Like the Geneva Conservatory, Paris"s National Conservatorywas amongst the world"s top music academies. Most graduates went on to play in internationallyfamous orchestras. Rarely did their alumni decide to work in professionsunrelated to music.

Qi Mu studied at the Geneva Conservatory for four years and improvedhis skill with the violin in leaps and bounds.

Over those four years, he practiced several tracks as partof his professor"s teaching and partic.i.p.ated in countless compet.i.tions ofvarious sizes. He joined the academy"s orchestra and eventually became thedeputy chief.

When he officially started cla.s.ses, Qi Mu thought Akkadwould have him practice a score of music and give him according feedback, but.. .

Qi Mu didn"t expect that when he rushed to the college earlythat morning and walked into Akkad"s music room at 7:45, the room was empty. .. there wasn"t even a music stand!!!

That"s right, aside from the shelves of books, it wasimpossible to see even the shadow of a violin!

Akkad"s personal music room had over 50 square meters. The floorwas hardwood and had excellent sound insulation. The walls were also equippedwith professional sound-absorbing materials. The arrangements were simple, but thehuge windows ensured excellent lightning.

Qi Mu sat stunned holding his violin case and waited forfifteen minutes.

When the clock"s hands finally found eight o"clock, the dooropened, and Akkad wasn"t even a little surprised to see him there.

This serious little old man was wearing casual attire today,and a full lens camera hung around his neck. He stood in the door and beckoned,Xiao Qi, let"s go. Take your violin to my office. We"re going out."

Qi Mu: ". . ."

Akkad noticed Qi Mu"s speechlessness and added, "Don"tworry, my lounge is definitely safer than your apartment. It"s tightly monitored,the little girl in your hand won"t get lost. It"s okay to leave it there."

Qi Mu: ". . ."

Where is he worried?That wasn"t his problem!

But, the professor"s words were instructions for the student.

Qi Mu didn"t object and took his violin to Akkad"s office. Akkadseemed to think Qi Mu was still worried so carefully put Qi Mu"s "little girl"into his safe. He turned and said, "See, don"t worry?"

". . ."

That really wasn"t theproblem!

Although Qi Mu was confused and couldn"t understand what Akkadmeant by it, the following development only made him more. . . baffled!

For the whole day, the violin master from Turin, Italyshowed him, thoroughly, how the "people of Turin love chocolate."

From the familiar Jeff de Bruge to Smucha and Jean-Paul Hevin,ones he had never heard of, the master walked through these famous chocolatiersand tasted a variety of them.

Qi Mu hadn"t known before, but chocolate could have such distinctivetastes. For example, Smucha chocolate was sweet with a bitter aftertaste, whileJean-Paulkevin was entirely sweet.

Chocolate was a common snack in Europe. The many lovelychildren on the streets of Paris were not round from just high-fat foods.

However, while Qi Mu had grown up in Europe, he rarely atethe stuff. There was no need to ask why when he was in the orphanage. And afterhe was adopted, he ate some affordable chocolates, but he had never tasted thesewell-known brands.

When they strolled into the last high-end shop in thewestern suburbs, it was already four in the afternoon. If they were still atthe college, the bell would be ringing, but Akkad was apparently not a mentorthat liked to procrastinate.

Akkad shoved a few of his chocolates into Qi Mu"s hand andsaid gravely, "Xiao Qi, chocolate is a very happy food. You have to taste it.Today"s cla.s.s is here, tomorrow you will wait for me at the Arc de Triomphe.Remember to keep my camera safe, these are the memories of our day."

Qi Mu wanted to cry, but he also wanted to laugh. ". . . Yes,Teacher Akkad!"

So, as the sun set, a handsome young man carrying a varietyof exquisite chocolate gift bags and a heavy camera around his neck walked downa path.

All day, Akkad had made him smile and pose while he tookpictures.

At first, Qi Mu was a bit cautious. He didn"t understand whythis eccentric professor wanted to take such bizarre photos, but he graduallylet go and even snapped a few pictures of Akkad.

Tomorrow would be focused on the Arc de Triomphe. . .

Looks like another day of fun?

It was only after Qi Mu returned to his apartment and setdown the heavy camera that he suddenly remembered something important! "Myviolin. . . it"s still in teacher"s safe?!"

