Zheng Wang

Chapter 76 Closed Disciple

Staying at home for an extra week, Ke Jinrui sent Guan Zan back to Yangyin after finishing the piano lesson next Thursday night.

Gu Yan couldn't find Guan Zan during this period of time, and was so anxious that he came to his dormitory as soon as he heard that he had finally returned.There happened to be a class meeting today, which involved recruiting new members of the Chinese Orchestra for the new semester. Guan Zan was already a full member, and learning the piano at night had taken a lot of energy, so he simply didn't go.

When Gu Fan came over, the dormitory was quiet, and he thought there was no one there, but he pushed the door and it opened.

Hearing the movement, Guan Zan put down the score and looked sideways, and said with a smile, "Long time no see."

"What's the matter with you?" After closing the door, Gu Wen walked over quickly, and said with concern, "I heard that you didn't even go to class, are you sick?" While talking, he casually glanced at the desk I was a little surprised when I noticed that it was a piano piece.

Guan Zan lied and said: "I was ill for a while. I don't get sick very much. Once I get sick, it will be more serious. I can only stay at home and rest."

"Are you all right now?" Gu Wen asked.

Guan Zan gave a flat "hmm", and casually pulled Tang Yizhen's chair opposite to signal Gu Wen to sit down. "How did you remember it?" He asked, "Is the senior afraid that I will not practice the piano well if I am sick, and I will make a mistake at your personal concert?"

It was a joke, and both of them laughed.

Gu Wan said: "Of course not, I'm still very relieved of you." He paused, and then said again: "But the time is indeed almost up, I came to see you not to practice the piano, it was the teacher's notice, Let's go to the venue this weekend, get to know the place, and get familiar with the environment by the way."

"That's it." Guan Zan sighed calmly, but he was actually afraid that he would not show up for a few days and delay the serious business. "Are you going together? What time is it?"

Gu Fan said: "I'll take you there. This Sunday at two o'clock in the afternoon, you can just wait in the dormitory. I will call you when I arrive, and you will come down after that."

"Okay." Guan Zan agreed.

The two didn't talk for long that night.Gu Wen noticed that Guan Zan seemed to have no energy, and his complexion was not so good-looking. He didn't want to keep consuming him and disturbing his rest, so he left after conveying the news about the weekend.But he came back ten minutes later, Guan Zan had already changed into his pajamas and went to bed at that time, so he was quite surprised to see the other party go and come back.Gu Fan is a thoughtful person, he went to the school supermarket to buy a few fruits on a whim, and sent them to Guan Zan, telling him to take good care of his health.

A few days later, on Sunday, the city of Beijing ushered in the first rain in late spring and early summer. It didn’t start to fall, and the rain was thin and fluffy, more like fog containing water vapor.

Guan Zan tends to be lazy on cloudy and rainy days, and it is difficult to get up in the morning. It took more than ten o'clock before he went out to practice in the piano room.It was almost 01:30 when he came out at noon, and he didn't have time to eat. He was worried that Gu Fan would come to the dormitory early, afraid that the weather would be bad and make people wait, so he hurried back with an umbrella.When he finally arrived at the apartment building, Guan Zan was about to walk towards the gate when a white car parked next to the ginkgo tree honked its horn at the right time.Few students went out on rainy days. Guan Zan vaguely felt that he was being called, so he subconsciously stopped and looked sideways.

When the car window was lowered, Gu Wenchao raised his chin towards Guan Zan, and said, "I knew you had to come back late to go to the piano room."

Guan Zan walked in a hurry, he stopped suddenly and couldn't help but feel a little breathless. Hearing this, he took out his phone and checked the time to make sure that there was nothing wrong with him. Then he walked to the side of the driver's cab and said to Gu Wen: "That's also from the senior. It's too early." After finishing speaking, Guan Zan thought for a while, and added another sentence: "Have you been waiting for a long time?"

"No." Gu Fan explained, "I just arrived too." He looked down at the items Guan Zan was carrying, and asked, "Do you need to put them back in the dormitory? If not, just get in the car. Usually we do things like this I like to go there early, and the teacher won't get stuck, he is an elder, and it doesn't matter about time, so it's not appropriate to ask elders to wait for us."

