Little Seven, Dorenza, are you going to see Akkad?โ
The two turned their heads in surprise and saw Anthony approaching. โGod, I like Akkad very much. I met him at a concert in Newcastle a few years ago. Little Sevenโฆ can you bring me with you?โ
Brow furrowed slightly, Qi Mu thought for a while then nodded. โIt shouldn’t be a problem.โ
The other members of Wei Ai who had been eavesdropping all along immediately exploded—
โI also admire Mater Reed Akkad too! I want to go, I want to go too!โ
โAnd me! I like Master AkkadโsใDevilโs Thrillใ the most! Itโs simply music of the gods!โ
โฆโฆ
Starting with Anthony, more and more members of Wei Ai raised their hands one after another, wanting to meet the worldโs top violinist.
But Dorenza steeled his face and said sternly, โReed is not in good health. Too many of us going is only going to disturb his rest. Little Seven, Anthony and I will go together. You all rest in the hotel.โ
Dorenza was rarely so solemn and serious, but the members of Wei Ai knew their conductor was correct. There were too many people that wanted to visit and they would only disturb him. They could only ask Qi Mu to pass along their love and blessings to Master Akkad.
When the three arrived at Akkadโs home, the master was seated at a dining table itching a cup of hot cocoa. After he noticed the three coming, he was surprised but immediately welcomed them into his small living room.
Pouring another cup of hot cocoa and two cups of water in the kitchen, Akkad placed the cocoa carefully in front of Qi Mu then the other two cups carelessly before Dorenza and Anthony.
After these โpoliteโ necessities, Akkad didnโt pay any further attention to his old friend or Anthony to the side. He focused on Little Seven, studied him up and down for a long time, then raised his head and barked, โThin!โ His tone was displeased.
Qi Mu shook his head, caught between tears and laughter, and said, โTeacher, Wei Ai is on tour. I have to walk around a lot, so I lost a bit of weight.โ
Unexpectedly, Akkad snorted. He pointed at Anthony and said, โLook at Anthony. Why is he not thin at all? I think heโs fatter than three years ago by quite a lot!โ
Qi Mu: โ…โ
Teacher, if you say that to Anthony, heโll be sad…
โMaster Akkad, you remember me?!โ Anthonyโs overjoyed voice interrupted Qi Muโs thoughts. He turned and found the usually serious concertmaster was excited. โYes, yes. Iโm Anthony. We met at the London concert in Newcastle three years ago, Master Akkad!โ
Akkad deigned a faint โhmโ to Anthony , who was so excited his face was flushed scarlet, then turned to his lovely student. โSo, Little Seven! Why are you so thin? Donโt you know how to eat good food when youโre away?!โ
Qi Mu: โ…โ
Mr. Anthony, are you still Teacherโs loyal fan…
โLittle Seven, listen to Teacher. You young people should put their bodies first! Youโre not even 80 jin (88 pounds) right now, are you?โ
Qi Muโs eyes widened, and he retorted, โTeacher, Iโm over 65 kg (143 pounts) now!โ
โWhat!!! Youโre only 65 kg right now?!!!โ Akkad turned his horrified expression to Dorenza who was smiling all the while and demanded, โDorenza, how have you tortured our Little Seven? 65 kg, 65 kgโฆ just how light is that!!!!โ
Dorenza, who looked like heโd been shot, smiled innocently: โ^_^โ
Then Akkad went on to say lots of things like: โLittle Seven, you have to take care of your body. If you dare lose more weight, Teacher wonโt see you again,โ and โYou know what, you have to eat three bowls of rice every day starting tomorrow,โ and โNo, no, no, you have to eat at least one steak every day!โ And by the time he was finished, it was already late and the sun had already begun to set outside the window.
Since Wei Ai had to rehearse the next morning, the three of them didnโt stay any longer. When they went to the door, Anthony took Akkadโs hand and said excitedly, โIf you have time, you must come see our concert the day after tomorrow!โ
Akkad merely nodded and said calmly, โLittle Seven is there. Of course I will go.โ
Knowing Anthony only wanted to continue nattering on with his affection, Dorenza dragged the old man away and left the teacher and student alone.
