After the exciting opening performances ended, the Paris’ National Conservatory of Music finally entered the formal lecture period as scheduled.

For students like Qi Mu and Dylan, the opening ceremony was just words and held no meaning. They don’t even know what “holiday” meant.

At least the tasks for the orchestra members became easier once the semester started. After all, they had their own courses to complete. There was no time to be idle.

Realizing he had only half a semester to spend with his lovely student, Akkad’s temper was a lot better. He even lowered the threshold for Qi Mu. Often, he would order Qi Mu to practice Tchaikovsky’s 《Violin Concerto in D major》 in two or three days, but now…

“Little Seven, this piece is a bit difficult. So, I hope you can practice it in a week, okay?”

Though his expression was flat, Akkad’s tone was soft enough to shock Qi Mu.

Frowning, Qi Mu thought about it then asked, “Professor Akkad, are you sure… you gave me the right schedule? Seven days, not… three?”

Akkad raised his white eyebrows and said, “I still have a clear distinction between seven and three days. Seven, youth is bitterly short. You shouldn’t exhaust yourself, enjoy yourself more and have a good time. It’s also important to make phone calls and send messages.”

Qi Mu: “…”

Why did he feel like… those words were strange?

In a group chat Qi Mu didn’t know existed, Akkad was drowned by messages from two other people.

Daniel sent messages like, “Professor Akkad is the devil!” and Farrell sent some asking, “How could you bully Angel like this? Are you even human?”

Both of them tormented him with text messages like these several times a day. It was enough for Akkad to reflect on himself——

Do I give him too much work?

A bag of chocolates airmailed to him from a popular, traditional chocolatier from Turin really did make Akkad reconsider his methods. The sweet taste had earned Akkad’s never-ending praise.

Even though Akkad had lowered his requirements, Qi Mu didn’t pay attention to his sudden abnormality and still practiced with the same intensity as he did before. He familiarized himself with the piece as soon as possible.

But when the tasks for the orchestra became more overbearing, Qi Mu understood——

“Professor! You changed the task schedule so I could work around the orchestra’s daily practice!”

Akkad was munched on a sweet chocolate when the youth’s emotional voice interrupted him. The mellow taste of red wine spread through his mouth, putting the eccentric maestro in a happy mood. He didn’t respond to Qi Mu’s words, just let out a strange, “Ah.”

When he saw Akkad’s strange reaction, Qi Mu still nodded and said, “Professor, you’re so kind, ah! The orchestra is preparing for a performance in Philharmonie de Paris. It’s very important, and I have to spend a lot of time practicing.”

Akkad still didn’t understand what was going on. Blinking, he said, “Ah? Seven, you…”

What the hell are you talking about…

“Professor, you’re so kind!”

Akkad, who still didn’t know what was happening: “…”

Qi Mu said nothing wrong. The college orchestra received an invitation from Philharmonie de Paris not long ago. They would perform a symphony concert there the following month.

The academy’s orchestra was a first-class orchestra in Paris, but it was no small task to be invited by the Philharmonie de Paris.

Because their performance at the opening ceremony was so excellent, many music-related media in France and even across the world reported on them. That was probably how the college orchestra received the invitation.

Although it was newly built, the Philharmonie de Paris was one of the best concert halls in Paris, even the whole country. Bai Ai and Wei Ai also performed there half a year earlier. It was a great honor for the Paris’ National Conservatory of Music’s orchestra to perform there.

Therefore, apart from completing the assignments from his professor, Qi Mu spent most of his time practicing with the orchestra.

The members of the orchestra were the best students from the academy. In a few years’ time, they would be big names in the classical music world. But, for now, they still lacked experience.

By this time, the orchestra began to realize——

Their new concertmaster… had a ton of skills!

The orchestra didn’t really understand what skill meant, other than that a concertmaster must be more skillful with the violin than any of them. The reality was that a concertmaster must have a good grasp on how to merge the sound of the orchestra. It was something each group had to master; how to cooperate with other instrument groups.

Qi Mu gave his ten years of experience with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra to the naïve, straightforward students without reservation. Not only would they hear their sound and observe the conductor, they would pay attention to everyone else’s performance, too.

