King of Classical Music 93

A professor’s lounge was kept to a high standard, always comfortable and spacious. It was especially so for Akkad’s, which was well-lit and elegantly decorated.

Before Akkad took the lounge, the college had already prepared almost everything, including a safe with a double lock. Of course, Akkad had also brought his things over, such as. . .

A beautiful record player.

Pathe was a famous record player brand from Britain. From the first rough-grained phonograph to the Compact LP type with 33 RPM, the century-old brand witnessed the history of record player development. It was one of the oldest brands in Europe.

The record player in the lounge was designed for Akkad during Pathe’s centennial celebration a few years earlier. The name “Reed Akkad” was engraved on the arm.

When Qi Mu first met Akkad, he was attracted to the elegant record player. Records were the best medium to preserve the quality of symphony music. In the classical music industry, most chose to record with black vinyl if there was no cost-calculation.

While Qi Mu took the record from the safe, Farrell prepared the record player. When Qi Mu entrusted the album to him, Farrell asked, “Where did you get such a beautiful record, Angel?”

Qi Mu didn’t keep any secrets. “Min Chen gave me this record, Master Farrell, when I was in Vienna. He recorded some of Liszt’s works such as 《Danse Macabre》 and 《Reminiscences de Norma》.”

Farrell was stunned. He carefully placed the record on the player and said, “Oh, it was Auston’s. . . Angel, Auston is very kind to you. He rarely records his playing and seldom releases albums.”

Qi Mu nodded unequivocally.

He knew Min Chen seldom released albums. He only owned one Chopin Complete Works and Beethoven’s Selection in his last life. So, when Min Chen gave him the record, he was astonished. If he hadn’t been so busy for the past few months and had a record player, he would have listened to this record over and over again.

Qi Mu smiled. “As far as albums go. . . Min Chen doesn’t record much, but, Mr. Farrell, I’ve listened to all his albums on the market. I think they’re great.”

Farrell completed the last of the preparations and looked at the young man. Qi Mu called Auston by his actual name.  He chuckled and shook his head, convincing himself that, “Young people are like that, they must be closer to each other than older people.”

“Well, Angel, look at the time. . . We might as well listen to the record, haha!”

Qi Mu nodded, and Farrell lowered the needle onto the record.

The record buzzed as it turned. Qi Mu sat on the bench next to the record player and waited for the music to start. Farrell sat a little farther away, enjoying it leisurely.

Few could surpass Auston Bertram’s piano. Even Farrell didn’t mind enjoying his music and readily agreed to it. Of course, it would be better if he had another cup of coffee.  

After a brief silence, a beautiful gliding melody rang out. It was Liszt’s 《Danse Macabre》.

It seemed like the pianist played five variations, but from the fast dance music, Qi Mu could feel the speed and intensity of its rhythm. Because he had seen Min Chen playing it half a month ago, when he heard it now, the scene played out again in front of his eyes.

Farrell was also delighted. He tapped his fingers along with the rhythm, and his smiling expression was full of praise——

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Dresden Symphony Orchestra were the best orchestras in Germany. In recent years, the former had widened the gap. Although he didn’t want to, Farrell had to admit it was Min Chen and Christole who created such a miracle.

Min Chen’s contribution was more apparent. At least in Dresden, no one could play such a beautiful and moving 《Danse Macabre》.

After 《Danse Macabre》 ended, 《Grand Galop Chromatique》immediately began to play. Then, there were 《Rigoletto》, 《Reminiscences de Don Juan》, 《Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 and No. 7》. By the end of 《Reminiscences de Norma》, Qi Mu was immersed in the world of piano sonatas, unable to shake himself free.

Liszt wasn’t crowned the King of Hungarian Piano for show. Like him, there was no mistake when Min Chen was touted as the King of Contemporary Piano.

Although Qi Mu couldn’t hear Liszt since he lived and died over a hundred years ago, he believed the magnificent piano he listened to now would not lose. It might even be. . . comparable.

