King of Classical Music 53

Although he received Professor Akkad’s invitation, Qi Mu did not leave for Paris immediately.

First, because the National Conservatory of Music was still organizing formalities. After all, Professor Akkad suddenly wanted to accept an outside student. Even if it was a symbolic exam, it still took time to prepare. And the other reason, was because B City Symphony Orchestra’s first performance had not begun yet and it was impossible for him to leave as concertmaster.

After Qi Mu announced that he would leave after the concert, none of the orchestra members were sad. Instead, they were thrilled to hold a celebratory dinner for him to congratulate him on being able to study in Paris, and for gaining an excellent teacher in Reed Akkad.

Afterward, Tan Lao confirmed the specifics for the orchestra’s performance.

This was the first time Qi Mu would be leading their concert as concertmaster. He was no longer a guest violinist, nor an ordinary member of the violin group. He was now the lead violinist that would lead not only the violin group but the entire orchestra.

Over the last two weeks of rehearsal, he didn’t know if it was because of his impending departure, but the orchestra members practiced even more seriously than usual. They wanted to give their mascot one last grand performance before he left.

Everyone was excited and harmonious, but the day before the concert, someone couldn’t help but wipe their tears as they choked out, “Xiao Qi, you have to practice well in Paris.”

Generally, the female members were too emotional. Several women had given Qi Mu homemade cookies and biscuits as farewell gifts. Several of the older men and women, the uncles and aunties amongst the orchestra members, had taken to Qi Mu as if he was their own child.

Qi Mu was the youngest in the orchestra, and while he had always been mature, they had not forgotten that he was just a child.

After the final practice, everyone gathered together again. When the party ended, the others laughed and patted his shoulders to cheer him on. It wasn’t until only Du Sheng’s car was left that Qi Mu wiped away the tears in his eyes as if it were sand blown into his face.

Over the last half a year, everyone had become accustomed to this polite, humble young man. Not only was this beautiful child talented, but he was obedient and hardworking.

They were sad because they would rarely get to see him in the future, but they were also worried. . .

That this child would go to a distant foreign country, where he did not have a single relative, and he wouldn’t even know if he was being bullied!

“Who dares bully our Xiao Qi! Let them try it!”

“Yes, I have several old friends in Paris. If they want to bully Xiao Qi, let them try us first!”

. . .

Qi Mu did not hear those words, but when he looked at the rearview mirror, he found that some of the members that had been laughing were now shedding tears. His eyebrows pinched a little, and he heaved a long sigh, but there was nothing to say.

Du Sheng smiled and said, “Xiao Qi, those guys really think of you as a mascot. When you come back to Huaxia during the summer, you have to come to see us.”

Qi Mu looked at Du Sheng and laughed, “Du-ge, you can rest assured. I will definitely come to see you.”

Du Sheng didn’t want to bring up a separate topic, so he quipped, “What is Paris’s specialty? I bet there’s nothing good. Xiao Qi, are you going to cook yourself? Don’t hurt yourself, eat more pig hoof stew, and fix up your face. Leaving our sandy city, ah, you might not be able to adapt right away.”

Qi Mu was dumbfounded, ready to both laugh and cry, “Yes, I’ll try my best to cook more. . . cough, pig hoofs.”

They smiled and exchanged a few more words. Qi Mu’s apartment building was quite close to the orchestra, and there was no traffic. Soon the car arrived at the entrance, and QI Mu took his case from the backseat. He walked in the direction of the hall for a few steps, then heard a sound behind him.

His footsteps stilled, and he turned to see Du Sheng waving him over. He said, “Du-ge, you can just go back. It’s not early, don’t let your family worry. . .”

Du Sheng just stared at him calmly.

After a while, Du Sheng looked at him with a solemn gaze. Finally, he said, “Xiao Qi. . . you have to take care of yourself in Paris. Listen to what Tan Lao and I said. Don’t hurt yourself. Our entire orchestra will back you.”

