The setting sun cast the vast sky into an array of magnificent color. In the center of the town\u2019s seventh square, a handsome and elegant man stood beside a celebrity column, his expression calm and indifferent as he starred at the stunned white man.<\/p>\n
There were many people in the square, but it was quiet enough most people could hear their own breath alongside the autumn breeze.<\/p>\n
The white man\u2019s forehead was covered in a thin layer of cold sweat, and he couldn\u2019t say a word, even with his mouth hanging open. The air was stagnant. Min Chen continued to stare, giving off tremendous pressure, without saying a word.<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy, this person looks like that guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, from who knows where the loud voice of a kid rang out. A doll-like little girl pointed her finger at the photo on the celebrity column. Seeing the photograph of a man waving a baton, they suddenly realized. Wasn\u2019t this the same man that stood before them right now?<\/p>\n
In an instant, stunned voices filled the square.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, many of the musicians already recognized him the moment Min Chen revealed himself. Now, though, amateur music lovers were also surprised and excited.<\/p>\n
Everyone knew what kind of existence was needed to receive the honor of being featured on one of the columns. Among the world\u2019s current maestros, only three were featured.<\/p>\n
And right now, there was a living, breathing master standing amongst them!<\/p>\n
And, this master was. . . Min Chen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was it like to have a world-class master of music appear before you?\u201d If any of these music lovers were to be asked, they would not hesitate to answer: \u201cHave you ever had a first love? It\u2019s as though your goddess of love reached out her hands to you and said \u2018we\u2019re together.\u2019 It was that exciting!\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of Min Chen\u2019s revelation, the recruitment event ended abruptly. Qi Mu and Min Chen were invited back into the audition hall by the official. That discriminatory white man? He had already fled the crowd in disgrace. Those with sharp observation noticed that he was \u201caccidentally stepped on\u201d by several Chinese.<\/p>\n
Huaxia\u2019s classical music industry was lagging behind the West. However, in recent years, the scene had gradually risen. Even Duke Daniel had said in an interview with \u300athemusig\u300b that he was shocked to hear a symphony orchestra on an international level during his recent trip.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, racial discrimination still existed in the hearts of extremists, which was why today\u2019s incident occurred.<\/p>\n
The staff who registered Qi Mu\u2019s information repeatedly apologized with a bowed head. Qi Mu could only politely smile and shake his head. Things like rude guests could hardly be blamed on the organizers. They couldn\u2019t investigate each and every one of their guests, let alone their mentality.<\/p>\n
While Qi Mu was busy, Min Chen stood at the door of the hall, watching the gathered crowd in silence.<\/p>\n
Once it let out that Auston Bertram was attending the festival and was here in this square, countless fans from the surrounding area gathered to see their idol.<\/p>\n
These usually calm fans went crazy, not losing against the Oppa fans for enthusiasm. Of course, they at least knew how to maintain a certain degree of discipline. When they were told Min Chen had left the venue, they dejectedly dispersed.<\/p>\n
Qi Mu filled out his contact information quickly then walked over to Min Chen\u2019s side with his violin case.<\/p>\n
The sunglasses used to cover Min Chen\u2019s face was clipped to the collar of his shirt. He looked at the tourists that were leaving the square and frowned. Qi Mu didn\u2019t know what was on his mind.<\/p>\n
QI Mu sighed a little and said, \u201cI thought you weren\u2019t supposed to reveal your identity. What happened today. . . really, thank you for that. But you didn\u2019t have to deal with that person. I can handle myself.\u201d Though, it would have been more troublesome. After all, nothing could compare to the effect of having a Chinese maestro standing before you.<\/p>\n
Listening to Qi Mu\u2019s somewhat guilty admission, Min Chen shook his head and said calmly, \u201cIt\u2019s not like I couldn\u2019t. It was just unnecessary. But, even if my identity is exposed. . . it isn\u2019t that big of a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing the other\u2019s unbothered expression, Qi Mu couldn\u2019t help but laugh, \u201cBut I think it\u2019s certainly a big deal to Mr. Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Min Chen: \u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n
Qi Mu and Min Chen said a few more words to each other while walking. Just before they left the concert hall, they saw a brunette approaching them with a smile. The man happily exclaimed, \u201cAuston, it\u2019s really you! I didn\u2019t expect to see you here after so many years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning around, Qi Mu saw Boswell walking towards them. Before he could understand what \u201cIt\u2019s really you\u201d was about, Boswell was shaking hands with Min Chen and explaining, \u201cWhen Qi Mu performed\u300aLittle Rhine Legend\u300b earlier, I thought it felt a bit familiar.\u201d He looked at Qi Mu and added, \u201cAfter you left, I thought about it for a while and remembered when I was in Berlin a few years ago, after the Forest Concert, Auston once talked about converting an opera into a symphonic poem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell\u2019s kind eyes flitted over Qi Mu then returned to Min Chen who stool wore his calm expression. \u201cAuston, we haven\u2019t seen each other for such a long time. Why didn\u2019t you tell me you were here?\u201d<\/p>\n
To this old friend who had always been gentle, Min Chen\u2019s cold expression softened a little. \u201cDaniel didn\u2019t want to let me go out and see people.\u201d After a pause, he added, \u201cIt\u2019s Daniel\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qi Mu: \u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell clearly knew this fellow with a wonderful face well. \u201cYes, yes, I know. It\u2019s all Daniel\u2019s fault. It has nothing to do with you.\u201d He sighed helplessly, \u201cIt\u2019s a pity. If I knew you were here earlier, I would have introduced a friend to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qi Mu looked at Boswell in surprise.<\/p>\n