After 30 seconds of silence, Qi Mu said, “Maybe it’s over. Mr. Farrell, is it okay to just lift the needle and turn the record over?”

Two meters away, Farrell nodded and whispered, “Right, Angel. You just need to turn it over.”

Qi Mu tilted his head. His fingers gently pinched the silver-white arm of the needle, ready to lift it, when he heard a low, magnetic voice: “Qi Mu?”

Qi Mu paused, his eyes wide. He looked at the black record, still playing static incredulously. He couldn’t respond to what he had just heard.

Farrell raised his eyebrows. “Hey? Did Auston speak on top of recording? What language is that? Was it Chinese? Was that Angel’s name?”

Without giving them time to react, the voice spoke again.

“Qi Mu.” The man repeated, carefully, solemnly.

Qi Mu’s hand on the record player’s arm froze. He returned to his senses but still couldn’t figure out what was going on.

Why did Min Chen record his voice? Why did he keep repeating his name. . . ?

A strange emotion surged in his heart, and Qi Mu’s fingers clenched. He almost understood, but it quickly escaped his grasp.

Qi Mu didn’t realize it was this hesitation that prevented him from stopping the record.

“Qi Mu. . .”

“I like you.”

The young man’s eyes widened. He instinctively lifted the arm and removed the needle from the record. In his two seconds of hesitation, the pleasant voice already reverberated in the lounge. Farrell heard it clearly.

Even if it was in Chinese, Farrell had been to Huaxia more times than he could count in the past 40 or 50 years of his music career. He couldn’t understand complicated words after such a long time, but he could speak simple greetings like “Hello” and “Good Morning.”

And among what he understood. . .

The phrase that expressed love in such a simple sentence——

『I like you.』

The maestro, who was always gentle and ever-steady, looked at the youth beside the record player in a daze. After a long while, he asked, “. . . Angel. . . That, what Auston said. . . Does he like you?”

The young man before him had his head tilted down. He turned his face toward the wall.

From that angle, Farrell couldn’t see that the young man’s eyebrows were knitted and his lips were pursed. But, his ears were red, almost dripping blood. The blush spread to his cheeks until his whole face was scarlet.

Qi Mu’s heart pounded in his chest, his face burned and his fingers trembled as he moved the record player’s arm away.

The whole world was covered in a veil, and his ears felt waterlogged. Even Farrell’s voice seemed far away. The only thing he heard——

『I like you.』

It echoed in his ears.

This. . . What the. . . What the heck was going on?!

Just now. . . What he heard just now. . . What exactly was that?!

Qi Mu kept trying to hypnotize himself. Though, there was no way he could have misheard at such a close distance, not with his ears.

Farrell’s exclamation fished him out of his thoughts.

“Good heavens! Reed!!! Auston confessed to Angel!!!”

In an instant, the 【Little Angel’s Violin Room】 group chat exploded. 

Min Chen: 【. . .】

Daniel: 【Ah?!!!!!】

Daniel: 【Ah?!!!!!】  

Reed:  【Damn it, Auston!!! You really eyed my lovely student!!! You devil!!!】

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

Kuro:

Pffffffffffft.

Ayn:

*rolling on the floor laughing* I want to see Min Chen’s face!

Empress:

Oh my god. I’m dying.

Bet:

Can I sink in a hole? I don’t think I’ve ever been this embarrassed in my life.

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konokono
konokono
August 16, 2019 11:10 am

AKKAD HAD THE CHANCE OF TAKING A PICTURE OF QIMU’S BLUSHING FACE AND AUCTIONING IT AT A HIGH PRICE TO MINCHEN OH GOD hhhhhhhhhh

aaaaaaaaa

im so happy for minchen finally having his feelings heard…..

with akkad as witness lmao

konokono
konokono
August 16, 2019 11:12 am
Reply to  konokono

WAIT NO IM DUMB,

i mistook akkkd for farrel lmaoooo

i meant farrell* farreっl!!!!

