Chapter 57 (1/2)

“Hello, Teacher Akkad.” Qi Mu bowed and said politely, his tone warm.

Before he could straighten, the eccentric man heaved a sigh out his nose and said in response, “I still haven’t taken you as a student, Angel. Why do you call me teacher already?”

“. . .”

Farrell has passed on this unspeakable name, ah!!!

He was so aghast at the name that he didn’t notice the instructors in the room exchange words with Professor Akkad. They left the room and. . . closed the door.

When the old man strode across the room to the desk in front of him, Qi Mu was surprised to watch this world-famous violinist sit directly on the table. Akkad looked up at him and said, “You’re 《Gypsy》 just now was alright. Can you manage Tchaikovsky’s 《D Major》?”

Qi Mu tore his stare away and slowly nodded. “I’ve practiced it some. The third movement is still unfamiliar, but the first is doable. . .”

“Then play, the first movement is fine.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

He started to play. When he reached the third section of the third movement, the music continued smoothly, but Professor Akkad shook his head in disgust and said, “Enough, enough. Your third movement is indeed not good. Let’s advance to the interview section.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

As if he didn’t notice the confused stare at all, Akkad said, “You know, this is the first time I’m accepting a student. I cannot guarantee how I will teach you. So I wanted to ask first, Angel, you. . .”

“Professor. . .” Qi Mu could resist no longer. He raised his hand and said, “You. . . can you stop calling me ‘Angel’? I haven’t taken the name. Master Farrell is messing with me. This kind of joke, you don’t have to take so seriously.”

Akkad raised an eyebrow but said nothing in response.

In fact, when Farrell recommended a student called “Angel,” Akkad thought it was a cute little girl. When he found out it was a young man, he couldn’t help but worry about his friend’s vision.

What kind of child can you praise as an Angel?

When Qi Mu was writing his exam, Akkad had looked in through the back door. When he saw this beautiful young man, even he had to admit the boy was a delicate porcelain doll.

But, this name Angel is a bit. . .

Akkad asked with a smile, “If not Angel, then what is your name?”

Qi Mu replied, “Professor Akkad, my name is Qi Mu.”

Akkad’s face wrinkled in difficulty, and he said, “I heard your name seems to mean ‘Seven’ in Chinese. I will call you Little Seven.”

Little Seven Xiao Qi*: “. . .”

*Literally, Little Seven Little Seven

No longer entangled with this issue, Akkad switched topics, “Xiao Qi, I don’t have experience in teaching a student. Of course, you can rest assured. I will help you improve. There is no doubt in that.”

Qi Mu had never doubted Akkad, so he replied, “Professor, I haven’t questioned your ability. I am honored to be your student and have your guidance.”

Qi Mu was modest, but it displeased Akkad.

As Farrell had said, this little old man had such a high level of skill with the violin that his temper was strange. He looked Qi Mu up and down, appreciative, then asked, “But, Xiao Qi, why should I accept you as a student?”

“Because you want to.”

Qi Mu didn’t hesitate, and the words made Akkad swallow his next words. He looked at Qi Mu for a long time, and felt. . .

Am I a child to be convinced like this?

After a while, Akkad asked again, “Then, what do you want to do?”

“Over eighty percent of violin graduates from the Conservatory will go into various orchestras. Most will only be a regular member their entire lives and won’t even climb to deputy chief.”

“Ten percent will become soloists. And less than ten percent will not go into classical music at all. I am afraid they don’t go into any music-related industry at all.”