This was honestly too warm. Qi Mu felt his fingers clench tightly. There was a lot he wanted to say, but even with all the words on his tongue, he didn’t know where to begin. In the end, he could only show a bright smile as a thank you to this big brother that was taking care of him.

Being able to be part of such an orchestra was a privilege and a wonderful memory that he would remember for the rest of his life.

Perhaps only in a group of people who truly loved music could there be such open-mindedness. Everyone there got along, and no one wanted to try climbing up using despicable means.

In the classical music world, how many people were like Luo Yu Sen, who only wanted to go further but hadn’t thought of improving themselves first?

The answer was, after all, very few.

That evening, Qi Mu started packing up his apartment.

When he first rented this apartment, he only paid half a year’s rent. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time and signed according to the landlord’s proposal, but he did not expect that he would only live there for half a year.

Because he would fly to Paris the day after tomorrow, and tomorrow was dedicated to the concert, Qi Mu had to cover the furniture in white sheets to prevent dust from collecting. There weren’t many things that he needed to take with him, and a large box would suffice.

The most important thing was his violin, and it needed to be protected well.

Once all the furniture was covered, Qi Mu glanced around at this familiar yet unfamiliar house and felt a little sad.

He had lived here for half a year. He practiced in the music room every day, cooked in the kitchen every day. He didn’t have many feelings towards this place, but now that he was about to leave, he felt like clinging to it.

Qi Mu stepped out onto the balcony. The winter night was cold, but he looked at the dark building next door. After a long time, Qi Mu shifted moods and opened his phone. He scrolled down his contacts for his neighbor’s number.

Meanwhile, halfway across the world in Berlin, it was afternoon. In the rehearsal hall of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, everyone was coordinating with the members of their respective instrument groups guided by the concertmaster.

For larger orchestras, there was often more of a command hierarchy, divided under the principal conductor, guest conductors, and so on.

Of course, even if there were more than one conductor, these masters would not be able to participate in every rehearsal. Therefore, whenever the time came, the concertmaster, assistant concertmaster, or deputy chief would replace the conductor in leading the orchestra.

Admittedly, aside from just time constraints, there were also some like Min Chen. . . who would not personally lead the rehearsals outside necessity.

According to Daniel, that was because the guy was too lazy.

Officially, however, Min Chen believed every member of the orchestra had a different style. Although they would eventually come together, he thought it was best for them to develop freely in the early stages.

Of course, whatever the reason was, for Bertram to not personally lead the rehearsal all the time——That was good news——for every member of Bai Ai.

Could you imagine this man with perfect hearing stopping the whole orchestra in an instant and walking over to stand in front of you, saying with a blank expression: “This is such a simple sound. Have you left your IQ at home?”

Or, even if you couldn’t figure out the mistake, this great conductor would toss his baton at the score and look straight at you to calmly ask, “Won’t you run home to drink your mother’s little lamb soup?”

When Min Chen picked up the baton, Mr. Bertram had the elegant demeanor of a gentleman, but when he picked up the symbol of highest authority in the orchestra, God. He. Was. A. Demon!!!

——Cried out the hearts of all the members.

Of course, although Min Chen wouldn’t lead the rehearsal every time, he would often sit under the stage and watch the members.

It made even the most seasoned of musicians fear that they would accidentally let this demon general hear a mistake.

But today, they only rehearsed twice when the sharp-eyed members saw——

Mr. Bertram took out his phone!!!

Oh my god!

Who was this angel to call the devil out?!!!

When Min Chen pushed out of the rehearsal room, he connected to the call from the other side of the world, “Qi Mu?”

Qi Mu’s young, pleasant voice rang out over the line, “Min Chen, long time no see. It should still be afternoon there?”

Min Chen walked down the hallway and gently nodded, “Well, it’s three o’clock.” He paused and thought of something, then asked, “It’s already ten there, you’re calling so late. . . what’s the matter?”

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

Bet:

I am in literal tears. My Angel is now Angel to everyone. Even Min Chen’s orchestra is already thinking of him as one. Good lord. I’m laughing so hard. This is fantastic.