There are not many things in Guan Zan's backpack, only two piano scores account for the weight, and the rest are small gadgets such as wallets and key chains, which are not heavy to carry.He originally wanted to put the piano scores back in the dormitory, so as not to have to run around with them in the rain, but he changed his mind immediately after hearing what Gu Wen said, and directly opened the door and sat in the co-pilot.

The venue for the solo concert is in Zhongshan Park, which is considered a slightly older concert hall in China.Although the facilities are relatively old and the appearance is not as grand as that of the National Center for the Performing Arts, but the location is superior, the gold content is actually very high to be able to choose such a place for the first performance.

The weather is not good today, the rain has not started, but the sky is very cloudy.

Covered by pines and cypresses in Zhongshan Park, Guan Zan leaned on the car door with his elbows, staring at the music hall that was getting closer and closer for a moment, a small hole suddenly opened in his heart, letting envy overflow bit by bit.He thought that Ke Su had a higher reputation than his elder brother, and he really loved him, so when he graduated and became a teacher, the old man should also give him a solo concert of this level, right?

It would be a lie to say that he didn't look forward to it, Guan Zan felt his heart beat faster just thinking about it.

After driving to the place, Gu Wen parked the car in the parking lot of the internal employees, and then took Guan Zan to the back door of the concert hall.

The concert was set for the evening of next Friday, and the decoration of the venue was already underway. Right above the stage, a big red banner was drawn with the words "Zheng King Huo Shaoqiu's first solo concert".

Guan Zan raised his head and saw it. He always felt that it was exaggerated, so he couldn't help smiling.Gu Yan, who was so reserved and calm, also felt embarrassed at this time, pretending to clear his throat, and explained: "It's all like this, the default in the industry is that on the surface, a student is a teacher, and in essence, he still wants to make a face for the teacher. I'm the protagonist, but actually..." He smiled, didn't go any further, just said, "You understand."

Guan Zan nodded understandingly, and responded, "But senior brother treats you very well, that's enough."

"That's true." Gu Wen said, "But I have been working hard to not embarrass the teacher."

The two stopped in the last row of the auditorium.

The staff who were busy at the main stage got the news from nowhere, looked here to find someone, then waved to Gu Wen, and said loudly: "Is Mr. Gu here? Please come here!"

Gu Yan replied, "Wait a minute", and turned to Guan Zan, "I'll go and have a look, and I'll come to you as soon as I'm done. If you want, you can also stroll around, but it's a big place, and the backstage layout is quite messy." Yes, be careful not to lose your way."

Guan Zan couldn't help laughing: "I'm not a child."

Gu Wen also smiled when he heard the words: "I'm almost like a child in my heart." After he finished speaking, he patted Guan Zan on the shoulder and said, "I'm going."

The two separated, and Guan Zan stood with the audience for a while longer, watching Gu Wen come to the stage.It seems that to determine the placement of the guzheng, a simple landscaping was done behind the stage, so that the placement of the musical instruments is more particular.A solo concert is no better than an orchestra. After all, the scene is thin. How to display the momentum and taste of one or two guzhengs needs to be weighed repeatedly.

Guan Zan was not interested in standing here alone, and he didn't want to really go backstage to visit, so he left the performance hall and went to the service counter outside to buy a box of macadamia nut-flavored ice cream to eat.

On such a day when there are no audiences, the concert hall is extraordinarily quiet. Coupled with the continuous rain, it seems that people have muted the sound indoors and outdoors, and even the slightest sound becomes clear.

Not long after, the sound of the engine came, and Guan Zan turned around following the sound, and happened to see a car stop outside the main entrance.The driver opened the door in the rain, and held up an umbrella directly above the back door. Huo Shaoqiu got out of the car and gave some instructions to the driver, and then walked into the door alone with the umbrella.

Guan Zan put the plastic spoon back into the box, got up quickly, threw the unfinished half box of ice cream into the trash can, and walked quickly to the hall where the main entrance was.

Huo Shaoqiu's status is different, someone will receive him when he comes.Guan Zan noticed that there were a few people who looked like staff members talking to him at the door, he hesitated for a moment, and then stopped in his tracks.However, the hall was too empty, and any living thing would be obvious. Huo Shaoqiu glanced towards him if he felt something, and naturally waved to Guan Zan, gesturing him to go, regardless of the other people who were talking to him.

