The dazzling spotlights illuminated the stage, and in the center, the pretty girl held her violin in one hand and the microphone in the other. She smiled and said, "Judges, thank you for the evaluation. I really like the 《Constance March》too."

This opening was still normal. She looked at Wu Lao in the center of the panel. "Professor Wu, thank you for your suggestions. I will pay more attention to vibrato in the future and practice more."

Wu Lao nodded in satisfaction. The girl turned to w.a.n.g Lao. "Master w.a.n.g Lao, I started playing the violin when I was four years old. Although it wasn"t my choice then, I like it now, and the violin has always been the most beautiful and meaningful sound to my heart."

There was a round of applause in the auditorium, then the girl said, "Music needs to be persistent. Anyone who persists can be successful, but last year, I was stuck in a rut. I felt like I couldn"t break through my limits until—— I heard a concert."

By the time she had finished speaking, her gaze was fixed on Qi Mu.

Qi Mu: "……"

"I was honored to accompany my parents to a live concert during the S City Symphony Orchestra"s 100th celebration last year…"

In the broadcast room, Luo Zheng Jie immediately said, "Time for our city"s orchestra to get some publicity! Stand one, draw closer!"

The little girl continued, "I was shocked at the time. It turns out the ensemble and symphony orchestra achieved such a magnificent effect. Mr. w.a.n.g Zheng, I find your 《Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor》 very nice, and I respect you very much!"

w.a.n.g Zheng, who hadn"t expected the conversation to turn to him, touched his head, taken aback. "Ah, thank you for your appreciation."

Some contestants had expressed their opinions before, but few had mentioned their favorite musicians. The most respected sat on the jury, so this topic was too difficult!

Luo Zheng Jie commanded, "Quickly, have the publicity team start a topic with the major netizens—— the most beautiful violinist of the Huaqing Cup came for the piano judges, breaking through the limits of instrument types…"

"Mr. Qi Mu, actually… I like your music the most!"

"Breaking through the limits of instrument types… ah?" Luo Zheng Jie had yet to finish speaking when he heard the girl continue.

On that dazzling stage, the girl in a white dress seriously said, "Mr. Qi Mu, I used to listen to your performances at the Menuhin Violin Compet.i.tion as a child. You were always what my parents and teachers taught me to strive for. But last year, I really took you as my life goal."

Qi Mu nodded along with a smile, then the girl said, "I really liked the 《Liang Zhu》 you played at the 100th anniversary. You also played the 《Constance March》 I chose for this semi-final. Your violin is gentle and delicate, but even the lowest melody is optimistic and positive. I really like you!"

The handsome young man nodded gently and said mildly, "Thank you for your appreciation. I was also very honored at the time to cooperate with the S City Symphony Orchestra. I hope you will continue to work hard in the future."

Qi Mu"s reply was neither humble nor overbearing. He didn"t exalt himself and successfully encouraged the other violinist. The girl on the stage nodded excitedly, wearing an "I"ll definitely practice the violin for twelve hours every day" expression.

w.a.n.g Lao, to the side, nodded with a smile. "That is a good goal to have. Child, you have to work hard. I will give you 9.5 points."

Except for that episode, the semi-finals went smoothly.

Amidst the "sarcastic" seniors, Qi Mu could no longer bear it and begged for mercy again and again.

And in the live broadcast room, Luo Zheng Jie watched the steadily rising ratings as if foreseeing his bonus!

Broadcasting a cla.s.sical music compet.i.tion to this point wasn"t easy to do!!!

Who had ever seen a non-entertaining compet.i.tion break through the ratings of 1?!

No!

Luo Zheng Jie was tearful. In his heart, he sent a silent penance to the bold girl and Qi Mu sitting on the judges" panel.

The results of this round were no surprise. The lovely girl that played the beautiful 《Constance March》 won the well-deserved first place and was issued the certificate by Wu Lao himself.

When the certificate was issued, the girl was somewhat deflated and looked enviously at the third-place winner—— who received the certificate by Qi Mu"s hand.

Wu Lao"s face shuttered and said quietly, "Little girl, I remember you"re a student at the S City Conservatory of Music? If you take my cla.s.s next year, you"d best be careful!"

The little girl burst into tears: "QAQ!"

That being said, in the end, Wu Lao took the girl by the shoulders pityingly, and everyone took a picture together. Under the applause of the audience, the semi-final round of the Huaqing Cup came to an official end, and the top six successfully advanced to the finals. The championship would be decided in two weeks.

Once the TV broadcast ended, the girl rushed up to Qi Mu and asked for his signature. He smiled and signed a word of encouragement above and his name below. The girl hugged the book tightly and repeatedly uttered, "Do your best" and "I"ll always support you."

When Qi Mu left the stage and was about to leave the concert hall, he hadn"t walked but a few steps when he heard someone call out behind him, "Err… Qi Mu!"

