Chapter 83 (1/2)
Vienna’s Golden May was a season full of music. The world’s best orchestras performed in this beautiful city one after the other.
When the Vienna Symphony Orchestra finished their trip all over Europe and returned to their base camp, they were warmly greeted by the residents of the city.
That night, almost all 1000 seats were filled. The attendees ranged from classical professionals to musicians from other orchestras to Vienna’s local residents.
Among the applauding crowd, a beautiful young man with black hair attracted some attention. When the concert was over, and the audience started to look for this seemingly familiar young man, they were surprised to find——
That youth left as soon as the concert was over!
In the dark of night, the dressed-up audience left with a smile.
And from time to time, they spoke about the concert and occasionally mentioned the famous figures in attendance. The gentlemanly concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra was present, along with the deputy conductor of the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra, and. . . the black-haired youth who sat in the front row with a smile on his face the entire time.
It felt like many years had passed since the first time they heard the name “Qi Mu.” So much time, in fact, that they didn’t remember it well, but they knew. . .
For being only 22 years old, his violin was remarkable!
It was a pity they didn’t get the chance to speak with him. Say. . . Why did he leave so early?
The Vienna Symphony Orchestra’s last concert of the season wasn’t held in the Golden Hall, nor in any hall at Musikverein. Instead, it was held at their own hall and was an evening full of music that was decisively their own style.
By the time almost the entire audience left the front building, a heated discussion rang out in a quiet, empty side street.
“Hey, Davey, where are you going to play tomorrow?”
“I’m gonna stay home, Kirk, you fool!”
. . .
“Melanie, let’s go to the Vienna Mall tomorrow. My summer dress is calling for me!”
“Helen, you silly woman. What summer dress? My autumn clothes are waiting for me in those beautiful windows!”
. . .
A group of people passed through the half-opened mahogany door. Some carried violin cases, others carried heavy cello cases, but all were smiling and laughing. They made the street look lively.
They were the members of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
Most of the orchestra preferred to leave via the back door of the concert hall after their performance. Although this was an open secret in Vienna’s music industry, no one knew the alley well. It was also a good way for them to escape the media.
Two beautiful blondes walked out the door, and after a moment, a handsome but cold-looking black-haired man stepped out. His nose leaned a bit downward, appearing rather aquiline but it also made him look a bit insidious.
Walking alone at the end of the throng of people, no one paid him any attention. He was like an abandoned animal, walking step-by-step behind these people. He didn’t walk for long before a shiny, light-colored pair of leather loafers appeared before his eyes.
A little stunned, he looked up. Before Luo Yu Sen could open his mouth, he was stunned to silence. His heart skipped a beat. After a while, he coughed and said, “This friend, I don’t know. . . who you are?” His tone was deceptively gentle.
The elegant youth before him just smiled and excitedly said, “Excuse me. . . are you Mr. Luo Yu Sen from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra?”
This kid spoke Chinese!
Luo Yu Sen was stunned, and in turn, also spoke in Chinese. “Yes, I am Luo Yu Sen. And you are. . . ?”
“Hello, Mr. Luo. When my teacher talked about the Vienna Symphony Orchestra before, he once mentioned that you were the only Chinese in this orchestra. It’s amazing to be able to work in such a top symphony orchestra. I really admire you a lot!”
The words of praise from the youth made Luo Yu Sen feel warmth in his heart. He couldn’t help but smile and said, “You are praising me too much, I don’t know who your mentor is…”
“My teacher is Reed Akkad.”
The smile on Luo Yu Sen’s face froze. He looked at the young man in surprise. The kid had an innocent expression as if not tainted by the dark side of society.
Luo Yu Sen thought for a while, then he looked around and said, “Master Akkad! You’re awesome!” Although he said this, in his mind, he thought, Easily revealing his teacher’s name. I don’t know if this fellow is either too stupid or too naive.
After listening to Luo Yu Sen’s praise, the young man lowered his head shyly and whispered, “Actually. . . Actually, I’m not really that good. Mr. Luo, I think your performance was good. I noticed your violin at the concert just now, and it was very. . . ” Here, the young man paused, then he went on, “It was very exquisite and moving. There are few Chinese musicians in Europe. I’m really honored to meet you. I don’t know. . .”
“I don’t know if you would give me your contact information so that I can get in touch with you and ask for your advice in the future?”
Luo Yu Sen, who was treated coldly by the members of the orchestra for half a year, had not been adored like this for a long time. Adoration was one thing; not a single member of the orchestra respected him. And right now. . . the person who praised him so much was the student of Master Akkad. Not only that, this person was a beautiful and delicate looking young man.