Chapter 51

“Reed Akkad.”

After saying this name, Farrell fell silent.

In the quiet lounge, even the sound of a pin falling to the floor would be heard. Feeling as if he had heard an auditory hallucination, Qi Mu asked, tentative, “Mr. Farrell, excuse me. . . but who is that?”

Farrell was not bored in the least with Qi Mu’s inquiry. He smiled and lifted his cup. He repeated it patiently, “Qi, you didn’t hear me wrong. I’m talking about Reed Akkad. He went to the National Higher Conservatory of Music in Paris. As far as I know, he is still waiting for a student.”

This old man’s voice was casual as if he was saying something trivial. But in Qi Mu’s ears, it stunned him to stillness.

Reed Akkad, who was he?

Well, the great Master of the violin was over seventy years old, but last year he put on a grand performance with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Akkad’s skill with a violin stood at the top of the world. Due to the difficulty of his play and his fantastical hand-speed, he had a resounding nickname——

——The contemporary Paganini.

This was, of course, also because Akkad’s first performance on stage took first place in Genoa’s Paganini Competition. However, Akkad’s mystical ability truly made the entire world sigh.

Farrell and Akkad went separate directions. The former played each piece with skill and rich emotion. Whenever someone mentioned the latter, despite Akkad having a deep understanding of music, the first thing that came to mind was his dazzling skill.

What Qi Mu least expected. . . this master had entered a music school and became a professor?

He could not help but feel a little doubt in his heart. Qi Mu’s brow furrowed, and he looked up at the smiling Farrel. “But. . . Mr. Farrel, as far as I know, Master Akkad is reluctant to accept students.”

Akkad was born poor, and he was self-taught. So, when he was young, he threatened that he would never accept a student in his lifetime. He believed that a true master could not be taught by anyone and that only hard self-study could produce a first-class violinist.

Farrell laughed. He sipped his tea and said, “Qi, you are still young. You don’t understand an old man. . . in the last ten, twenty, half a year of life, what kind of mentality is that? When we were young, we said a lot, and a lot of it was rubbish. Now, at our age, it is natural to see farther and clearer. That kind of nonsense is stuff we said as children.”

Qi Mu took the initiative to renew the tea, and Farrel was a little surprised, then he smiled, “Thank you.”

Farrell continued, “Akkad has a terrible temper, but, Qi, he will certainly be a good teacher. When I heard your 《D Major》 last night, I knew you had good skill, and you had an excellent feel for music. Yours was unique and delicate. After chatting with Hill today, I found out you are also good with Paganini’s songs.”

Hill was Cheng Ting Wen’s English name. Qi Mu hadn’t expected them to talk about his affairs.

He nodded, “Yes, I prefer Paganini’s songs. Whether it’s his 24 capriccios or the others, I have practiced them all.”

“That’s great! Qi, since I spoke with Hill today, she gave me a copy of your performance last night and a few of your other albums. When I return to Europe, I will pass them on to Akkad.” Farrell paused then smiled again, “Qi, you don’t have to worry. I believe Akkad will be thrilled to have you as a student. I just hope. . . you won’t refuse my kindness.”

Farrell had learned from Cheng Ting Wen that Professor Karl had tried to take Qi Mu on a student and was rejected.

Professor Karl was also a well-known professor of music. Many of his students were in the world’s top orchestras. If Qi Mu could refuse him, then he was also very likely to reject becoming Akkad’s student.

While Farrell’s thoughts went that route, Qi Mu lowered his eyes and furrowed his brow without responding.

The morning sun shone through the window, and the leaves outside rustled against the glass, isolating the light into dappled rays that scattered over the youth’s almost transparent cheeks.

After a long time, Qi Mu glanced up then at Farrell. He was surprised to find the world’s top violinist, without even a hint of anxiety, watching him, waiting for his answer.

The last string holding his heart back snapped in two. He sighed, “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Farrell, but. . . I don’t know if Master Akkad will accept me as a student. If I had the opportunity, I would be honored.”

