Chapter 26

The Berlin Philharmonic concertmaster was a proud student of Professor Karl, and the professor was one of the European Academy’s important representatives. He was also a long time friend of Min Chen and Daniel.

Robert Karl was not wearing formal dress, even at such an important event, and he came over with his large belly and a wave of his hand. Greeting the others warmly, he then turned to Daniel and said, “Hey, Daniel. Long time no see.”

Daniel bumped Professor Karl’s chest with his elbow and laughed, “Hey Big Beard, why are you in Huaxia?”

“It’s for a competition. Oh right, you haven’t met my new student yet.” Professor Karl then turned around but found that no one was behind him. He touched his beard and smiled, “Chinese people are shy. I’ll introduce Victor to you when we return to Germany. He’s a lovely young man.”

Almost all the guests were already gone. Professor Karl was among the last few there. He turned to the man with a cold face and passionately said, “Auston, we haven’t seen each other for such a long time, why don’t you give me a hug? My little baby said she could die for you. She said when she listened to your Berlin tour this year, your charming back almost made her faint!”

As he spoke, Professor Karl, who had enthusiasm akin to the French, stretched out his arms and stepped forward, wanting to give him a hug. However, Min Chen’s expression remained unchanged, and he calmly stepped aside, leaving Professor Karl to hug empty air.

The handsome and indifferent man lowered his gaze and pointed at Professor Karl’s belly which was so large it could raise a whale and said plainly: “No hugging, I’ll panic.”

Qi Mu who was resisting the urge to laugh: “. . .”

Daniel who was in the same situation: “. . .”

Professor Karl whose heart was hurt: “Auston, you’re getting less and less cute!”

“Not cute.” Min Chen lifted his Phoenix’s eyes and raised an eyebrow. “When have I ever been cute?”

Professor Karl: “. . .”

What did he say before? Who said Min Chen was easy to get along with, and that he was like a gentleman? Once he’s with people he’s familiar with, he would unleash his naturally poisonous tongue! Professor Karl, who was the target of his attack, suffered -10 000 damage and died of blood loss.

In fact, Professor Karl had long gotten used to Min Chen’s poisonous tongue, but what he didn’t understand was why Min Chen seemed a little fierier today. Which made him wonder who angered this stingy fellow.

Even after he thought about it, he wasn’t able to come up with anything. He put the matter aside and chatted with Tan Lao and Du Sheng. When he saw Qi Mu, his eyes suddenly lit up and he gave Qi Mu a big hug.

The panicking Qi Mu: “. . .”

Professor Karl said with a laugh, “Qi Mu, your performance today was amazing. It’s a shame I can’t bring you to Munich. I remember telling you before that your style is similar to Auston’s. I’m surprised you both had the chance to meet so soon.”

Once the words were registered, everyone except Qi Mu was stunned. Especially Min Chen. He reflexively turned to look at the youth standing in front of him, his surprise evident.

There was an old Huaxia saying that went: “”. In fact, when they listened to Qi Mu’s performance tonight, Min Chen never said a word. He had an inexplicable sense of familiarity when he heard Qi Mu’s solo as if he knew the way his performance echoed in his ears. It was very familiar.

At times, things are too familiar to say what about it was familiar.

Min Chen removed his gaze and concealed the look in his eyes.

At first, he thought that Qi Mu’s style was similar to a certain person he knew. But after hearing Karl’s words, it seemed to be himself.

Min Chen looked at Qi Mu meaningfully after making a judgment in his mind. For the first time, he met someone with “a style similar to his.” Especially. . . this person played the violin, which was different from his own preference.

This was very interesting.

Min Chen didn’t know that his sense of familiarity was not the same as Professor Karl’s. Ever since he could remember, Min Chen had heard countless sounds. The chaotic noise of nature, the melodies of musical instruments, and the sound of strings being plucked. He had even heard Lu Zi Wen’s solo in private, but he had never listened to his 《E Minor》 or《Tzigane》.

Music was interlinked. When someone played a song, unconsciously, they would incorporate their own style. In fact, Min Chen actually heard Lu Zi Wen’s style this time but his mind couldn’t lead him down that absurd direction. So he missed this opportunity to discover the truth.

The others present had yet more ideas that were different from Min Chen’s. They were surprised to hear that Professor Karl’s evaluation of Qi Mu was actually that high.

Similar to Min Chen? What kind of evaluation was that? Could it be. . . that he could become the next Min Chen?!

