Chapter 7 (2/2)

This was a national violin competition organized by Huaxia Officials and Munich Conservatory of Music in Germany. It was divided into two categories, the juvenile and youth sections. According to Qi Mu’s age, he was in the youth category of 18-25, in which he was just in the middle.

When he arrived at the B City Theatre where the competition was held, there were already many violinists there preparing. It was not every day that he could see so many young violinists, so inevitably, he took a look around. He heard a young man beside him say, “Qi Mu, you’re not young. You wasted 8 years and didn’t take advantage of it. Do you not regret it even a bit?”

Qi Mu turned and looked at him. He then asked, “Zheng-ge, do you think I regret it?”

The person who accompanied Qi Mu to the theatre was Zheng Wei Qiao.

Originally, Qi Mu had no intention of telling Zheng Wei Qiao about his participation in this competition. After all, the man was quite busy with all the articles he had to send to various magazines. But somehow, Zheng Wei Qiao got the news anyway, though Qi Mu didn’t know from whom. He had gone to Qi Mu’s house early this morning to “kidnap” him.

Zheng Wei Qiao pushed the frame of his glasses up the bridge of his nose, the clear lenses reflecting a silver light, “Don’t you?”

Qi Mu shook his head and squinted his eyes to look at the energetic group of young players.

He then said with a smile, “Even if I regret it, it won’t change anything, so I don’t regret it. I can only change the future, after all.”

Hearing Qi Mu’s words, Zheng Wei Qiao was stunned for a long time. He only returned to his senses when Qi Mu took out his violin and began to tune it. He looked at the handsome youth with a complex expression then, after a while, his lips curled into a smile.

Zheng Wei Qiao was busy recently, so he only accompanied Qi Mu to B City Symphony Orchestra’s rehearsal once. At first, he was worried that Qi Mu would be isolated and bullied by the seniors, but seeing that Qi Mu knew how to handle it and even managed to have a good relationship with his colleagues, he was relieved. So Zheng Wei Qiao didn’t accompany him further. He learned from a friend who was also in the orchestra that Qi Mu was very well liked there, he even had the nickname “Xiao Qi.” Although Tan Lao was always nitpicking, most of the time he was very protective of Qi Mu.

Zheng Wei Qiao was greatly relieved knowing this.

Wow, he really grew up overnight!

Not bad, not bad. . . Yeah, but isn’t this change too significant?

Zheng Wei Qiao was somewhat worried, and he asked, “Qi Mu, how are you doing after your rehab from marijuana?”

Not being in contact with Zheng Wei Qiao for a while, when he heard the word “marijuana” from him, Qi Mu was at first stunned. He then said with a calm voice, appearing quite normal, “It’s almost over, Zheng-ge. You don’t have to worry about it.”

But still, Zheng Wei Qiao was worried. “Are there any abnormalities with the withdrawal? Is that why you’ve changed so much?”

“. . .”

“This is not going to be a problem, right? Like, you waking up one morning and your brain suddenly gives you the idea that you want to go back to your previous lifestyle?”

“. . .”

“We can go to a doctor in a few days.”

“. . .There’s really no need for that, Zheng-ge.”

“Let’s find a doctor to have a look at you.” The more he thought about it, the more he felt that his concern was very reasonable, and he nodded.

Qi Mu didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. “Zheng-ge, I really, really don’t have any issues! This is not a side effect of marijuana.” Even if it was, well, he already smoked himself to death anyway.

Zheng Wei Qiao still hesitated, and it wasn’t until Qi Mu promised him three times that he put the matter to rest and didn’t say anything more on it. Looking at Zheng Wei Qiao’s expression that resembled an old lady, Qi Mu’s heart felt warm. His beautiful face was full of smiles.

What they didn’t notice was that, not far from them, a young violinist was looking at them and frowning. After staring at them for a while, the young man whispered to himself:

“Qi. . . Mu?”