The latter noticed his gaze and Boswell smiled gently towards him. \u201cMy friend, like you, is a very talented violinist, and quite an accomplished one. He\u2019s older than you though. He and his orchestra left a couple days ago. When we met, he told me he really admired Auston\u2019s music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Min Chen had no response to this. Every year, countless fans came to show respect to him after Bai Ai finished their concerts. Even professional musicians used his songs in their concerts as a tribute.<\/p>\n
But Qi Mu was a bit curious. He asked, \u201cOrchestra? Is that violinist also in an orchestra?\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s currently the concertmaster for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He was promoted last year. His name is Klein.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qi Mu was stunned. He looked at Min Chen with surprise, just as the other man also turned to look at him. They both stared at each other for a moment and didn\u2019t say anything.<\/p>\n
Seeing this, Boswell was surprised and suddenly thought, \u201cAre you saying. . . that you went to the Montreal concert?\u201d<\/p>\n
Qi Mu nodded helplessly.<\/p>\n
Boswell didn\u2019t know whether to laugh or cry, and he said, \u201cThis is really God\u2019s joke. Klein would be thrilled if he knew the person he always admired came to his concert.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unexpectedly, Qi Mu reluctantly raised his hand and hesitated for a moment before whispering, \u201cActually, we arrived a little late that day. In the end, we just stayed and listened to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell: \u201c. . .\u201d<\/p>\n
He could even imagine Klein\u2019s expression and how he would grip his wrist when he found out his idol was actually in the concert hall and listened to him.<\/p>\n
After exchanging a few more words with Boswell, the man told them the rehearsal schedule for the next few days, and they had nothing more to talk about. Before leaving, Qi Mu went to the hall to get the score and familiarize himself with the orchestra\u2019s members while Min Chen and Allen stayed behind.<\/p>\n
The only sound in that huge concert hall was the sound of wind whistling against the window. Aside from that, it was quiet. One light was on, and the high-watt light shone down on the center of the stage. Although it brightened the surrounding area, the place Min Chen stood was relatively dark.<\/p>\n
Boswell smiled and looked out the window at someone who was walking by. He said casually, \u201cMin, I thought. . . you weren\u2019t the helpful type.\u201d<\/p>\n
Min Chen frowned but calmly replied, \u201cI am very kind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell burst into laughter, \u201cSee, even you don\u2019t believe what you just said. But today, when Qi Mu performed Little Rhine Legend\u300b, I thought of you. But I didn\u2019t expect it would really be you. You really. . . are not someone eager to help out the younger generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Min Chen was cold and had little interest in making connections with people. Even Daniel knew this. In fact, everyone in the circle knew that this man never gave a shit. He was too lazy to care about anything that had nothing to do with him.<\/p>\n
They would rather ask Daniel out for a cup of coffee than give Min Chen a gift.<\/p>\n
He would make you not dare to give gifts even in your next life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m helping. . . Qi Mu?\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell nodded earnestly, \u201cYes.\u201d Then he smiled, \u201cBut he really is talented. I understand your feelings to cherish it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the dimly light concert hall, the man\u2019s cold face was shrouded in the shadow so no one could see his expression clearly. One could only see Min Chen\u2019s thin lips. After a long while, he said, \u201cNo. Actually, you don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell: \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Min Chen lifted his gaze, and there was a flash of humor in his deep eyes, \u201cQi Mu is the best candidate for this event you were forced to agree with. Even that substitute you prepared is inferior to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell was startled and no longer spoke.<\/p>\n
This time, New Ai really organized this to cooperate with the festival committee. This kind of event had such a generous reward as performing on stage. It was like a pie falling from the sky. But in fact, where is there such a good thing?<\/p>\n
In case there wasn\u2019t anyone suitable, the organizer already prepared a substitute and had them take part. As long as they won first place, the audition would end successfully.<\/p>\n
But when Boswell heard Qi Mu\u2019s performance, he canceled that plan.<\/p>\n
And now, Min Chen exposed this matter bluntly.<\/p>\n
But, Boswell disagreed with Min Chen\u2019s remark \u201cThat substitute is inferior to Qi Mu.\u201d That substitute would be signing on with New Ai as the assistant concertmaster starting next year. They were quite popular in the US, and their skill was also good.<\/p>\n
As if detecting Boswell\u2019s inner dissatisfaction, Min Chen set his index finger to his lips and said, \u201cShush.\u201d Then he looked straight ahead, snapped his fingers and asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s the tone for that, Qi Mu?\u201d<\/p>\n
Boswell turned to Min Chen in surprise then looked in the direction Min Chen was. Only to find that the beautiful youth had returned to the hall without him noticing. After hearing Min Chen\u2019s sudden question, Qi Mu laughed and said, \u201cG key.\u201d His voice was relaxed as if it were something trivial.<\/p>\n
As the young man approached, Boswell\u2019s eyes widened in shock. His mind was filled with astonishment, but he still heard a low voice:<\/p>\n
\u201cSee, not only is he talented with the violin, but he also has the talent to become a conductor. Moreover, he\u2019s definitely more hardworking and diligent than you think. If you want to give a successful concert in just three days. . .\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you need such a person the most?\u201d<\/p>\n