For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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“I’ll have pu-erh tea.”
The young gallery employee held her breath nervously.
“Mi-hyun, I’ll have the same please.”
The entire gallery was frozen, and that wasn’t an exaggeration. The chairman of Jeil Group had personally visited. In this moment, Im Hye-ra was likely the only one who could smile.
“Father, if you had called, I would have come to see you myself.”
“Isn’t it nice to have tea with your daughter-in-law after so long? Chairman Yu, that old man, is so envious. He keeps praising how capable his daughter-in-law is.”
“I haven’t done much. I was able to reach this position thanks to you, Father. Besides, the Yu household has Hyun. I’m always amazed whenever I see that child.”
“Even Yu’s mother thinks he’s not an ordinary child, right?”
Im Hye-ra recalled Kang Hyun’s image. Their first meeting was extraordinary. Not only did he have extensive knowledge of contemporary art, but he also immediately grasped the hidden meanings in her works. Moreover, when they occasionally dined together, it felt like she was sitting across from a mature gentleman rather than a young child.
“Daughter-in-law, how do you plan to educate Yu-ha from now on?”
He wasn’t referring to humanities or the study of kingship.
“Father, I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I’m thinking of sending him to study abroad.”
“Study abroad? I wonder if Yu-ha will agree.”
Hadn’t he previously refused to study in France because of Kang Hyun?
“I gave him some motivation. I told him about a Chinese proverb – that no matter how beautiful a flower is, without fragrance it’s just a charmless bloom. Being a smart child, he understood right away.”
His clenched fists showed determination that seemed overflowing with spirit.
“What are your plans after he returns from studying abroad?”
After completing his MBA, practical training would be necessary. It seemed like a distant future, but it would arrive in the blink of an eye. Moreover, wasn’t he the heir to succeed Son Il-seon?
“I plan to start him at Jeil Trading, Father.”
Chairman Wang smiled as if he had expected this.
“Jeil Trading? It’s quite a rough place, are you sure it’s alright?”
As a place that combined construction and trading roles, it wasn’t easy. Especially since field experience was crucial, it was somewhat crude and rough. It was hard to imagine the still young-looking Son Yu-ha eventually leading Jeil Trading. But who in this room could really know?
“Yes, it must be Jeil Trading.”
Jeil Trading – the place that would become both the starting point and the castle of the Ice Queen.
*
Damn it!
Cold sweat covered my entire body. To think I’d dream about my past life. Memories I never wanted to repeat. In the dream, I occasionally saw the aged Chairman Son Il-seon and the adult President Son Yu-ha. I gulped down water to quench my burning thirst. Still, no matter how I look at it, it doesn’t match up. Just thinking about Son Yu-ha’s appearance, you’d expect people to shout “Oppa~!” Is the future really flowing properly?
Ah, whatever.
“Son, you’re already up?”
My mother’s voice chased away my thoughts. “Hyun―!”
It was Isaac waving enthusiastically in front of the hotel. Ever since he heard my composition last time, he seemed completely smitten with me. He kept begging me to play my compositions whenever possible, making last week really tough. Michelle stood beside Isaac, and thankfully, she had volunteered to be our driver for the weekend. She hadn’t forgotten her promise to show us Chartres Cathedral.
“Hyun, I’ve finished registering the copyright for ‘Beautiful Life.’ I used HYUN as the composer’s name, is that okay? I’m eager to hear your composition too. When you first performed your composition at the filming location, Jean-Pierre called me so excitedly I thought something had happened!”
“Michelle, it was really amazing! Everyone at the scene stood still for so long, it really felt like time had stopped!”
Isaac, who was already friendly with Michelle, continued excitedly describing his impressions from that day, smiling so broadly that even my mother, who didn’t speak English well, couldn’t help but smile. The journey to the suburbs where Chartres Cathedral stood somehow felt like a holiday trip home. Who knew Isaac was such a talkative child?
“Michelle, is it really okay to walk around such crowded places like this?”
We arrived at Chartres old town after two hours. With the Festival of Lights nearing its end, there were many tourists, yet Michelle, despite being a famous singer, was only wearing a bucket hat and sunglasses.
“You and your mother don’t have much time left in France. I should take this risk, right? Actually, people don’t recognize me well without makeup, so it’s fine.”
