Chapter 5 (2/2)
He couldn’t help but smile, then he waved, “Zheng-ge, I’m here.”
Zheng Wei Qiao didn’t immediately walk over to him. He went to the old members of the orchestra and said a few words to them, and only then did he go over and sit in the seat next to him, asking, “Qi Mu. . . why did you go straight to the orchestra and not wait for me?”
Qi Mu lifted his eyes to look at Zheng Wei Qiao and asked in surprise, “Zheng-ge, didn’t you say today you would be working on the article for 《Music Hall》? I didn’t want to bother you, so I went by myself. I took a bus here. There was a bus station at the entrance of the community, and it’s really convenient for me to take public transport, so you don’t have to worry.”
“. . . ”
I’m not worried about your journey here! I’m concerned about you being swallowed up by this group of slippery old people!
Seeing Zheng Wei Qiao’s hesitating expression, Qi Mu shifted his gaze and understood what the man meant.
Qi Mu was born in Europe and only came to perform a few times in Huaxia when the orchestra had their global tours. Needless to say, he was not familiar with the symphony orchestra here.
Growing up in an orphanage since childhood, one needed to know how to observe people, to be patient but have a little force, that was the best way to go. By the time he was seven, he’d already been able to live peacefully without other kids bothering him, thanks to his ability in reading people.
Later when he was adopted by an old couple with no children, he had the opportunity to learn the violin. He then entered the European classical music scene full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons, so he had to be low-key. There was one thing Luo Yu Sen said that was correct. He didn’t have any family background so he could only rely on himself to survive in Vienna. Things like how to get along with people, how to make a good first impression, that was already ingrained deep in his bones.
But. . . Compared to the arrogant and old-fashioned old fritters in Vienna, these seniors here were much kinder.
Qi Mu thought secretly.
“Zheng-ge, you don’t need to worry about that. I can handle it myself,” Qi Mu said with a smile. “That’s right, don’t you have to hand in an article today? How’s the draft coming?”
Zheng Wei Qiao looked at him strangely for a while, then he sighed, “You’re still young, and teacher left you in our care, so you don’t have to worry about other things. As long as you work hard and keep practicing, that’s all teacher would want.”
Qi Mu didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.
Zheng Wei Qiao really put Qi Mu’s mother kindness to heart, quite like the saying: one day a teacher, lifelong a father. . . .cough mother.
They talked for a bit after that but didn’t get to speak for too long because the concertmaster of B City Symphony Orchestra, Du Sheng entered the practice room.
Du Sheng was the top violinist in Huaxia, and he had an excellent reputation globally as well. He was known for his skill, rich experience, and knowledge. Qi Mu once heard him at the Golden Hall, playing Mendelssohn’s 《Violin Concerto in E Minor》 and even he had to praise it.
The conductor was not here today so the concertmaster would lead the orchestra. Du Sheng went to the podium and helped the first violin group set up. He then turned and looked at the second violin group, and in the position of the deputy concertmaster, sat a handsome young man. His gaze stayed on Qi Mu for a while then he began the sound process.
When the orchestra had finished setting up, Du Sheng didn’t tell the first violin to pick up the ensemble. Instead, he smiled and looked at Qi Mu, saying, “Today, we have a new member, taking over Zhang Lao’s position as the deputy concertmaster——Qi Mu. Even though he’s young, don’t even think of bullying him. Let me tell you, Tan Lao views him with high regard, so if you bully him, don’t come to me when Tan Lao comes for you!”
Several people laughed at Du Sheng’s joke.
The deputy chief of the first violin group then said, “Mr. Du, you don’t have to say it. Who would dare to bully Xiao Qi? Xiao Qi is so clever and sensible. If we hurt him, then we are being mean. When I first saw him, I felt like I was seeing my son who recently graduated from college. It felt familiar.” The deputy chief of the first violin group was a woman in her 40’s.
Zheng Wei Qiao’s eyelids twitched. Clever and sensible. . . are we talking about the same person?
A larger member of the group laughed, “Yeah, Xiao Qi is so handsome, who would bully him? Hey, Xiao Qi. My good daughter is turning 28 this year, when are you going to visit my family?”
“Wang Lao, you shameless old man. My daughter is turning 20 this year, so her age matches Xiao Qi. You can go away!”
. . .
The sound of laughter echoed in the practice room. When Tan Zheng Hui arrived, all he heard was “Xiao Qi” this and “Xiao Qi” that. He frowned, then grunted and the entire room went quiet.
Du Sheng stepped down from the podium to give way for Tan Zheng Hui. The older man had just gotten on the stage and asked, “What is xiao qi? Where is the seven? Is Dong Yong here?”
After a moment of dead silence, they all suddenly burst into laughter.
Qi Mu laughed until his eyes teared up, but he didn’t know. . .
Xiao Qi, this nickname would follow him forever, and he was stuck with it his whole life. He had better accept his fate.