After all, this was a national competition organized by Huaxia officials and the Munich Conservatory of Music, so the competition was well regulated. Except for how Qi Mu entered through the \u201cback door\u201d with his recommendation from Tan Lao and others who’re the same, the rest of the participants already went through two rounds of audition. Those who passed the screening were naturally very talented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was the first time Qi Mu had gone to the B City Theatre. As a participant in the youth group, he was temporarily moved up. His number was on his back, and it was among the last of the participants. Therefore, when the juvenile group started their round, he could leisurely watch them while Zheng Wei Qiao was anxious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cQi Mu, ah, are you. . . not nervous at all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 12 years old girl was on stage playing \u300aRoxanne\u2019s Veil\u300b, and Qi Mu listened intently, smiling from time to time. Hearing Zheng Wei Qiao, he turned and answered, \u201cNervous? Maybe a little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao calmed down a bit. He was actually a normal person that knew how to feel nervous!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo why don\u2019t you get ready and practice a bit? This is not a simple competition, Tan Lao also attaches great importance to this competition.\u201d Saying this, Zheng Wei Qiao reached his hand out and pointed at an area under the stage that was dense with people, saying, \u201cI just went and checked, Tan Lao, is sitting on the third row.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu looked in the direction his finger was pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He saw the crimson curtain and the brilliant spotlight that shone onto the girl. Beyond the stage, the light was so bright that it made people in the denser area feel their scalps tingle. Don\u2019t even mention the third row, the first row was hard enough to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu stared for a long time, but he didn\u2019t say anything. Zheng Wei Qiao continued, \u201cI inquired about this earlier. This time, the main judge is Professor Karl of the German Munich Conservatory of Music, and it is rare for him to come to Huaxia. If you work hard, some say that Professor Karl will take a student back to German with him, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more Zheng Wei Qiao talked, the more excited he became, with sweat on his forehead and eyes shining behind his glasses. He went on to say, \u201cIf you went to the Munich Conservatory and became Professor Karl\u2019s disciple, it\u2019s the equivalent to having a letter of recommendation in Europe. Wasn\u2019t the current concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra his student?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu just said \u201cUn\u201d with a carefree attitude, yet Zheng Wei Qiao didn\u2019t notice this at all and continued, \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t for Tan Lao\u2019s recommendation, I\u2019m afraid we wouldn’t get such a great opportunity.\u201d Zheng Wei Qiao viewed him as his own family, so he always said \u201cwe,\u201d and Qi Mu carefully noted this. \u201cIf you perform well this time, maybe. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu didn\u2019t pay much attention to Zheng Wei Qiao\u2019s words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eyes were focused on the center of the judges\u2019 panel, on a bearded foreigner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike the rigidity and solemness of most Germans, Robert Karl seemed to be born with the literary flair of the French. He had long hair, and it was tied in a small braid with a rope. His beard was also long and just as strong and mighty as Hagrid\u2019s from Harry Potter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, this kind of valiant and robust man, Qi Mu knew, was one of the best music professors in Europe. Professor Karl had taught many world-class violinists, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra concertmaster and his students could achieve almost anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He still couldn\u2019t believe that Robert Karl had come to Huaxia. Hearing Zheng Wei Qiao say that the professor wanted to select a student from this competition, it shocked even him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of their current level, becoming Robert Karl\u2019s student would be the equivalent of having the red carpet rolled out for their future, eliminating almost all bumps along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following this train of thought, Qi Mu couldn\u2019t help but seek out the old man\u2019s face in the brightness he couldn\u2019t see through. He finally understood why Tan Lao asked him to participate in this competition, and why he expressed concern before it. It turned out that. . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wanted to help him go to Europe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
True, for every violinist, the twenty-two year old was supposed to be in university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, that was not Qi Mu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had wanted to try out the Munich Conservatory in his previous life, but his adoptive parents had died by then, leaving only a small house as a legacy. That house of memories, he refused to sell, so he lacked the money for the high tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It just so happened that the Geneva Conservatory began its policy for impoverished students and increased the number of scholarships, so Qi Mu went to Geneva to complete his studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was. . . already more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu\u2019s beautiful phoenix eyes lowered, and he sighed softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh, Xiao Qi, don\u2019t feel too much pressure. Being Professor Karl\u2019s student is definitely glorious, but even without this opportunity, I believe you can return to the stage again.\u201d Zheng Wei Qiao had been talking for quite a long time and found Qi Mu\u2019s expression to be quite bleak all of a sudden. He mistakenly thought the younger man was feeling a lack of confidence, so he comforted. \u201cI believe that your strength in gaining experience and knowledge is outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Qi Mu suddenly lifted his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, \u201c. . . Xiao Qi?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao was surprised for a moment, then nodded, \u201cAh, yeah, isn\u2019t it Xiao Qi? Several people in the orchestra have been calling you so.\u201d He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and said seriously, \u201cWell. . . Teacher used to call you Xiao Mu, but I cannot beat Teacher. Xiao Qi is also quite good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Zheng Wei Qiao and Qi Mu were speaking with a cordial atmosphere about them, a young man was watching them from afar. He was only about twenty years old and had a fine, yellow violin in his hand. He watched the two from a distance and whispered, \u201cReally. . . Qi Mu, ah. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His voice was so low that it could not be heard. A trace of nostalgia flashed in his eyes, then he quickly concealed it, his fighting spirit rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He whispered confidently, \u201cI lost to you ten years ago, but this time. . . It is not going to happen!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, he felt as though something was crawling up his spine. Responding quickly, he looked up and saw Qi Mu smiling at him. With his bow in hand, he waved a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu was a bit surprised, then he politely smiled and turned to whisper, \u201cZheng-ge. . . that person, do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao thought for a bit then said, \u201cHe is the champion of the youth group\u2019s semi-finals, Sheng Yan Hui. He\u2019s also a prodigy. How do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu carefully searched his memories then shook his head without fruition, \u201cSeems like there is no impression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao said, \u201cOh.\u201d Then he added, \u201cSheng Yan Hui\u2019s character is good, and his talent is also not bad. He\u2019s one of the biggest candidates for Professor Karl this time. However, he\u2019s a bit old, and that is a draw-back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow old?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwenty-four. Seems he became known a bit late.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu nodded then raised no further questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although he felt that this Sheng Yan Hui\u2019s gaze was a bit provocative, his feelings were not always accurate, so Qi Mu paid it no attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing would be blocked. When water covered the earth, a ship would cross the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not long after, the nineteenth was called, and Sheng Yan Hui took his renowned violin to walk onto the stage. Qi Mu happened to be sitting near the stage’s entrance, and on his way up, Sheng Yan Hui suddenly stopped in front of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao was also surprised and about to ask. However, he saw Sheng Yan Hui smile. The young man then solemnly said, \u201cQi Mu, I haven\u2019t seen you in ten years. This time. . . I worked hard, and I hope you like it. The championship will not always be yours, I will beat you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having made his \u201cdeclaration of war,\u201d Sheng Yan Hui turned to continue up onto the stage and left behind both Zheng Wei Qiao and Qi Mu who was still smiling in confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zheng Wei Qiao asked, \u201cXiao Qi. . . you know Sheng Yan Hui?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He saw the young man smile and turned, his delicate face wearing a gentle and bright smile, so beautiful people could not remove their gazes. However, when he opened his mouth, it was as cold as the autumn wind that swept away the leaves; ruthless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu merely asked, \u201cZheng-ge, I. . . know him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better to not let Sheng Yan Hui hear this. Otherwise not only would he spit three liters of blood, but it might just kill him too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n