Chapter 116 (2/2)
As court musicians, Haydn’s orchestra was ordered to live in the palace and couldn’t return to their home freely. These musicians were sad they couldn’t see their families for a long time, and Haydn noticed their melancholy so wrote a humorous 《Farewell》 on purpose.
When they played the piece to Count Nikolaus, the nobleman was even more surprised than the audience was today. The musicians blew out a candle near their seat as they left the concert hall with their instruments, still playing as they left.
More and more had left until there was only Haydn on the stage, bowing respectfully to the count.
What else could he say?
Have a holiday and quickly go see your wives and children!
And right now, the audience in the Paris’ National Conservatory of Music’s concert hall had the privilege and honor to enjoy this concert full of laughter and tears.
On the stage where the lights were gathered, another trumpeter left followed by two more violinists. One was more devoted than the other and continued playing until they disappeared behind the curtains.
Another two, then three, three again…
All of them!
The audience watched in shock as Kawaguchi walked away from his podium and waved at the two cellists packing up their cellos. The latter didn’t spare him a glance at all but directly left the stage.
When the professor turned around, the violinists behind him rushed out.
Then the clarinet, the oboe, and the viola…
One by one, they got up and left, leaving Kawaguchi standing on the stage, wearing a hilarious expression.
The audience also laughed. Finally, only Qi Mu, the concertmaster, was left still in his post. Kawaguchi went over and conducted… with only Qi Mu playing.
On this empty stage, only the conductor and a single violinist played alone.
The students immersed in the scene laughed, thoroughly amused.
However, some professors with sharp thoughts nodded. A violinist that could hold the audience’s attention, this student who had taken first place in the assessment… was really worth his reputation!
Akkad couldn’t contain his sigh, “I didn’t expect they’d perform 《Farewell》 like this.”
Min Chen nodded silently, eyes on Kawaguchi’s hand resting on Qi Mu’s back. He pursed his lips and remained silent.
When the last note faded in loneliness, the audience gave them sincere applause scattered with laughter, smiling after such a unique performance.
Qi Mu bowed with Kawaguchi, representing the entire orchestra to express his thanks to the audience.
They received a bouquet from a student, then Qi Mu and Kawaguchi exchanged a few words with a smile. Qi Mu suddenly felt he had seen a familiar shadow in the audience. He automatically turned to search, but only saw Akkad’s figure.
His heart inevitably beat faster, and after a while, Qi Mu just smiled and tried to slow it down. Berating himself for thinking too much, he turned and said to Kawaguchi, “Professor Kawaguchi, when everything is over, please come over to my house with Dylan.”
“Alright. Seven, you’re so kind, I’m delighted…”
The applause lasted for five minutes, and Akkad watched his student proudly. Somehow, he remembered his brief conversation with Auston.
Listening to that solo near the end of 《Farewell》, he couldn’t help himself from saying, “Auston, I have a premonition… that my student will one day surpass you.”
The man’s voice was magnetic, “I know. That day… isn’t that far away.”
Akkad replied, jokingly, “Do you feel pressured?”
What did that guy Auston reply with again?
Oh, right—— “I’ll work harder.”
Even after Akkad tried persuading him for ages, Min Chen stood and left without hesitation as soon as Qi Mu’s last note ended. They were near the concert hall’s left exit, and he left in a flash. Even Akkad could hardly see his shadow.
“Didn’t he.. want Little Seven to know?” Akkad asked himself, perplexed. “Oh well. That Auston is weird. Don’t want to eat Seven’s cooking, well, I won’t share it with him!”
How could Akkad, a single dog, understand Min Chen’s mood of: “As long as I can see him, I’m content”?
His beloved was progressing so fast, naturally… he couldn’t fall behind.
In the car back in Berlin, Min Chen rubbed his eyebrows to relieve the exhaustion of traveling. Before he could drop his hand, his phone buzzed. He clicked it open——
Qi Mu: 【The concert just ended. Master Akkad seems upset that I also invited Dylan and the others. Your rehearsal should have ended by now too, if I’m not mistaken. Rest early, don’t be too tired.]
Min Chen’s eyes lingered on that phrase “Don’t be too tired” for quite a while, then he sighed and replied——
Min Chen: 【You should also rest early, don’t be too tired.]
After a pause, he couldn’t help but sent another message.
【I miss you very much.]
Qi Mu looked at the words on his screen and couldn’t restrain his smile. He replied with another few words then Dylan called him from the kitchen. So, after sending one more text, he turned and entered the kitchen.
The phone’s screen soon turned dark, but before it did, its display illuminated the thoughts of these two lovers——
【Me too… I miss you very much.]