For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Discord
Gramophone’s Editor-in-Chief Adam Wisho’s eyebrows furrowed.
He couldn’t understand at all. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he knew all active violinists. But besides those called masters, could there be a melody worthy of the Queen’s approval? The names of up-and-coming violinists – China’s Zhang Yan, Northern Europe’s Erik, Britain’s William – flashed through his mind.
“Adam, a Stradivarius has come up at Sotheby’s, right?”
His thoughts scattered at the sound of a teacup being set down. Adam relaxed his furrowed brows and nodded briefly.
“Yes, I actually thought the Queen would participate in this auction.”
“Why?”
“The Stradivarius that Sotheby’s put up shares the same number as the Queen’s ‘Joy’, doesn’t it?”
The three sacred instruments of the violin world – Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati. Though each possessed their own unique sound, Stradivari was undoubtedly the most beloved by legendary violinists. Paganini said so. He said Stradivarius was an instrument with a soul. Whether that soul was devil or angel, only those who played its melody would know.
Hirose’s gaze fell on her old violin case.
“Even so, I don’t particularly need to own it, as I already have a longtime companion.”
“Queen, honestly, I don’t think Strads should be displayed in museums. I dislike even more when they’re stored in wealthy individuals’ private vaults. Once again, this time an Asian tycoon snatched it up in an instant.”
Adam’s cheek twitched as if complaining. As a violin collector and lover, he didn’t want masterpiece instruments treated as mere decorations. An instrument’s true value is revealed only when it makes sound.
“Don’t worry, Adam. A Strad eventually finds its true owner.”
“Hmm, I don’t understand. It’s not like instruments have legs.”
At that moment, Hirose stood up and walked to her violin case.
Gulp.
When Hirose’s Stradivarius, ‘Joy’, revealed itself, Adam involuntarily swallowed. It was his first time seeing it this close. He could feel an aura that seemed ready to burst into melody at any moment.
“Strads have souls.”
Adam couldn’t deny the Queen’s words. After what felt like an eternity passed in an instant, Joy concealed itself back in its case. Only piercing regret remained in Adam’s eyes. How much time had passed?
“Whew.”
Adam brushed his dry lips and raised his head.
“Queen, who is it?”
A complex yet simple question.
Was he asking about the owner of the melody that captivated the Queen of Strings, or about the owner of the Strad? But instead of answering, Hirose wore a faint smile. Her snow-white hair hinted at her age, but when she smiled so innocently like this, she was nothing but a young girl.
*
“Oppa, try this.”
Why is she like this? Son Yu-ha was completely stuck to me, practically serving me food. Though Son Il-seon kept staring, what could I do when she keeps doing this even if I try to stop her? By the way, befitting a chaebol family reception, truly everyone who controls Korea’s economy has gathered. Their presence was so overwhelming that the government ministers attending the wedding looked like borrowed rice sacks in comparison.
“Il-seon, what happened with Tianjin?”
Tianjin, the name referring to northern China’s largest port city. Son Il-seon immediately put down her spoon that had been scooping caviar at Chairman Wang’s question.
“Currently we are in negotiations with the political parties, but it seems we’ll need more time. How about expanding more towards India, father?”
Chairman Wang put down his spoon decisively. Son Il-seon straightened her posture at this sight. Though wordless, there couldn’t be a clearer answer.
‘Indeed, Chairman Wang.’
His foresight was so remarkable it seemed almost supernatural. Only after entering the 21st century would China announce semiconductors as a national core industry. It would be over five years before they actively allowed foreign capital investment. However, China would eventually consume more than half of the world’s semiconductor market, making it an unrivaled geographic stronghold for tariffs and distribution competition. It wasn’t just praised for cheap labor costs.
At that moment.
“Chairman, Kim Sung-jin, the fourth son of Hyunsung Group!”
Today’s groom, Kim Sung-jin, approached the table. The newlyweds, wearing expensive hanboks, bowed deeply to grandfather and Chairman Wang. Their nervousness made it seem like a job interview. However, despite his nervous appearance, Kim Sung-jin’s neck veins were bulging. The fact that this was a side effect of Viagra overdose would become widely known later.
That’s when Kim Sung-jin’s eyes met mine.
“Well, live happily from now on.”
“Yes, please stay healthy, Chairman!”
Oh my, you’re the one who needs to take care of your health.
Sung-jin, you.
Kim Sung-jin showed a puzzled expression at my gaze but soon turned away.
You’ll have erectile dysfunction before forty, man.
*
As it was difficult for chaebols to gather in one place, the reception was also grand. From the outside, it appeared to be held modestly in Myeongdong Cathedral’s annex, but in reality, chefs from five-star hotels had all assembled. Of course, the courses that the chefs put their hearts into were merely appetizers for the reception.
