Chapter 37

The setting sun cast the vast sky into an array of magnificent color. In the center of the town’s seventh square, a handsome and elegant man stood beside a celebrity column, his expression calm and indifferent as he starred at the stunned white man.

There were many people in the square, but it was quiet enough most people could hear their own breath alongside the autumn breeze.

The white man’s forehead was covered in a thin layer of cold sweat, and he couldn’t say a word, even with his mouth hanging open. The air was stagnant. Min Chen continued to stare, giving off tremendous pressure, without saying a word.

“Mommy, this person looks like that guy.”

Suddenly, from who knows where the loud voice of a kid rang out. A doll-like little girl pointed her finger at the photo on the celebrity column. Seeing the photograph of a man waving a baton, they suddenly realized. Wasn’t this the same man that stood before them right now?

In an instant, stunned voices filled the square.

As a matter of fact, many of the musicians already recognized him the moment Min Chen revealed himself. Now, though, amateur music lovers were also surprised and excited.

Everyone knew what kind of existence was needed to receive the honor of being featured on one of the columns. Among the world’s current maestros, only three were featured.

And right now, there was a living, breathing master standing amongst them!

And, this master was. . . Min Chen.

“What was it like to have a world-class master of music appear before you?” If any of these music lovers were to be asked, they would not hesitate to answer: “Have you ever had a first love? It’s as though your goddess of love reached out her hands to you and said ‘we’re together.’ It was that exciting!”

Because of Min Chen’s revelation, the recruitment event ended abruptly. Qi Mu and Min Chen were invited back into the audition hall by the official. That discriminatory white man? He had already fled the crowd in disgrace. Those with sharp observation noticed that he was “accidentally stepped on” by several Chinese.

Huaxia’s classical music industry was lagging behind the West. However, in recent years, the scene had gradually risen. Even Duke Daniel had said in an interview with 《themusig》 that he was shocked to hear a symphony orchestra on an international level during his recent trip.

Unfortunately, racial discrimination still existed in the hearts of extremists, which was why today’s incident occurred.

The staff who registered Qi Mu’s information repeatedly apologized with a bowed head. Qi Mu could only politely smile and shake his head. Things like rude guests could hardly be blamed on the organizers. They couldn’t investigate each and every one of their guests, let alone their mentality.

While Qi Mu was busy, Min Chen stood at the door of the hall, watching the gathered crowd in silence.

Once it let out that Auston Bertram was attending the festival and was here in this square, countless fans from the surrounding area gathered to see their idol.

These usually calm fans went crazy, not losing against the Oppa fans for enthusiasm. Of course, they at least knew how to maintain a certain degree of discipline. When they were told Min Chen had left the venue, they dejectedly dispersed.

Qi Mu filled out his contact information quickly then walked over to Min Chen’s side with his violin case.

The sunglasses used to cover Min Chen’s face was clipped to the collar of his shirt. He looked at the tourists that were leaving the square and frowned. Qi Mu didn’t know what was on his mind.

QI Mu sighed a little and said, “I thought you weren’t supposed to reveal your identity. What happened today. . . really, thank you for that. But you didn’t have to deal with that person. I can handle myself.” Though, it would have been more troublesome. After all, nothing could compare to the effect of having a Chinese maestro standing before you.

Listening to Qi Mu’s somewhat guilty admission, Min Chen shook his head and said calmly, “It’s not like I couldn’t. It was just unnecessary. But, even if my identity is exposed. . . it isn’t that big of a deal.”

Seeing the other’s unbothered expression, Qi Mu couldn’t help but laugh, “But I think it’s certainly a big deal to Mr. Daniel.”

Min Chen: “. . .”

Qi Mu and Min Chen said a few more words to each other while walking. Just before they left the concert hall, they saw a brunette approaching them with a smile. The man happily exclaimed, “Auston, it’s really you! I didn’t expect to see you here after so many years.”

Turning around, Qi Mu saw Boswell walking towards them. Before he could understand what “It’s really you” was about, Boswell was shaking hands with Min Chen and explaining, “When Qi Mu performed《Little Rhine Legend》 earlier, I thought it felt a bit familiar.” He looked at Qi Mu and added, “After you left, I thought about it for a while and remembered when I was in Berlin a few years ago, after the Forest Concert, Auston once talked about converting an opera into a symphonic poem.”

Boswell’s kind eyes flitted over Qi Mu then returned to Min Chen who stool wore his calm expression. “Auston, we haven’t seen each other for such a long time. Why didn’t you tell me you were here?”

To this old friend who had always been gentle, Min Chen’s cold expression softened a little. “Daniel didn’t want to let me go out and see people.” After a pause, he added, “It’s Daniel’s fault.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Boswell clearly knew this fellow with a wonderful face well. “Yes, yes, I know. It’s all Daniel’s fault. It has nothing to do with you.” He sighed helplessly, “It’s a pity. If I knew you were here earlier, I would have introduced a friend to you.”