The implication being that Qi Mu was hopeful about becoming Akkad’s student.

Perhaps Qi Mu was a tad too proud. The moment news that “Reed Akkad wished to take a student” was released, there would be more than a hundred people gathering outside Paris’s National Conservatory to set eyes upon the master.

But, Farrell did not appear upset with Qi Mu’s answer. He knew this promising young man must have had his own reasons for rejecting Professor Karl’s invitation. Therefore, it was justifiable for him to not make a decisive decision in the face of his own request half a year later.

Farrell stood up and smiled. He extended a hand and said, “Trust me, Qi, you are very good. You are the student Akkad has been looking for.”

Qi Mu immediately stood up and clasped hands with Farrell. His lips curled upward in a smile, “Thank you for your praise. I was fortunate to have this opportunity to meet you today.”

The two exchanged a few more sentences, then Qi Mu saw Farrell off at the S City Symphony’s entrance.

Zhu Wen Jun and Cheng Ting Wen also came over to send him off. The group chatted politely, then Farrell turned to step towards the car, but he seemed to think of something. Farrell turned and looked at Qi Mu.

Everyone knew that Farrell Louis had presbyopia (farsightedness). He squinted a little and seriously looked Qi Mu up and down again. He seemed to look straight through him.

A long stretch of time passed, then just when the polite smile on Qi Mu’s face was about to falter, the master burst into laughter. He asked, “Qi, do you have an English name?”

Silhouetted by the winter sun, the young man’s face appeared softer, even as he frowned in confusion. Qi Mu’s eyes flashed with a trace of bewilderment, and he shook his head. “Mr. Farrell, I never took my English name.”

Farrell nodded. “I was too far away last night, and I couldn’t see clearly. Today, it was too dark in the lounge, so there wasn’t much I could see. But now, Qi. . . I think there is a name that suits you very well.”

Somehow, Qi Mu’s heart leaped with a bad feeling. He subconsciously took a half step backward, but he could not ignore Farrell’s presence. He bit the bullet, pushed through, and asked with a smile, “Farrell. . . I don’t know what you’re talking about. . .”

“How about Angel?”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

“Pfffft. . . “ Cheng Ting Wen, the closest, suddenly burst into laughter. When Farrell looked at her, she waved a hand and said, “Mr. Farrell, I think. . . ah, Angel suits Xiao Qi very well, pffffft. . .”

Zhu Wen Jun looked at his wife helplessly then whispered, “You. . . really, ah. . .”

Farrell did not seem to notice how drastic his words were. He nodded and gazed at Qi Mu solemnly. “Qi, you are truly a beautiful child. Your music is also excellent. Cute as an Angel. This name really suits you.”

The mascot Xiao Tian Shi*/Xiao Qi: “. . .”

Cheng Ting Wen laughed until Farrell’s care had disappeared around the corner. She heaved in breathlessness. In contrast, her husband was positively stern, his expression making Qi Mu feel much more comfortable.

However, it did not last for long. He only saw Zhu Wen Jun’s eyes squint a little, then he looked at Qi Mu and said, “Xiao Qi, I heard Mr. Daniel Duke used to call you Engelchan*. . . or something? Why don’t you make your English name Angel?”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

. . .

In a single afternoon, the entire orchestra learned that he had been given an English name by Farrell. “Angel” of all things.

After spending several hours at the headquarters, Qi Mu had seen countless members laughing and beckon him over with a grin from ear to ear, all shouting “Angel.”

This ubiquitous “bad name” was unavoidable. Qi Mu changed his flight to B City for that evening. In the face of Cheng Ting Wen’s enthusiasm, he did not hesitate to board the plane.

Just before he entered the security checkpoint, Cheng Ting Wen, who came to drop him off at the airport, raised her hand to wipe away the nonexistent tear in the corner of her eye. Her tone was low when she said, “Angel, you have to go study in Paris. Your auntie Cheng. . . I will certainly go see you often!”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Do you dare to change my name!!!