22 The Invitation (2/2)
In front of the auditorium, there was already a group of people gathered.
At the front door, two polite waiters dressed in black opened the door for the guests with respectful and flattering smiles.
”Earl Wellington, long time no see. Is this your daughter?” Just at the main entrance, the host wore a tuxedo, trying hard to look dignified. But to many people, he really looked like a penguin. He bent over to salute the aristocratic man and his daughter, ”The dean has been waiting for you for a long time. Please come in.”
”Mr. Czerny, I haven't seen you for a long time. Is your global travel coming to an end? We are looking forward to seeing your new work.” He pointed to the arrogant boy beside the man, then nodded and started praising him, ”Your son has reached the age of admission. Wow, he looks so handsome and smart. Please come in.”
He took the invitation and moved on to the next person. He prepared to say something but the arrogant elite teen brushed past him. The servant handed him the invitation and hurried off.
Sidney's face twitched, not revealing any ugly look. He just smiled.
Most of the candidates invited to the banquet had aristocratic backgrounds, many of whom were also the children of musicians. Out of the spite and worry towards the school's growing number of peasants, the aristocratic musicians who held this dinner wanted to pick out the noble blood among all the candidates.
The current principal, who was not of noble heritage himself, had extended the dinner banquet to all the candidates, agitating the aristocratic committee.
The original elite banquet was turning into a flea market! Looking at the crowd filled with many peasants, Sidney turned bitter, ”How many more of these people will come?”
”Sir, the representative from the Ackerman family had arrived,” the servant said softly. ”He is the son of Mr. Leon.”
”You should have told me earlier!” Sidney saw the carriage in the distance. His eyes suddenly shone.
The Ackerman family was one of the most important guests at the banquet. Leon, as a famous musician in the kingdom, was an important figure that the aristocratic factions wanted to be close with.
During this critical occasion, he must not be neglected.
But as Sidney stepped forward, a big dog arrogantly strode past him, proudly raising his head up, even sneering at him. That kind of ridiculous pretentiousness really aggravated him.
He started screaming, ”Wait! Who's dog is this? Someone get it out! I have said so many times, don't let wild dogs into the school!”
”Oh, sorry, that's my dog.”
Next to him, there was a teen by the waiter. He raised his hand awkwardly. Sidney looked down at him and saw his clothes, realizing that he was another one of these peasant musicians!
Eventually, the prestige of the Royal Academy of Music would be defiled by these dirty commoners, turning the school to garbage!
”Professor, there is a problem,” the attendant whispered, ”This gentleman came to attend the dinner, but he is not on the list.”
Sidney frowned and slowly reached his hand out toward Ye Qingxuan. Ye Qingxuan hesitated, but shook his hand anyway.
”Hello.”
Sidney 's eyes became more contemptuous. He brushed away Ye Qingxuan's hand, asking him slowly, ”Invitation letter? All candidates have invitations.”
”...Oh, what about letters of recommendation?” Ye Qingxuan started shrinking.
”What recommendation letter? I don't know what you are talking about.” Sidney looked at the musician Leon walking toward him. Suddenly he became anxious and increasingly impatient, ”Go away. Do not waste my time.”
Ye Qingxuan was stunned and confused, ”Sir, could you check again? There certainly should be one.”
”No.” Sidney did not even look at the list and pushed him away. ”Go away.”
”Wait, wait!” Ye Qingxuan was stunned, and unconsciously pulled Sidney toward him. ”There must be something wrong. My recommendation letter should have been sent to you already. I am from the East. My name is Ye Qingxuan. I was recommended by Mr. Wolf Flute.”
”I said no.” Sidney took Ye's hands off of him. ”There was no letter of recommendation sent to the college in the past few days! And I have not heard of Mr. Wolf Flute.”
”But...”
”Stop talking, you brat. This isn't the place for the nonsense, unless you want a visit to the law enforcements.”
He gave Ye Qingxuan a dirty look, and patted the corner of his clothes that Ye Qingxuan had pulled, as if there was some dirt on it. Sidney quickly changed his sour look into a smile, trotting toward the well-dressed man. ”Mr. Leon, Mr. Leon, do you remember me? I am...”
Ye Qingxuan stared at his back for a long time, then whispered, ”Impossible…”
He looked at the door open again and again, with the dressed-up boys and girls walking into the glow of chandeliers.
Old Phil came back from the bushes, dropped two coins next to Ye Qingxuan's foot, then looked up at him. But Old Phil could see the smile on the young face slowly fade little by little, turning into an expression of loss and fear.
”Impossible.” He said softly, ”Is there something wrong?”
Old Phil tilted its head to look at him.
”They must have made a mistake.” Ye Qingxuan squatted beside Old Phil, biting his lips, ”Let's wait and see. Maybe the letter will come in a little while.”
But when the dinner was about to start, the letter had not arrived yet.