Chapter 91 (2/2)

. . .

After spending the day practicing, the sky outside was dark. In the summer, the sun went down at 8 o’clock, giving way to the moon. Qi Mu carefully wiped away the rosin powder on his violin’s panel then placed it in its case.

Picking up the case, he prepared to leave. He saw Farrell on the sofa, still gazing at his phone. He didn’t know who the master was texting.

After spending three days with this maestro, Qi Mu decided he liked Farrell.

He was a talented master with a good temper and lots of patience. It was no wonder he was ranked third on the poll for the best-tempered conductor, right after Boswell from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Dorenza of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Of course. . . If he could stop calling him “Angel,” Qi Mu would rank him number one in his heart.

“Mr. Farrel, are you ready to leave? Almost everyone has left already.” With violin case in his hand, Qi Mu said, “If you don’t mind, we can walk together. My place is closer than yours, but I can accompany you half-way there.”

Farrell was still typing like a madman on his keyboard. Finally, he said, “Angel, could you wait a little longer? Just ten minutes, then we’ll leave together.”

Ten minutes wasn’t long, so Qi Mu agreed.

There wasn’t anything to do, Qi Mu thought, turning his eyes left and right. He picked up his phone but remembered something before he could unlock it. There was an excellent record player in his professor’s lounge.

Qi Mu already brought the record to the university, intending to borrow Akkad’s record player. But until now, he had been too busy to use it.

Now was a great opportunity.

Qi Mu set down his violin case, leaving it in the violin room, and moved to the lounge.

As for Farrell? He was having the time of his life in the group chat.

Daniel:【Damn it! Min saw me try to send the picture to my sweetheart! How did he manage to sneak up behind me and steal a peak? What a devil!]

Farrell:【Huh? You haven’t left the orchestra yet? Is Bai Ai that busy, Daniel?]

Daniel:【We’re preparing for the next tour and the one after that. No, Auston is #%^%#^. . .]

Daniel:【Farrell, where are you?]

After a while,

Farrell: 【. . . Auston?]

Reed:【Damn it, Auston! What are you doing here?!!]

Daniel: 【Are you in Paris, Farrell?]

Reed: 【Shut up! Shut up! Don’t talk!]

Farrell: 【I’m in Reed’s violin room. He asked me to take care of Angel in his absence. It just so happens the orchestra is on holiday, so I came.]

Daniel: 【It’s. . . little past 8 in Paris. You’re still in the violin room? What about Qi Mu?]

Farrell: 【Angel? He seems to be out just now, I told him to wait ten minutes before we go. Let me tell you, Angel is such a lovely child. He’s been practicing violin all day until now. He wanted to leave earlier but couldn’t bear to leave me alone, so he’s waiting for me. ]

Daniel: 【Put down your phone. You should go back now, Farrell.]

Farrell: 【. . . ?]

Reed: 【Farrell, you dare to make my lovely student wait for you?! Don’t tell me you haven’t had dinner yet!]

Farrell: 【No, we ate a loaf of bread, Reed.]

Daniel: 【Farrell, you can go back. It’s late now, it’s time to rest. Berlin is very close to Dresden, I can visit you next quarter. When do you want me to go?]

Farrell: 【. . . Auston? Well, you might be right. I should go now. Then, I’m going next door to call Angel over. Goodbye.]

Daniel：【Well, be careful on the road.]

Farrell reluctantly set down his phone and went to the lounge. When he opened the door, he saw the handsome young man place a brand-new record on the player, preparing to put the needle on.

Startled, Qi Mu turned to him. “. . . Mr. Farrell?”

Farrell nodded, then asked, “What are you doing, Angel?”

Qi Mu smiled. “I wanted to listen to a record while waiting for you. Have you finished your work, Mr. Farrell?”

Farrell wanted to say, “No hurry, if you want to listen to the record, I can wait.” But the threatening words from the group chat still lingered, fresh in his mind. The mild-tempered conductor sighed helplessly and said, “I’m a bit busy, Angel. It’s getting late so let’s leave first. You can listen to the record tomorrow.”

Qi Mu hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. He put the record back into the kraft bag then placed it in Akkad’s safe.

A certain man in Berlin tossed the phone back to its owner. Eyes closed, he thought, today. . . he should have listened to the record already, right? He should have.