Gramophone's chief editor Adam Whishaw furrowed his brow.
I couldn't understand it at all. It's no exaggeration to say that all the active violinists know it. But aside from those who are called masters, is there really a melody that would please the queen? The names of violinists who are considered new talents, such as Zhang Yan from China, Eric from Northern Europe, and William from England, flashed through my mind.
"Adam, I heard there was a Stradivarius at Sotheby's?"
The sound of a teacup being set down broke Adam's thoughts. He released his furrowed eyebrows and nodded briefly.
"Yes, I actually thought the Queen would participate in this auction."
"Why?"
"Doesn't the Stradivarius offered by Sotheby's share the same number as Queen's Joy?"
The three gods of the violin world: Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati. Each of them has its own melody, but the instrument that was most loved by legendary violinists was Stradivari. Paganini said so. Stradivarius is an instrument with a soul. Only those who have played the melody can tell whether it is a devil or an angel.
Hirose's gaze fell on the old violin case.
"Even so, I don't necessarily need to have it, because I already have a friend who has been with me for a long time."
"Queen, honestly, I don't think Stradivarius should be displayed in a museum. I would hate it even more if it were stored in the personal vaults of the rich. And this time, as always, an Asian tycoon snatched it up in one fell swoop."
Adam grumbled. He was a violin collector and a violin lover. He didn't want his famous instrument to be treated as a mere decoration. The true value of an instrument is revealed when it makes sound.
"Don't worry, Adam. The Stradivarius is an instrument that eventually finds its owner."
"Hmm, I don't get it. It's not like the instrument has feet."
Then Hirose got up from his seat and walked over to his violin case.
Gulp.
Hirose's Stradivarius, Adam held his breath as the joy revealed itself. It was the first time he had seen it so close. He felt an aura of it as if it would start to play a melody at any moment.
"The Stradivarius has a soul."
Adam could not deny the Queen's words. After a moment that felt like an eternity, the joy disappeared into the case again. Only a deep regret remained in Adam's eyes. How much time had passed?
"after."
Adam licked his dry lips and raised his head.
"Queen, who are you?"
A complex yet simple question.
Was she the protagonist of the melody that captivated the Queen of Strings, or was she asking about the owner of the Stradivarius? But instead of answering, Hirose smiled faintly. Her pure white hair hinted at her age, but when she smiled that innocent smile, she looked like a real young girl.
*
"Brother, try this."
Why is he doing this? Son Yu-ha was sticking to me as if he was serving me food. Son Il-seon kept looking at me, but what can I do? Even though I tried to stop him, he kept doing this. Anyway, as expected of a conglomerate's wedding party, all the people who control the Korean economy were gathered. The power was so great that the ministers of the political and governmental organizations who attended the wedding looked like barley sacks.
"Ilseon, what happened to Tianjin?"
Tianjin, a place name referring to the largest port city in northern China. Son Il-seon immediately put down the spoon he was scooping caviar with at Chairman Wang's question.
"We are currently in the process of negotiating with the political parties, but it seems like it will take more time. I think it might be a good idea to expand to India a bit more, Father."
Chairman Wang firmly put down his spoon. Son Il-seon straightened his posture at that sight. It was silent, but there was no answer more certain than that.
'As expected, it's Chairman Wang.'
It is so extraordinary that it seems like a miracle. It was only after entering the 21st century that China announced the semiconductor industry as a national key industry. It was still more than five years before it actively allowed foreign capital to be attracted. However, China later consumed more than half of the world's semiconductor industry market, so it was a geographically important location that could not be overlooked in terms of tariffs or distribution competition. It is not simply because labor costs are cheap that it is in the spotlight.
At that moment.
"Chairman, I am Kim Seong-jin, the fourth son of Hyunseong Group!"
Today, the main character of the wedding, Kim Seong-jin, came to the table. The couple, wearing expensive hanbok, bowed their heads deeply to the grandfather and Chairman Wang. They looked so nervous that it was as if they had come to an interview. However, Kim Seong-jin, that guy, despite his nervous appearance, had a strong vein in his neck. It was later widely known that this was a side effect of Viagra overdose.
At that moment, Kim Seong-jin and I met eyes.
"Okay, I hope you live happily ever after."
"Yes, always stay healthy, Mr. Chairman!"
Oh my, you have to take care of your own health.
Seongjin, you.
Kim Sung-jin looked at me with a puzzled expression, but soon turned his head away.
I'm a man who has erectile dysfunction before I'm even 40.
*
As it was difficult for the conglomerates to gather in one place, the reception was also held on a grand scale. From the outside, it looked like it was held simply in the annex of Myeongdong Cathedral, but in reality, chefs from five-star hotels gathered without fail. Of course, the course that the chefs put their heart and soul into was only an appetizer for the reception.
