Chapter 106 (2/2)

The orchestra: “. . .”

You told us to have a good rest!

You were so good just now!!

You were very kind until now!!!

Little Angel, why did you leave, ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Daniel called Qi Mu out as soon as the orchestra had finished playing.

Though he didn’t know why, Qi Mu didn’t mind, and since the rehearsal was over anyway, he left the hall with Daniel.

There were six entrances to the rehearsal hall, excluding the backstage. Daniel led him through the middle doors and he was surprised to see——

Outside the huge window, a clear river divided the city in half.

Looking out the window, Daniel smiled. “Oh, that’s the Spree River. You can see the part that hasn’t entered the Havel River here, and our HQ can see the part that’s merged. You came from the corridor on the other side so you couldn’t see it.”

This corridor was similar to the one Qi Mu walked through with Min Che, except, there were no pictures of the orchestra’s historical figures here.

Qi Mu looked at the setting sun and said, “Long time no see, Daniel. Was there. . . something?”

Daniel went straight to the point. “Actually. . . Angel, are you with Min?”

The question was so abrupt Qi Mu froze for a moment before answering. “Yes, we’re together.” After a pause, he added, “You can call me Little Seven. The name Angel was just Mr. Farrell’s prank.”

Feigning hurt, Daniel said, “Oh my God, did you really forget, Little Angel? The first time I heard your solo at the end of last year in Huaxia’s B City, I called you Angel. Mr. Farrell wasn’t even there!”

Qi Mu was speechless at the man’s sad expression. Finally, he forced himself to nod. “Yes, I forgot. . .” After hesitating, he asked tentatively, “Um, will you. . . still call me that?”

Daniel nodded. “Angel, when Min asked for two days off yesterday, I thought. . . If you didn’t accept him this time, what kind of catastrophe would we experience next?”

Surprised, Qi Mu asked, “. . . His temper is that bad?”

Min Chen pulled him away from traffic the first time they met, saving him from danger. The second time, he found out the man was so afraid of bugs he would not enter his own house. Such a person could scare people?

Later in Hong Kong, Min Chen told him what Boswell liked, what to play, and how to play it.

There were countless examples since, proving Min Chen might look unfriendly, but he wasn’t scary, right?

Daniel rolled his eyes and exclaimed, “God! Are you saying that devil is gentle, Angel? Did I hear that right? He’s not that bad?! I’m telling you, he’s not just bad, he’s already trained the whole orchestra not to breathe!”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

“Have you been to the Danube Forum? Damn it, I thought that fellow wouldn’t be interested in what people say about him. Oh, I forgot, Little Angel, you’re from Huaxia.” After a pause, Daniel added, “It’s a forum for Europeans where classical music fans gather. They held two polls last year.”

Qi Mu just smiled and waited for Daniel to continue. “The first poll was for conductors with the best temper. And, you should know the one who got the first place. It was Allen from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The other poll was for conductors with the worst temper. And. . . Little Angel, do you know who won first place?”

Although he smiled and shook his head, in his head, Qi Mu spat out the name. . . Auston Bertram.

“It’s that guy, Min Chen! I found a few friends to register an account and vote for him. Otherwise, the other bad-tempered conductors like Mr. Evra of the Vienna Symphony would snatch his well-deserved place, you know!”

Qi Mu: “. . . Well, Daniel. . .”

“Min Chen’s temper is just so bad. He may look elegant and all, but his belly is full of black water and his tongue’s poisonous. . .”

Forcing a smile, Qi Mu said, “Daniel, actually. . .”

“I know! Don’t you also want to say he’s a demon? Little Angel, you finally see the truth! If he’s not the devil, then who else. . .”

“I’m the devil?”

A deep voice rang out from behind Daniel, elegant and unhurried.

“. . . And, you asked people to help you vote?”

Daniel: “. . .”

Little Angel! Why didn’t you warn me!!!

Qi Mu: “. . .”

I mean, you didn’t let me. . .