Daniel couldn’t help but pay more attention to Qi Mu.

The sky was completely dark by this time, but the city never slept, even at night. The bright light from the gate shone on the youth’s white face, contrasting with his red coat and making his smile appear even more beautiful.

He nodded politely and smiled, “Thank you for the compliment. I am honored.”

Professor Karl nodded and said: “Actually. . . I want to thank you for today. You let my silly student let go of that matter so he can finally come with me to Munich without worries. I owe you a favor this time. Qi Mu, if there’s anything, you can come to me in the future.”

Now, the people present were even more perplexed. Except for Min Chen whose eyes narrowed slightly as he seemed to have come to an understanding. Qi Mu was surprised for a moment but then he laughed, “Thank you, Professor Karl.”

Karl was planning to leave but just before he left, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly returned to ask, “Daniel, when are you going back to Germany? Let’s take the flight together so we can accompany each other.”

Daniel said, “My flight is the day after tomorrow. I’ve already booked a ticket.”

Professor Karl was shocked then overjoyed, “As it happens, my flight is also on the day after tomorrow. Auston, is that yours too? Then the three of us, oh, plus my silly student, that makes the four of us, can go together.”

“I’m not going back this year.”

“Going back together. . . What? You’re not going?!” Professor Karl’s eyes widened in surprise.

Min Chen just answered with a gentle, “Un.”

Professor Karl: “. . .You’re not going back for Christmas?”

Min Chen nodded slightly, with no expression on his cold face, “Not going.”

Professor Karl walked away with doubts in his heart. He didn’t understand why would Min Chen spend his Christmas alone in this place without his family. After Karl left, Daniel continued to talk with Tan Lao and Du Sheng.

This time, Qi Mu could finally look at the handsome, upright man before him.

Growing up in Europe, naturally, he knew that Christmas was the equivalent of a Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) in Huaxia. Even though Min Chen’s mother was Chinese, their family lived in Berlin, not Huaxia. Qi Mu also didn’t understand what it was that made Min Chen decide not to return to Germany.

The good looking youth frowned, looking down as if he was thinking hard about something. Min Chen watched Qi Mu silently for a while. It happened that Daniel was having a good time talking to Tan Lao, and he didn’t notice whatever was happening over here. Min Chen went forward and softly whispered in Qi Mu’s ear: “Do you have time to go to a concert together?”

Qi Mu, who was thinking, suddenly heard this and immediately looked up in surprise. He raised his head and his gaze met Min Chen’s directly. Qi Mu’s brain was spinning so fast because he couldn’t understand. Why did he suddenly ask such a thing?

Min Chen didn’t allow him to be stumped for too long. Min Chen’s thin lips curled slightly, and he said with a low laugh, “You really do understand German.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Just now, Qi Mu was so surprised by the words that he didn’t even notice that it was in German. The words were so unbelievable that he didn’t think too much about it.

From Qi Mu’s impression, the original didn’t seem to speak German, so he turned his eyes away slightly and said: “Recently, I’ve started to learn other languages by myself. I can somewhat understand German, but I still can’t speak it.”

A glint of light flashed through Min Chen’s eyes, but he didn’t expose the young man’s lies. He thought for a moment and said, “Do you have absolute pitch?”

By this point, Qi Mu already knew that he was exposed, so he didn’t hide much and directly admitted, “Yes.”

Daniel was ending his conversation with Tan Lao and Du Sheng, and he heard Qi Mu admit to having absolute pitch. His eyes immediately flashed. He looked at Qi Mu for a long time with eyes that screamed of: “I’m looking at a beautiful woman” and “I’m an addict” and, finally, he couldn’t help but say: “Xiao Tian Shi, do you really not want to study?”

After Qi Mu refused politely once again, Daniel let out a sigh.

When he left the concert hall with Min Chen, Daniel said sadly: “Hey, Min Chen, that Qi Mu is truly a good seedling. Why is he so smart but unwilling to accept my kindness?” Daniel held the steering wheel and said helpless, “Just in his twenties and his skill with the violin is already high. Even that old beard said his style was similar to yours. He even has absolute pitch. . . Why didn’t I find out about this talent earlier?”

Daniel complained a lot and, when he finally felt more comfortable and less depressed, suddenly heard a low chuckle from the other man:

“You’ll see him sooner or later. His ambition. . .”

“Is greater than you think.”