Chapter 52 (1/2)

Just as Qi Mu got off the plane and set foot on B City once more, the wind was cold like a knife as it whizzed past his face. He tightened the wool scarf around his neck and took a taxi back to his apartment.

Initially, Qi Mu considered purchasing a car, but for the time being, there was no need to contemplate the issue.

If he really had the honor of becoming Professor Akkad’s student, then he would leave for Paris. He would not stay in the city for long.

The next day, when Qi Mu returned to the B City Symphony Orchestra, there was no special reception from the other members. They all congratulated him on his success at the Centennial Celebration. Only Du Sheng’s gaze stared at him, profound, then took him to Tan Lao’s lounge.

Tan Lao was always serious and old-fashioned. Like others from his era, he was almost traditionally conservative, but he had a vision and expectation that strove for innovation.

His lounge’s layout was simple. Apart from a few chairs at a table and an old desk, there were only a few trophies and pennants the orchestra had won decorating the room.

Qi Mu opened the door and directly entered. Tan Lao was in the middle of looking over the next season’s repertoire, but after seeing Du Sheng and Qi Mu come in, he set the pile of papers aside. He looked up and said, “Xiao Qi, ah. This time, S City’s performance was quite good.”

Because the orchestra had been busy, Tan Lao did not have the change to go to S City. However, ever since the concert, several magazines, and other insiders had praised the performance.

Naturally, Tan Lao saw the re-broadcast on Huaxia CCTV last night. Though hearing it over the system was far from seeing it in person, Tan Lao believed the entire performance was excellent, and the ending had successfully suppressed the audience.

Qi Mu’s eyes dipped in a smile, “Thank you for the praise, Tan Lao.”

Tan Lao was also not roundabout. He said bluntly, “You should have gotten in yesterday, but I got a call from Wen Jun. I hear. . . you met with Master Farrell Louis.”

Qi Mu understood what Tan Lao and Du Sheng had called him out for.

He did not deny it. He smiled with a nod, “Yes, I met Master Farrell yesterday. He told me that he wanted to recommend me to Master Reed Akkad as a student.” He added, “Master Akkad is currently a professor at the National Conservatory of Music in Paris.”

Although Tan Zheng Hui already knew from his conversation with Zhu Wen Jun, he still felt both sad and relieved to hear it from Qi Mu’s own mouth.

Sad, because if Qi Mu went to Paris, he would barely return to B City a handful of times a year.

But relieved because this child would finally begin his studies and train under the master musician, Reed Akkad.

Tan Lao did not speak, but Du Sheng, who sat to his side, smiled, “Xiao Qi, I did not expect there to be good news from you going off to S City. When I found out, I thought I had heard wrong! You must cherish this opportunity, ah.”

With a gentle smile, Qi Mu said, “Du-ge, you’re thinking too far ahead. Mr. Farrell just took back my albums to have Professor Akkad listen to them. I haven’t necessarily been accepted as his student yet.”

Du Sheng shook his head. “Since Mr. Farrell has already spoken to you about it, he is naturally quite sure. You cannot give up this opportunity, you must go. It’s already unbelievable that Reed Akkad is a professor, you can’t be like last time.”

He referred to Qi Mu’s rejection of Professor Karl’s offer, but this time, Qi Mu had already made up his mind.

In the past six months, he had learned and grown a lot. Huaxia was his motherland, but what he needed now was to learn even more and make himself stronger. So he could better develop Huaxia’s classical music.

“Please, rest assured, Du-ge. If I have the honor, I will seize it.” After a pause, Qi Mu looked at Tan Lao and said, “Tan Lao, you don’t have to worry about me. I know what to do.”

Tan Lao had long been watching Qi Mu’s growth. He looked at the handsome young man standing before him and felt that this youth had changed a lot.

There was none of that suborn rebelliousness in his memory, that offensive speech and behavior. Now, Qi Mu was like warm jade. Although the light had converged, people could still see the magnificence of this treasure at just a glance.

After a long while, Tan Lao finally sighed, “Xiao Qi, the first performance of our tour next month. . . you will replace Lao Du.”

It took time for Qi Mu to comprehend what he meant, but when he did, his fingers clenched tight, and he asked, “Tan Lao, you mean. . .”

Tan Zheng Hui, who always kept a stern expression, slowly showed a kind smile. He nodded. “You’ve been in the orchestra for five months, and you’ve rehearsed for so long. You have the chance to be a concertmaster, and you won’t? What can you do as assistant concertmaster?”

The content was a reprimand, but Tan Lao’s tone was soft.

He said it easily and casually, but for Qi Mu’s ears, it stunned him in place. Qi Mu did not dare believe his ears, but his hearing was perfect, and he could not even pretend to wave away Tan Lao’s words.

“You really. . . want me as concertmaster for the first round!?”