The Palisade Theatre’s large conference room spanned about 100 square meters. Inside the conference room, dozens of the theater orchestra members and opera actors could sit, discuss, and provide suggestions for the theater’s following schedule.

And now, since that evening, the room has entered a fierce state. The party represented by the music director, Greer, and the party represented by the conductor, Wallace, argued ceaselessly.

“Wallace, I understand what you’re saying, but it isn’t feasible! I’ve never heard of an orchestra that gave up the vocals of 《Ave Maria》! Yes, I’ve heard 《Ave Maria》 with a violin solo, but do you dare say that that kind of 《Ave Maria》 is more outstanding than one with a vocal accompaniment?!”

Encountering these issues with the performance, Greer was flushed with anger. Wallace hastily answered, “Oh no, Greer! Don’t you think because we’ve performed 《Ave Maria》 for over ten years, we need some improvement this time? Our theater is developing, it’s time for innovation!”

“Yes! We have to innovate, but give me a better suggestion!”

Determining the repertoire for the Christmas Eve concert led to the disagreement between conductor Wallace and music director Greer.

The former belonged to the school of innovation and believed the orchestra could not go on like this. There had to be change and improvement! Therefore, Wallace suggested they give up the vocals when playing Schubert’s 《Ave Maria》 this time.

However, the latter was conservative and thought 《Ave Maria》 without vocals could not portray the same solemn performance and would be the failure of the Christmas Eve concert. It would do nothing to improve the situation.

The two argued for over half an hour, and neither would yield.

This was the first time Qi Mu had seen Wallace so agitated. The French gentleman was entirely without his usual grace, keeping firm to his ideas.

A few members of the orchestra spoke, but when it came to giving up the vocals or not, the discouraged members also joined the “war.”

The musicians played the violin with such elegance in the past, but when it was time to decide the repertoire, they bitterly fought. It bore no resemblance to their usual joking demeanor. A regular sitcom, ah! If they made the wrong choice and didn’t have the best results, what would they say?!

Watching the situation grow bigger and bigger as several members grew angry, the orchestra’s first trumpet, Nelly, turned to Qi Mu and sighed. “Little Seven, how do you see this turning out…? I think Mr. Wallace’s idea is good, we do have to change something, but Mr. Greer is also right. If this change has a bad effect… ah, what good will this do!”

Qi Mu was equally helpless. “Nelly, I don’t know how to choose, it really is a difficult decision.”

Nelly naturally knew before Qi Mu spoke, there was no way to decide for sure. She could only shake her head. “Ah, this meeting will go on for a long time. If there was a sound that could replace the vocals, it’d be great! Mr. Wallace and Mr. Greer would be satisfied.”

Qi Mu froze. His light eyes widened, and he frowned a little. Then he suddenly said, “Nelly, you’re brilliant! I think I know what to do!”

The confused Nelly: “Eh?! I didn’t say anything, Little Seven…”

“I really want to thank you,” Qi Mu answered with a smile. Then, he turned to Wallace and Greer, who were in the midst of a cold war. Standing, his voice rang with clarity, “Mr. Wallace, Mr. Greer, I don’t know if you’ll listen to me, but… I have a good idea.”

Everyone turned to look in Qi Mu’s direction.

Qi Mu took a deep breath, slowly let it out, then spoke his thoughts, “Actually, I think…”

“So, you took the matter unto yourself?” Over the phone, Zheng Wei Qiao sighed heavily. “Little Seven, don’t increase your burden like this. You are still young, it’s not good to put yourself under so much stress!”

Qi Mu carried his violin case in one hand and pressed the elevator b.u.t.ton, caught between tears and laughter as he said, “Zheng-ge, I didn’t put much stress on myself at all. I agree with Mr. Wallace’s ideas that an orchestra needs an adaptive spirit. After thinking for a bit, I decided to use the violin solo to replace the vocals.”

Zheng Wei Qiao’s voice was frustrated, “Little Seven, your idea is good, but now, your weight in this concert is so heavy, isn’t that added pressure?”