The highlight was undoubtedly,
‘A place for networking.’
Government and political ministers hurried over to bow to Chairman Wang. Like well-behaved students. Of course, this wasn’t just a metaphor. Most of them were scholarship students who served Jeil Group while receiving government salaries. Chairman Wang could be considered the true protagonist of the wedding. Even Hyunsung Group’s chairman stuck close to Chairman Wang’s side as they moved around.
As for the third-generation chaebols, what needs to be said?
Like at the previous banquet, they couldn’t easily approach because of Son Yu-ha. Apparently, Son Yu-ha was only a gentle lamb in front of me but quite prickly to others. Moreover, the Jeil Group background meant no one could treat her carelessly. Well, that’s convenient and good for me.
“Excuse me.”
When I turned my head at the sudden voice, a familiar figure was standing there.
‘Maestro?’
I almost blurted out what I thought inside at the sight of Baek Jung-hoon.
“Oh? It’s the oppa who plays piano well!”
While Son Yu-ha bought me time.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here, hyung.”
I barely managed to form the word ‘hyung’. Baek Jung-hoon nodded with an awkward smile, which struck me as quite different. It was far, very far from his past life as the Iron-Blooded Maestro known for his charisma on stage.
“Did you notice my mistake earlier?”
Baek Jung-hoon looked at me carefully. Son Yu-ha seemed clueless about what they meant.
Instead of answering, I nodded.
Certainly a perfect performance. A performance that grasped even the hidden meanings of musical expressions. However, the long fingers dancing across the keys were frozen more than ever, and the piano that had been crying out with beautiful melodies was suffering in agony. The piano knew how uncomfortable Baek Jung-hoon was in this place.
“You dislike being here, don’t you?”
Baek Jung-hoon’s eyes widened completely. He never thought someone would grasp his inner feelings so instantly.
“Don’t constrain your music yourself.”
Maestro.
Oh, whatever. The current Baek Jung-hoon wasn’t the Iron-Blooded Maestro I knew. Not only was he immature, he hadn’t even bloomed into a bud. But I know. Baek Jung-hoon will surely break free, and eventually spread wings with his own distinct color.
That’s when.
Chairman Wang was looking at me with a curious smile. Judging by his position, he must have heard the entire conversation. But when on earth had that grandfather been watching?
* * *
“What?”
Park Sun-young unconsciously raised her voice.
“You, you already received recommendation letters?”
I nodded briefly while checking Son Yu-ha’s posture. Perhaps because I had checked Park Sun-young’s posture before, Son Yu-ha would pick up her violin and take position in front of me whenever music tutoring time came. By the way, this young one practiced so diligently that her posture wasn’t just fixed, she was completely like a mannequin.
“Yes, I didn’t expect such a quick response either.”
“Response? Who did you get recommendation letters from?”
Should I tell her? Would she believe it if I said I received recommendation letters from both Spencer, the principal conductor of the London Symphony, and Hirose, known as the Queen of Strings? Even if she believed it, she’d probably faint first. After long deliberation, I gestured to Son Yu-ha who had adjusted her posture.
Zing.
Suddenly Son Yu-ha’s eyes became like a rabbit’s.
“O-oppa. The sound really changed!”
Yes, that’s why I fixed your posture.
“Hyun-ah, unless they’re really significant figures, the recommendation letters won’t be effective.”
Park Sun-young’s eyes were full of concern. Musicians have strong pride, especially those regarded as masters. Since they’re putting their names on recommendation letters, they won’t even look at mediocre skills. Originally, Park Sun-young had planned to seek out the elderly professor she considered her teacher. He too was considered a legend in Korea’s violin world.
“Don’t worry.”
Spencer and Hirose.
They’re certainly not ordinary people.
Each name carries tremendous value as musicians.
“Could it be foreigners?”
That’s when Park Sun-young suddenly looked at me, remembering our previous conversation.
“Yes.”
Worry filled Park Sun-young’s face again. Could she be thinking I bought the recommendation letters? This lady’s worries are mounting. Just as I was about to tell her the truth.
“Student Kang Hyun?”
Chairman Wang’s secretary came looking for me personally.
“The Chairman wants to see you directly.”
“Me?”
Not Son Yu-ha, but me?
When I looked at the secretary with questioning eyes.
“He says he has something to give directly to student Kang Hyun.”
Chairman Wang has something to give me? Being like a thousand-year-old turtle, he was usually impossible to read. Not to mention his intuition – it wasn’t for nothing that Son Il-seon described her father as an insurmountable wall in her autobiography in my past life. What scheme does this grandfather have this time?