For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 49

Chapter 49

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“Have you heard the rumors?”

Deng Ryun nodded slightly with a faint smile.

How could he not know the rumors that had heated up Brussels?

“Yes, I heard that Mozart had been reborn. Anyone who saw that performance wouldn’t deny it. I still can’t believe Hyun’s melody.”

“Weren’t you just as exceptional in your youth, Maestro?”

“Haha, at that age, I couldn’t even think about performing solo on stage, let alone with an orchestra.”

“May I hear about your childhood for a moment?”

Hmm.

“You want to know what my childhood was like?”

Deng Ryun’s wrinkled eyes recalled the past. Adam, sitting across from him, took out his notepad and pen. It wasn’t a frequent opportunity. After all, they didn’t call China’s master Deng Ryun harder to meet than the Chairman for nothing. If it weren’t for Queen Elisabeth, there wouldn’t have even been a point of contact.

“My father was a government official. He strongly disliked that I was learning violin. He believed that a man should pursue business. Moreover, I wasn’t a prodigy like Hyun – I was rather ordinary.”

Any violinist who heard this would doubt their ears, given Deng Ryun’s illustrious reputation in the classical world.

“I eventually cut ties with my father – I wanted to pursue music so desperately. I was terrified when he threatened to break my hands. If it weren’t for my mother, I would have certainly given up music.”

This was a story never before revealed to the media. That’s why Adam leaned in even closer.

“I wanted to attend the Moscow Conservatory, but thinking of serving my country, I enrolled in the Shanghai International Conservatory. Since then, I’ve lived a single-minded life. I only looked at the violin, never looking back. I didn’t even learn about my father’s death until five years after it happened.”

“Did your family never contact you?”

Deng Ryun showed a bitter smile without speaking.

“Ah, you’re a violin collector, aren’t you, Editor-in-Chief?”

Adam never dreamed Deng Ryun would know his nickname. But before he could answer, Deng Ryun continued.

“I had such a friend at my home too.”

*

Every hotel has its signature color and scent.

Under soft lighting, the calm interior and fresh fragrance put minds at ease. Occasionally, I felt people’s gazes. Their uncertain looks must be due to the recent newspaper article. Fortunately, it was an era before the internet became widespread. Otherwise, there would have been countless comments on internet articles by now.

“Hyun-ah, have you been here before?”

“It’s my first time.”

Ah, I unconsciously moved naturally in this familiar place.

I used to frequent here while preparing to enter politics in my past life. Being a place with deep traditions, it was particularly popular among members of parliament. No wonder it was called the Guest House. Well, let’s head to the restaurant and wait for our guests.

About ten minutes later,

“Pleased to meet you, I’m Deng Zheng.”

Well, he was an elderly gentleman. But the child with him looked quite young. Appearing even younger than Yu-ha, probably around 7 or 8 years old. Deng Zheng stroked the head of the child clinging to his side as he opened the conversation.

“This is my grandson, Deng Weiping. Please understand, he’s very shy.”

Father stood up, exchanged business cards, and quietly introduced us father and son. Of course, I handled the interpretation.

“You speak English very well. I was worried there would be a Chinese interpreter like before.”

Of course, I understood what he meant.

China is a vast land. They say people from Beijing and Guangdong need interpreters to talk to each other. It’s half joke, half truth. However, Uncle probably hadn’t prepared interpretation considering such minute details. By the way.

‘This is impressive!’

Many surprising things came to light while interpreting the conversation between father and the elderly gentleman. Especially the fact that his family had held government positions for generations. I almost jumped up clapping. In China, they even joke that “official spoons” are better than “golden spoons.” In a socialist planned economy, that’s how powerful government positions are. Without doubt, grandfather had recruited the right person.

‘Now how do we create connections?’

China is a country of guanxi. There’s even a saying that nothing can be accomplished without guanxi. Of course, there are various ways to break the ice, so there was no need to overthink from the start. Trust can be built gradually from small things. For instance, bringing up Confucius and Laozi, or reciting Du Fu’s poetry. That’s how much they value the humanities.

However, father wasn’t yet that sophisticated. After all, until recently, hadn’t he been doing work unrelated to the company? He probably never dreamed he’d be sitting across from a Chinese buyer at a hotel restaurant.

That’s when it happened.

“I, I’ve seen that brother before.”

Until then silent, Deng Weiping opened up in broken English.

* * *

“Grandfather!”

Son Yu-ha warmly greets Chairman Yu. She bows her head demurely like a refined lady while glancing behind him, but not a hair of Kang Hyun, whom she’s been desperately waiting for, is visible. Her dejected appearance makes her look like a puppy with its tail down.

