KOCM

61-65

Chapter 61

Spring nights in Paris were cold. The wind brought the scent of salt from the sea, and everyone tightened their coats as they exited the concert hall.

The Paris Philharmonic Hall was in the suburbs, surrounded by a man-made lake, and outlined by silver moonlight. One car after the next drove down the path and left the magnificent building behind.

Earlier, Akkad and his student came by taxi. Qi Mu did not have a car in Paris, and Akkad hadn't bought one yet, so the professor suggested they hitch a ride with Min Chen.

Qi Mu followed Akkad out of the concert hall. He tugged on the scarf around his neck as a breeze brushed past and turned when his teacher spoke.

"Min, the concert tonight was great. Your and Charles's adaptation was excellent!"

Akkad had long forgotten how narcissistic and arrogant Min Chen acted moments ago. "In fact, I wanted Small Seven to adapt a song for practice."

Speaking of Qi Mu, Akkad remembered his student. He introduced the two, "Oh, I forgot to say before. Min, this is my student. . . Qi. . . Mu. His name is hard to pronounce, but I recall you're fluent in Chinese."

Qi Mu stood under the large poster with Min Chen's name embodied on it and smiled. He didn't have time to interrupt as Akkad went on, "Small Seven, this is Auston Bertram."

Qi Mu had nothing to hide, so he nodded. Helplessness shone out of his delicate white face. "Teacher, I. . . I met Mr. Min a long time ago. In Huaxia. . . we were neighbors."

Akkad wondered. . . did he have hearing issues? "Seven, what did you say?"

Qi Mu solemnly repeated himself, "Teacher, I said Min Chen, and I met each other a long time ago."

". . ." Akkad turned to look at Min Chen.

The stoic man raised an eyebrow, "I knew him before you did."

Akkad: ". . ."

When did the world become so small? Weren't there over 7 billion people?!

Since there was no need for introductions, Akkad asked a few more questions about the concert then continued toward the exit.

Akkad nodded, but he was dissatisfied. He walked past the artificial lake and recalled, "Wait a minute, Min! That gifted student you wanted to recommend, it wouldn't be. . . Small Seven, huh?"

Qi Mu: "?"

Min Chen: ". . ."

The man's ears stained red in the dark, but he maintained a flawlessly calm and collected expression. Min Chen reached up to cover a cough with his hand, "En. . . yes."

Akkad muttered, "This has to be God's joke. Is there such a coincidence?"

Thanks to Akkad's lamenting, Qi Mu was dumbfounded. He took a moment to understand the words "student you wanted to recommend" from Akkad's mouth, then he realized. . .

Min Chen recommended him to Akkad?!

An indescribable well of emotion burst forth in Qi Mu's chest, spreading into every corner of his body. He was warm despite the cold air. This man helped him too much. It both dazed and moved him.

"Thank you for taking care of me. . . Min Chen."

The young man kept his voice low, so it didn't spread far, but it tunneled straight to Min Chen's ear. He turned and looked at Qi Mu. Satin moonlight illuminated the boy's eyes, and there was a tremor in his heart when their gazes met.

After a while, Min Chen answered, "Never mind."

Qi Mu could not describe his gratitude. "In Huaxia, you helped me a lot, I don't know how to thank you."