In the face of this sudden situation, Zheng Wei Qiao was also perplexed. He looked at Qi Mu and whispered, \u201cIf you place first. . . I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s a good or bad thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scores of this competition were selected by a number of judges, and it did not favor Professor Karl though he was the main judge. Now that Professor Karl had said this, it was obvious that his score for the second place was higher than the first. However, after combining with the other judge\u2019s scores, the result dissatisfied him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, Qi Mu was also deeply surprised by this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at Professor Karl with a complicated gaze. After a while, he sighed, \u201cProfessor Karl has always been eccentric. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao unconsciously wanted to blurt out the question, \u201cHow do you know he\u2019s eccentric?\u201d but when he saw Qi Mu slight frown, he was a little stunned and swallowed his question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the stage, Professor Karl started to announce the first place: \u201cThe first place is a very down-to-earth and deeply-rooted child. His \u300aE Minor\u300b amazed me. He is\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao unconsciously held his breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu, however, looked down slightly, because he already knew the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe is Sheng Yan Hui!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheng Yan Hui who was sitting in front of Qi Mu, did not understand what had happened until the people around him congratulated him. As soon as he got up and ready to go up on stage, he seemed to have realized something and turned to look at Qi Mu with a complicated expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the dazzling lights, half of Qi Mu\u2019s face was illuminated. He curled his lips into a smile and said, \u201cCongratulations, Sheng Yan Hui.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheng Yan Hui\u2019s mouth opened and closed but he went to the stage without saying anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After giving the first prize to Sheng Yan Hui, Professor Karl said into the microphone, \u201cThe second place has excellent skills and can play Paganini to such a degree. This is rare even at the Munich Conservatory of Music. He is\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQi Mu.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the applause of the whole hall, Qi Mu calmly walked toward the stage. At this time, Sheng Yan Hui and Zhao Zheng Wen, the third place winner, were standing beside Professor Karl, as if to welcome him as the second place winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He reached out to take the crystal cup handed over by Professor Karl. He hadn\u2019t yet said thank you, when he heard the bearded man whisper, \u201cLong time no see, Qi Mu. Do you wish to study with me in Munich?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu\u2019s hand accepting the crystal cup stilled for a moment, then he asked, \u201cProfessor, wasn\u2019t it the first place who would have this opportunity?\u201d In order to be considerate towards the man\u2019s poor grasp on Chinese, he especially spoke in English. \u201cYou see, I\u2019m only second.\u201d As he spoke, he shook the crystal cup in his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Karl wrinkled his thick eyebrows and said: \u201cWho says only one person is allowed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this time, the lead speech had already begun. On and off the stage, other than Qi Mu and Professor Karl who were whispering to each other, the other people listened attentively to the speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu casually looked at Sheng Yan Hui under the lights, then whispered, \u201cProfessor Karl, Sheng Yan Hui will be a good student. At his age, his level is very high and I think even in Europe, it is first class. If you accept him as an apprentice, it will not be a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who expected that the bearded man to eat an iron scale and refuse to let go, \u201cHowever, your skill level is higher than his. Your last song was low in level but I know that wasn\u2019t your true skill. Munich Conservatory has resources you wouldn\u2019t believe, child. You can\u2019t develop in China, you must go abroad to study.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you for your kindness, Professor Karl. But my age has not yet reached the point where I have to rush into a college but Sheng Yan Hui. . . he can\u2019t wait.\u201d Qi Mu looked up at the big and burly man, and with a firm look, he asked, \u201cI want to ask you, if I were in first place, would you accept the second place?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Karl froze, then shook his head and said, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, this is really a joke by God, Professor Karl. I happen to be the second place so why would you break the rule?\u201d Qi Mu spread his hands and smiled, saying, \u201cProfessor, I would like to be your student but I don\u2019t want you to make an exception this way. To tell you the truth, your style doesn\u2019t suit me, and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Karl nodded in embarrassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBelieve me, if your student is Sheng Yan Hui, then you will be like Romeo and Juliet\u2014\u2014 \u2018love at first sight\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a long time, Professor Karl seemed to be thinking about this. And finally, a simple and honest smile appeared on his face which was obscured by his thick beard. He nodded approvingly and said, \u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to chat with you, Qi Mu. Ah, it\u2019s a pity you don\u2019t want to be my student. Your style. . . it\u2019s a bit similar to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu was frozen, then he asked reflexively, \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obscure German flowed from Professor Karl\u2019s mouth, leaving Qi Mu stunned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t until the competition was over and Zheng Wei Qiao was driving him to the B City Symphony Orchestra that Qi Mu recovered. He turned to look out of the window. Through the clear glass, he saw the blue sky that was actually a rare occurrence in B City. It was as if it was just as blue anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAuston Bertram. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cXiao Qi, what did you just say?\u201d, Zheng Wei Qiao asked. \u201cEven though you got second place, that\u2019s already great. After all, you haven\u2019t touched the violin for so many years. Having restored your skill to this level is already very good!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu withdrew his gaze from the window. He nodded with a smile and said, \u201cZheng-Ge, you don\u2019t need to comfort me. I\u2019m already very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao observed Qi Mu for a while, confirming that he really was not disappointed before turning around and continued driving. On the other hand, Qi Mu slowly wrinkled his eyebrows and, after a while, his lips suddenly curved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bertram was the name of a German aristocratic family and one of the four Dukes. The person with this name owned numerous assets which were accumulated over hundreds of years. But, unfortunately, after World War Two, the family was no longer as glorious. It was said that their assets had shrunk by more than half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But even so, it was still a giant in Germany\u2019s upper-class society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And for this generation\u2019s Duke of Bertram, the poor man had no heirs to take his title. For some reason, the new Duke was no longer of Germany nationality. Aside from the name of \u201cAuston Bertram,\u201d the man had a more widely known name\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Min Chen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thinking of this name, Qi Mu\u2019s smile became even more helpless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was the first time the name Min Chen was mentioned to him after his rebirth. If it wasn\u2019t for this, he would almost forget the scene in the Golden Hall\u2019s lounge. Before he closed his eyes for the last time, the scumbag Luo Yu Sen deliberately said this name to provoke him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy style. . . is similar to his\u2019?\u201d These whispered words spoken to himself were drowned out by the sound of music in the car. Qi Mu thought for a while, then laughed and shook his head, \u201cHis music style and mine. . . how could it be similar?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this moment, in Berlin, which was half the world away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra enjoyed the reputation of \u201cThe best in the world\u201d because of its members. From the world-class orchestra to the world-renowned concertmaster, and even the enviably excellent conductor, no one could ever pick out a single mistake when it came to this orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This orchestra inherited the rigorous and solemn characteristics of the Germans. They performed every piece perfectly to make people feel like it was God\u2019s work. The same orchestra, with different conductors, would have different styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If someone asked what Min Chen\u2019s style was?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Vienna royal-level music newspaper \u300aThe Voice of Vienna\u300b once evaluated this in just one word\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was like bringing both the harsh and delicate German characteristics into full play. In their concerts, under Min Chen\u2019s command, everyone could only feel that this song could only be played this way. With this kind of emotional rendition, this kind of instrumental match, this kind of rhythm control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, the rehearsal of Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was ringing with the roar of the soul. When the song was over, the man at the podium showed a slightly satisfied expression. He looked around the orchestra and everyone present before saying, \u201cTomorrow is the last rehearsal, you guys. . . Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man\u2019s low, magnetic voice spread out from the podium. It was certainly German but his voice made the people find it similar to the sound of a mellow cello.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone nodded and said, \u201cReady.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After years of cooperation, Min Chen was also very confident in these members. He nodded satisfactorily and turned to the concertmaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latter immediately stood up and said, \u201cThen the day after tomorrow we will start our global tour of the year and these two days will be used for preparations. Our first stop is London, then we will go to Paris, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, and Berlin. Finally, we will go to the capital city B in Huaxia. Everyone got that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone said \u201cHmm\u201d in unison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The concertmaster heard this, then turned to the man standing on the conductor\u2019s podium and said with a smile, \u201cMin, do we need to continue today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The handsome, indifferent man shook his head gently and after a while, the people packed up and left the rehearsal room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this point, the blond man who had been watching for a long time came forward. He smiled and patted the other man on the shoulder. \u201cMin, the last tour of this year is about to start. What do you think of B City as our last stop?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lights gathered on the stage illuminated the man, enhancing the depth of his features. He glanced at the blond and asked, \u201cDaniel, how\u2019s the preview for tomorrow\u2019s rehearsal?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . . Do you want me to even do this?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you not my agent?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . . Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, how is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing Daniel scratch his head and look away, Min Chen\u2019s dark eyes slowly closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How did they end up going to B City. . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, even he didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He just felt that it is time to go back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n