Guan Zan obediently stepped forward and greeted politely: "Brother, you are here."

As soon as these words came out, the other people couldn't help being stunned, and one of them said: "Shaoqiu, who is this?"

Huo Shaoqiu held Guan Zan by the shoulders and pulled him in front of him, introducing: "Mr. Ke's young apprentice who was accepted last year, regardless of his young age, he became famous in Vienna at the end of last year. His performance is also outstanding, the old man likes it very much, how can you not know him?"

Several people hurriedly exchanged greetings, saying that they had heard about it a long time ago, but because it was the first time they saw a real person, they didn't recognize it.They could see that Huo Shaoqiu had a good relationship with his junior brother, so they stopped bothering and left with excuses so that they could catch up.

Once Huo Shaoqiu arrived, it would not be appropriate for Guan Zan to stay outside and eat ice cream, so he had to go back to the performance hall with him.

The two walked through the side door without disturbing the busy staff and Gu Fan.Huo Shaoqiu took a seat in the corner, then reached out and patted the seat next to him. Guan Zan knew that he was being called, so he walked over and sat down.

"I happened to have something to do after the performance in Shanghai, so I didn't have time to congratulate you." Huo Shaoqiu said.

"Senior brother is too polite." Guan Zan said indifferently, "The success of the performance is the honor of the folk band, and it has nothing to do with individuals. Senior brother, please don't take credit for me, or others will have opinions."

Huo Shaoqiu smiled when he heard the words: "You are quite modest."

Guan Zan asked with a smile, "Isn't this the truth?"

Huo Shaoqiu didn't rush to speak, he turned his head and looked at Guan Zan peacefully.

Only the stage lights were on in the entire performance hall, and there was almost no light behind the auditorium, and the light was very dark.And even in such a dark place, that young man is still shining brightly, he is like a piece of beautiful and flawless jade, with a gentle aura, transparent color, low-key and restrained, but once people notice it, it is difficult to look away.

Guan Zan was a little dazed, and asked tentatively, "What's the matter, brother?"

"It's nothing." Huo Shaoqiu said, "After listening to what you said, I think the teacher should arrange performances for you in advance."

Guan Zan was taken aback, and quickly declined after a while: "It's too early, I'm not capable enough, I can barely watch the show with the group, but the performance is very demanding, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on to the scene..."

"What are you afraid of?" Huo Shaoqiu smiled meaningfully, "You have senior brothers and sisters, as well as Mr. Ke, as long as you speak, who among us will not come forward to help? Let's take a step back, even if you don't speak, we will still be there." Who dares to take the old man's face and take the initiative to help you?"

Guan Zan was noncommittal and didn't know how to answer the words for a while.

The words were true, but they didn't sound very pleasant to his ears.After all, it was all because of Ke Su, and had nothing to do with him in the slightest. The kindness, politeness and care that others showed to him was not because of his own ability, but just to please the old man. He is like an accessory, a channel for people around to get close to Ke Shu.Guan Zan doesn't really feel wronged, and he doesn't have the ambition to prove anything. He doesn't really mind living under the teacher's light, but it's just that he doesn't feel too happy every time he does this.

Huo Shaoqiu didn't seem to notice it, so he remained silent for a long while, seeing that Guan Zan didn't say anything, he continued: "You may not know that people from Ke Lao's lineage will choose the first performance, or the most important performance. Held here."

Guan Zan slightly opened his eyes wide, suddenly curious, and asked, "Why?"

"In fact, there is no special reason, maybe it's just because of getting used to it." Huo Shaoqiu said, "The old man became famous too early, and there is no modern concert hall in China, and the Central Concert Hall is already very good. He himself became famous here, so he wanted the students to go out from here, and we all respect him, so we followed the tradition and chose this place for our students’ first performance.”

Guan Zan smiled: "Isn't that very good?" After he finished speaking, he froze for a moment, and for no reason, his thoughts fell on his father inexplicably.

He is also Ke Su's student, and he also has his first performance as a teacher, so... Guan Zan suddenly looked at the brightly lit main stage, his heart trembling uncontrollably.

He also held his first solo concert there...?

