Chapter 185
Chapter 185
185 – Betwixted Translations
by Bet · July 9, 20218-10 minutes
Although Anthony was only Wei Ai’s temporary concertmaster, he still used this office due to work convenience. In this lounge, Qi Mu exchanged several discussions with Anthony on topics such as “the responsibilities of an orchestra’s concertmaster” and “how to better lead the orchestra” and gained lots of experience.
Now, Anthony exited the elegant lounge with a smile. He left the two young people with space to talk. On the wall, the clock ticked away, breaking the room’s silence.
As the host, Qi Mu took the initiative to pour a glass of warm water for the gentleman. He handed it over, and the other man took it with a polite, “Thank you.” He smiled and added, “Long time no see. You seem to have lost some weight.”
It seemed everyone that saw him thought he’d lost weight. Qi Mu reflected: was he really that thin?
“Call me Qi Mu directly, Mr. Chen.”
The person was Wu Lao’s personal assistant Xiao Chen. Qi Mu didn’t know why this man, whom Min Chen evaluated as having great potential to become an orchestra manager, rushed from the far-off city in Huaxia to wait for him in the Friends of Music Association building in Vienna.
But, once he spotted what the other party held in his hand, Qi Mu had a spark of realization and understood the man’s intentions.
Assistant Chen raised his hand and pushed up his silver-frame glasses with his middle finger. He wore a kind smile. “Alright. You can also call me Xiao Chen directly, Qi Mu. This time, I’ve come to Vienna due to Wu Lao. You must have guessed what I’m here for by now. Last week, I visited the Swiss bank to retrieve ‘Edith.’ Wu Lao hoped you’d receive her before you stepped onto the Golden Hall’s stage, so I’ve been waiting for a few days.”
Qi Mu was not surprised. As Assistant Chen had said, he’d already guessed what the man was here for. So he smiled. “I thought Wu Lao only agreed for me to take it once I’d stepped on that stage as a concertmaster.”
Assistent Chen shook his head. “Wu Lao merely hoped you would not spoil this beautiful little princess. Now, you already have the strength to protect her and the skill to let her shine with true radiance.”
Without saying another word, Assistant Chen turned a little and revealed the “Little Princess” hidden behind him.
On the light-colored sofa was a box about a meter long and 30 centimeters wide. It was wrapped in a dark green cloth cover so not a trace of dust could touch it. The cloth covering’s mouth was tied tightly shut. Clearly, he was a very careful individual.
Assistant Chen attentively handed the cloth-covered violin case to Qi Mu, and Qi Mu solemnly took it with both hands. Once it was in his hands, Qi Mu thought it was astonishingly light, no heavier than a feather.
He lifted his head to look at Assistant Chen in surprise. The latter smiled knowingly, “The materials used to make ‘Edith’ are special. She’s incredibly light, but her sound hasn’t been affected.”
Qi Mu set the case on the coffee table and removed the cover with care.
As it unfolded, it revealed a rich, ceremonial red. Underneath, red that seared into one’s eyes was exposed to the air. Once the cover had been completely removed, the little princess’s case was discovered to be so magnificently crimson, like that of a ruby that had been hidden away for thousands of years.
On the beautiful case’s smooth edges, there were long strips of metal. An unknown technology had engraved fine patterns into the silvery metal. Each stroke was a work of art and so complicated its beauty would render all who saw it speechless.
Qi Mu laid both hands on the clasps at either side and opened the first with a “click.”
Opening the next, he took a deep breath and gently lifted the lid. Though he had prepared himself, he could not help the widening of his eyes at the sight of this truly elegant and charming little princess. He didn’t have the words to express his internal wonder!
Any Si-style instrument that can be played was a treasure bestowed by God.
In his previous life, Qi Mu had visited several violins stored in museums and colleges and among them were, naturally, the Stradivarius violin. However, the chilly feelings that stemmed from its inaccessibility beyond glass could not be compared with seeing and touching it first hand!
