The Palisade Theatre's western opera was one of the very best in Vienna.
The opera house had a preference for Mozart, especially the famous 《The Marriage of Figaro》 which had been showing for a month and was critically acclaimed.
Jacques thought it was likely that《Romeo and Juliet》 would be released because the orchestra once said that they won't perform the touching opera publicly. So Jacques speculated this was the reason why the opera house was full, since the performance would slap the public in their face.
But the reality disappointed Jacques. The opera still opened with 《The Marriage of Figaro》 , and the night's performance was still…
《The Marriage of Figaro》.
Jacques took his seat in the exquisite hall with his friends from the orchestra.
Though not very big, the Palisade Theatre could accommodate more than 500 people. Their second floor was among the best in Vienna, decorated with gold pillars and a religious-themed painted ceiling. It had the retro style of medieval Europe.
The folks from the Vienna Symphony Theatre got seats in the centre of the hall. The symphony orchestra, already blocked by half the stage, was also blocked from view by the audience sitting in front of them.
The excitement from the audience subsided by the time the performance started.
The opening was composed of loud counts by the protagonist, Figaro. His baritone turned the audience completely silent, immersing them in the world of opera.
One of Mozart's three best operas, 《The Wedding of Figaro》 was of the comedy genre.
Figaro, the servant was about to marry his beloved maid, Susanna. However, the Count was enchanted with Susanne's beauty and sought to restore Droit du seigneur, a legal right that had long been abolished.
Under such circumstances, Figaro cooperated with the Countess and asked Susanna to write a bold and passionate love letter and deliver it to the Count, asking for a rendezvous in the small garden at night. The Count arrived to hold the woman tightly in the dark, but found himself scolded, only to discover——
The woman in his arms was his own wife!
While also a comedy, there was no tragic character in this as there was in another of Mozart's works, 《Don Giovanni》. Even the amorous and lustful Count ended up swearing to his wife that he would never do such a thing again.
The whole play began with a rapid violin, sounding like birds flying in the sky, almost inaudible to the audience. After that, a melody from the woodwind group joined in, accompanied by the rest of the orchestra. The magnificent atmosphere created by the orchestra made people comfortable, unable to stop themselves from being immersed in the music.
When the two arias in the prelude ended, Jacques, sitting in the middle of the back row, clapped his hands and commented, "Wait… Is this really Palisade Theatre's 《Figaro》?!"
A member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra smiled and said, "How's that, Jacques? Do you think their sense of music has become stronger? Their orchestra has improved their control over the rhythm and emotion. I'm sure you know that a good concertmaster or conductor can always use their skills to influence the orchestra."
Another member immediately followed with, "That's right. Just like you and Mr. Evra leading our orchestra's improvements. By the way, Jacques… Their concertmaster is Qi Mu. What kind of music did he play when he auditioned for our orchestra?"
Jacques: "… You… What's with all these questions?!"
Seeing the man inexplicably getting angry, the others just shrugged their shoulders and began to focus on the first act. What they didn't notice was that Jacques' face was both red yet pale, as if being slapped by an invisible hand.
Jacques' face was swollen.
In order to find faults in the guy who caused it, Jacques ignored the beautiful, high-spirited songs and concentrated on the accompanying orchestra instead.
As the concertmaster of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Jacques wasn't mediocre by any means. When he heard a familiar sound in the violin group, the black man sneered and thought, Let's see how well you can perform!
The next moment, however, left Jacques completely entranced with the melody.
The violin was sometimes low and soft, gently touching the strings. Other times, it was fiery and tough, expressing an unyielding, loyal love. Under the guidance of the violin, the melody that the orchestra produced was like riding a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, infecting the audience.
At the end of the play, Jacques couldn't stop himself from applauding. One of the other orchestra members mused, "Oh, Jacques, you think this performance is good, right? Shall we come again tomorrow?"
Jacques, who instantly stopped clapping: "…"
Why in the world had he clapped?!
He was totally applauding the theatre orchestra's excellent performance!
Damn it… He applauded for that precocious brat! He must have been possessed by a ghost!!!
