Chapter 59

Like the Geneva Conservatory, Paris’s National Conservatory was amongst the world’s top music academies. Most graduates went on to play in internationally famous orchestras. Rarely did their alumni decide to work in professions unrelated to music.

Qi Mu studied at the Geneva Conservatory for four years and improved his skill with the violin in leaps and bounds.

Over those four years, he practiced several tracks as part of his professor’s teaching and participated in countless competitions of various sizes. He joined the academy’s orchestra and eventually became the deputy chief.

When he officially started classes, Qi Mu thought Akkad would have him practice a score of music and give him according feedback, but. . .

Qi Mu didn’t expect that when he rushed to the college early that morning and walked into Akkad’s music room at 7:45, the room was empty. . . there wasn’t even a music stand!!!

That’s right, aside from the shelves of books, it was impossible to see even the shadow of a violin!

Akkad’s personal music room had over 50 square meters. The floor was hardwood and had excellent sound insulation. The walls were also equipped with professional sound-absorbing materials. The arrangements were simple, but the huge windows ensured excellent lightning.

Qi Mu sat stunned holding his violin case and waited for fifteen minutes.

When the clock’s hands finally found eight o’clock, the door opened, and Akkad wasn’t even a little surprised to see him there.

This serious little old man was wearing casual attire today, and a full lens camera hung around his neck. He stood in the door and beckoned, Xiao Qi, let’s go. Take your violin to my office. We’re going out.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Akkad noticed Qi Mu’s speechlessness and added, “Don’t worry, my lounge is definitely safer than your apartment. It’s tightly monitored, the little girl in your hand won’t get lost. It’s okay to leave it there.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Where is he worried? That wasn’t his problem!

But, the professor’s words were instructions for the student.

Qi Mu didn’t object and took his violin to Akkad’s office. Akkad seemed to think Qi Mu was still worried so carefully put Qi Mu’s “little girl” into his safe. He turned and said, “See, don’t worry?”

“. . .”

That really wasn’t the problem!

Although Qi Mu was confused and couldn’t understand what Akkad meant by it, the following development only made him more. . . baffled!

For the whole day, the violin master from Turin, Italy showed him, thoroughly, how the “people of Turin love chocolate.”

From the familiar Jeff de Bruge to Smucha and Jean-Paul Hevin, ones he had never heard of, the master walked through these famous chocolatiers and tasted a variety of them.

Qi Mu hadn’t known before, but chocolate could have such distinctive tastes. For example, Smucha chocolate was sweet with a bitter aftertaste, while Jean-Paulkevin was entirely sweet.

Chocolate was a common snack in Europe. The many lovely children on the streets of Paris were not round from just high-fat foods.

However, while Qi Mu had grown up in Europe, he rarely ate the stuff. There was no need to ask why when he was in the orphanage. And after he was adopted, he ate some affordable chocolates, but he had never tasted these well-known brands.

When they strolled into the last high-end shop in the western suburbs, it was already four in the afternoon. If they were still at the college, the bell would be ringing, but Akkad was apparently not a mentor that liked to procrastinate.

Akkad shoved a few of his chocolates into Qi Mu’s hand and said gravely, “Xiao Qi, chocolate is a very happy food. You have to taste it. Today’s class is here, tomorrow you will wait for me at the Arc de Triomphe. Remember to keep my camera safe, these are the memories of our day.”

Qi Mu wanted to cry, but he also wanted to laugh. “. . . Yes, Teacher Akkad!”

So, as the sun set, a handsome young man carrying a variety of exquisite chocolate gift bags and a heavy camera around his neck walked down a path.

All day, Akkad had made him smile and pose while he took pictures.

At first, Qi Mu was a bit cautious. He didn’t understand why this eccentric professor wanted to take such bizarre photos, but he gradually let go and even snapped a few pictures of Akkad.

Tomorrow would be focused on the Arc de Triomphe. . .

Looks like another day of fun?

It was only after Qi Mu returned to his apartment and set down the heavy camera that he suddenly remembered something important! “My violin. . . it’s still in teacher’s safe?!”