Qi Mu thought this “Edith” was the most charming violin he had ever seen in both his lifetimes!
The silvery luster on its strings, the graceful slope of its body, everyone was simply a work of ingenuity!
Her sound was bound to be incredible!
How could such a voice be buried in the vaults of a Swiss bank, never to see the sun, never to be heard?!
Assistant Chen had long ago prepared for the youth’s astonishment. He nodded and said with a smile, “Wu Lao hopes you will liberate ‘Edith’ and spread her voice all over the world. Wu Lao hasn’t been in good health recently, so he cannot come to Europe to attend your concert, but when I return, I will bring Wei Ai’s records for him.”
Qi Mu slowly recovered from the violin’s breathtaking beauty. He reluctantly closed the lid and carefully locked “Edith” back into her case. “I will ask Anthony to help find a record with better sound quality and let you take it to Wu Lao.”
The two exchanged a few more words, then Assistant Chen, as he had finished what he had come to do and didn’t intend to disturb Qi Mu’s practice, stood to leave.
Qi Mu personally walked him to the doors of Wei Ai’s rehearsal hall, though Assistant Chen repeatedly asked him not to.
The two tall, black-haired Chinese men stood at the door. Assistant Chen, wearing his glasses, shook hands with Qi Mu. Just before he left, he said, “I will attend the concert the day after tomorrow. Your music is great. Please continue to work hard.”
Qi Mu was taken aback at those words and subconsciously replied, “Assistant Chen, you’re really using such polite language with me…”
“No.” Through the thin lenses, Assistant Chen’s always calm face broke into a smile. “That wasn’t an entrustment from Wu Lao. This is my blessing, using my identity as Chen Lingpin, to my favorite violinist. Please continue on this path so we may continue to hear beautiful music.”
Qi Mu stared at Assistant Chen’s back. He could still feel the temperature of the other man’s hand in his. This was from his fan, a fan who offered sincere wishes and encouragement.
The sun gradually rose above the horizon, casting its brilliant light onto the earth. The young man’s dark hair shone gold under its sunshine. Slowly, Qi Mu clenched his fingers.
For these fans, he must continue to work hard!
While carrying the crimson case back into the rehearsal hall, a member of the violin group rushed over before Qi Mu could react and asked, “Little Seven, Little Seven, that handsome guy just now, what’d he give to you? Is it a violin?”
Qi Mu didn’t have the time to answer before someone else leaned in and said, “They must have come to deliver the violin, right? Wow, what a beautiful case!”
“The violin inside must be beautiful too? The imitation Stradivarius Little Seven’s been using is already good, but could this one be even better?!”
“Little Seven, can we take a look…”
Looking at these old and famous members, Qi Mu shrugged helplessly. “Since everyone wants to see her, then… I’ll listen to you, this one time?” Before the others could shout out “That’s great!”, Qi Mu straightened out his expression and said seriously, “You can look, but you cannot touch! You have to agree, and I will take her out. You absolutely cannot touch her!”
Was there any other violin with such mystical power?
It wasn’t a gun!
The members raised their hands and one swore above the rest, “If I touch this violin, I will be punished by Anthony tomorrow and practice 《Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso》 50 times!”
Once this “poisonous oath” was uttered, the others turned to stare at this warrior in horror!
This was 《Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso》!
To swear such a poisonous oath on this piece of music, just how confident were you that you wouldn’t touch it?
Qi Mu didn’t say a word as he listened to their increasingly horrible vows and smiled quietly. After they all promised not to touch the little princess, Qi Mu carefully opened the violin case.
The moment “Edith” made her appearance, everyone took a breath! Then there were countless exclamations. The members of the violin group closest to Qi Mu swallowed thick around their saliva!
The eyes of the members (especially the violinists) were almost green, fixated so heavily on the beautiful little princess. One couldn’t help but stretch out his hand and Qi Mu gently coughed. “50 repetitions of 《Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso》…“
Carl: “…… QAQ”
Why did he make such a terrible oath!!!!