Under his guidance, the average members began to pay more attention to the members in their instrument groups, while the stronger ones paid attention to the other groups.

Those with a higher skill level, like Dylan, felt as if they became a member of the symphony orchestra. They were able to play a more orderly and harmonious melody with the orchestra.

“Seven, I didn’t expect you to be so talented in cooperating with the orchestra. You’re amazing!” Dylan said.

As assistant conductor, Clive was also star-struck by Qi Mu’s skills. “Seven, I’ve been in the conductor department for four years and an assistant conductor for a year. This is the first time I’ve seen our orchestra improve so quickly!”

Qi Mu just smiled modestly and said,  “Actually, Clive, the only thing you lack is experience. Though you’ve been leading the orchestra for a year, we’re all as blank as a paper. We know nothing. If we didn’t have a leader, we would know nothing.”

Clive nodded. “Our actual conductor is too busy. As you know, Professor Kawaguchi rarely rehearses with the orchestra. If I could follow him to study more, I think I would be more proficient with the orchestra’s daily management.” Clive approached Qi Mu and whispered, “Do you know that Professor Kawaguchi is Japanese?”

Qi Mu was shocked. With a smile, he replied, “Yeah, I do. What’s the matter?”

Clive looked around carefully. Confirming that Kawaguchi wasn’t there, he shook his head and furtively said, “Seven, I’ll tell this only to you. Last time… I saw Professor Kawaguchi eating live fish slices! Oh yes, it’s called what, sashimi in Japan, right? The fish’s tail was still moving, and he actually ate it! It’s terrible!!!”

Qi Mu: “…”

“He looked so serious. I never expected he dared to eat sashimi! It’s really frightening!”

Finally, Qi Mu couldn’t help himself. “Clive, if I remember correctly, you’re English, right?”

Clive nodded. “Yes, I am.”

After a moment of hesitation, Qi Mu asked, “What do you think of that famous dish… ‘Stargazy pie’?”

“Oh my God, are you talking about that ‘Stargazy pie’? It’s so delicious! I like the soft meat under the head the most. It’s so wobbly and soft, like jelly!”

Qi Mu: “…”

So… As a person from the Dark Empire, you’re very fond of the dark cuisine…

Where on earth does your self-confidence come from, if you still dare to despise sashimi?! 

……

After growing more familiar with the orchestra, Qi Mu made new friends and received a lot of party invitations.

However, because practice kept him busy, Qi Mu hardly went to any of them. It disappointed his new friends enough to ask, “Little Seven, you don’t love us. Aren’t we best friends?”

Qi Mu had no choice but to take the group of foodies to his house. He held a hot pot party and barbeque party every couple of weeks to feed his friends, who drooled at the mere thought of Chinese food. Afterward, all of them said, “Little Seven, you really are my best friend!”

Such fulfilling days passed by quickly. Before Qi Mu knew it, they were already three days away from their performance at the Philharmonie de Paris.

His days were so satisfying that when Clive gave him three tickets for family members, Qi Mu thought, Do I want to invite the man who’s thousands of miles away?

When Qi Mu picked up his mobile phone, it immediately started to ring.

He looked at the name written across the screen, shock written across his face. Pressing the answer button, he helplessly said, “Well, I was just about to call you. I didn’t expect you to call me first.”

Over the phone, Min Chen didn’t expect such a thing to happen either. Walking to the window, Qi Mu listened to the man’s deep voice across the line. “What were you going to tell me?”

Somehow, Lena and her boyfriend’s ‘greasy, crooked’ dialogue during the afternoon’s rehearsal break flashed to the forefront of Qi Mu’s mind.

The young man involuntarily smiled, but his voice was serious. With a tone full of grievances, he said, “What… Can’t I just miss you?”

Min Chen over the phone: “…”

Just when Qi Mu could no longer hold back his laugh and admit to teasing him, Min Chen’s dumbfounded voice sounded from the other end of the line. “… I miss you too.”

Why does he sound like a young wife? Qi Mu couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, I really have something to say to you, which is why I wanted to call you. Do you have something to tell me, too?”

“Well, there is something.”

Qi Mu nodded. “Well, then you say it first.”

“You first.”

“No, you first.”

“You first.”

“No, you.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Qi Mu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’m sending you an invitation!”