Chapter 90 (1/2)

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert put a successful end to Vienna’s concert season.

Since the beginning of June, most of the major orchestras entered a holiday period, ending the first half of their tour. Beautiful music still lingered all across Vienna, though.

This capital of music was never short of moving music. Walking on the streets, musical notes always filled the air. Step into a roadside theatre, and a concert is always on standby.

Even though it wasn’t the season for grand symphonies, some orchestra musicians took the opportunity to perform chamber music shows with their own small ensembles.

It was rumored that the concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Lyon Zayev, and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, Jacques, would join hands. They were to perform in a small concert hall in the Musikverein the following week.

Such a combination was so dazzling even Qi Mu’s heart skipped a beat.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t watch the performance. The day after Wei Ai’s concert, he was already packed up and ready to return to Paris at Akkad’s request.

Akkad’s business was important and needed more time to settle. He called Qi Mu and told him he’d found a good substitute teacher for his lovely student.

The second assessment of the semester was two weeks away, so Qi Mu planned to end his trip and return to Paris.

Even while at the hotel, Qi Mu practiced his violin for four hours a day. It was inconvenient being away from home, so he needed to go back to practice.

After June, the weather became hot and dry. Europe during the summer was a big, hot stove. Almost every city reached unbearable temperatures, and Vienna’s sky was cloudless. There was nothing to shield them from the sun.

Qi Mu checked his luggage and passed the security checkpoint when he received a call from Berlin. As soon as the call connected, he said, “Min Chen, long time no see. You called at the right time, an hour later, and I’d already be on the flight.”

On the other end, Min Chen didn’t expect such a coincidence.

For Bai Ai’s ordinary members, this was their holiday. The tour season was over, so they could take an extended vacation. As the chief conductor and music director, the agent, and the concertmaster, the concept of a vacation hardly existed for Min Chen, Daniel, and Christole.

After their last concert, they began preparing for the tour in the next quarter and those beyond that. The bigger the orchestra, the sooner they planned.

Min Chen was busy preparing for the coming seasons and Qi Mu was busy packing for his flight back to Paris; neither had the time to contact the other. Apart from their short texts before Wei Ai’s concert, this was they first chance they got to talk.

“Are you heading back to Paris? Or. . . somewhere else?” Even through the speaker, the man’s voice was still as mellow as a cello, “Christole is going to hold a personal concert soon. If you’re interested, I can reserve a seat for you.”

His voice was calm as if it were a casual remark. If he listened carefully, he could hear a trace of. . . restless anticipation hidden in his tone.

A reminder was broadcasted across the airport, distracting Qi Mu. After a pause, he answered, “I’m going back to Paris, not anywhere else. It’s time for me to go back and prepare for my assessment. Thank you for your kindness, Min Chen. But unfortunately, I can’t be there.”

“. . .Well, okay.” At a loss, Min Chen paused. Then, he asked, “Is Reed back from Italy?”

Picking an empty seat, Qi Mu put his bad on the chair next to it. He laughed, “No, Professor is still in Turin, handling his family matter. He told me to return to Paris first. But Master Akkad said he’s found a good teacher for me, but I don’t know who it will be. . .”

“Most orchestras are on vacation right now, but many solo violinists will hold concerts now too. They’ll probably be the concertmaster of some orchestra.”

Min Chen analyzed his words very carefully. Seeing such rare patience, Christole, couldn’t help but sneak a few looks. He smiled and bowed his head as if understanding something.

The young black-haired man was totally unaware of Min Chen’s unusual attitude towards him. After all, Min Chen being a good person always willing to help others in need was a fact for him.

Qi Mu nodded and said, “Well, that might be the case. . . I don’t know who it will be.”

The two chatted for a while. And after a few moments of struggling, Min Chen coughed softly, “Right. . . That. . . Have you listened to that recording?”

A little stunned and embarrassed, Qi Mu cleared his throat. He said he would listen a long time ago, but, contrary to his words, he never did.

He was too busy for it. But, the most important reason was the hotel made it impossible for him to find a good record player. Without an excellent needle and sound system, the music on the record wouldn’t sound as good as it should.

This was vital for Qi Mu, who was very serious when it came to music.

Sighing, he replied guiltily, “I’m sorry, I was a little busy these days, so I haven’t had the time to listen to it. I remember there’s a good record player in Teacher’s lounge so when I go back to Paris, I should be able to hear it.”