CH 10

Don't Leave, Okay?

To ensure the fairness of the assessment, the orchestra has always used a blind audition system, whereby the jury and the candidate are in the same room but are separated by an opaque glass compartment. As the candidates play, the music is transmitted through the equipment to the judge's booth, where it is scored.

The A City Symphony Orchestra is one of the top international orchestras, and in addition to Shu Jingzhi, who is the head of the orchestra, he has also invited well-known violin experts from home and abroad to sit in as judges.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the assessment began.

Ying Ruoyun was unlucky, having drawn the last number when the lots were drawn.

Generally speaking, judges get a bit tired towards the end of the assessment, and the person who goes last always scores a bit lower.

Ying Ruoyun's choice of piece was Bach's 'Chaconne'.

Bach's 'Chaconne', also known as the 'bible of violin playing', is the final movement of Bach's six unaccompanied violin sonatas and Partita No. 2. It is not only the pinnacle of Bach's violin compositions, but also the highest masterpiece of all violin music, both ancient and modern. This work not only demonstrates Bach's mastery of counterpoint, but also brings out the singing and tragic nature of the violin, with the solo violin even achieving the grandeur of an organ.

Ying Ruoyun's affection for music is as natural as that of a bird of prey to the sky. Therefore, any temporary disappointments would not interfere with his playing; he was born for music.

The judges were a little tired after the morning's assessment, but the sound of Ying Ruoyun's music was as clear as a breeze through the jade gate, and even the guest judge, Mr. Franklin, president of the New York Music Association, could not help but whisper, "Incredible, amazing..."

But Shu Jingzhi smiled lightly, knowing from the first note that it was him.

When the scores were finally announced, Ying Ruoyun unsurprisingly came in first place, and was the only candidate in the room with an overall score of over 90.

Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, the second-place candidate, Huang Xianyao, raised an objection, "Conductor, as far as I know, a candidate has to have been with the orchestra for one year before he can be nominated, right?"

Tan Xiaoshi explained, "That is indeed correct, but the orchestra has an exceptional nomination regulation."

Huang Xiangyao insisted, "I don't care what the regulations are or aren't, principal second violin is a very important position! I've been with the orchestra for six years, and this guy? Not even six months! Does he have as much practical performance experience as I do? When I joined the orchestra, he didn't even have any hair on his head, so how can he convince the public in terms of qualifications?"

Shu Jingzhi said, "By his strength and his score."

"Conductor, I have always respected you," Huang Xianyao said indignantly, "but in today's matter, do you dare to say that you have no selfish motives?"

Shu Jingzhi said indifferently, "It is not for you to judge whether the blind trial system is fair or not."

"It's not the blind audition system I'm questioning," Huang Xiangyao stared viciously at Ying Ruoyun, "he wasn't qualified to stand here in the first place!"

"The orchestra's decision is not something for you to comment on." Shu Jingzhi's tone was calm: "If you have a problem with it, you can choose to leave." It seemed to be a question, but in reality, it was already indisputable: "Do you have any more questions?"

Huang Xianyao could not believe it, he looked at Shu Jingzhi in disbelief and repeated, "I have worked in the orchestra for six years..."

"Conductor, fellow judges." Ying Ruoyun said, "I'm willing to give up my candidacy."

"Ruoyun." Shu Jingzhi looked at him, "It's already taken care of."

"Thank you for your kindness," Ying Ruoyun said, "I repeat, I am willing to give up my candidacy."

"What the hell?" After listening to the interpreter's explanation of what had happened, Franklin could not help but advise, "My child, you are the right person, the only right one, you shouldn't do this! You have made the wrong decision."

"Thanks for your nice words, Sir," Ying Ruoyun looked at him with determination, "But I have made up my mind."

With these words, Ying Ruoyun intended to leave the examination room.

But Franklin called out to him, babbling excitedly for half a day.

His interpreter and assistant relayed, "Mr. Ying, Mr. Franklin would like to invite you to join the New York Symphony Orchestra, he wonders if he could have the honour?"

———

At 5 PM, when Ying Ruoyun left work, it began to rain lightly.

He was not in the habit of carrying an umbrella.

One, because he had been guilty of losing his umbrella since his high school days and had since stopped carrying one, and two, because he liked the feel of the light rain soaking his skin.

Although he himself politely declined Franklin, the spirited president promised him with enthusiasm that he would be welcome to join the New York Symphony Orchestra whenever Ying Ruoyun wished.

The principal second violin position, although he had given it up of his own accord, was still somewhat pent up in his mind.

After work, he did not go home, but wandered aimlessly around the city.

He wandered aimlessly around the city, passing through the towering buildings, or stopping by the small paths in the park to watch the larks fluttering their wings in the light rain.

It was after nine o'clock at night, having returned to the entrance of his home, that he remembered to unmute his mobile phone.

Dozens of missed calls popped up on the screen, starting from just after five in the afternoon and continuing until nine in the evening.

There were three unread messages.

All of them were from Shu Jingzhi.

Ying Ruoyun's hand trembled a little as he tapped on the screen to read them.

Message one:

[Where are you? I'll take you home]

Message two:

[Planning to go to New York?]

Message three:

[Leaving without saying goodbye again]

Ying Ruoyun took a deep breath and called back, but the phone was already switched off.

He couldn't wait for the elevator, so he walked up the stairs, and when he arrived at his door, he met Shu Jingzhi's eyes.

He was leaning against the door of his house, his hair dripping wet, probably from the rain. It was unknown how long he had been waiting.

Ying Ruoyun stood still, his heart suddenly feeling the sting of pins and needles.

Not knowing how to speak, he slowly approached and said, "Conductor..."

Shu Jingzhi fiercely embraced him tightly, with such force that he seemed to want to melt him into his own flesh and blood and possess him completely.

Shu Jingzhi rested his chin on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Don't leave."

"You can do whatever you want, but don't... don't leave again."

The soaked clothes were clearly cold, but the scalding heat burned from the part where they were pressed together all the way to his heart.

Such a noble and stubborn conductor seemed to have lost his soul at the moment, the fiery kiss spread from his ear to his neck, followed by a suffocating, passionate kiss.

"Ying Ruoyun." Shu Jingzhi softly called out his name: "Ying Ruoyun, I want you to answer me."

Ying Ruoyun's mind was already in turmoil, wracked with pleasure to the point of losing his senses, and he murmured, "Mmm..."

"Don't leave," Shu Jingzhi begged in a low voice, "Don't leave me, okay?"

———

I’ll kiss you so foolishly,

Like you do when you lie,

When you’re not in my thoughts,

Like you do when you lie

I know it’s not my imagination

Unfamiliar lover

Unfamiliar lover

My unfamiliar lover…