Chapter 9

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To be recognized by Zheng Wei Qiao as a seed player, Sheng Yan Hui was truly outstanding. His first song was op.18 in Mozart’s violin sonata. This was a tricky piece, yet he played it brilliantly.

After he completed his performance, he purposefully went over to Qi Mu and said general things like, “I’m honoured to meet you again,” or, “I’m looking forward to your performance,” and so on.

Zheng Wei Qiao was embarrassed hearing this, but Qi Mu was like a cloud carried by the spring breeze. He smiled and answered him. It was as if he was very familiar with Sheng Yan Hui, and he didn’t put on any airs.

By the time Qi Mu went to the stage, several players already had their turn.

Qi Mu’s first song was 《Love Scene》by the great violinist Paganini. It was perhaps not his most outstanding work, but this piece was one of the most important songs by this master violinist.

Paganini was the most outstanding violinist in medieval Europe, and it could even be said that he deserved the title of violin king. This master left dozens of musical pieces behind, and almost every piece was said to be written by God’s hand.

There was a story behind this 《Love Scene》 : a rumor that a lady named Elisa fell in love with Paganini and asked him to compose this song to express these feelings, for it could only be played with two-strings.

For other people, this might be too difficult. But this was Paganini, simple as that.

This stunning violin master had a nickname——

Single string maniac.

Among the classical pieces in his repertoire, there were a few songs which were shockingly played with one string.

The 《Love Scene》 was a double stringed song. With the E string to represent the women and G string to represent the men, the two echoed each other at a distance and finally, with a passionate duet, it deeply touched the lady.

If Mozart’s Sonata played by Sheng Yan Hui was at municipal level, then this 《Love Scene》 was at the national level. When the judges saw this song was performed, they were also taken aback. Qian Zhen Hua, an honorary member of Huaxia Musicians Association, said, “This song is a test of skill, I didn’t expect anyone to choose this piece for their first song.”

For the three songs used for this performance, most selected a piece that required skill as the first song, an emotional piece as the second, and, for the third, a piece they excelled at.

“I rarely see people chose Paganini’s song to display their skill!” Qian said with emotion, “What’s the name of this kid. . . Qi Mu? That name is a little familiar, isn’t that. . . is it. . .”

“It seems to be Qi Jun’s son?” the judge sitting next to him said.

Suddenly hearing a familiar name, Professor Karl turned in surprise and asked in stuttering Chinese, “Qi. . . Qi Jun? Is that Qi Jun of the S City Symphony Orchestra?”

Qian Lao sighed, “Indeed, that’s him. He and his wife died in a car accident a few years ago. I heard only their son is left.”

Professor Karl nodded and didn’t say anything else. The others also did the same. But no one heard the bearded foreigner sitting in the middle suddenly whisper in German, “Is it that. . . gifted child?”

All of this was unknown to Qi Mu.

Qi Mu’s choice of《Love Scene》 was a long-established plan.

It was absolutely impossible to choose a simple song to both win the competition and leave a great impression on people. But Paganini’s 24 Caprices was too difficult and the original owner also hadn’t played for a long time. It was impossible to practice it in such a short amount of time so Qi Mu chose 《Love Scene》.

However, this song that was “difficult in the middle” and Qi Mu’s “dazzling skills” left a large impact on the people present.

The G string was on the far left of the four strings on a violin. It had the thickest string and produced the toughest sound.

The E string was located on the far right, being the thinnest, and it produced the lightest sound.

This great distance required a large swing of the bow from side to side, not only to strike the two strings accurately but to also ensure that the passionate feeling, like that of fire, could be expressed. On the stage, the audience only saw the youth’s beautiful fingers, like white jade, moving swiftly across the strings, and they only heard the melodious sound that poured from the small violin.

Qi Mu was born with an eye-catching pair of hands.

Under the high wattage spotlight, this pair of slender hands seemed to reflect the light, and people couldn’t retract their gazes. Despite the appearance that was akin to an embroidered pillow, these hands could play such a fierce song. It felt as though there was a small hammer tapping at the hearts of everyone present.

Even Sheng Yan Hui, who was listening in the background, was stunned.

When the song ended, the entire audience was silent.

At the end of this skillful performance, Qi Mu’s fingers were also slightly numb. He gasped softly and even his handsome face was a bit pale from the long period of concentration and nervous tension.

The silence lasted for half a minute.

One minute. . .

Two minutes. . .

Three. . .

“Bravo!”

Someone suddenly shouted, then thunderous applause broke out.

During the fierce applause, Qi Mu suddenly felt a quiet tremor in the deepest part of his heart. Ever since his rebirth, he had kept calm and finally there was a moment of joy. But he quickly concealed it and bowed politely then exited the stage.

Zheng Wei Qiao was already flushed with excitement.

“Qi Mu! You did great!!!” He directly hugged Qi Mu but, because Qi Mu was still holding his violin, the hug was brief and he quickly released the youth. “That song definitely showed your skill, you deserve the highest score!”

Qi Mu was still immersed in that emotion from earlier and hadn’t returned to his senses. So he didn’t catch Zheng Wei Qiao’s words.

It had been more than ten years. . .

Since he last felt that kind of emotion?

Most people who joined an orchestra bid farewell to their music career. No matter who introduced them, they would always add the name of the orchestra before their name. Only a handful of people like the conductor or the concertmaster could make their reputation surpass the orchestra.

Before joining the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. . . No, before he joined his first orchestra, he had always struggled with the goal of “entering the orchestra” where everyone cheered for him and not for the orchestra.

But after joining the orchestra, the audience did indeed applaud more and more, but that applause was for the orchestra, the conductor, or the concertmaster. Where would an ordinary violinist sitting in the back row receive it?

