The conductor’s lounge was simply but elegantly decorated. Although the style was undeniably European, there were Chinese elements in the details. And although these two styles mixed, they did not contradict each other but instead appeared quite harmonious.
Someone once said this about Min Chen——
The Bertram family’s nobility was deeply engraved in his bones, but his foundation with Min Jia had never disappeared. And this background had shaped the unique and first-class style of this world-renowned conductor.
The man currently stood in the middle of the conductor’s lounge.
Qi Mu was violently impacted by this scene, and it made him feel dizzy. It took a while to recover his thoughts. He never had the opportunity to meet Min Chen even once in the many years he spent in Europe. Who would have thought. . . he would so easily be introduced to him in Huaxia?!
Du Sheng looked at Qi Mu’s shocked expression and silently thought, Xiao Qi is still relatively calm. His face filled with a smile, “Why, are you surprised to see the conductor of Bai Ai?” With that, Du Sheng lowered his voice and whispered, “This is a special opportunity Tan Lao created for you. Although Min Chen is an expert in the piano, he also studied the violin for more than a decade. Music is flexible, haven’t you also done so?”
After the surprise akin to an earthquake passed, Qi Mu calmed down. He listened to Du Sheng, gently nodded, then walked over.
Actually, Min Chen had already noticed Du Sheng when he opened the door. He continued his conversation with Tan Lao while observing him at the same time. When the door opened a little wider, he frowned slightly and, the next moment, he saw a handsome young man standing in the doorway.
It was him.
That voice suddenly flashed in his mind. Before he could think more on it, Min Chen heard Tan Zheng Hui’s voice say, “Min Chen, this is a junior whom I care very much for. He’s the deputy chief of the second violin group. Maybe you’ve seen him before, he has performed with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in the Golden Hall.”
Seeing that Tan Lao personally introduced him, Qi Mu smiled politely, reached out his hand and said, “Hello, Mr. Min, I am Qi Mu.” Qi Mu now knew that he hadn’t been mistaken earlier, so he said, “It’s an honor to have you attend our concert.”
The youth’s words were light as water, and he didn’t conceal his delight while remaining polite.
Min Chen was slightly startled for a moment, then he reached out his hand and shook Qi Mu’s, “Hello, there.”
Their handshake lasted for only a moment, Min Chen grasped his hand and quickly let go. Even if Qi Mu appeared calm, he can’t help but feel a bit excited. But, he also knew that this was an opportunity Tan Lao had created for him to get to know Min Chen, so naturally, he couldn’t forget his place and speak out of turn.
He didn’t speak, but Min Chen inquired quietly, “Did you play with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra before? Were you a special guest? What song did you play?”
Three questions were suddenly asked at once, and Qi Mu couldn’t help but reflexively look at the other party. His gaze fell on a pair of deep, dark eyes, and he was stunned. Then, he smiled and answered, “It was eight or nine years ago, as a cooperation with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I mainly played Tartini’s songs.”
While answering these questions, Qi Mu looked very calm, but only he knew that if he (Lu Zi Wen) wasn’t the deputy chief of the orchestra at the time and played alongside him (the original Qi Mu), he wouldn’t be able to answer them.
But he also remembered that Bai Ai had a concert in London at the time, so Min Chen wasn’t able to attend.
Sure enough, when he said this, Min Chen nodded his head, indicating that he knew. Then, Qi Mu no longer had the chance to speak.
Talent in classical music had never been related to age. Although Tan Zheng Hui was almost twice as old as Min Chen, he knew that this cold, though courteous man in front of him was better than he in music.
So Qi Mu found that Min Chen was in total control of their conversation’s flow. But he didn’t insult Tan Lao or mock him. Min Chen was not a person who liked to laugh, and he maintained a gentleman’s demeanor, answering Tan Lao’s questions seriously, and he even provided some guidance.
Qi Mu couldn’t help but think, No wonder someone once said that talking to Min Chen was a pleasure. He gave off a spring breeze-like vibe, making you feel valued.
Of course, after getting acquainted with each other later, he told Daniel about his first impression of Min Chen. And how did Daniel answer?
Daniel: “Nonsense! That’s a complete joke! Min Chen is a real jerk, you know. He will squeeze you to death, he will exploit you, everything he says is law, and he is the law of the world. He’s like a Sith Lord!”
Unfortunately, the Sith Lord Min Chen never put his family’s Xiao Qi on his target list, and even if Daniel broke his throat trying to shout the facts, it would never change.
