Chapter 127 (2/2)

After a lengthy pause, only a cold “Hmm” came in response.

That… meant he agreed, right?

Qi Mu chuckled and walked to the college’s orchestra.

When Qi Mu entered the rehearsal room Dylan specifically ordered him to find, he saw all the students who were supposed to be in class filling the room, focusing on something.

All the members laughed at Qi Mu’s surprised expression. Then, before he could react, a happy, yet gentle, 《Farewell Symphony》 resounded.

The combination of the strings and woodwind melody was like a spring breeze caressing his face, putting Qi Mu in a trance.

This was the piece he led the orchestra with in their concert. It was soft, with a beautiful melody. In the fourth movement, at Kawaguchi’s smile, one student after another left their seats to give Qi Mu a big hug.

When the last note ended, Kawaguchi and Angelo stepped forward together, each giving Qi Mu a hug along with their heartfelt blessings.

Once they had finished giving their well wishes, Qi Mu turned around and saw nearly a hundred people from the orchestra smiling at him, even the instructor. Everyone was standing in their position, with one seat next to Angelo left empty.

“Seven! Congratulations…”

“Happy graduation!!!”

Qi Mu’s heart warmed, and he stood for a picture with the rest of the orchestra.

A group of people from the orchestra pulled at Qi Mu and said that they were going to work hard to have a chance to see him in the future. The girls with delicate minds were sad, but they kept a smile on their faces and sent blessings in Qi Mu’s way.

After saying goodbye to the orchestra members and having dinner with Akkad, Qi Mu packed up and boarded the plane to Vienna. Through the window, he looked at the city shrouded under the clouds…

Only the shadow of the Eiffel Tower confirmed that he flew over Paris.

Qi Mu lived there for eight months, during which he met a lot of interesting friends and improved his skills.

He met Reed Akkad, who was totally different from what he had expected, a teacher who was very good to him.

The eight months passed very quickly. Zheng Wei Qiao had hoped that Qi Mu would return to Huaxia after his graduation, but… Qi Mu knew that it was time.

He quickly packed his things and went to Vienna. Taking the subway from the Vienna International Airport, he arrived at Min Chen’s house and stepped inside with the keys he was sent.

The house was frequently aired out, so Qi Mu only had to do a little clean up. After that, he didn’t take much time to rest. Instead, he took the subway to Lance’s house.

Qi Mu lived there for ten years in his last life, so he was much more familiar with Vienna than he was with Paris. When he breathed the air of Vienna, tinted with flowers in the breeze, he felt like he was home——

Vienna had been waiting for him for a long time.

Qi Mu had already visited the maestro’s house with Akkad, so it didn’t take long for him to gain permission to enter. Lance was happy to see him, giving the young man a hug and a smile as soon as he entered.

“Seven, the last time you came to Vienna, I didn’t think it would be long before your return, but. . . I didn’t expect it to be so soon!”

Lance personally poured a cup of warm water for Qi Mu, but the temperature in the room was so high, Qi Mu had to take off his coat. He politely took the cup as the old man went on, “I found you a place nearby, but Reed said you’ve already found a house. Is the traffic convenient?”

Qi Mu nodded. “It is. Thank you, Mr. Lance.”

The old man nodded and added, “Well, since you’ve found a place, then I won’t bother you. You’ve just arrived, so you can take your time to get familiar with Vienna. I know that Palisade Theatre Orchestra will be looking for a concertmaster next month. The theatre orchestra is a bit small, but you’re also young. You can gain experience and grow from there, they’re very skilled.”

Qi Mu knew the theatre. Opera houses and concert halls could be seen anywhere in Vienna, you could hardly take a few steps without seeing at least two of them.

The Palisade Theatre was regarded as second-tier amongst the theatre orchestras in Vienna.

The first-tier belonged to the Vienna National Opera House, a powerhouse. On the second-tier, there were five or six well-known orchestras, including the Palisade Theatre. Usually there would be several opera performances each week, accompanied by a special orchestra. Of course, there were also several classical concerts, but those were fewer than the opera.

Akkad once said that Qi Mu was born at the best but the worst time.

In the last decade or two, practically every major orchestra was already logged. Their concertmasters were usually young. Even the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra changed their concertmaster to a young one seven or eight years earlier.

And Qi Mu had a very clear goal, not to become a soloist, but a violinist in an orchestra.

Therefore, Lance’s suggestion was very reasonable. He would start as the concertmaster of a small orchestra, accumulate experience, then find an opportunity to enter a major orchestra.

But… Qi Mu held a different opinion.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Lance. I had some thoughts for my future before I came to Vienna.”

At this, Lance was taken aback. He asked, “Well, young people will have their own ideas. It’s good that way. Seven, if you don’t mind, can you tell me what you had in mind?”

The maestro really was good-tempered. Qi Mu was very grateful for what he did, but… he had his own plan.

Placing his cup on the tea table, Qi Mu looked up at him, his gaze serious. “Mr. Lance, I heard… There will be an audition for a deputy concertmaster the day after tomorrow?”

Qi Mu’s words shocked Lance to silence. Finally, he asked, “Seven, you mean… The audition for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra?”

Lance frowned. “Evra’s orchestra is really good but… There was an accident with his deputy concertmaster just last year. For this recruitment audition, the internal struggle within the orchestra will be even more intense. And you, as an outsider… I’m afraid it won’t be easy for you to enter their orchestra.”

Smiling, Qi Mu said, “Mr. Lance, whether I will succeed or not… I would like to try.”

Seeing the young man’s confidence, Lance nodded. “Well, you’re still young. It’s good to have such a drive. Then, Little Seven, go to the audition the day after tomorrow. Evra and your teacher are old friends. Although they won’t be easy on you, they won’t embarrass you.”

Qi Mu smiled again. After answering Lance’s concerns about his life in Vienna, they had dinner together. Their table was full of laughter. Being able to exchange experiences with such a gentle master was Qi Mu’s favorite part of the visit.

——Don’t tell Akkad that. If you do… Remember to say that he’s also good-tempered.

The moon was already high in the sky by the time Qi Mu left Lance’s house. Taking out his mobile phone, Qi Mu made a call to a man in Berlin. After a simple, “I’m in Vienna”, he ended the call.

The cold moon shone over the street, bathing it with silver light. The young man’s back looked thin in the darkness. If a certain man had seen it, he might be angry that the youth hadn’t been eating well.

Qi Mu raised his head to look at the moon in the sky. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

This time… He was back for good.

He would attend the recruitment audition for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

He would only feel relieved when he solved it all, personally.