King of Classical Music 77

Vienna, the symbol of classical music.

Countless famous musicians spent their brilliant music careers in this beautiful city. Statues of music maestros such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms stood over parks and various streets. Some were even named after them.

Vienna, the sacred place of every classical musician. To them, the happiest moment of their lives would be to come and listen to concerts and watch musicals.

Qi Mu followed Akkad to Vienna in the middle of May.

Spring was already n fully swing, and all kinds of flowers vied for beauty. Walking on such a quiet street, he could smell the fragrant flowers and listen to melodious music at any time. It was refreshing.

When Akkad arrived in Vienna, he immediately found a coffee shop called Sachar. Even before Qi Mu could put down his suitcase, the music master gave his order, “One Sachertorte and a latte. Oh, Little Seven, would you like a Sachertorte as well?”

Qi Mu smiled and waved his hand. “No, professor. I’ll just have a mocha, please.”

Akkad smiled and waited for the uniformed waiter to leave then spoke mysteriously, “Little Seven, although you’ve been to Vienna as a child. . . it was several years ago. You have to take a good look, this time. Vienna has changed after all these years, ah.”

Qi Mu nodded. “Yes, professor.”

“For example, Sachertorte is Austria’s national treasure. Why don’t you have one?”

Did he just want Qi Mu to try Sachertorte? It was known as one of the top ten cakes in the world. Qi Mu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Professor. . . then, shall I have one?”

When Qi Mu ordered another cake, Akkad was satisfied. Before long, two small cakes were delivered to them on a glittering gold plate, making it even more delicate and lovely.

Qi Mu took a single bite and didn’t touch it again.

He turned his head and looked out the window, catching sight of a few lovely children. They were chasing and playing with each other on a blue brick lane. Next to them stood a white marble statue, its figure looking ahead holding a thick sheet of music in hand.

Qi Mu looked at this familiar yet unfamiliar scene and felt as if he was from another world.

Everything was the same, he even recognized the scent of the air. The sunshine was bright as ever. The people on the streets, the street signs, even this Sachar Cafe hasn’t changed.

The only thing that had changed…

Was perhaps himself?

Qi Mu looked out the window, the bright and dazzling sunshine making him squint. Ten years ago, he came to this place by himself. He died here with unfulfilled dreams. And now——

Now he was back.

“Hey Little Seven, don’t you want to eat? Don’t waste this!” Akkad looked at the cake on the plate that was only missing a single bite, and said, “The cake is so delicious, you can’t eat just this much.”

Qi Mu smiled and tacitly pushed his plate over. “If Teacher doesn’t mind, would you like to share?”

Professor Akkad immediately took the plate and said, “I don’t mind, I don’t mind.”

Akkad thought he was being considerate so he took Qi Mu to visit the Schonbrunn Palace, the Belvedere and the St. Stephen Cathedral. After that, they ended the first day of their trip and arrived at the hotel.

Qi Mu set down his luggage and couldn’t wait to open the curtain.

In an instant, Vienna’s golden night was in sight. The street lights were exactly as they should be. Every building was still distributed the same way. There was nothing different from the Vienna of his memories!

Qi Mu stared in amazement, and after a long time, it finally hit him——

He really was back.

. . .

Since he was back, he had something to do, didn’t he?

Qi Mu didn’t ask Akkad about their plans for the next few days. If there was nothing, he wanted to go back to the house he rented.

When he had just about to knock on the door, he saw Akkad was ready to go out. The gray-haired old man wore a simple shirt with an ordinary coat. He looked like the typical grandfather next door.

When he saw Qi Mu, Akkad blinked and smiled, “Little Seven, you’re early. Come on, bring your violin, let’s go.”

Qi Mu: “. . . Go?”

Akkad nodded with a straight-laced expression. “You want to stay in the hotel all the time? Little Seven, young people can’t waste their time like that. Bring your violin and come with me!”

“. . .”

When Qi Mu went back to his room to get his violin, he thought Akkad was going to take him to visit a master.

Many musicians, after becoming famous, except for those who prefer to settle in their hometown, would come to Vienna and integrate with the city. Therefore, quite a few musicians lived in Vienna.

However, when Akkad went to the subway and walked to a place he was very familiar with, Qi Mu’s eyelids twitched. A terrible premonition rose in his heart.

Akkad took him and stopped in front of the statue of the prince in the Heroes Square, Qi Mu involuntarily gulped. He barely managed to restrain the urge to turn around.

Akkad smiled, bearing white teeth. “Little Seven, start playing.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

After a while, the beautiful young man could barely keep the smile on his face but asked, “Professor, what do you mean. . . start playing?”

Akkad said matter-of-factly, “Of course, you are playing here. Little Seven, I know you Chinese are more humble, you need to open up a little bit! Let the residents of Vienna hear your violin. Just like the street musicians we saw yesterday, boldly unleash your violin!”

The suspicion in his mind turned to reality, and Qi Mu could only shake his head helplessly. He placed his violin case at the side of the steps and began to prepare.

Akkad was surprised to see him agree so quickly and whispered, “. . . He accepted so quickly? Little Seven is quite open-minded. I thought I will have to persuade him for quite a while.”

Akkad didn’t know that although he never played in the streets of Vienna, when the Munich College was on break on Saturdays, he would go to the busiest square in the city center and play the violin by himself.

Performing in such public spaces was a test for a performer’s mindset and mentality which increased their courage and flexibility. There was no audio equipment, let alone a magnificent stage, but ordinary passers-by to give heartfelt applause.

Of course, for the poor Qi Mu at the time. . . it was also an opportunity to make money.

Akkad worried whether his lovely student could adapt to this kind of environment. After all, Qi Mu grew up a music prodigy, like a flower in a greenhouse. To his surprise, while he worried. . . Qi Mu was already ready!

The handsome young man smiled and looked at his teacher. “Professor, what kind of track do you want me to perform?”

Akkad, stunned, asked out of reflex, “You’re ready? Have you rubbed the rosin? The tuning is done?”

Qi Mu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Professor, I’ve done it all.”

Akkad was not accustomed to such a promising student who also exceeded his expectations. He coughed twice and said, “Okay, then play three songs. I won’t stand by your side and give directions or pressure. You will play on your own. Choose the songs yourself, but remember. . . The first one can be amateurish, but the last, I hope will be professional-level and beyond.”

Qi Mu was quite embarrassed but nodded quite confidently. “Okay, Teacher. I know.”

Akkad left quietly after a few more words. Under the statue, Qi Mu was left alone with his empty violin case.

Tourists and passers-by stopped to look at him when they saw his case on the steps.

Many musicians performed improvisations in the streets of Vienna. Some were professionals, but more were amateurs. They had long become accustomed to such a thing, it wasn’t unusual for them.

But. . . when the star of the show was a handsome Asian youth, they couldn’t help but pay more attention. By the time Qi Mu set the beautiful violin at his shoulder, four or five people had gathered, waiting for his performance.

In an area full of people, Qi Mu took a breath then slowly exhaled.

The next moment, his bow met the swings and the pleasant melody of his violin rang out, sounding as if it flowed from the heavens!

Translator(s): Kuro
Editor(s): Empress, Bet

Kuro:

Wanted to share this since I started translating, but I always forgot, and I’m sure many people already know this but here: all hail our hero, Mozart!