Chapter 54 (1/2)

Min Chen’s words embarrassed Qi Mu.

Although it was March, a cold wind howled through B City. Qi Mu stood out on the balcony for a while then went back inside. The call had already dialed out, so he didn’t dare hang up.

Even he did not know why he made the call. Maybe it was because he noticed the empty, dark apartment next door and suddenly remembered that he hadn’t seen his neighbor in over a month. Or maybe, he realized. . . Berlin and Paris weren’t that far apart.

After thinking about it for a while, QI Mu smiled, “I was on the balcony just now. I looked over and remembered I hadn’t contacted you in a while. Bai Ai is already preparing for this year’s global tour, right?”

Since Qi Mu had changed the topic, Min Chen’s brow furrowed a little but he didn’t bring it up again. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows next to the rehearsal hall and glanced down at the passers-by coming and going on the street below. “Well, the first performance is next week.” After a pause, he asked, “Do you want to listen? I can reserve a seat for you.”

Though a little surprised at first, Qi Mu stopped to think a little. If he recalled. . . Bai Ai’s first performance was going to be at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, England.

Although England and France were only separated by the English Channel, there was bound to be a lot of work to do when he got to the college. He shook his head helplessly and said, “I probably won’t have the time to go. But thank you for your kindness.”

Min Chen frowned.

When he was in S City, Farrell had said he wanted to recommend Qi Mu to Paris for further studies. The first thing one would think of when they hear “Paris” is the National Conservatory. With a little recollection, he remembered Reed Akkad had gone there two months ago.

Only a few people knew about it, and it wasn’t widely publicized.

But listening to Qi Mu now, he didn’t sound as if going to Europe was going to be a short-term thing. Min Chen couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised——

It turns out Farrell recommended Qi Mu to Reed?

Min Chen did not ask for an explanation, and after exchanging a few more words with Qi Mu, he hung up.

This short conversation may have just been casual on the other side, but Min Chen’s narrow eyes sharpened, sniffing out a disturbing scent.

Bai Ai was so busy that he couldn’t return to Huaxia and the investigation into Qi Mu. . . had already fallen to the wayside. Min Chen wasn’t a curious person but this identical 《Bell》 gave him bizarre ideas.

In this world, there can never be identical music.

If this person came to Europe. . . there would be more opportunities for contact.

Qi Mu didn’t know that this phone call had helped a certain someone make rapid connections. After everything was packed, he climbed into bed and slept.

This was his second to last night in B City and he slept well though the moon’s light was cold.

The first performance of B City Symphony Orchestra’s season was usually held in the National Theatre.

It had a large hall with 2019 seats. The crystal chandeliers lit up the concert hall, and the noble white background gave the hall a solemn atmosphere.

However, by seven o’clock, nearly two thousand seats were filled with people.

B City’s Symphony Orchestra was at the country’s highest music level, and this time, their opening concert was even more carefully prepared with a grand finale. Last year’s was played by the Huaxian violinist, Master Li Chengde, who came all the way from Canada to play Mozart’s 《A major》.

This year, they might invite a well-known conductor, or perhaps a famous musician from abroad. But, regardless of who, the audience was looking forward to it, and even whispering before the concert began.

“I don’t know who will lead the finale this year? Master Li Chengde’s song last year was magnificent!”

“Wll, yeah, but this year, they’re a little different. The concertmaster isn’t Du Sheng, but that newcomer. . . Who was it, something like Qi Mu?”

“You don’t know him? He was invited to S City’s Symphony Orchestra last month to perform the closing at their 100th anniversary! The music section of the Times reported on it. Even Farrell Louis was very appreciative of him!”

“Who?! Farrell Louis? Really? He admired this Qi Mu?”

“Yes. I heard that he’s going to study in Paris, though I don’t know who’s going to teach him.”

. . .

This whispered exchange was happening throughout the concert hall. Amidst these discussants, a young woman sat, seemingly out of place. Tonight, she wore light makeup, a beautiful skirt, and she wasn’t afraid of the cold, sitting with a performance program in hand.

This was the first time Li Yue Yue had come to the National Theatre. It was still cold in March, but she only wore a coat over her short dress and entered the hall.

Over the past six months, she had listened to over a dozen performances. Except for the one in Hong Kong, the others were B City Symphony Orchestra’s concerts.