When Dorenza entered the Palisade Theatre’s backstage, it caused quite a commotion.

Compared with the time Min Chen snuck in, Dorenza’s arrival surprised the entire staff, and they excitedly approached him to take photos.

As one of the four great conductors of the world, Dorenza’s fame and prestige scarcely surpa.s.sed Min Chen’s. But, if it was in Vienna, while casually walking down the street, if one was to ask a citizen, “Do you like Mr. Bertram or Mr. Dorenza more?”, even if they were a loyal fan of Min Chen’s, they would hesitate for only a moment before answering——

“I prefer Wei Ai’s Mr. Dorenza!”

Yes, because he was the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s chief conductor, Albert Dorenza!

Wei Ai is Vienna’s most prized orchestra. As long as he is the conductor of Wei Ai, he is the most respected musician in the hearts of all Austrians!

Of course, as a loyal fan of Dorenza, Nelly was undoubtedly the most excited out of the whole orchestra. Blushing, she took a photo with him and successfully obtained Dorenza’s signature as well. Even the freckles on her face danced with delight.

After the commotion his entrance caused had begun to calm, Qi Mu followed Wallace into the conductor’s lounge and talked to the visiting master musician.

The quiet, tidy lounge only had the barest office utensils, since Wallace was frugal and simple. His lounge was as clean and refreshing as he was himself, and there was nothing superfluous.

When the three people entered the lounge to chat, Qi Mu specifically asked Nelly to bring a pot of hot water from the pantry, and only then did the three men sit and pour tea.

It had been over a month since he saw Dorenza last, and Qi Mu smiled as he poured a gla.s.s of water for the gentle master. While pa.s.sing it over, he listened to Wallace say, “It’s been a long time, Mr. Dorenza. I didn’t expect you at our Christmas Eve concert tonight. I’m truly honored!”

In addition to the tickets sent to the audience of prior performances, the Palisade Theatre sent invitations to several famous European masters and critics. Of course, there weren’t usually many that came on a night as important as Christmas Eve. Most people preferred staying by the warm fire, spending time with family.

It was genuinely unexpected to Wallace that Dorenza would attend the show.

After a quiet “Thank you” to Qi Mu, Dorenza laughed a little and answered, “Just call me Dorenza, dear Wallace. I came to the Palisade half a year ago and heard your 《Don Giovanni》. It was a wonderful opera!”

Wallace smiled, “Thank you for the compliment.”

The two exchanged a few more words, then Dorenza turned to the smiling young man and said, “Long time no see, Little Seven. When Lance said you were coming to the Palisade Theatre’s orchestra, I didn’t expect you to grow so much in the four months you’ve been gone! What emotion!”

Wallace naturally knew Qi Mu’s teacher was Akkad and that Akkad had a good relationship with Dorenza. It was only a matter of course that Dorenza knew Qi Mu.

A bright smile appeared on the young man’s handsome face, and he nodded. “Mr. Dorenza, long time no see. I heard Wei Ai just ended a tour the day before yesterday. Unfortunately, I’ve been busy rehearsing for this concert, so I had no time to listen.”

Dorenza smiled and shook his head. “If you like, when the recording comes out in a couple of days, I can show it to you, Little Seven.” He paused and turned to Wallace again, “Wallace, the concert tonight was great. I’m glad I came and got to listen to such wonderful music. However, I actually came tonight… with a harsh request.”

Dumbfounded, Wallace nodded politely. “If I can help, I will do my best.”

Dorenza smiled gently, then glanced at Qi Mu. “Actually… this matter is related to Little Seven.”

Then, to the surprise of Qi Mu and Wallace, Dorenza pulled a letter from his pocket and handed the bulging envelope to Qi Mu. Opening the letter, Qi Mu’s eyes widened as he took in the densely packed letters on the stationery.

This was a long letter penned with a feather quill and ink and written on a parchment letter paper. There was a fiery red wax seal on the outside of the envelope. As if it is still burning, above the print was a delicately scripted surname.

Against the pale stationery, he recognized the name.

Before receiving the letter, Qi Mu never knew Akkad’s writing in German was so beautiful. He had never thought that, even far off in Paris, his teacher would thoughtfully offer a way out for him and bother to write such a long recommendation letter.

In fact, according to the relationship between Akkad and Dorenza, it just needed to be said that Qi Mu would partic.i.p.ate in the recruitment for Wei Ai’s deputy concertmaster. However, for Akkad to write a formal letter as “Reed Akkad,” it showed how much he loved and valued his student.

This softened Qi Mu’s heart, and he missed the stubborn little old man even more.

… Really, doing such a thing was cheating!

Wallace read the letter and was stunned for a while, but came to understand.

His eyes drifted back and forth between the smiling Dorenza and the shocked Qi Mu before finally settling on the concertmaster they had had for over four months.

After looking at Qi Mu for a long time, Wallace said, “Little Seven, congratulations! I think with your strength, you will definitely be a great deputy concertmaster for Wei Ai!”

As soon as those words were spoken, the implication was that he agreed to expire the half-year contract. Qi Mu would not be forced to stay.

In fact, when Lance signed the contract with the Palisade Theatre on Qi Mu’s behalf, it was only for half a year.

At the time, Lance was worried Qi Mu might encounter a better opportunity and couldn’t sign a long-term contract. And Wallace had thought: in half a year, the music schools will be graduating a large number of outstanding students. He’d fancied a good student before. The half-year deadline just allowed him the buffer time to consider more candidates.