The elevator climbed floor by floor, and Qi Mu watched the flashing numbers, smiling, “En, but Zheng-ge, this is also a challenge for me. I haven’t had much pressure since I graduated, and you know, if people get lazy, their skills will rust.”

“……” After a moment of silence, Zheng Wei Qiao said quietly, “Little Seven. Even if it means you’re lazy, do you want your Zheng-ge to live?”

They said a few more words, then Qi Mu hung up the call that spanned over half the earth. Taking out his key, he opened the apartment door but was surprised to find the room dark and empty.

The sun set early during Vienna winters. Even though it was already dark, it was only just after five. Qi Mu shook his head to clear his confusion, then changed his shoes. Setting his violin case in the music room, he heard the sound of a key in the door.

Leaving the music room, he called, “When I first came back, I was wondering why you were gone. Where did you go?”

Min Chen was surprised for a moment. He was slightly slow to change his shoes but returned to normal swiftly. He raised a hand and the plastic bag in it. “Bought dinner. Today, the orchestra affairs ended quite early?”

Since Min Chen had been to the Palisade Theatre before, Qi Mu strictly forbade the man from taking another step inside… Well, he was still allowed to watch the show, but he was never allowed backstage again!

Since Min Chen’s visit, the other members had laughed and teased Qi Mu, saying, “Little Seven, how do you know Mr. Bertram?,” “Little Seven, I heard Mr. Bertram doesn’t make a sound even when he’s eating, is it true?”

Qi Mu answered them seriously. Though Min Chen didn’t speak or make much noise while eating, he still made chewing sounds!

But the fans would wear “Little Seven, you’re lying” expressions.

Facing such “mentally disabled” fans, Qi Mu felt that if they were told Min Chen was actually an ordinary person that ate and drank, they would all cry in unison, “No! Little Seven! How could Mr. Bertram be like ordinary people!”

……Fortunately, he still kept Min Chen’s bug-fearing secret under wraps.

Taking the bag from Min Chen, Qi Mu arranged the delicate, yellow packages on the table. Getting tableware from the kitchen, Min Chen listened as Qi Mu spoke, “This afternoon, we discussed what we’ll perform at the concert. Since we finished early, I came back first.”

Min Chen handed Qi Mu chopsticks and asked casually, “《Ave Maria》,《The Blue Danube》… What else?”

Qi Mu looked up at him in surprise. “Another’s the 《Emperor Waltz》.” He paused and asked, “Have you heard the PalisadeTheatre’s Christmas Eve concert before?”

Min Chen’s narrowed phoenix eyes were smiling. He shook his head. “No.” At the youth’s surprised expression, he chuckled, “《Ave Maria》 is a must-have at many orchestra’s Christmas Eve concerts, and 《The Blue Danube》… well, are the Viennese so paranoid as to be terrified of Strauss, as if he were G.o.d? I didn’t expect the other song to also be Strauss’. What a terrible obsession, ah.”

Qi Mu chuckled, “If the Viennese heard you, they’d beat you.”

Min Chen raised an eyebrow indifferently, “Not afraid, my lover will protect me.”

Qi Mu: “… Recently, I feel you are particularly annoying.”

The handsome man nodded. “En, only my wife can beat me.”

Qi Mu: “……”

Under Qi Mu’s disgusted eyes, the simple dinner was quickly over. While dining, Min Chen, who was thought by the members of the Palisade Orchestra to “not make even a sound at dinner,” acted elegantly with excellent dining etiquette. He didn’t make a sound.

But after the meal, the thick-skinned music master directly swept the lunch box into the bin.

A flash of realization hit Qi Mu. “… You deliberately went out to buy dinner tonight to escape the responsibility of washing dishes?!”

The man stiffened his broad shoulders and turned his head to say expressionlessly, “I would never do something that dirty. Never.”

Qi Mu: “……”

If not, why act so serious!

That’s not what your expression says!

In this leisure time after their meal, the young man practiced his violin in the music room. The man leaned against the smooth piano lid with one hand, gazing at him.

His dark, deep eyes reflected the youth’s thin back. Min Chen slowly frowned.

… Did he really just go out to buy dinner?

Perhaps only he knew.