"Reed Akkad."

After saying this name, Farrell fellsilent.

In the quiet lounge, even thesound of a pin falling to the floor would be heard. Feeling as if he had heard an auditory hallucination, Qi Mu asked,tentative, "Mr. Farrell, excuse me. . . but who is that?"

Farrell was not bored in theleast with Qi Mu"s inquiry. He smiled and lifted his cup. He repeated itpatiently, "Qi, you didn"t hear me wrong. I"m talking about Reed Akkad. He wentto the NationalHigher Conservatory of Music in Paris. As far as I know, he is stillwaiting for a student."

This old man"s voice was casual as if he was saying something trivial.But in Qi Mu"s ears, it stunned him to stillness.

Reed Akkad, who was he?

Well, the great Master of the violin was over seventy years old, but last yearhe put on a grand performance with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Akkad"s skill with a violin stoodat the top of the world. Due to the difficulty of his play and his fantasticalhand-speed, he had a resounding nickname——

——The contemporary Paganini.

This was, of course, alsobecause Akkad"s first performance on stage took first place in Genoa"s PaganiniCompet.i.tion. However, Akkad"s mystical ability truly made the entire worldsigh.

Farrell and Akkad went separatedirections. The former played each piece with skill and rich emotion. Wheneversomeone mentioned the latter, despite Akkad having a deep understanding ofmusic, the first thing that came to mind was his dazzling skill.

What Qi Mu least expected. . . this master had entered a music school and becamea professor?

He could not help but feel alittle doubt in his heart. Qi Mu"s brow furrowed, and he looked up at thesmiling Farrel. "But. . . Mr. Farrel, as far as I know, Master Akkad is reluctantto accept students."

Akkad was born poor, and he was self-taught.So, when he was young, he threatened that he would never accept a student inhis lifetime. He believed that a true master could not be taught by anyone and that only hard self-study could producea first-cla.s.s violinist.

Farrell laughed. He sipped his teaand said, "Qi, you are still young. You don"t understand an old man. . . in thelast ten, twenty, half a year of life, what kind of mentality is that? When we wereyoung, we said a lot, and a lot of it was rubbish. Now, at our age, it isnatural to see farther and clearer. That kind of nonsense is stuff we said as children."

Qi Mu took the initiative to renewthe tea, and Farrel was a little surprised, then he smiled, "Thank you."

Farrell continued, "Akkad has aterrible temper, but, Qi, he will certainly be a good teacher. When I heardyour 《D Major》 last night, I knew you had good skill, and youhad an excellent feel for music. Yours was unique and delicate. After chattingwith Hill today, I found out you are also good with Paganini"s songs."

Hill was Cheng Ting Wen"s Englishname. Qi Mu hadn"t expected them to talk about his affairs.

He nodded, "Yes, I preferPaganini"s songs. Whether it"s his 24 capricciosor the others, I have practiced them all."

"That"s great! Qi, since I spokewith Hill today, she gave me a copy of your performance last night and a few of your other alb.u.ms. When I returnto Europe, I will pa.s.s them on to Akkad." Farrell paused then smiled again, "Qi,you don"t have to worry. I believe Akkad will be thrilled to have you as a student.I just hope. . . you won"t refuse my kindness."

Farrell had learned from ChengTing Wen that Professor Karl had tried to take Qi Mu on a student and was rejected.

Professor Karl was also awell-known professor of music. Many of his students were in the world"s toporchestras. If Qi Mu could refuse him, then he was also very likely to reject becomingAkkad"s student.

While Farrell"s thoughts wentthat route, Qi Mu lowered his eyes and furrowed his brow without responding.

The morning sun shone throughthe window, and the leaves outside rustled against the gla.s.s, isolating thelight into dappled rays that scattered over the youth"s almost transparentcheeks.

After a long time, Qi Mu glancedup then at Farrell. He was surprised to find the world"s top violinist, withouteven a hint of anxiety, watching him, waiting for his answer.

The last string holding hisheart back snapped in two. He sighed, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Farrell,but. . . I don"t know if Master Akkad will accept me as a student. If I had theopportunity, I would be honored."

The implication being that Qi Muwas hopeful about becoming Akkad"s student.

Perhaps Qi Mu was a tad tooproud. The moment news that "Reed Akkad wished to take a student" was released,there would be more than a hundred people gathering outside Paris"s NationalConservatory to set eyes upon the master.

