King of Classical Music

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The First Grand Theater’s music hall was carefully designed by world-renowned architects for a great auditory experience. With elegant and solemn marble sculptures decorating its halls, the First Grand Theatre was the number one auditorium in Huaxia known for its acoustics.

In such a top-notch concert hall, the B City Symphony Orchestra had lived up to this magnificent concert hall’s structure. Whether the song was solemn and majestic, or light and pleasant, the audience felt as if they were experiencing a baptism from the temple of music.

This was B City Symphony Orchestra.

They might not be as famous as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, which performed in the B City Concert Hall the day before, and perhaps they still lacked some skill, but even Daniel couldn’t help but softly sigh from the magnificent display of music——

“The Huaxia Symphony is really starting to rise, ah!”

At least half of the people here were in the classical music industry, and even if they weren’t a professional, they could still hum to the songs from start to finish without a mistake.

But their hearing will always be focused on the concertmaster and even if it wasn’t, at most they would pay attention to the cello, flute, clarinet or other instruments. Even if the second violin group was important, they wouldn’t pay much attention to them let alone the deputy chief of said group.

They would rather pay attention to the man sitting on the left side of the third row who was also known as one of the top four major conductors in the world rather than an unknown deputy chief of B City Symphony Orchestra’s second violin group.

What they didn’t think was that, for this man who received the attention of countless people, it was that very same young man that he was focused on.

The classical music industry had no high demand for appearance. The concertmaster of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra was famous for being dark* and ugly but still capable of playing beautiful music. Of course, if one had a beautiful face, it would not be a disadvantage.

*I feel it prudent that I share this bout of Kuroshinji’s wisdom: Asian standards yo. Michael B Jordan is dark yet so fine, Idris Elba too.

So the audience, at most, took a few glances at this youth who was the deputy chief and was obviously “standing out from a flock of chickens”, but they certainly didn’t pay deep attention to him. Of course, they didn’t know that some people could hear what they couldn’t. Even for a person who can play so well. . .

It was a strange curiosity.

The second half of the show was full of Dvorak’s works. From 《Symphony No. 6》 to 《Symphony No. 8》 and finally, the 《New World Symphony》, these were famous songs and were well known by people all over the world. The concert hall seemed to shake from the ferocity of the music.

Min Chen lifted his gaze and looked in the direction of that spot blocked by Tan Lao. A faint smile flashed in his cold, dark eyes, but it was soon hidden again.

Hmm, the skill level was good and, although he could only hear them playing the harmony and not their actual music style, in Europe. . .

This person might even be able to serve as Bai Ai’s deputy chief.

You know, this was just a concert!

It was just a concert that hadn’t even finished yet, and Min Chen was already giving such high praise to this deputy chief. If someone found out, it would shake the world!

But this was all unknown to Qi Mu.

Although he was surprised when his eyes seemingly met Min Chen’s just now, it was only an instant and he quickly put the matter behind him.

There were so many members in the orchestra and Min Chen was probably looking at the conductor.

Yes, it must be so.

——Qi Mu nodded affirmatively and continued to play.

Under the brilliant focus light of the concert hall, he saw the young man squinting then focus in on playing his violin. The entire second violin group seemed to be condensed at that moment and very few people could hear the subtle difference. Most would only feel that the accompaniment got more and more intense to grasp their hearts.

With a fierce trombone, the end of 《New World Symphony》’s fourth movement came to a close and the concert’s sound finally connected into a state of tranquility while also bringing the audience to a slow and peaceful atmosphere.

“Bravo.” A low and magnetic voice declared quietly.

This voice was so low that even Daniel who sat beside him turned and looked at him to ask, “Min, did you say something just now?”

Under the brilliant light of the concert hall, the man’s deep face and sharp features were like a knife’s cut that gave a cold but elegant vibe. After he heard Daniel’s words, Min Chen opened his mouth slightly. But before he could speak, he heard a loud voice ringing from the back row seats——

“Bravo!!!”

Daniel instinctively looked back and saw a refined man wearing glasses standing up. His face was flushed and even from a glance, he knew this man was excited.

Daniel was stunned for a bit and then applauded along with the other audience. He turned around as he clapped and said, “Hey, Min, who was that? It seems like he’s even more excited than the B City Symphony Orchestra. . . Plus. . .”

Min Chen looked down on the ground with no expression and applauded a few times symbolically.

Daniel suddenly thought, “Are you angry?!”

“No.” But he didn’t look up.

Amongst the warm applause, the two men’s whispered dialogue was so quiet that it would never be heard.

Daniel deliberately made an exaggerated expression: “You’re really angry, Min!”

“No.”

“You’re really, really angry, Min. What made you angry?”

“. . .I’m not!”

“Ah, you’re really angry.”

“. . .No. . .”

“What the hell are you angry at!”

“. . .”

On stage, Qi Mu began to thank the audience and bowed with the orchestra members. The bright lights struck his hair, making it appear as though coated in a layer of gold. At this moment, Qi Mu had already forgotten the man he seemingly “misread” a moment ago and was simply immersed in the perfect curtain call.