Blood
Blood
August 16, 2019 12:21 pm

That it was a confession surprised me, but heck Ferrell immediate reaction to publish it took him chapter and those reactions (〃艸〃)❤

Thanks for the chapter! ^ ^

Little Fluffy Ninja Sheep
Little Fluffy Ninja Sheep
August 16, 2019 4:59 pm

Angel: *passionately stares at wall* Is this real life? Who am I? Where am I? ◌⑅⃝*॰ॱᒄᵒᵏⁱ(∩╹□╹∩)ᒄᵒᵏⁱ◌⑅⃝*॰ॱ
Reed: Σ(;・益・;;;)!!!
Min Chen: (/ω\)
Others: ꒰⑅ ॣ• ૦• ॣ꒱໊꒳ᵒ꒳ᵎᵎᵎ
Thanks for the chapter~ <3

Rose
Rose
August 16, 2019 5:54 pm

that’s some high quality dog food there.
Tasty. 🙂

RenTheWitch
RenTheWitch
August 16, 2019 6:22 pm

Ty for adding the youtube videos!
And man, Farrel HAD to be in the room XD so embarrassing, im having second hand embarrassment! But Qi Mu’s reaction confirms he likes him too! But maybe he is not ready yet? with that knot from the other guy yet to be s0lved

eclechan
eclechan
August 16, 2019 8:44 pm

Aunque fue lindo el gesto, me estoy muriendo de la risa por la manera como todo fue expuesto jajajajajajajajajajajajajajaa ese chat es demasiado…
Maestro Farrel debió de sacar una foto de Ángel cuando estaba en ese estado

cela
cela
August 17, 2019 12:59 am

Oh my lord 😂 what a ride

tsukisuki
tsukisuki
August 17, 2019 1:02 am

AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!
It’s really a confession! No wonder Min Chen was quite pissed off when he knew the record player was broken. And thanks to Farrel that Akkad also know about it. Now that I think about it, maybe the whole orchestra world will know about it too since there’s Daniel.

Thanks for the translation and the videos.

nemxez
August 18, 2019 11:38 pm

This chapter was gold!
I’m dying of laughter!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

maëvalily
maëvalily
August 19, 2019 1:15 am

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 🥳☺️☺️☺️ What a nasty cliffhanger though 😭🤣
Thank you for the chapter!

maëvalily
maëvalily
August 19, 2019 1:18 am
Reply to  maëvalily

Wait wait I just realized this was posted Friday… which means… 😮🥳🥳🥰🥰🥰 later today I get to read the next part 😍😍😍😍😍

Abastika
August 19, 2019 9:14 am

Thanks

Elish
Elish
February 19, 2020 8:19 am

Omg hahaha

Chimmy
April 23, 2020 7:22 pm

Hahahahahaha! OMG I’m laughing so hard 😂😂… Even though I like the way Min Chen confess, I feel embarrassed 😳🙈

xtina pot
xtina pot
April 28, 2020 1:04 am

they should rename their group chat ‘gossip masters’

Halphas
Halphas
February 3, 2021 3:54 am

Can I just say how pissed off I am? Like, Farrell knew that Auston rarely allows ppl permission to his albums and stuff. Why the hell did Farrell just listen in onto the album then, when he wasn’t to one Auston gave the record to? Another thing, Farrell and Akkad are annoying the hell out of me. Akkad especially. If you’re not homophobic, then stop shunning Min Chen and painting him in a negative light, it’s so disrespectful and toxic. I know this is all supposed to be lighthearted but it’s very annoying. Let Qi Mu decide for himself, rather… Read more »

Halphas
Halphas
February 3, 2021 3:57 am
Reply to  Halphas

I think I’m taking this all too seriously, but I feel like I’m losing brain cells when I see Akkad talk about Min Chen and Farrell acting like a complete douche.

Xu_Yinru
Xu_Yinru
October 21, 2021 1:07 am

I’m dying I can’t lmao

StupidReader
December 29, 2021 3:47 pm

Я умираю от испанского стыда. Конец