“Old man, why are you dampening our Yu-ha’s spirits?”

“Son, I haven’t done anything?”

Chairman Wang’s joke makes Yu-ha startle and pull at his sleeve. The sight is so cute that both grandfathers break into broad smiles.

The reception room is filled with aged fragrance.

“You want to expand the factory to China?”

Chairman Wang raised his voice while lowering his teacup.

“Huh, you’ve lived long enough but were always passive about expansion. Why China suddenly?”

“Now there are people who can take responsibility for Dongju, shouldn’t I establish a firm bridgehead before I go? Son, I came to hear your thoughts.”

Only Jeil Group had successfully established factories in China. While a few companies had managed to squeeze through narrow channels to build factories, they all eventually closed down. In this respect, Chairman Wang’s management style was unparalleled.

“Empty-handed? Well, unless you accept the previous proposal?”

“Son, didn’t we say that should be up to the parties involved? Though I’m strongly in favor.”

Chairman Wang showed a satisfied smile, then closed and opened his eyes as if recalling the past.

“China is different from our country. Even local governments interpret central government policies independently. First, you need to win over someone in a high government position, and to build guanxi, you need unlimited trust. Do you know how many elementary schools I built in China under the name of regional development? Also, I hired both Chinese and Korean executives in equal proportions. Things don’t work properly otherwise.”

Entering China without proper preparation was tantamount to suicide.

“It’s a country that values righteousness and harmony, but conversely, there are many swindlers too. That’s why making the first connection is most important. Do you have someone in mind?”

“I’m planning to go through Deng Zheng, with whom we have past connections.”

“You mean Deng Zheng from Tianjin?”

Deng Zheng was also acquainted with Chairman Wang. Though they weren’t particularly close.

“Looking at how stubborn that old man is, he won’t be easily persuaded. And he’s not the type to be swayed by money either.”

“Of course not. If money could work, Beom-kyung would have handled it. But I’ve heard an interesting rumor recently.”

“A rumor?”

Chairman Yu showed a mysterious smile.

“Well, I heard Deng Zheng is second to none as a classical music enthusiast.” *

“Brother, are you that famous violinist?”

Deng Weiping suddenly showed an excited expression, as if his previous shyness never existed. Gone was his timid demeanor, replaced by sparkling eyes full of admiration. Father seemed quite taken aback by this sudden enthusiasm.

“Weiping.”

When Deng Zheng spoke in a gentle but firm voice, Weiping regained his composure.

“I apologize, it seems my grandson was quite excited to see young Hyun. It’s rare to see a Queen Elizabeth winner in person.”

What? This grandfather knew too?

“You played the ‘Fantasia,’ right?”

He even knows the Stradivarius’s name.

“Ah, it was such a coveted item, but I’m glad it found a good owner.”

At that moment, an article flashed through my mind. Was it coincidence that Deng Zheng’s face overlapped with that of the Chinese tycoon who owned Fantasia in my past life? I remembered a fragment of memory about someone complaining that Fantasia had spontaneously combusted.

“I really like young Hyun. A family that produces such a distinguished musician must have extraordinary roots. I’m very curious about your father’s educational principles. Weiping also loves music very much.”

This naturally opened the channel for guanxi. Things seem to be flowing more smoothly than expected.

“Hmm, I’d like to ask your personal opinion, not as an interpreter. Do you think Dongju can succeed in China?”

The question suddenly came to me during his conversation with father. But Deng Zheng’s eyes were unwavering. Rather, isn’t his gaze saying ‘you should know, right?’ It feels like when I first met Chairman Wang.

“Of course.”

I answered without hesitation.

Not many companies dreamed of expanding into China now. There were almost no cases of clear profits in Chinese business yet. But in ten years, the story would change. Not only would GDP rise, but it would become the center of fourth industrial revolution distribution. Chairman Wang wasn’t personally pushing for Chinese expansion for nothing.

After the meal.

“Young Hyun is quite remarkable, you seem like someone who has lived in hotels for a long time. Even though you appear younger than our Weiping.”

I’m much taller than that kid though?

“You can immediately identify distinguished guests by their gait. In that respect, young Hyun was perfect today, not only in walking but also in dining etiquette. If born in a royal family, you wouldn’t need separate royal education.”

Well, I learned these manners painstakingly in my past life. Dealing with high-ranking people frequently made such formalities second nature. From walking silently on carpets to understanding cultural nuances when talking with Chinese people. In that sense, I must have seemed fascinating to Deng Zheng.

By the way.

“Brother, brother!”

Weiping, having abandoned all traces of shyness, was now stuck to my side. His bright eyes were full of admiration. Father watched the scene with satisfaction. I feel like I’ve become the Pied Piper.