Come to think of it, that was true. Despite moving through crowds of tourists, no one recognized Michelle. Isaac, enjoying a rare holiday, excitedly wandered around the old town.
“Hyun―!”
Suddenly Isaac grabbed my hand. Being my age but with a much better build, I had no choice but to be pulled along. Damn, why are all the kids around me, from Son Yu-ha onwards, so tall?
Led by Isaac, we came to where street musicians were performing. As expected of Europe, there were even cellos and violins. I had visited Chartres old town in my past life too. There were many street performers then as well. Just like now.
Clap clap clap clap―!
The musicians bowed to the tourists’ applause. I took out some franc coins from my wallet and put them in the basket. Then Michelle came close and whispered:
“Hyun, want to try performing?”
“What?”
“Anyone can perform street music in Chartres old town. If you’re skilled enough, you can even borrow the musicians’ instruments briefly. The performers are taking a break now. How about it, want to give it a try? My request is ‘Beautiful Life.'”
“That’s right, Hyun. If you perform, these guys will become rich instantly!”
How could I refuse Michelle’s earnest gaze, let alone Isaac? She was practically my composition teacher. When I nodded, Michelle approached the street musicians without hesitation. After a brief conversation, she flashed a bright smile.
The violinist gave me a kind smile and handed me his instrument. People had already started gathering around.
“Oh.”
The musicians exclaimed in admiration at my fluid violin posture. Mother and Michelle watched me with warm smiles, while Isaac was gathering passing tourists. He was even shouting about an amazing performance coming up. Something must have happened the day we first met.
At that moment,
Swoosh.
The bow began moving very carefully. Like the sound of a blade. As the first melody rang out, the noisy crowd turned to look at me. As the bow met the strings, tourists quickly began gathering. But no one raised their voice.
Everyone held their breath at the sorrowful melody and the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure contained within. As the performance continued, it really did feel like time had stopped, just as Isaac had said. Musicians knew well how much harder it was to play slowly than to show off flashy techniques.
The violinist who had just handed me his instrument watched me with his mouth open, while Michelle’s face was full of excitement. Then the bow and strings began to yearn for each other. As the piece progressed from its lyrical beginning towards the end, the bowing became as steep as showing one life, until breath caught in throats.
Zing―!
A bright melody soared toward the sky. Though the bowing was intense, it wasn’t hasty. As it approached the final bars, I drew musical notes in my mind out of regret. Leaving a long lingering feeling in my heart as strong as my beating heart, I sent the final melody flying into the sky.
“Unbelievable…!”
With someone’s small exclamation,
Clap clap clap clap clap―!
Thunderous applause erupted. The cheering was so intense it felt like the old town was shaking. The street musicians also expressed their admiration with wide eyes. Mother and Michelle watched me with happy smiles.
Meanwhile, Isaac was already weaving through the tourists with the basket, receiving francs with a bright smile that showed he was indeed an actor. * * *
“Im seems to have made up her mind firmly!”
The sound of putting down the teacup was cheerful.
“It’s better this way. Showing such an aggressive side prevents others below from having different thoughts. Son, you really got yourself an excellent daughter-in-law.”
“Of course Hyun is exceptional. At such a young age, he’s already so outstanding that his uncles are wary. Yu-ha’s mother seems to think very highly of Hyun too. How about it, old man? Shouldn’t we hold an engagement ceremony soon? What if our Yu-ha changes his mind?”
“Ahem, let’s save that discussion. By the way, did that young one really say he’d go study abroad?”
It was puzzling considering Son Yu-ha’s usual behavior – hadn’t he hated being apart from Kang Hyun even for a day? He had even burst into tears at the airport watching Kang Hyun leave.
“If the child dislikes it, I won’t force it. I don’t want to make my only granddaughter struggle.”
“Son, it seems true that female hormones increase with age. Who would have thought the hyena from North Korea would become such a doting grandfather?”
“Old man, just how long ago are you talking about? Want to have a go?”
While Chairman Wang and Chairman Yu were bickering,
“Grandfather―!”
Son Yu-ha came to the reception room. Chairman Wang’s face bloomed with a smile at the sight of his precious granddaughter. Chairman Yu gave a nod, and Chairman Wang deliberately paused before looking at his granddaughter.
“Yu-ha, did you hear what your mother said?”
“About studying abroad?”
