26 Where Joy Is 2 (2/2)
”Where did you learn this? You're almost at the same level with other musicians.” The cook excitedly squeezed Ye Qingxuan's face.
”Uh, my father taught me in a place called Hawaii.”
The white-haired teenager wiped the sweat off his head, and put down the rolling pin in his hand, panting. Then he heard a crisp sound. The wok under his foot cracked even more, and then completely into two pieces...
”Uh, sorry, I ruined your pot.” He suddenly felt embarrassed and picked it up. ”I don't have to pay for this, right?
”It was shipped from Manchester. It seems like it was made with special material. It looks very valuable.” The person next to him shook his head. ”This pot usually costs about five thousand.”
”Are you guys a corrupted shop? A pot is more expensive than a carriage?” Ye Qingxuan was in shock.
He began to hate himself for using too much force.
However, the crowd went quiet. All the people stared at the old man behind him. The old man bent over to pick up the broken pot, and tapped his fingers on it, breaking the silence with a crisp, sweet sound.
”Yes, we're the biggest corrupt shop in Anglo, an exclusive one,” the principal said.
”Mr. Principal...” someone whispered in the crowd.
Maxwell smiled. ”But because of the march you just ruined, I will not charge you for the pot.”
After he finished, he patted the boy's shoulder, indicating for Ye to follow him.
Before going out, he turned and said to the rest of the audience, ”Ladies and gentlemen, I was deeply touched by your love of music today. Since everyone is a music lover, you can come and attend the school's practice class. But just remember that you have to finish your work first.”
There was a silence in the crowd.
”Well, goodbye, ladies and gentlemen.”
Finally, Maxwell waved gracefully, closing the door on the stunned school workers.
－
In the silence of the hallway, Maxwell looked at the boy over and over, and looked at his dog several times as well. When Ye Qingxuan's whole body had goose bumps, Maxwell finally finished looking and held his chin, then sighed, ”I do not understand why the guy wrote a recommendation letter for you.” He shook his head and lamented, ”Did he owe you a lot of money?”
”He? Who?” Ye Qingxuan asked. ”Mr. Wolf Flute? I did him some favors.”
”Wolf Flute? I remember him. He was the shame of the academy at that time, but I was very fond of him. I heard that he quit school and did not know where he was going. I see now.” Maxwell suddenly understood. He nodded and asked, ”Your name?”
”Ye Qingxuan,” the white-haired teen answered honestly. He pointed to the dog by his side. ”This is Old Phil.”
Old Phil was gnawing the sausage. It returned Maxwell's gaze with a supercilious, arrogant, and cold glare which made Ye Qingxuan exceptionally ashamed.
Maxwell also had some more questions, ”Age?”
”Seventeen.”
”You are not old enough to attend school yet, but it's okay since you have a letter of recommendation.”
Maxwell hammered his palm. ”Well, remember to come to school early tomorrow to take the exam. If you can pass it, you can attend the school, but remember to pay the tuition. After all, recently I have been quite short of money,” he rambled.
He saw the dramatic change in the teen's expression from surprise to shock, and then to ecstasy.
”Exam? I can take the exam?” Ye Qingxuan almost rudely pulled him. ”Entrance exam? You are not lying to me, right?”
”Yes,” said Maxwell. He firmly nodded, ”If I were the examiner, you would not even need to take the exam.”
”Yeah, exam, exam,” Ye Qingxuan muttered, so excited he was about to dance. ”As long I pass the exam, I will be able to enter the college and become a musician...”
”I cannot guarantee that you will become a musician. I just collect the tuition.” Maxwell did not care if he offended the boy. Ye Qingxuan was not listening at all. He was ecstatic, holding Old Phil and laughing, and ran off somewhere…
－
Watching the teenager cheering away, Maxwell also laughed. ”Must be nice to be young and energetic again.”
The night was deep. He coughed a little and looked to the side, ”Your Highness, how do you feel?”
Mary put on a white shawl to protect her from the night's wind. In the dim street light, she looked graceful yet lost. After a long time she slowly shook her head. ”I do not like him. I don't understand my uncle.”
”Just because you did not get your uncle's letter of recommendation?” Maxwell had seen through her. ”Only at this time, I feel that Your Highness is still a little girl.”
Mary was furious and glared at him. ”Mr. Principal, should I be offended?”
”Haha, just consider me as a nonsensical old man. Please don't punish me. After all, there were a lot of people who wanted to attack me recently, giving me a headache.”
”Do you worry about this?”
”I need to worry about it a little. After all, the Secretary of State seemed to be convinced, and wanted to change the principal, so the politics is really annoying. The position of the examiner must be rotated between the aristocrats and musicians. Every time, I feel that Anglo's future is falling more and more. I feel that Anglo would be... ”
”Mr. Principal, you seem to be saying something you should not say.” The girl reminded him with a little anger, ”Do I have to remind you why I came here tonight?”
”I know, I know.” Maxwell shrugged. ”I know exactly why you were here tonight. I know it is hard for Your Majesty. I can take a leave for a while if necessary. Well, it happens that I have new wine in Wellington's winery. It would be nice to go and give a taste. Unfortunately, I missed the princess of Yunlou's dinner. I have been quite looking forward to seeing the Eastern beauty.”
Getting his assurance, the girl's angry expression dissipated after a few minutes. ”Mr. Principal, you are willing to sympathize with my mother's good intention. She will be very grateful. It was a worthwhile trip for me.” She bent over and said goodbye. Before leaving, she saw the teen cheering in the distance on the street. She looked at him, her eyes full of mercy.
She asked, ”Mr. Principal, although I do not know how he could warrant my uncle's letter of recommendation, in your view, so you think he can really pass the exam?”
”I do not think it is impossible.” The Principal laughed mysteriously, ”The older one becomes, the more one is prone to reminiscing. I feel that I've seen him before and if that is the case, he is at least worth looking forward to. After all, the miracles are part of the pleasures of life.”