Chapter 67 (2/2)
Outside the large window, London’s beautiful night view scrawled across the horizon. The Thames River flowed gently in the dim light, and the bridge was illuminated by many lights, making it look inlaid with gold. It was magnificent from afar.
Min Chen held his slender glass’ stem, looking out the window. He frowned, pondering something.
Daniel couldn’t help himself. “Min. . . What’s the matter with you lately? You’re not like yourself. You’ve never been so quiet. . . Okay, no. You’re usually quiet but not to this extent.”
Min Chen didn’t reply.
For a while, Daniel was rooted in the same place, not sure what to say.
A few minutes later, Min Chen slowly turned his head and asked, “Daniel. We’ve known each other for over a decade. In your opinion. . . what kind of person am I?”
Daniel gawked. Then he said, “Very talented, very strong, also very——”
“Be frank.”
Daniel: “. . .”
Daniel snorted. “You’re a stingy, poisonous fellow and you always say things with a deadly expression. If I hated you, I’m sure I would be disinclined to manage you for my whole life.”
After venting a little, Daniel smiled as he said, “But. . . You are good this way. At least, you always do things face-to-face and are never sneaky. Of course, it would be better if you were a little more like Mr. Dorenza, gentler to the younger generation.”
Min Chen’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He thought of his and another person’s opinion about himself and asked in a whisper, “I’m not. . . kind to the younger generation?”
Daniel stared at him with wide eyes. “Not only that! You don’t bother to give young people a glance if they didn’t grow to your expectations. They are obviously talented, but you still ignore them. When Christole was still in Munich College, I wanted to recruit him in advance, and what did you say?”
Daniel frowned and thought for a moment. Then he clapped his hands in recollection and said, “You said——‘He’s gifted but not strong enough, not interested.’ If I hadn’t insisted on cultivating Christole, when Mr. Devala left, where would you find a new concertmaster?”
Faced with these words, Min Chen didn’t reply.
Daniel thought his words caused some kind of damage so he scratched the back of his head and said, “But. . . You’re not that bad. Min, you can be considerate, at least, for the most part. . .”
“Help me book a ticket to Paris tomorrow.”
“Also understanding and. . . Wait, what? What did you say?! Right now?!!!”
Min Chen nodded: “Yes, now.”
Daniel: “. . .”
“Damn it! Who said that you’re understanding? You’re the devil! Do you know how many people go from London to Paris every day? Where do you want me to find a ticket? You’re a demon, a demon!!!”
. . .
Daniel’s roar resounded over the western restaurant near the Thames River. His curses melted into the running water and vanished into the dark night along with the never-ending current.
The night in London was quiet and beautiful, and soon after, it was already the start of another beautiful day.
Qi Mu took his violin and entered the practice room again. This time around, he had some inspiration, so the satisfied Akkad praised him throughout the day and encouraged him to continue.
To seize this hard-won inspiration, Qi Mu practiced until the sun set and only then packed up. The full moon climbed lazily into the night sky, and Qi Mu turned to lock the door.
As Qi Mu was to remove the key from the look, he heard steady footsteps behind him.
The college had been closed for quite a while, and even the sky was dark. He was the only person left in the entire violin department. The sound of footsteps made his heart go tight, as the scenes of horror movies he had seen over the past few decades flashed through his mind one by one.
Qi Mu clenched his fist and looked around, “Who’s there?”
After he spoke, he saw the other figure and Qi Mu blanked in surprise.
Under the sound-activated light in the hallway, the tall, handsome man stared at Qi Mu in confusion, wondering why the youth was so nervous now.
After a while, he tentatively asked: “Is it. . . me?”
Qi Mu: “. . .”
Min Chen: “. . .”