Qi Mu looked at Boswell in surprise.

The latter noticed his gaze and Boswell smiled gently towards him. “My friend, like you, is a very talented violinist, and quite an accomplished one. He’s older than you though. He and his orchestra left a couple days ago. When we met, he told me he really admired Auston’s music.”

Min Chen had no response to this. Every year, countless fans came to show respect to him after Bai Ai finished their concerts. Even professional musicians used his songs in their concerts as a tribute.

But Qi Mu was a bit curious. He asked, “Orchestra? Is that violinist also in an orchestra?”

Boswell nodded. “He’s currently the concertmaster for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He was promoted last year. His name is Klein.”

Qi Mu was stunned. He looked at Min Chen with surprise, just as the other man also turned to look at him. They both stared at each other for a moment and didn’t say anything.

Seeing this, Boswell was surprised and suddenly thought, “Are you saying. . . that you went to the Montreal concert?”

Qi Mu nodded helplessly.

Boswell didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and he said, “This is really God’s joke. Klein would be thrilled if he knew the person he always admired came to his concert.”

Unexpectedly, Qi Mu reluctantly raised his hand and hesitated for a moment before whispering, “Actually, we arrived a little late that day. In the end, we just stayed and listened to the end.”

Boswell: “. . .”

He could even imagine Klein’s expression and how he would grip his wrist when he found out his idol was actually in the concert hall and listened to him.

After exchanging a few more words with Boswell, the man told them the rehearsal schedule for the next few days, and they had nothing more to talk about. Before leaving, Qi Mu went to the hall to get the score and familiarize himself with the orchestra’s members while Min Chen and Allen stayed behind.

The only sound in that huge concert hall was the sound of wind whistling against the window. Aside from that, it was quiet. One light was on, and the high-watt light shone down on the center of the stage. Although it brightened the surrounding area, the place Min Chen stood was relatively dark.

Boswell smiled and looked out the window at someone who was walking by. He said casually, “Min, I thought. . . you weren’t the helpful type.”

Min Chen frowned but calmly replied, “I am very kind.”

Boswell burst into laughter, “See, even you don’t believe what you just said. But today, when Qi Mu performed Little Rhine Legend》, I thought of you. But I didn’t expect it would really be you. You really. . . are not someone eager to help out the younger generation.”

Min Chen was cold and had little interest in making connections with people. Even Daniel knew this. In fact, everyone in the circle knew that this man never gave a shit. He was too lazy to care about anything that had nothing to do with him.

They would rather ask Daniel out for a cup of coffee than give Min Chen a gift.

He would make you not dare to give gifts even in your next life.

“I’m helping. . . Qi Mu?”

Boswell nodded earnestly, “Yes.” Then he smiled, “But he really is talented. I understand your feelings to cherish it.”

In the dimly light concert hall, the man’s cold face was shrouded in the shadow so no one could see his expression clearly. One could only see Min Chen’s thin lips. After a long while, he said, “No. Actually, you don’t understand.”

Boswell: “What?”

Min Chen lifted his gaze, and there was a flash of humor in his deep eyes, “Qi Mu is the best candidate for this event you were forced to agree with. Even that substitute you prepared is inferior to him.”

Boswell was startled and no longer spoke.

This time, New Ai really organized this to cooperate with the festival committee. This kind of event had such a generous reward as performing on stage. It was like a pie falling from the sky. But in fact, where is there such a good thing?

In case there wasn’t anyone suitable, the organizer already prepared a substitute and had them take part. As long as they won first place, the audition would end successfully.

But when Boswell heard Qi Mu’s performance, he canceled that plan.

And now, Min Chen exposed this matter bluntly.

But, Boswell disagreed with Min Chen’s remark “That substitute is inferior to Qi Mu.” That substitute would be signing on with New Ai as the assistant concertmaster starting next year. They were quite popular in the US, and their skill was also good.

As if detecting Boswell’s inner dissatisfaction, Min Chen set his index finger to his lips and said, “Shush.” Then he looked straight ahead, snapped his fingers and asked, “What’s the tone for that, Qi Mu?”

Boswell turned to Min Chen in surprise then looked in the direction Min Chen was. Only to find that the beautiful youth had returned to the hall without him noticing. After hearing Min Chen’s sudden question, Qi Mu laughed and said, “G key.” His voice was relaxed as if it were something trivial.

As the young man approached, Boswell’s eyes widened in shock. His mind was filled with astonishment, but he still heard a low voice:

“See, not only is he talented with the violin, but he also has the talent to become a conductor. Moreover, he’s definitely more hardworking and diligent than you think. If you want to give a successful concert in just three days. . .”

“Don’t you need such a person the most?”