"It's really good, for all of us." Huo Shaoqiu seemed to be lost in memory, and his voice became low and soft, "The teacher is proud and arrogant, and there are no mediocre students under his name. Up to now, everyone can be regarded as one of them." Success and fame." He suddenly fell silent, and then added in a very soft voice after a while, "Except for my little brother."

Guan Zan's heart was beating fast, his teeth clenched his lower lip involuntarily, and he asked casually, "Which junior brother are you talking about?"

"The one earlier than you." Huo Shaoqiu replied, "The former closed disciple of the teacher."

Guan Zan let out a "hmm" and didn't speak.

Huo Shaoqiu asked again: "Closed disciple is a very special identity, similar to that of first disciple, even more special than it. Do you know why?"

Guan Zan didn't think too much, and shook his head truthfully.

Huo Shaoqiu smiled kindly, and explained: "Actually, as long as conditions permit, students can be accepted forever. The teacher was not too old back then, and he did have a heart problem, but after the operation was successful, he recovered very well. "

"However, my little junior brother has become a closed disciple." He lightly smiled and took a breath, "This is because he has met all the teacher's requirements for students. He is talented, intelligent, talented, diligent and willing to practice, and he is very obedient. The teacher thinks enough is enough. He is the last one in this life. He is willing to spend the rest of his life nurturing and not spending any energy on the next one. He just wants to watch the junior brother alone and see him grow step by step according to the planned track. An ideal, the appearance of a successor."

"I still remember his first performance here." Huo Shaoqiu said, "The teacher invited more than half of the famous folk music circles to join him. You must know that this circle has always been low-key. It's a grand occasion."

Guan Zan nodded in agreement, and asked, "And then?"

"Of course he succeeded, and he was the most successful among us." Huo Shaoqiu said, "Folk music has great limitations, and it is difficult to introduce it abroad, but he got the opportunity to tour the world, with famous pianists and violinists. house ensemble."

"After returning to the country, in order to repay the teacher, the younger brother rescheduled the first performance in China to the Zhongshan Concert Hall, but it's a pity..." Huo Shaoqiu sighed, he pinched the bones of his nose, and rubbed it very hard.

Guan Zan didn't know anything about what happened back then, but as soon as these three words came out, he responded to the fake bomb without being affected at all!

"What's the pity?" His voice was calm, with a slight smile, as if he was simply interested, "Why didn't you finish talking, brother, didn't you mean to hang me?"

Huo Shaoqiu waved his hand: "It's disgraceful, let's not talk about it."

Guan Zan looked at him calmly, and asked, "Did that little senior brother of mine do something wrong? That's why you refused to tell the teacher because he was blackmailing the teacher?"

Huo Shaoqiu shook his head: "What could he do wrong? Among the people I know, only he comes from the lowest family background, and only he cherishes the life that Guzheng brought him the most. If it was out of his original intention, he would never do anything detrimental It is a matter of professional ethics, but the first performance back in China is too heavy and stressful, it has political tasks, and the people who come to watch are of high status, so it cannot be postponed easily."

"He has always been obedient, but in the end he heard the sentence that he shouldn't have heard in his life."

The fingers that landed on the armrest suddenly tightened, and Guan Zan couldn't believe it: "The teacher asked him to do it, did he listen?"

Huo Shaoqiu smiled to cover up, as if he was punishing his brother, he scratched the tip of Guan Zan's nose, and scolded him with a smile: "Where is so much curiosity? Don't inquire casually about what you shouldn't. Be careful that the teacher will punish you if he finds out. "

After finishing speaking, Huo Shaoqiu got up to leave.

Guan Zan hurried over and grabbed his arm, lowered his voice and asked, "Did the teacher ask him to do it?"

Huo Shaoqiu twisted his body and looked into his eyes, and said calmly: "Junior brother's hand is injured, which will definitely affect the completion of the repertoire. The teacher just persuaded him to make second-hand preparations just in case. But public opinion is like this , once you are identified, you will not be given a chance to explain. What's more, if you have a fractured palm, you can still persist in completing the entire performance under such circumstances, and no one will believe you when you tell it."

"I see." Guan Zan let go of his hand, "Please tell the senior, I remembered something at school, so I left first."

"It's raining outside." Huo Shaoqiu asked, "Do you want to arrange a car to take you back?"

"No need." Guan Zan took two steps back, "Thank you, brother."