Standing at the door, Qi Mu handed over the invitation letter in his pocket. The invitation to Wei Aiโs concert was light beige with fine patterns outlined in golden thread.
Akkad accepted the letter and stared at the handsome youth in front of him. After a long time, he sighed. โLittle Seven, you became the deputy concertmaster of Wei Ai at this age. This puts a lot of pressure on you and gives you a lot of responsibility.โ
In the quiet corridor, Akkadโs voice echoed. Qi Mu nodded solemnly. โTeacher, I will work hard. I never use my age to avoid responsibility. I will do my best.โ
Akkad gave Qi Mu a meaningful look then sighed. โTeacher knows youโre a hard-working child, but sometimes you put too much pressure on yourself. Youโre thinner than when you left Paris last year. Isnโt it painful for Auston to see you like this?โ
Qi Mu couldnโt help smiling at the sound of that name. He shook his head. โHe also wants me to eat more, but Teacher, Iโm not very thin. You worry too much. Itโs not that much pressure.โ
Qi Mu said it lightly but Akkad knew how hard heโd worked as a student. He reached out and rubbed Qi Muโs hair. โOk, Ok, I canโt control you from Paris. But if Teacher sees you looking so thin next timeโฆ Well, Iโll make you look good!โ
Qi Mu tilted his head and asked, โTeacher, whatโs the standard for not too thin?โ
Akkad thought for a moment. โYour heightโs about 183 centimeters (6 feet)โฆ then, Little Seven, shouldnโt you weigh about 80 kg (176 pounds)?โ
Qi Mu: โ…โ
Teacher, your โnot thinโ and other peopleโs are totally different!
The teacher and student spoke for a while longer, then Anthonyโs shout came from downstairs. Qi Mu went to say his goodbyes but before he could speak, Akkad suddenly said in a low voice, โThe day after tomorrow, I will go see Wei Aiโs concert. Little Sevenโฆ donโt let Teacher down.โ
Qi Mu was taken aback but then he smiled, โTeacher, I will work hard.โ
Paris was as peaceful as ever. An old man stood at his window, watching the taxi carrying his student away. He squeezed the letter in his hand, nervous with anticipation.
His student was finally going to give him a grand performance!
โฆโฆ
Two days passed in a flash. On the night of Wei Aiโs concert, Akkad took out a neatly stored suit from his wardrobe. He ironed the black suit, tied his tie, and gelled his hair.
Dressed up, the eccentric and arrogant little old man disappeared. Standing in his place at the bottom of Parisโs Philharmonic Hall was an elegant, charming old gentleman.
He gazed at the oversized poster on the wall and his gaze lingered on the words โDeputy Concertmaster: Qi Muโ for a long time. Then, finally, he stepped forward and moved into the concert hall!
Tonight, the second-to-last stop of Wei Aiโs 2017 European tour officially opened!
Translator(s): Bet
Editor(s): Empress
Awww! I missed Akkad! He’s such a cute old gentleman. He really cares about Qi Mu. I laughed at how Anthony was so excited about being remembered and how everyone, even old friend Dorenza, took a back seat to Akkad mothering Qi Mu. A cup of cocoa! Just for Qi Mu! So cute. I don’t think he was worried about Qi Mu not working hard enough. Probably worrying about the opposite. …and. Qi Mu. You’re 183cm. 80kg is pretty average. Even if you’ve got a thin frame, 65kg is pretty thin. Let Min Chen and Akkad spoil you a bit.… Read more ยป
Aaww…why are all the elders in this novel so adorable? Especially this forever chocolate eating master Akkad. ๐ฅฐ
Now that I think about it. In both life times, Qi Mu has always been truly cared for by elders? Wasn’t his adoptive parents originally elderly? Then weren’t Envra and Dorenza very fond of Lu Ziwen before he became Qi Mu?
Now that Lu Ziwen is Qi Mu, his life is just filled with even more caring and doting elders ๐ฅฐ๐
It just gives me a better understanding why Qi Mu has such a soft spot and patience for elders ๐ ๐๐