Turning to the voice, Qi Mu looked back in surprise. He saw someone approaching and narrowed his eyes as he tried to remember the name of the man he hadn"t seen in over a year, "Sheng Yan Hui?"

Steadily walking toward him was Sheng Yan Hui, whom Qi Mu had met in the partic.i.p.ation of the .

Now, Sheng Yan Hui wore a gray suit and silver gla.s.ses. There was no rashness or astringency as there was a year ago. He seemed to have become an outstanding musician, but when he saw Qi Mu, he couldn"t help the flush of his ears. "En, yes… it"s me."

Qi Mu was unaware of his strife and nodded with a smile. "Long time no see, Sheng Yan Hui. Have you graduated from the Munich Conservatory now? Why are you back in Huaxia?"

Sheng Yan Hui walked up to his side. "I still have half a year of cla.s.ses left, but I"ll be graduating soon. Professor Karl thinks I needed to gain more experience, so I came to Huaxia to organize a quartet." After a pause, he added, "You"re heading out… shall we go together?"

Qi Mu nodded, smiling, and the two left the concert hall together.

"A quartet… seems over the next six months, you"ll be giving small performances?" Qi Mu thought about it and said, "That"s actually quite good. There aren"t many people in a quartet, and it"s easier to control the music and gain experience."

At his approval, Sheng Yan Hui agreed immediately, "Yes, I also think so…"

The two talked as they walked towards the gate. About ten meters from the door, the night breeze slowed Sheng Yan Hui"s pace, and he said quietly, "Actually Qi Mu, your performance at the Paris Philharmonic Hall… I was there."

Qi Mu asked in surprise, "Huh? You went? Why didn"t you tell me?"

Sheng Yan Hui"s throat was tight, and he struggled to laugh. "I was also very busy at the college, there was no… I didn"t want to bother you. You performed very well, really!"

Qi Mu smiled, "Thanks. I haven"t heard your violin in a long time, but I believe, to have Professor Karl"s approval, you"re also excellent!"

The splendid concert hall lights shone against the young man"s black hair and spun it in shades of gold. His expression was set in a smile, and his tone was gentle and casual enough to make people feel close. But Sheng Yan Hui knew, this person…

He was already high enough that people had to lift their heads to look at him.

Before going to see Qi Mu"s concert, Sheng Yan Hui had also worked with the Munich college"s orchestra and appeared in the Munich Daily"s music section.

After arriving at the college, Sheng Yan Hui practiced hard every day because there was always a young man"s back in his mind. The one who had defeated him with such strength in that . He really wanted to reach his level, see his surprise, and receive his blessing with a smile.

But when he listened to that concert in Paris, Sheng Yan Hui finally learned——

This person and himself, the gap between them only continued to grow.

This person had such outstanding talent and strength, did he even put in more effort than he did?!

There was a saying: There are people who are more talented than you are, who work even harder than you.

After a friend at the violin department of the Paris National Conservatory said the Xiao Qi of Professor Akkad"s house practiced at least eight hours a day, Sheng Yan Hui was silent. He found his teacher and hoped to go out sooner to improve his perspective.

"Then, I will take the subway back, Sheng Yan Hui, want to go together?"

The other man"s pleasant voice interrupted Sheng Yan Hui"s thoughts, and he shook his head. "My hotel"s in the other direction, should I drive you back?"

Qi Mu shook his head with a smile, "You said the other direction, I won"t trouble you. We"ll have a chance to see each other later. I hope you can form your quartet!"

Sheng Yan Hui was frozen in place under the hazy moonlight, watching the youth walk away. He had a hunch tonight… it was probably the closest he would ever get to this young man in his life. If he didn"t speak now, he was afraid he would never get the chance!

Sheng Yan Hui took a heavy step forward and called, "Qi…"

His voice faded into silence, and his eyes widened in horror as he watched a handsome, tall man walk around the corner of the concert hall with a disgruntled expression.

While Sheng Yan Hui was stunned, he watched Qi Mu spot the man. He was obviously surprised, but he was happy to see him. Qi Mu hugged him, and the two walked forward together.

Sheng Yan Hui couldn"t hear what they were saying, but he had never seen such a gentle expression on the youth"s face. As if seeing the best thing in the world, there was a joy that could not be concealed.

Sheng Yan Hui silently lowered his hand and watched the two depart.

Not far off, Min Chen glanced back at Sheng Yan Hui, phoenix eyes squinting a little, but the youth beside him, still surprised, said, "Why did you come to S City without telling me? How long were you waiting by the door?"

Translator(s): Bet

TL Check: Teo

Editor(s): Empress

Proofer(s): Ayn

Bet:Should I coo at Min Chen or light a candle for Sheng Yan Hui"s white moonlight? ?Ayn:Coo at Min Chen ?