Chapter 68 (2/2)

Qi Mu.

There were a lot of thoughts in Min Chen’s head, but on the surface, he still wore an indifferent expression. He looked at the bright window overhead and wondered how long it had been, then abruptly turned and disappeared into the dark alley.

When Qi Mu woke up the next day, he went downstairs with his violin and saw a familiar figure. He froze for a moment then walked over and smiled, “Min Chen? What a coincidence?”

Min Chen shook his head under the warm sunshine of that spring morning, “Unfortunately not, I was waiting for you.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Min Chen didn’t seem to notice his speechlessness and raised his left hand to look at his watch. “It’ll be 8 o’clock in thirty minutes. If you don’t go now. . . won’t you be late?”

Qi Mu still didn’t know why he was at his apartment, but he did know he needed to get going. He walked while he spoke, “It’s alright. Professor Akkad is in the United States for an event. He won’t be back for another few days. It doesn’t matter if I’m a little late.”

It only took ten minutes to get to the conservatory, but Qi Mu had to get breakfast, so it naturally took more time. His pace was quick as he went, but he didn’t expect Min Chen to follow him all the way there.

Qi Mu smiled as he received the bread from the baker uncle then walked alongside the German conductor. “Min Chen, did you come to find me for something today? I’ve been busy with the assignment Teacher gave me, so I don’t have much time.” Qi Mu suddenly remembered, “That’s right, have you had breakfast yet? Want some?”

Min Chen self-consciously took a croissant from the box in Qi Mu’s hand and took a bite. “It’s still Paganini’s 《No. 24》?”

Qi Mu nodded, “Yes. Teacher gave me two weeks, but. . . it’s already been a week, and I haven’t gotten the whole song down.”

As they talked, they passed a flower shop. The blonde florist handed a sunflower she had cut just that morning to Qi Mu and glanced at Min Chen. In a furtive whisper, she asked, “Seven. . . who is this? Your friend?”

Qi Mu turned the sunflower to one side, and his lips quirked up into a gentle smile, “Yes, he’s my friend, Vina.”

The young girl looked at Min Chen shyly for a few moments then smiled and handed him another sunflower, one that had just bloomed.

Min Chen took the flower in surprise, but Qi Mu had already exchanged a few words with the girl and stepped away towards the college. He explained, “Vina has the mentality of a seven-year-old girl, but she’s very kind.”

“Un, she’s cute.”

Qi Mu smiled, “She will only give flowers to the people she likes. It looks like she likes you a lot.”

This stunned Min Chen, and his steps halted. “Then she. . . also likes you a lot.”

Qi Mu laughed and didn’t continue chasing the topic. “By the way, do you have business with the college? I might be busy, but if you need someone to show you the way, I can ask Dylan. Dylan is a Swiss violinist who practices next door. He’s studying now, but he practiced the piano for a long time. You’re his idol.”

The piano department was well known throughout the world. And most of these privileged people respected Auston Bertram highly, in other words. . . Min Chen.

Min Chen, who was only 31 this year, already stood at the top of the piano world. When he served as a judge at Xiao Sai several years ago, countless young pianists jumped at the chance to sign up, and it made quite the splash.

“I have nothing to do. I just wanted to come take a look. I can listen to your 《No. 24》. . . at the same time.”

Min Chen’s plain tone made Qi Mu turn to look at him again. The man stared straight ahead, calm, like the man really was just going to wander around and listen to him play.

A strange thought flashed through Qi Mu’s mind, but before he could discern what it was, it disappeared without a trace.

He didn’t think too much about it. Qi Mu smiled, his eyes forming into crescents. “Oh? You want to hear. . . my 《No. 24》?”

Min Chen raised an eyebrow when he saw the young man’s “bad” smile. “Um? Yes?”

“Well. . . then you must give me more advice!”

Min Chen: “. . . ?”

Qi Mu was not stupid.

Since he wanted to listen to his violin so much, then. . . he can also give a few pointers.

Really, it’s killing two birds with one stone.