Chapter 24 (2/2)

After a while, Qi Mu wore a helpless smile. He didn’t even say anything and suddenly became someone’s target for defeat. But, after thinking about it for a while, Qi Mu suddenly realized that Sheng Yan Hui actually put him and Min Chen on the same level, and he couldn’t help but have a bit of fun.

He thought a little and asked, “How do you want to beat me?”

Sheng Yan Hui did not think that he would be asked about this. He was a bit stunned. It took him a while, but he tentatively answered, “Let’s compete to see. . . who will have their global tour first?”

Qi Mu helplessly said, “This is going to disappoint you, but I don’t want to be a solo violinist in the foreseeable future. I want to concentrate on being an orchestra’s. . . violinist.” Qi Mu swapped the word “concertmaster” to “violinist.” He didn’t want to blatantly display his ambition.

Qi Mu’s answer made Sheng Yan Hui’s hair turn grey. After a while, he said, “Then we can compete to see who will enter the world stage first? Either Vienna Concert Hall or Milan’s Teatro Alla Scala Opera House. . . or something like that.”

Watching Sheng Yan Hui’s serious expression, Qi Mu looked around and said, “I think I can do all that, but. . . why should I compete with you?” Having said that, he grinned, revealing his white teeth.

Sheng Yan Hui: “. . .”

This was probably a case of being disillusioned from the ideal goal he had just established for himself.

Of course, now Qi Mu had absolutely no idea that when he met Sheng Yan Hui in Europe many years later, he had left him with a “psychological shadow.” How deep was this shadow?

Even the Pacific Ocean was not deep enough!

At the moment, Qi Mu didn’t think much about it. He quickly went to his seat after saying goodbye. The harpist on stage was just ending their performance as he sat down, so he clapped gently.

He hadn’t even taken a proper seat yet when Du Sheng whispered to him, “Xiao Qi, ah, if you told me you wanted to compete with Sheng Yan Hui, I would have publicized it for you.”

Qi Mu was a bit startled, “What did you say, Du-ge?”

“Haha, it’s nothing. That Sheng Yan Hui kid, too, didn’t say anything about this until the last minute. It’s really not good. We Chinese musicians are all simple children. Where can there be such dirty tricks? Must be that big beard from Munich teaching him!”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

I guess you’re right.

Qi Mu didn’t say anything more. This episode in the middle of the concert seemed to be a catalyst that made the atmosphere harmonious. When Du Sheng and his friends performed, the warm applause they received almost collapsed the roof.

The four performers were famous musicians in B City. They often formed a band for indoor concerts and, this time, they performed well enough that the audience had them give three Encores before the end.

One reason for that is truly due to the great performance of these elders. Another was the audience giving them face and deliberately putting them at ease. But, all in all, the concert had ended and it came to a successful conclusion.

For a city-level indoor concert, even if they did invite several musicians from all over the country, the effect was beyond everyone’s imagination. The audience experienced two high-tides and each was unforgettable.

One was Qi Mu’s 《E Minor》 and 《Tzigane Rhapsody》. This young man was only in his early 20’s so the professional musicians, the public figure and the music critics couldn’t help but applaud and ask for an Encore——he truly deserved it.

The other one was Du Sheng and his friends’ performance. Years of performing and practicing together made their music harmonious. Even Min Chen, who was a strong critic on sound, applauded earnestly in the end and gave his praise.

This was a grand concert!

It couldn’t be looked down upon just because of its small venue.

At the end of the event, many people still laughed with each other, sharing their thoughts with those around them. Dressed formally in suits and dresses, the audience filed out the door in harmony.

Probably due to Chinese etiquette, but this was the first time Qi Mu had to stand at the doorway and talk to the guests before sending them off. In Europe, when they were finished, everyone would directly leave. This time, as the organizer, Tan Lao and Du Sheng used Qi Mu as labor——

Even just standing at the door, letting the wind blow his hair, he could make a debut and show that this B City’s Symphony Orchestra didn’t have a low face!

“You are our face!”

——Du Sheng, who had just learned new words from his daughter, teased him.

The mascot Xiao Qi: “. . .”