Wallace, at the time, didn’t expect the young child to be so excellent!

When he listened to Qi Mu’s 《Bell》 by Paganini, he just thought this child’s level was good.

But after rehearsing with Qi Mu for a few days, he discovered the child’s most valuable ability wasn’t his outstanding violin skills, but his cooperation with the orchestra!

Based on “having excellent violin talent,” this was an even deeper level of talent!

Not to mention, this kid was really too hard on himself!

Even Wallace, who had seen countless musicians, had to admit, when he arrived early at the rehearsal room and saw Qi Mu seriously playing the scores alongside the second violin group, he was shocked at the child’s efforts!

At the time, it wasn’t even dawn yet. The score wasn’t one the child needed to play, but he was studying hard for the whole orchestra, all for the best performance!

Qi Mu was definitely an excellent concertmaster.

The night’s success also proved this to Wallace. Simultaneously, it suggested that the child needed a larger stage, that he should go to a more powerful orchestra and have even greater opportunities! He was still young!

With lots of thoughts weighing his heart, Wallace looked at the one sitting opposite to himself, at Dorenza and exclaimed with a smile, “Dorenza, although I’ve only spent four months with Little Seven, I really wanted to recommend him to you. He… is a really good child! If you skip over him, you will definitely regret it!”

Dorenza nodded. “Yes, Wallace. I have always known Little Seven is an excellent child.” He paused and explained, “Actually, since Zayev was fired… I think you know already? Yes, I fired Zayev, and now Wei Ai lacks a good concertmaster.”

Sighing, Dorenza continued, “After Zayev left the orchestra, Wei Ai had the deputy concertmaster, Anthony, temporarily take over the position. But, Anthony isn’t young, and it’s difficult for him to bear such heavy responsibility. I wanted to recruit a deputy concertmaster over the next few months, then… together with Anthony, develop an outstanding concertmaster.”

When Dorenza said this, both Qi Mu and Wallace understood at once.

Wallace exclaimed, “G.o.d! Are you recruiting for a concertmaster?!”

Dorenza nodded. “Correct. Although, we can only call it the deputy concertmaster for the public recruitment tomorrow. In fact, I hope to make him Wei Ai’s best concertmaster within three months.”

Dorenza looked at the surprised young man and said, “Little Seven, I believe you have the strength, and now… I need to borrow you from my dear Wallace.”

Qi Mu was still stunned. “Mr. Dorenza, I still have over a month’s contract left with the Palisade…”

“Little Seven, I think you should seize this opportunity.” Qi Mu had yet to finish when Wallace interrupted. “The Palisade Theatre is pleased to have had such an outstanding concertmaster as yourself these past four months, and I deeply feel the progress of our orchestra, but now… How could I stop our dear Little Seven from moving on to a larger stage?”

Pupils trembling, Qi Mu turned to look at Wallace. He returned the look with a gentle smile and encouraging eyes, but… Qi Mu still didn’t know how to answer.

Wallace continued, “Little Seven, don’t worry about the orchestra. Everyone will be happy for you to get such a good opportunity!”

There were no words to convey his thoughts, and he had no idea how to start. Qi Mu clenched his fingers and touched a small, fluffy thing in his pocket. Drawing it out by a ribbon, Qi Mu saw a little bunny twirling in the air with round eyes. It was very cute.

Qi Mu smiled and tugged the two little arms of rabbit Little Seven and, shaking a little, looked at Wallace. “I, with rabbit Little Seven, want to say to Mr. Wallace——”

“Thank you for your care all this time. I gained a lot, I definitely won’t let you down.”

“The Palisade Theatre… is my favorite theater!”

After a long conversation, Qi Mu learned more about the recruitment from Dorenza, then sent the prestigious conductor out the theater’s doors alongside Wallace. Some curious members of the orchestra secretly hid behind the pillars and watched the master leave with heavy hearts.

Before leaving completely, Dorenza suddenly paused and turned to Qi Mu. “Little Seven, I heard your 《The Blue Danube》 today, and it was very touching! Your 《The Blue Danube》 is one of the best I’ve heard, and it made my hesitation fade away.”

Qi Mu whispered, “Thank you,” but Dorenza hadn’t finished yet. “But Little Seven, your violin… it reminds me of a dead friend. His 《The Blue Danube》 is as affectionate and romantic as yours. I think when he hears this piece you’ve played in heaven, he will also be very happy.”

Qi Mu naturally understood who Dorenza was speaking of and nodded gratefully, but Doenza pulled another letter from his pocket. Though he was stunned again, Dorenza only smiled and said, “I only just remembered to take this out now. Actually, Little Seven… I have a letter here, another recommendation.”

Qi Mu took the thick letter in surprise. Dorenza’s voice was thick with emotion as he said, “The last time Min and I recognized talent was over a year ago. I never expected him to recommend another excellent violinist so soon. Min’s letter is also well written. Little Seven, if you are interested, after the meetings start next week, give me this letter again.”

Holding the heavy letter in hand, Qi Mu watched Dorenza’s back as he walked away.

Under the dim light, the young man’s figure stood alone. Cool wind blew from every direction, but he couldn’t feel the cold. The letter in his hand was as hot as a fireball, enough to keep him warm.

The two letters, the two people who were sincere toward him.

Absence… really made the heart grow fonder, ah.