Chapter 9 (2/2)

After joining, the audience did indeed applaud more and more, but that applause was for the orchestra, the conductor, or the concertmaster. Where would an ordinary violinist sitting in the back row receive it?

“What’s the matter, Qi Mu? It’s your turn now, what are you thinking about?” Zheng Wei Qiao asked.

Qi Mu froze slightly, then he shook his head and said, “Nothing, Zheng-ge. I’m ready to go.”

Before long, Qi Mu took his violin and went back to the stage. Under the brightly focused light, he felt as if he was seeing the Golden Hall. He blinked, and everything returned to normal.

This feeling——

It was intoxicating!

Only by standing in the exalted position of the conductor and concertmaster could it be understood what it felt like being at the top of an orchestra.

. . .

His second song was Mozart’s No. 6 Serenade, which was also called 《Serenata Notturna》. Among the contestants, this song was decent, but Qi Mu’s beautiful interpretation also made the audience applaud.

So far the audience had called out a total of three bravo’s, one was for Sheng Yan Hui’s excellent performance, and the other two for Qi Mu, the black horse. When the last song of the second round played, Zheng Wei Qiao made a point of going over to understand the scores. He walked back with a smile, “Now you’re in first, your score is even higher than Sheng Yan Hui.”

Qi Mu was surprised, and he asked, “Do you know the whole score, Zheng-ge?”

Zheng Wei Qiao shook his head and said, “How could I possibly know so much? Just knowing that you are first is enough. Xiao Qi, ah, if you get first, you might be able to go to the Munich Conservatory! Although a friend of Teacher’s recommended you as well, this is based on your own strength. It is not the same, ah.” Zheng Wei Qiao sighed with emotion, “If you can really enter, how good, ah. . .”

In the quiet backstage, one by one, the other contestants took their violin to the front and played. Zheng Wei Qiao did not notice that Qi Mu had frowned, his eyes dropped low in deep thought.

When Sheng Yan Hui was to back on stage, he stopped before Qi Mu again, and he appeared hesitant. Then, right before he left, he choked out this sentence: “Qi Mu. . . you are still very good, but I will not concede. My last song is Mendelssohn’s 《E Minor》. I will show my strength and show you the work I’ve put in this past decade!”

Suddenly hearing a familiar name, Qi Mu jerked a little, and he asked subconsciously, “Your selection is Mendelssohn’s 《E Minor》?”

“Yes.” After a pause, Sheng Yan Hui suddenly thought, “Is that. . . you too?!”

Sighing, Qi Mu licked his lip and nodded. Afterward, Sheng Yan Hui’s face instantly paled, his eyes dulled, and he turned to walk away without another word.

In the same competition, the same section, and to choose the same song, and. . . their performances were so close to each other. It was bound to compare the two more drastically. The previous two songs had already long surpassed Sheng Yan Hui, and this third, it may just entirely beat his face.

How could this not astonish Sheng Yan Hui?

But, that was how it was.

Sheng Yan Hui walked to the center stage with an uneven mood. But, before he had even left the background, he suddenly heard a low-pitched voice call out, “Wait a minute, Sheng. . . Sheng Yan Hui.” He turned and looked only to see Qi Mu hurrying over.

Sheng Yan Hui did not ask. Qi Mu’s mouth suddenly curled up in the corner to reveal a sneer. He looked Sheng Yan Hui up and down, then said, “It really is bad luck for you to pick my song. It seems you will always fall at my wayside, ah.”

Sheng Yan Hui’s face suddenly turned red, and he angrily replied, “Qi Mu! You are so arrogant!”

Qi Mu’s gaze swept up to Sheng Yan Hui’s eyes and, in their light-colored depths, he could see both contempt and disdain. He spoke coldly, “Oh yeah? But I have the capital to be arrogant. Play your 《E Minor》well, ah. . . I’ll give you some time?”

Sheng Yan Hui’s fury grew, “Qi Mu! You have gone too far!!!”

Upon seeing this, the youth’s handsome face broke into a cold smile and left. Sheng Yan Hui suddenly felt as his heart was ignited. He clenched his bow in hand and confidently walked onto the stage.

A moment later, the clear melody of a violin sounded out.

“Xiao Qi, what did you say after chasing him?” Zheng Wei Qiao asked curiously.

He noticed that the brow that had been furrowed on Qi Mu’s forehead flattened out, and his condescending appearance had faded away. Qi Mu smiled pleasantly and said, “That, ah. . . I won’t tell Zheng-ge.”

Zheng Wei Qiao looked at him with confusion but did not ask further. When Sheng Yan Hui returned from the stage and glared at him with scorn, Zheng Wei Qiao’s heart stilled, and he tried to think of it, but it disappeared without a trace.

Two performances of Mendelssohn’s 《E Minor Concerto》.

One performance was terrific and garnered full house applause.

The other, although the interpretation was excellent, it was still eclipsed in comparison.

When it came time for the final results to be announced, all the participants sat below the stage. Qi Mu looked up at the spotlight, and his thin lips curled into an unnoticeable smile.

“Third place, Zhao Zheng Wen.”

A dark-skinned youth burst into tears and went on stage to receive the award. After the audience’s applause, everyone quietly waited for Professor Karl to announce second place.

“Second place. . .”

Qi Mu saw the bearded professor suddenly stop speaking and his gaze fell in the direction of Qi Mu.

Zheng Wei Qiao immediately held his breath and, as if to chant, whispered, “Not you, not you. . . Sheng Yan Hui is sitting in front, it’s definitely him. . .”

Qi Mu listened, dumbfounded.

Professor Karl starred in his direction for a long time, then removed his gaze and said, “The second place is an excellent violinist, and I’m sorry for his ranking. In my heart, he should be first place. Therefore, I wish to report the first place, then the second.”

This German just stammered when he spoke, but when he spoke in anger, it was as if he had practiced it countless times!

Everyone was shocked.

Was this unfortunate first place. . .

Going to be said by this large bearded man?