“Yes, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. Whatever our Yu-ha wants.”
That’s when it happened. Cutting off Chairman Wang’s words, Son Yu-ha exclaimed:
“No, I really want to go!”
“Yu-ha, may I ask why?”
“Mom, I mean Mother said so. Hyun oppa will become more and more famous, but how long will Yu-ha stay in place? I’ll become someone who isn’t lacking for Hyun oppa…!”
Her biting her lip tightly looked like she was holding back tears. Somehow, it seemed the reason for studying abroad was because of Kang Hyun. Of course, being smart, she must have keenly felt the difference between herself and Kang Hyun. But that teary-eyed look was so cute that Chairman Wang and Chairman Yu struggled to hold back their laughter.
“Grandfather.”
Then Son Yu-ha turned to look at Chairman Yu. After wiping her teary eyes with her sleeve, she politely clasped her hands in front like a proper lady.
“Please take good care of Hyun oppa.”
She looked ready to bow at any moment. Chairman Yu stroked Son Yu-ha’s head with a pleased smile.
“Ahem, old man. I also want to see my grandson-in-law soon.”
At that moment, Chairman Wang’s envious voice reached the ceiling of the reception room.
*
My ears were itchy – had water gotten in while showering? I roughly dried off with a towel and got dressed. Today wasn’t movie filming but meeting with Michelle. My heart would race inexplicably whenever heading to Michelle’s studio in central Paris. Composition was as exciting as when I first learned violin.
“Son, should I go with you?”
“No, it’s okay.”
Mother looked visibly tired. No wonder, as we had stayed late at Chartres Cathedral last night watching the Festival of Lights. She must have been quite worn out looking after two young children.
“Oh right, take this to Michelle. I meant to give it to her yesterday but forgot. Michelle worked so hard yesterday that I was worried. Make sure to tell her thank you very much.”
It was a gift she had bought sometime – a warm sweater that would suit Michelle well in the coming winter. I took a waiting taxi from the hotel lobby and headed to Michelle’s house.
“Hyun, how could you?”
Michelle received mother’s gift with a touched expression.
“Hyun, next time I’ll definitely treat your mother to a nice restaurant.”
“No need, mother was really grateful to Michelle. She knows how tiring long drives can be.”
“Oh my, Hyun, do you know how tiring driving is?” Of course, twenty years of accident-free driving.
“You drove all day yesterday.”
After casually deflecting Michelle’s question, what she said next left me dumbfounded:
“Someone wants to commission a composition from you?”
It was unexpected news. How could I get a commission when I’d only been learning composition for such a short time? Moreover, not many people knew I composed.
“Yesterday at Chartres old town, there was a producer who saw your street performance. He was someone I knew, and when he saw me with you, he contacted me directly. At first he thought your violin piece was my composition, but when I told him you composed it yourself, he was really surprised. He was disappointed at first, thinking you only composed classical music. But when I told him you’re studying composition regardless of genre, he immediately said he wanted to commission a piece.”
What a coincidence this was.
“But I haven’t composed any other pieces yet, Michelle.”
“Don’t worry about that, they’re giving plenty of time. They’d like you to compose for a new band after the film work is completely finished. In a way, it’s similar to composing for a string quartet. Though the instruments are completely different, there’s plenty of time, so you can learn about band composition gradually.”
“Michelle, wait – a band?”
It was unexpected. Don’t bands usually write and compose their own music? Especially bands during this period. Many inherited the spirit of Queen, Beatles, and Rolling Stones.
“Ah, of course I don’t mean the title track. Usually they compose their title tracks themselves. The new band’s name was, what was it, Iris? I heard they’re already quite famous in pubs. The producer is trustworthy too. It will definitely be a good experience.”
Wait,
“Michelle, what did you say the new band’s name was?”
“Iris.”
I almost jumped up from my seat. Iris was a prominent band that took Europe by storm starting in the 90s. Even I, who didn’t know much about band music, knew their name – that’s how famous they were.
Not being the title track makes it less pressure? Come on, I’m just a novice who’s only recently learned composition. It would be strange not to be nervous. I had no intention of using shortcuts. I absolutely wouldn’t recycle future songs. Michelle looked into my eyes for a while and smiled.
“Hyun, you’re really excited now, aren’t you?”
How could I deny it? I wanted to create my own song as much as my heart was burning with excitement.