Chapter 265
Chapter 265: Advice
Translator: Min_Lee Editor: Tennesh
"Looks like he's almost fully recovered," Fang Zhao said .
"Almost . There are still some challenges we haven't resolved, but the doctor said he will get over the hump in about half a year and fully recover in the next three to five years . "
Ming Cang and his wife now beamed when they spoke of their son's prospects . The huge weight that had nearly crushed them had been lifted .
Both Fang Zhao and the Mings had been busy, so Fang Zhao had never had the chance to learn about Ming Ye's treatment in detail . This visit was the perfect opportunity to catch up . He was personally very curious about the treatment process as well . Ming Ye's treatment plan had never been made public, and Fang Zhao had only read updates in medical journals . Now he could hear firsthand from Ming Cang and his wife .
After an extended chat, it was dinner time .
"Xiao Fang, did you bring your driver? Ask them to join us . It's just a casual meal," Su Tong said eagerly . "You can ask Teacher Ming for advice about your concert afterward . "
After being summoned upstairs, Yan Biao and Zuo Yu did their best to keep a low profile, especially Yan Biao . Zuo Yu had joked that Yan Biao projected the aura of a gangster and might spook young children . If this had been any other occasion, Yan Biao would have blown him off, but now he reined himself in .
After dinner, Yan Biao and Zuo Yu rested in the living room, their faces tired from all the smiling in response to Su Tong's generous hospitality .
"Tea? Or juice?" Su Tong asked .
"No need, no need . We'll just have some water . We'll help ourselves . Why don't you go about your business? We'll just wait here," Zuo Yu said .
Noticing that Yan Biao and Zuo Yu were a bit stiff, Su Tong didn't insist on serving them . She led Ming Ye to his bedroom for a chat .
Yan Biao and Zuo Yu finally relaxed when they were alone in the living room .
The two bodyguards could put themselves at ease in front of thugs and businessmen, but they were at a loss as to how to behave before such a cultured family . They didn't even feel comfortable speaking up .
"Hey, Zuo Yu, let me ask you a question," Yan Biao whispered, wearing a curious expression .
"What?"
"What kind of illness did that Ming Ye, Professor Ming's son, contract? Did Boss's music really cure him?"
"Yes and no . "
Yan Biao didn't like the answer he had gotten . "Either yes or no . What do you mean?"
"To draw an analogy, Boss's 'Period of Destruction' series was like the key to a crucial door . It pointed researchers in the right direction . The rest was up to the researchers . It was a matter of finding the right direction and making a critical breakthrough . Ming Ye didn't necessarily have to listen to the series repeatedly . "
"Sounds like a straightforward matter, but without a clear direction, any amount of time, manpower, and resources would simply go to waste . " Yan Biao finally understood why this couple treated Fang Zhao so well . Ming Cang and his wife had not stopped smiling since the moment they had entered the apartment . Putting himself in the couple's shoes, Yan Biao thought he would do the same .
While Yan Biao and Zuo Yu were gossiping in the living room, Ming Cang was in his study, giving Fang Zhao pointers about the upcoming concert .
Ming Cang was rather conflicted when it came to live concerts . The most respected figures in the music industry despised big money and crassness, but they also wanted performers to put on classy shows . They seemed to prefer venues that were super expensive but had limited seating capacity, thinking that only concert halls of that category were a match for their level of artistry .
In short, the senior figures in the music industry only respected the three main venues in Yanzhou . Even though they looked down on venues like Golden Age that were open to the highest bidder, saying these venues reeked of gaudiness, they still acknowledged the status of these concert halls .
This was a major contradiction in the music industry these days, a big shortcoming . But as a single person, Ming Cang had limited influence . Even though he took issue with the trend, all he could do was play by the rules .
That was the message Ming Cang delivered to Fang Zhao—if you couldn't change the status quo, you had to conform first .
Ming Cang also zoomed in on details regarding the lead-up and aftermath of the concert that were often neglected .
He pondered some more and added: "Why don't we do this . You've never been to a concert at one of the three major venues . Let me check their schedules . No amount of advice I give you is can substitute for the actual experience . I get quite a few complimentary tickets . Let's pick a show and check it out . "
Ming Cang was a former president of the Qi'an Academy of Music, after all, and the current deputy head of the Yanzhou Music Association . Folks like him were regularly invited to concerts of all sorts .
Typically, both Ming Cang and his wife were invited, but because of Ming Ye's illness, the couple skipped most of these concerts except the more important ones, and when they went, only one of them attended . The other stayed home to take care of Ming Ye . The tickets arrived in a steady stream . It was up to them whether or not to attend the concerts .
Fang Zhao watched Ming Cang sift through the electronic tickets on his tablet . He had already passed on the upcoming shows of several up-and-coming musicians in Yanzhou .
Noticing Fang Zhao's puzzled expression, Ming Cang explained, "You can't trust what you read online . You know how it works at big companies like Silver Wing . Even the weakest performer can be packaged as a master with the right backup . "
What he meant was that performers like these seemed competent, but in reality, they were being inflated by their promoters . There was no point in watching their shows . It was a waste of time .
"Too many people view their concerts at one of the three major venues as a mere stepping stone . Not to say that there's anything wrong with that, but it's quite disappointing to me if they don't even bother putting together proper pieces or if they offload composing duties to others . The whole thing becomes a career move and the purity of the show is lost," Ming Cang lamented . Veteran musicians like himself could tell instantly if the performers put any thought into their pieces .
"Oh, here we go! Ha Wen . This student is quite competent . He's a talented arranger, too . His concert should be decent . " Ming Cang pointed at the two e-tickets and told Fang Zhao, "He's one of my former students, and Auntie Su's as well . An arrangement major . He may not be that talented of a composer, but he's a very strong arranger . "
The date of the concert was the day after tomorrow .
"Are you free?" Ming Cang asked .
"Yes," Fang Zhao responded . He had no conflicting engagements . He could definitely spare the night after the next to check out a concert picked by Ming Cang .
Once they had confirmed their plans, Ming Cang asked Su Tong to join them so she could send Fang Zhao her e-ticket .
"Ming Ye's medical team will be visiting him for a checkup the day after tomorrow, so Su Tong is going to stay home for that . I'll join you for the concert," Ming Cang said with a smile . "It's just a routine weekly checkup, it's OK . Last week, Su Tong had to attend a conference for a few days and I was the one who stayed home with Ming Ye . This time, it's her turn to stick around . We can go to the concert together . "
Su Tong didn't take issue with the plan . She even asked Fang Zhao if she should send him more tickets .
Ming Cang cut her off . "There are quite a few concerts that you can pass on . Watching them will actually affect your performance . When I have time, I'll sift through them again and send him a few more . "
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login