White rice is definitely,
'A place for exchange.'
The ministers of the government and the government came running at a brisk pace and bowed their heads to Chairman Wang. Like obedient students. Of course, this is not just a metaphor. Most of them are scholarship students who receive state benefits while also being loyal to Jeil Group. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Chairman Wang was the star of the wedding. In fact, the chairman of Hyunsung Group was moving right next to Chairman Wang.
What can the third generation of chaebols say?
Just like at the previous banquet, I couldn't approach her easily because of Son Yu-ha. After all, Son Yu-ha was a gentle lamb in front of me, but she was quite prickly in front of others. Furthermore, the background of being part of Jeil Group made it impossible for anyone to treat her carelessly. Well, I'm comfortable and happy.
"excuse me."
When I turned my head at the sudden voice, a familiar figure was standing there.
'Maestro?'
When I saw Baek Jeong-hoon, I almost blurted out what I was thinking.
"Huh? That guy is good at playing the piano!"
While Son Yu-ha was saving me time.
"I didn't know we'd meet here, bro."
I managed to come up with the word "hyung." Baek Jeong-hoon nodded with an awkward smile, but that seemed different to me. It was a far cry from the charisma he displayed on stage in his past life, when he was called the iron-blooded maestro.
"Did you notice my mistake just now?"
Baek Jeong-hoon looked at me cautiously. Son Yu-ha seemed to have no idea what I was talking about.
I nodded instead of answering.
It was clearly a perfect performance. It was a performance that even understood the hidden meaning of the musical symbols. However, the long fingers that danced on the keyboard were frozen more than ever, and the piano that cried out with beautiful melodies was in pain. The piano knew how uncomfortable Baek Jeong-hoon was in this position.
"You don't like this seat?"
Baek Jeong-hoon opened his eyes wide. He never thought that his true feelings would be figured out right away.
"Don't confine yourself to music."
Maestro.
I don't know. The current Baek Jeong-hoon is not the iron-blooded maestro I knew. He is not even in a state of maturity, not even a bud. But I know. Baek Jeong-hoon will definitely shed his wings and eventually spread his own unique color.
That was when.
Chairman Wang was looking at me with a strange smile. Judging from his position, he must have heard the entire conversation. But how long has that old man been watching me?
* * *
"what?"
Park Seon-yeong raised her voice without realizing it.
"Hey, you already received the letter of recommendation?"
I nodded briefly while looking at Son Yu-ha's posture. Maybe it was because I had looked at Park Seon-yeong's posture the other day, but Son Yu-ha would pick up her violin and pose in front of me during music lessons. By the way, the young girl had practiced so hard that her posture was fixed, almost like a mannequin.
"Yes, I didn't know I would get a reply this quickly."
"Reply? Who did you get the letter of recommendation from?"
Can I tell you, I received letters of recommendation from Spencer, the principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and Hirose, the violinist known as the Queen of Strings. Even if I did, I would probably faint first. I nodded to Son Yu-ha, who had straightened her posture after the performance.
Jiying.
In an instant, Son Yu-ha's eyes turned into rabbit eyes.
"Oh, bro. Your voice has really changed!"
Yeah, I corrected my posture to tell him to change.
"Hyun-ah, a letter of recommendation won't be effective unless you're a very special person."
Park Seon-yeong's eyes were filled with concern. Musicians have strong pride, especially those who are considered masters. Since they are writing a letter of recommendation with their own name on it, they do not even look at anyone with average skills. Originally, Park Seon-yeong had planned to visit the old professor she had considered her teacher. He was also considered a legend in the Korean violin world.
"Don't worry."
Spencer and Hirose.
Certainly not just any people.
These are musicians whose names are each worth a lot of money.
"Are you a foreigner?"
At that moment, Park Seon-yeong remembered our last conversation and looked at me urgently.
"yes."
Park Seon-yeong's face took on a worried look again. Could it be that I paid for the letter of recommendation? This girl is very worried. At that moment, I was thinking of telling her the truth.
"Student Kang Hyeon?"
Chairman Wang's secretary came to see me in person.
"The chairman wants to see it in person."
"Me?"
Me, not Son Yu-ha?
I looked at the secretary with a questioning look.
"He said he had something to tell student Kang Hyeon directly."
Chairman Wang has something to give me? He is like a thousand-year-old turtle, so it is hard to figure out. What about his intuition? It was not for nothing that Son Il-seon evaluated his father as an impenetrable wall in his autobiography. What kind of ulterior motive will this grandfather have this time?