But, Farrell did not appearupset with Qi Mu"s answer. He knew this promising young man must have had hisown reasons for rejecting Professor Karl"s invitation. Therefore, it was justifiablefor him to not make a decisive decision in the face of his own request half ayear later.

Farrell stood up and smiled. He extendeda hand and said, "Trust me, Qi, you are verygood. You are the student Akkad has been looking for."

Qi Mu immediately stood up andclasped hands with Farrell. His lips curled upward in a smile, "Thank you foryour praise. I was fortunate to have thisopportunity to meet you today."

The two exchanged a few moresentences, then Qi Mu saw Farrell off at the S City Symphony"s entrance.

Zhu Wen Jun and Cheng Ting Wenalso came over to send him off. The group chatted politely, then Farrell turnedto step towards the car, but he seemed to think of something. Farrell turnedand looked at Qi Mu.

Everyone knew that Farrell Louishad presbyopia (farsightedness). He squinted a little and seriously looked QiMu up and down again. He seemed to look straight through him.

A long stretch of time pa.s.sed, then just when the polite smile on Qi Mu"sface was about to falter, the master burst into laughter. He asked, "Qi, do youhave an English name?"

Silhouetted by the winter sun, theyoung man"s face appeared softer, even as he frowned in confusion. Qi Mu"s eyesflashed with a trace of bewilderment, and he shook his head. "Mr. Farrell, Inever took my English name."

Farrell nodded. "I was too faraway last night, and I couldn"t see clearly. Today, it was too dark in the lounge,so there wasn"t much I could see. But now, Qi. . . I think there is a name thatsuits you very well."

Somehow, Qi Mu"s heart leaped with a badfeeling. He subconsciously took a half step backward, but he could not ignore Farrell"spresence. He bit the bullet, pushedthrough, and asked with a smile, "Farrell. . . I don"t know what you"re talkingabout. . ."

"How about Angel?"

Qi Mu: ". . ."

"Pfffft. . . " Cheng Ting Wen,the closest, suddenly burst into laughter. When Farrell looked at her, she waveda hand and said, "Mr. Farrell, I think. . . ah, Angel suits Xiao Qi very well, pffffft. . ."

Zhu Wen Jun looked at his wifehelplessly then whispered, "You. . . really, ah. . ."

Farrell did not seem to noticehow drastic his words were. He nodded andgazed at Qi Mu solemnly. "Qi, you are truly a beautiful child. Your music isalso excellent. Cute as an Angel. This name really suits you."

The mascot Xiao Tian Shi*/Xiao Qi:". . ."

Cheng Ting Wen laughed untilFarrell"s care had disappeared around the corner. She heaved in breathlessness.In contrast, her husband was positively stern, his expression making Qi Mu feelmuch more comfortable.

However, it did not last forlong. He only saw Zhu Wen Jun"s eyes squinta little, then he looked at Qi Mu and said, "Xiao Qi, I heard Mr. Daniel Dukeused to call you Engelchan*. . . orsomething? Why don"t you make your English name Angel?"

Qi Mu: ". . ."

. . .

In a single afternoon, theentire orchestra learned that he had been given an English name by Farrell. "Angel"of all things.

After spending several hours atthe headquarters, Qi Mu had seen countless members laughing and beckon him overwith a grin from ear to ear, all shouting "Angel."

This ubiquitous "bad name" wasunavoidable. Qi Mu changed his flight to B City for that evening. In the faceof Cheng Ting Wen"s enthusiasm, he did not hesitate to board the plane.

Just before he entered thesecurity checkpoint, Cheng Ting Wen, whocame to drop him off at the airport, raised her hand to wipe away thenonexistent tear in the corner of her eye. Her tone was low when she said, "Angel,you have to go study in Paris. Your auntie Cheng. . . I will certainly go see you often!"

Qi Mu: ". . ."

Do you dare to change my name!!!

Translator(s): Bet

Bet:

If anyone remembers in Min Chen calls Qi Mu “Xiao Tian Shi.” It means "Little Angel." Daniel later called him "Engelchan" as well.

I"m crying in laughter, omg.

I am dying. I swear. Qi Mu is forever t.i.tled “Angel” henceforth. I shall not acknowledge anything else! roflmao!