In front of the stage, the folks from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra left with a smile (except Jacques), while backstage, the fair-skinned youth packed up his stuff. He planned to leave early.
In the crowded and noisy space backstage, the members of the orchestra happily greeted their concertmaster.
"Oh, Little Seven! Tonight's performance was still great, keep it up!"
"Hey, Little Seven. Are you joining us for the celebration tonight? We've already booked a box at Deliziös Hotel!"
"Little Seven, don't leave early today. Let's celebrate together!"
Qi Mu chuckled at their antics. After regretfully declining their invitation, Qi Mu left the opera house alone through the back door with his violin case in hand.
The bleak, late autumn wind seemingly having a mind of its own, darted into the lapel of the youth's coat. He felt as if he was drenched with a basin of cold water. Tightening the scarf around his neck, Qi Mu heard his mobile phone ring. Looking at the name flashing on the screen, he pressed the answer button.
"The show's over?"
Qi Mu was tired after the performance, so he hired a cab home. After getting in, he smiled as he talked to the man on the other end of the line, "Yes, just now. You have quite the timing." After a pause, he asked, "It's noon in America now, right? Is it cold there lately?"
"New York's weather is fine. The sun is bright so it's only a bit cold." The man's deep and magnetic voice came into Qi Mu's ear from across the Atlantic Ocean. "You should keep yourself warm and take a good rest after this opera season."
The temperature in the taxi was several degrees warmer than it was outside. Qi Mu was taking off the scarf on his neck when he heard Min Chen saying that. Pausing to smile, he said, "Keep warm… You know, I'm wearing the scarf you sent from Stockholm. It's really warm."
The man apparently didn't expect to get such a reply. After a pause, he said, "Do you… Want me to send another pair of gloves?"
Qi Mu: "…"
After a moment, he chuckled and said, "It doesn't feel quite as moving if you buy it. If you hand-make it, I might consider it." Then, Qi Mu waved his hand and said, "Well, I'm just joking. If you knit a pair of gloves for me, then you really will be my "little girlfriend', as Mr. Lance said."
"Little Girlfriend" Min Chen: "…"
They kept the conversation in whispers. When the taxi arrived at Qi Mu's apartment, the "little girlfriend" reluctantly said "Good Night", and the busy youth hung up the phone.
Key in hand, Qi Mu was about to open the door when his phone buzzed again.
Clicking the text open, it said: 【Luo Yu Sen went to Zayev.】
Shocked, Qi Mu replied: 【Keep waiting.】
The other side replied with a "Yes, sir" and fell silent. Qi Mu calmly opened the door and began to prepare the night's midnight snack.
Things were developing just as he planned…
This was for the best.
The air outside the window grew colder in New York. Inside the room, the air was still as warm as spring.
Bai Ai would start their show in New York the next day.
Taking out a sheet of information, Daniel went to find a certain man during the rare lunch break of their last rehearsal, only to find the man looking out the window in a silly manner (Daniel's perspective).
"Min, here's some information for you to check. Do this first so that things won't pile up tomorrow."
Min Chen casually glanced over the document, then threw it back to Daniel. "The third paragraph of the second section needs to be revised. We can't stay in Japan for that long."
Daniel nodded, but before he could see the part that needed mending, he heard someone hesitantly say, "Daniel, help me… Buy some wool."
Daniel: "…Huh?!"
Concealing his emotions, Min Chen solemnly said, "Buy me some wool yarn."
Daniel: "…"
After a moment, he smiled and waved his hand. "What wool yarn? Don't tell me you want to knit, yeah."
Daniel's tone was full of jest but Min Chen nodded and said, "Yes, I want to knit gloves for Qi Mu."
Daniel: "……………………"
How should I say——
You want to knit him a scarf!!!
That wasn't right, it's…
"You want to knit him a pair of gloves!!!!"
Min Chen smiled and mused, "Can't I?"
"…Can."
"Well, then go find me some." After thinking, Min Chen added, "I can do it on the flight."
Daniel, who found it impossible to imagine the image of the man, knitting in the first-class cabin: "…"
Translator(s): Kuro
TL Check: Teo
Editor(s): Empress
Proofer(s): Ayn