Chapter 114 (1/2)
Qi Mu took seven days to play 《Infinity》 in 3 minutes and 35 seconds. The following morning he was able to play it in 3 minutes and 34 seconds, impressing Akkad quite a bit.
In the beginning, Akkad gave Qi Mu a task that was practically impossible to complete. He didn’t intend for Qi Mu to actually accomplish it. Even people who had practiced the piece for weeks found it difficult to reach the 3 minutes and 40 seconds mark after a break.
But, Qi Mu did it.
Only then did Akkad have a clear understanding of how determined and hardworking Qi Mu could be.
Could such a young man with top-class talent and relentless effort not stand at the pinnacle of the classical music world?
Akkad believed he would.
“Little Seven, you really are the best child I’ve ever met.” Setting aside his glasses, Akkad sighed and continued, “Talent is a hard thing to gauge. Of all the people I’ve met, your talent is among the best, but certainly not the highest.”
Qi Mu removed his violin from his shoulder as he listened. He wasn’t angry. Rather, he smiled and said, “Yes, I have never thought I have the talent to surpass others, professor.”
Adamant, Akkad shook his head and said, “Seven, you don’t have to be humble. Your talent is not inferior to that lad, Christole. Needless to say, it is inferior compared to that monster Auston. Of course, I don’t think your violin would be worse than his piano in the future. It won’t be long before you surpass him.”
Qi Mu smiled, but didn’t say a word.
If others heard Akkad saying his student would surpass Min Chen, all of them would definitely say, “Master Akkad is really partial to his student!”
But, if Farrell was asked the same question, he would agree with Akkad.
The reason Qi Mu’s talent was inferior to Min Chen’s? He would never be a successful composer and conductor like Min Chen. But, that didn’t mean Qi Mu’s accomplishments with his violin would lose to Min Chen‘s piano.
Remembering someone’s threat from a few days earlier, Akkad’s lips stiffened. “Alright, Seven, let’s not talk about that guy, Auston. You’ve been with the college orchestra for a few days already. How’s the situation? You should be familiar with them by now, right?”
Gentle sunlight filled the room through the windows. Dust particles dotted its light, fluttering in the air.
Under the sunlight, the young man’s hair was spun with gold. He looked at his adorable mentor, his eyebrows knitted. “Professor, it’s been six days. If I dare say I’m not familiar with them yet… Wouldn’t you be angry?”
Exposed, Akkad coughed and retorted, “Fu… Nonsense! I’ve been busy lately so I just remembered it. Well, it’ll be a few days before the performance. How are you doing in the orchestra?”
“For the opening performance, the orchestra intended to focus on Haydn’s works, playing his 《Symphony No. 45 in F minor》 and his 《Violin Concerto No. 1》.” At his teacher’s awkward appearance, Qi Mu went on, “This time, the conductor is a teacher from the conductor department, Mr. Kawaguchi. We’ve been rehearsing for several days and it’s gone well so far.”
Akkad nodded. “Well, the opening performance of the Paris’ National Conservatory of Music is still highly valued in the industry. It will be broadcasted live on TV in Paris and there will be some reports in Vienna. This performance will also be recorded on CD, so treat it seriously, okay?”
“Yes.” Qi Mu nodded, his tone serious.
The two spent the next hour discussing Wilhelm’s music.
When Qi Mu finished his morning class, Akkad coughed and took a small bag from behind him.
“Little Seven… You’ve been very busy recently, but you should take proper lunches, you know? I brought you some corn from home. My neighbor cooked it last night. I heard you Chinese don’t like sandwiches, hamburgers, bread and the like. So you can try corn instead.”
Qi Mu’s eyes widened, but he finally took the little bag from the old man’s hands.
Even from a distance, Qi Mu could smell the sweet scent of the corn from. His heart soft, he nodded. “Master Akkad, you can come to my house in a few days. I will cook some Chinese food for you.”
Akkad was stunned. “Really?!”
“Of course!”
He simply planned to send his student some corn for him to taste. But, it turned to an event, Qi Mu invited him to his apartment to eat after the performance. Satisfied with the outcome, Akkad was pleased that only two pieces of corn could bring him such benefit.
When Qi Mu left the room, the old man took out his mobile and sent a message——
Reed: 【Hey! Auston! You told me yesterday to urge Seven to have a good meal. Well, you see, I sent him some delicious sweet corn today!]
Daniel: 【… Excuse me, Master Akkad. Exactly, how… does sending sweet corn could make you so proud?]
Min Chen: 【Corn?]
Reed: 【Exactly! I sent him corn and Seven invited me to his house for dinner! This is great, I haven’t gotten to taste Little Seven’s cooking yet!]
Min Chen: 【…]
The pain of long-distance relationships was having to ask others to care for your lover, only to envy their benefit!