Min Chen and Tan Zheng Hui didn’t talk long. Min Chen and his agent, who was waiting for him, were ready to leave soon. Tan Zheng Hui, Du Sheng, and Qi Mu personally escorted them to another exit. Standing in B City’s glorious and mottled night scene, all of them felt it was surreal.
In the busy streets, although neon lights flashed endlessly, it was still dark and the night had become the best cover. Daniel went to pick up the car first, and Min Chen said a few words to Tan Zheng Hui and Du Sheng. Then, finally, he turned to Qi Mu.
In front of this person, one didn’t need to mention Qi Mu. Even if he was Lu Zi Wen, he was nothing but a complete junior.
So Qi Mu didn’t let the other party speak first. He smiled politely and said, “Mr. Min, I have been to your concert in Europe before, and I was very impressed by your Beethoven’s 《Waldstein》 at the time. As the piano-conductor, you were able to handle both of them seamlessly. It was shocking for me!”
In the darkness of night, Min Chen looked at this youth in front of him. Because Tan Zheng Hui and Du Sheng were present, he couldn’t jump over them to talk directly with Qi Mu, but he remembered that this youth’s ability surprised him a bit just now.
Well, the entire orchestra gave a good performance, and if anything could give him a surprise, it was only this youth.
Min Chen said: “Thank you for your compliment, and appreciation. Your violin is also excellent.”
Min Chen’s voice was low and cold, but his tone was very gentle. Qi Mu thought the man had already ended the conversation with him, but he heard Min Chen suddenly ask, “That car just now, what was its tone?”
“E sharp. . .” Qi Mu answered spontaneously, but in the next moment, he was stunned.
Qi Mu lifted his gaze to look at him, only to realized that Min Chen’s profound face was only 10 cm (4 in) away from his own! He quickly took a step back but was stepping onto empty air. He immediately lost his balance and fell backward.
Min Chen reached out and grabbed his waist, pulling his upward body with great force.
With their sudden close proximity, Qi Mu was astonished and looked up at the man who held him. Min Chen was also a bit startled. He hadn’t expected the youth’s reaction to be so drastic that he almost fell into the stream of traffic.
Min Chen hurriedly pulled the youth back, but in the next second, he happened to come face-to-face with Qi Mu’s beautiful, bright eyes.
It was like being back at the beginning of the concert. Just a moment, but both felt as if it were a century. They could even feel each other’s warm breath.
Min Chen quickly released his hands that were wrapped around the youth’s waist.
“Xiao Qi! What wrong? That was nearly an accident just now!”
“Xiao Qi, ah, what’s the matter? Were you frightened?”
Tan Zheng Hui and Du Sheng hurried stepped forward, asking anxiously. On the other side, Daniel was pressing the horn, indicating for Min Chen to leave. Just before he left, Min Chen had a rare moment of hesitation. Eventually, he walked over to Qi Mu, leaned down, and whispered into his ear.
Qi Mu only returned to his senses when the black car had disappeared entirely.
What did Min Chen just say. . . ?
He didn’t want to believe it, but his excellent hearing made him unable to not hear those words.
He said——
『I really want to hear your solo.』
In the quiet car, Daniel drove leisurely and said, “The B City Symphony Orchestra is still outstanding. Du Sheng’s skill has also reached a high level. It’s a pity that he’s a little old. If not, the orchestra might consider signing him.”
Daniel was talking to himself while the man in the passenger’s seat turned around to look out the window without saying anything.
“By the way, who was that young man who came today? Tan Zheng Hui even personally introduced him to you. He clearly values the young man very much.” As he said this, Daniel touched his chin and said, “Hmm. . . He seems familiar, and he’s good-looking.”
The vehicle’s good insulation completely isolated the city noise from inside the car. Along the way, although Daniel was talking to himself, he didn’t feel bored. When the car turned a corner and drove down a hill, Daniel was laughing and planning to listen to some music. Suddenly, a low and magnetic voice rang out in the interior.
“Qi Mu. . . He’s very talented, and his skill level is also high. Go check him out, he should’ve done something in Vienna before.”
Daniel was shocked, and asked spontaneously, “Okay, what?”
The city’s bright lights illuminated the car through the dark window, laying a shadow across the man’s handsome face.
After a long while, Min Chen sighed, “Go find the album he recorded with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I want to hear. . .”