Qi Mu smiled helplessly, having a faint feeling his heart——

Akkad didn"t want him to touch the violin for a while?

Well, maybe he was overthinking things.

In fact, this outlandish speculation was confirmed the nextday when he asked his professor. "Teacher, I don"t know when I can get my violinback."

"When, ah? We don"t have to cover every corner of Paris. It shouldn"tbe long. I think you should be able to meet the little girl in a week."

Qi Mu: ". . ."

That morning, at the official start of cla.s.s, Qi Mu took severalpictures of the Arc de Triomphe and walked back and forth with Akkad across thefamous Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

After a simple lunch at noon, he was still guessing as towhere they would spend the afternoon when Akkad took him straight to a high-endclothing store.

He took Qi Mu"s financial situation into consideration andonly selected a medium, gray suit for him. Though Qi Mu didn"t understand histeacher"s intent, he a.s.sumed it was for when he was allowed to play in the futureor for a performance, so he directly paid for it.

But then Akkad cut the label and told him to leave hisclothes, Qi Mu finally noticed something wrong. He asked, "Teacher Akkad, whatare you. . . what do you mean?"

Akkad asked strangely, "Didn"t I tell you before? We"regoing to a concert tonight!"

Qi Mu: ". . ." Youdidn"t say anything!

Akkad didn"t care too much either way. He nodded, "Xiao Qi,tonight, we"re going to Paris"s Philharmonic Hall for a concert. This suit fitsyou well. You can use it for compet.i.tions and performances later, but since you"lluse it sooner or later, you might as well use it tonight."

Since he had only been in Paris for a few days and most ofit was spent cleaning his apartment and getting things sorted with the college,Qi Mu didn"t have time to learn about unrelated things. This was the first timehe heard of a concert being held at the Philharmonic Hall.

One that would have Akkad interested in it must be at leasta world-cla.s.s symphony orchestra. Qi Mu thought for a moment then tried to figureout what kind of orchestra. . . would come to Paris to perform?

This question did not haunt Qi Mu for long.

When they pa.s.sed a calm, man-made lake, a magnificentbuilding came into sight.

The Paris Philharmonic Hall was the most expensive concerthall in the world. This young hall was only nine years old this year, but ithad the world"s best audio equipment and sound effects. The building"s architecturewas all sleek curves and reflected the faint silver glow of the moonlight.

When Qi Mu entered the building, a huge poster caught hiseye.

Qi Mu: ". . ."

Akkad looked at the poster in disapproval. He said, "It"snot that guy conducting, but they still give him a position on the poster. So unreasonable."

Qi Mu"s light-colored eyes widened slightly, and he subconsciouslyasked, "Teacher, this time t.i.t"s not Min Chen. . . um, Mr. Bertram conducting tonight?"

Akkad nodded, "Ah, I remember this time it"s Littis incommand tonight. His skill is also great, very orthodox and elegant. You shouldbe able to learn a lot from it. Bai Ai is strong, Xiao Qi, you have to listenwell."

Naturally, if there were an opportunity, Qi Mu would neverhave missed the chance to listen to these first-cla.s.s orchestras. Moreover, CharlesLittis was also a great conductor. His style was formal and belonged to the romanticgenre. Qi Mu had listened to one of his concerts, and it was dignified,powerful.

"Alright, Teacher, I will listen carefully."

Under the moonlight, this beautiful youth dressed in adelicate suit followed his teacher into the exclusive box on the second floor.

Qi Mi didn"t question why they were sitting there, afterall, this was Master Akkad. For him to get an exclusive seat, it was nothingunusual to think about.

They could see the entire stage from this box. Only after hewalked closer did Qi Mu realize this box would experience the concert best.

Qi Mu sat in such a quiet, comfortable box, and looked downat the orchestra members on the stage. when Bai Ai"s concertmaster, Christi, officiallyarrived, the next to step on stage was the conductor.

Qi Mu smiled and saw Charles Littis step onto the stage. Asif in time with the master reaching the podium, the door behind them opened.

The sound was quiet, nearly drowned out by the audience"sapplause, but Qi Mu"s hearing was astute, and it still rang in his ear. Heturned and looked back.

He froze, stunned, in his seat.

Even the handsome man standing at the door was stunned stillness.

Qi Mu: ". . ."

Min Chen: ". . ."

Translator(s): Bet

Editor(s): Bet