“What’s the matter, Qi Mu? It’s your turn now, what are you thinking about?” Zheng Wei Qiao asked.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Qi Mu froze slightly, then he shook his head and said, “Nothing, Zheng-Ge. I’m ready to go.”

Before long, Qi Mu took his violin and went back to the stage. Under the brightly focused light, he felt as if he was seeing the Golden Hall. He blinked and everything returned to normal.

This feeling——

It was toxic!

Only by standing in the glorious position of the conductor and concertmaster could it be understood what it felt like being at the top of an orchestra.

. . .

His second song was Mozart’s No. 6 Serenade, which was also called 《Serenata Notturna》. Among the contestants, this song was decent but Qi Mu’s wonderful interpretation also made the audience applaud.

So far the audience had called out a total of three bravo’s, one was for Sheng Yan Hui’s excellent performance, and the other two for Qi Mu, the black horse. When the last song of the second round played, Zheng Wei Qiao made a point of walking over to understand the scores. He walked back with a smile, “Now you’re in first, your score is higher than even Sheng Yan Hui.”

Qi Mu was surprised, and he asked, “Do you know the whole score, Zheng-Ge?”

Zheng Wei Qiao shook his head and said, “How could I possibly know so much? Just knowing that you are first is enough. Xiao Qi, ah, if you get first you might be able to go to the Munich Conservatory! Although a friend of Teacher’s recommended you as well, this is based on your own strength. It is not the same, ah.” Zheng Wei Qiao sighed with emotion, “If you really can enter, how good, ah. . .”

In the quiet backstage, one by one, the other contestants took their violin to the front and played. Zheng Wei Qiao did not notice that Qi Mu had frowned, his eyes dropped low in deep thought.

When Sheng Yan Hui was to back on stage, he stopped before Qi Mu again and he appeared hesitant. Then, right before he left, he choked out this sentence: “Qi Mu. . . you are still very good, but I will not concede. My last song is Mendelssohn’s 《E Minor》. I will show my strength and show you the work I’ve put in this past decade!”

Suddenly hearing a familiar name, Qi Mu jerked a little and he asked subconsciously, “Your selection is Mendelssohn’s 《E Minor》?”

“Yes.” After a pause, Sheng Yan Hui suddenly thought, “Is that. . . you too?!”

Sighing, Qi Mu licked his lip and nodded. Afterward, Sheng Yan Hui’s face instantly paled, his eyes dulled, and he turned to walk away without another word.

In the same competition, the same section, and to choose the same song, and. . . their performances were so close to each other. It was bound to compare the two more drastically. The previous two songs had already long surpassed Sheng Yan Hui, and this third, it may just entirely beat his face.

How could this not astonish Sheng Yan Hui?

But, that was how it was.

Sheng Yan Hui walked to the center stage with an uneven mood. But, before he had even left the background, he suddenly heard a low-pitched voice call out, “Wait a minute, Sheng. . . Sheng Yan Hui.” He turned and looked only to see Qi Mu hurrying over.

Sheng Yan Hui did not ask. Qi Mu’s mouth suddenly curled up in the corner to reveal a sneer. He looked Sheng Yan Hui up and down, then said, “It really is bad luck for you to pick my song. It seems you will always fall at my wayside, ah.”

Sheng Yan Hui’s face suddenly turned red and he angrily replied, “Qi Mu! You are so arrogant!”

Qi Mu’s gaze swept up to Sheng Yan Hui’s eyes and, in their light-colored depths, he could see both contempt and disdain. He spoke coldly, “Oh yeah? But I have the capital to be arrogant. Play your 《E Minor》well, ah. . . I’ll give you some time?”

Sheng Yan Hui’s fury grew, “Qi Mu! You have gone too far!!!”

Upon seeing this, the youth’s handsome face broke into a cold smile and left. Sheng Yan Hui suddenly felt as his heart was ignited. He clenched his bow in hand and confidently walked onto the stage.

A moment later, the clear melody of a violin sounded out.

“Xaio Qi, what did you say after chasing him?” Zheng Wei Qiao asked curiously.

He noticed that the brow that had been furrowed on Qi Mu’s forehead flattened out, and his condescending appearance had faded away. Qi Mu smiled pleasantly and said, “That, ah. . . I won’t tell Zheng-Ge.”

Zheng Wei Qiao looked at him with confusion but did not ask further. When Sheng Yan Hui returned from the stage and glared at him with scorn, Zheng Wei Qiao’s heart stilled and he tried to think of it, but it disappeared without a trace.

Two performances of Mendelssohn’s 《E Minor Concerto》.

One performance was wonderful and garnered a full house applause.

Although the interpretation was excellent, it was still eclipsed in comparison.

When it came time for the final results to be announced, all the participants sat below the stage. Qi Mu looked up at the spotlight and his thin lips curled into an unnoticeable smile.

“Third place, Zhao Zheng Wen.”

A dark-skinned youth burst into tears and went on stage to receive the award. After the audience’s applause, everyone quietly waited for Professor Karl to announce second place.

“Second place. . .”

Qi Mu saw the bearded professor suddenly stop speaking and his gaze fell in the direction of Qi Mu.

Zheng Wei Qiao immediately held his breath and, as if to chant, whispered, “Not you, not you. . . Sheng Yan Hui is sitting in front, it’s definitely him. . .”

Qi Mu listened, dumbfounded.

Professor Karl stared in his direction for a long time, then removed his gaze and said, “The second place is an excellent violinist, and I’m sorry for his ranking. In my heart, he should be first place. Therefore, I wish to report the first place, then second.”

This German just stammered when he spoke, but when he spoke in anger, it was as if he had practiced it countless times!

Everyone was shocked.

Was this unfortunate first place. . .

Going to be said by this large bearded man?

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Chapter translated by Kuroshinji and Betwixted, edited by Betwixted.