What he naturally didn’t know was that off the stage, a handsome, upright man was growing annoyed with his agent’s “You’re really angry.”, “What are you mad at?”, “This is interesting, so just tell me, Min.” and “I swear by God I won’t tell anyone.” series of words and finally straightened up and left.

Angry because of what?

Of course, because he couldn’t get to say “Bravo!”. That sentence should belong to him!

A certain person left the hall indignantly, while on the stage, the orchestra had also begun to withdraw. When Qi Mu went to the backstage, he saw Zheng Wei Qiao holding a bouquet of flowers and he was looking at Qi Mu with excitement*.

*Kuroshinji: I love him, he’s one of my favorite characters in this. What a sweet cinnamon roll. *Betwixted concurs. As they say, the male lead belongs to the main character and vice versa, but the supporting lead is for us to drool over.

He unconsciously took a step back.

Zheng Wei Qiao placed the lily in his arms and said happily, “Xiao Qi, ah, when I listened to this performance, I felt like it was the best concert of the year. . . Furthermore. . . it was a Huaxia Concert! The first 《E Minor》 was really great and the last 《New World Symphony》 was truly shocking. I have already figured out what kind of article I want to hand in tomorrow!”

When he finished, Zheng Wei Qiao looked over at Qi Mu and saw he was looking at the lilies in his arms with a conflicted expression. He then said, “This is what your sister-in-law picked for you. After all, you’re a man who doesn’t suit jasmines, roses or whatever. So she selected lilies.”

Hearing this, Qi Mu felt a bit helpless. He nodded heavily and said, “Thank you, Zheng-Ge and sister-in-law. I really like lilies.” Seeing that Zheng Wei Qiao seemed to want to further pry into the topic, he turned his gaze and hurriedly asked, “Zheng-Ge, when you were outside, did you see. . . Min Chen?”

Zheng Wei Qiao was shocked, “Min Chen?!”

Qi Mu nodded, “Yes, I saw him in the audience.”

“. . . I didn’t notice. I paid most of my attention to the performance. I tell you, except for the first 《E Minor》 when I was too excited to pay attention, I shouted all the other ‘Bravo!’ And the most important one, that last ‘Bravo!’ was also me. That 《New World Symphony》 was too amazing!”

Qi Mu didn’t think too much about it, he thought he was perhaps mistaken. He softly nodded and said, “Perhaps I was wrong, Min Chen should be back in Berlin. I don’t think he would come to our concert.” As he spoke, Qi Mu gently placed his violin into the case.

The dark green velvet case was feather-like, wrapping around the delicate and exquisite violin.

“Right, Xiao Qi, I have been paying more attention to your performance this time. You seem to handle some individual places differently than you did in the rehearsal.”

Qi Mu zipped up the violin case. After thinking for a while, he replied, “Some arrangements are temporary so I can make some adjustments. By the way, Zheng-Ge, you’re not saying that today. . .”

“Qi Mu! Come over here!”

A loud voice suddenly interrupted his words, causing Qi Mu and Zheng Wei Qiao to look in the direction it came from in surprise. Du Sheng was standing in front of the backstage door, leaving it half-open and waving at them. He appeared to be very careful as if he afraid of being seen by others.

Qi Mu was slightly startled, then he replied with a, “Yes,” and after he said goodbye to Zheng Wei Qiao, he went towards him.

While walking forward, he pondered with confusion:

Behind the door was the conductor’s lounge. Even if Tan Lao wanted to tell him something, he would not be so secretive. Moreover, from Du Sheng’s expression that seemed to say “You have to be careful to not let others know”, the suspicion in Qi Mu’s heart was growing stronger and stronger.

When he arrived at the door, Du Sheng smiled mysteriously and whispered, “Don’t be too surprised when you see this person, okay. . . Be careful to control the volume of your voice. The number of people who can see him in Huaxia is pitiful but Xiao Qi, ah, you are a member of B City Symphony Orchestra so you must be calm, be very calm!”

When he said this, Du Sheng was flushed with excitement.

Qi Mu : “. . .”

Why does it feel like you’re the one that wasn’t calm at all?

Probably aware that his expression is too obvious, Du Sheng gently coughed and said again, “Okay, Okay, when you meet some people, you’re also carrying our name. So don’t be like those brainless fans, you must not let our B City Symphony Orchestra lose face!”

“. . .”

By then, Qi Mu could no longer help it, “Du-Ge, who are you talking about?”

Du Sheng raised an eyebrow and deliberately sold a pass*, “Won’t you know when you go in?”

*The literal translation to this goes along the idea of “not selling the climax (of a story)” so to spoil the surprise.

With a squeak, the mahogany door slowly opened, and a dazzling light came from the other side like the entrance to another world, making Qi Mu reflexively narrow his eyes.

Du Sheng smiled deeply and said, “That person is——”

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Translated by Kuroshinji, edited by Betwixted.