Qi Mu smiled helplessly, having a faint feeling his heart——

Akkad didn’t want him to touch the violin for a while?

Well, maybe he was overthinking things.

In fact, this outlandish speculation was confirmed the next day when he asked his professor. “Teacher, I don’t know when I can get my violin back.”

“When, ah? We don’t have to cover every corner of Paris. It shouldn’t be long. I think you should be able to meet the little girl in a week.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

That morning, at the official start of class, Qi Mu took several pictures of the Arc de Triomphe and walked back and forth with Akkad across the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

After a simple lunch at noon, he was still guessing as to where they would spend the afternoon when Akkad took him straight to a high-end clothing store.

He took Qi Mu’s financial situation into consideration and only selected a medium, gray suit for him. Though Qi Mu didn’t understand his teacher’s intent, he assumed it was for when he was allowed to play in the future or for a performance, so he directly paid for it.

But then Akkad cut the label and told him to leave his clothes, Qi Mu finally noticed something wrong. He asked, “Teacher Akkad, what are you. . . what do you mean?”

Akkad asked strangely, “Didn’t I tell you before? We’re going to a concert tonight!”

Qi Mu: “. . .” You didn’t say anything!

Akkad didn’t care too much either way. He nodded, “Xiao Qi, tonight, we’re going to Paris’s Philharmonic Hall for a concert. This suit fits you well. You can use it for competitions and performances later, but since you’ll use it sooner or later, you might as well use it tonight.”

Since he had only been in Paris for a few days and most of it was spent cleaning his apartment and getting things sorted with the college, Qi Mu didn’t have time to learn about unrelated things. This was the first time he heard of a concert being held at the Philharmonic Hall.

One that would have Akkad interested in it must be at least a world-class symphony orchestra. Qi Mu thought for a moment then tried to figure out what kind of orchestra. . . would come to Paris to perform?

This question did not haunt Qi Mu for long.

When they passed a calm, man-made lake, a magnificent building came into sight.

The Paris Philharmonic Hall was the most expensive concert hall in the world. This young hall was only nine years old this year, but it had the world’s best audio equipment and sound effects. The building’s architecture was all sleek curves and reflected the faint silver glow of the moonlight.

When Qi Mu entered the building, a huge poster caught his eye.

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Akkad looked at the poster in disapproval. He said, “It’s not that guy conducting, but they still give him a position on the poster. So unreasonable.”

Qi Mu’s light-colored eyes widened slightly, and he subconsciously asked, “Teacher, this time tit’s not Min Chen. . . um, Mr. Bertram conducting tonight?”

Akkad nodded, “Ah, I remember this time it’s Littis in command tonight. His skill is also great, very orthodox and elegant. You should be able to learn a lot from it. Bai Ai is strong, Xiao Qi, you have to listen well.”

Naturally, if there were an opportunity, Qi Mu would never have missed the chance to listen to these first-class orchestras. Moreover, Charles Littis was also a great conductor. His style was formal and belonged to the romantic genre. Qi Mu had listened to one of his concerts, and it was dignified, powerful.

“Alright, Teacher, I will listen carefully.”

Under the moonlight, this beautiful youth dressed in a delicate suit followed his teacher into the exclusive box on the second floor.

Qi Mi didn’t question why they were sitting there, after all, this was Master Akkad. For him to get an exclusive seat, it was nothing unusual to think about.

They could see the entire stage from this box. Only after he walked closer did Qi Mu realize this box would experience the concert best.

Qi Mu sat in such a quiet, comfortable box, and looked down at the orchestra members on the stage. when Bai Ai’s concertmaster, Christole, officially arrived, the next to step on stage was the conductor.

Qi Mu smiled and saw Charles Littis step onto the stage. As if in time with the master reaching the podium, the door behind them opened.

The sound was quiet, nearly drowned out by the audience’s applause, but Qi Mu’s hearing was astute, and it still rang in his ear. He turned and looked back.

He froze, stunned, in his seat.

Even the handsome man standing at the door was stunned stillness.

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Min Chen: “. . .”