The dinner at the bookstore was something Alice arranged for William and Evelyn.
Alice naturally didn’t want Lila to come along, so she told her, “Lila, we have a staff dinner for the bookstore later, so I won’t be able to accompany you.”
“Why not join you?” Lila responded without reservation, “I’ll pay for my portion if needed. I also need to discuss some work matters with William.”
Given what Lila had said, Alice could only reply, “You don’t need to pay. If it’s just one more place setting, then come along.”
“I won’t stand on ceremony then.” Lila smiled, giving no indication of being reserved at all.
Without more conversation with Lila, Alice asked, “William, what would you like to eat?”
“Anything is fine, you decide.”
“How about sushi? There’s a new French restaurant near the school named ‘Le Chateau de Paris’.”
“That’s fine.” William didn’t have any objections.
Alice quickly informed Evelyn and Walker and sent them the location of ‘Le Chateau de Paris’.
Upon arriving at the entrance of ‘Le Chateau de Paris’, they noticed a violinist in evening attire playing for the guests. Inside, the restaurant was adorned with exquisite chandeliers, artwork, and vintage furniture, giving off an upscale and romantic vibe. Every note from the violinist was pure and resonated deep within the listeners. It was evident they had great skill. Having such a musician play at the restaurant was clearly aimed at creating a high-end, romantic atmosphere. William paused briefly at the entrance, captivated by the beautiful violin music, feeling that dining in such an environment would be a delightful experience. He remembered attending events in the past where musicians performed. The three of them arrived first and chose a spot near the window. Although the place didn’t have private rooms, the entire restaurant emanated an elegant and tranquil ambiance, which was very satisfying.
Evelyn hadn’t arrived yet, so as soon as Lila sat down, she asked William, “William, shall we discuss the live streaming matter?”
William nodded, signaling her to proceed.
She continued, “Are you familiar with the live streaming industry?”
William glanced at her and replied, “I’m not sure what it entails.”
He could have looked it up on his phone, but he seemed keen on hearing Lila explain.
Gathering her thoughts, Lila said, “Simply put, live streaming is showcasing one’s talent on the internet using a phone or computer. It could be chatting, playing games, or performing. Income comes from both the streaming platform’s compensation and gifts from viewers.”
“So, it’s like performing for an audience, right?” William inquired.
“You could see it that way,” Lila paused before asking, “So, what can you do?”
William glanced at the entrance and asked, “Does the fidula count?”
“The fidula? You mean the violin, right?” Lila nodded, “That works. Can you play?”
“Yes!” William responded. He had noticed a fidula near the performance stage at the entrance, seemingly ready for the next performance.
The “fidula,” originating from the Middle Ages, has been around for quite some time. It later evolved into the modern violin. The design and shape of the contemporary violin began to spread and become refined in Italy during the 16th century, especially in the region of Cremona. 𝗼𝐯𝗹．𝐞𝘁
“So, would you mind playing a piece now?”
Why would Lila find work for William? And why recommend him to the live-streaming industry? She likely wanted to see what special skills William possessed.
“It’s been quite some time since I last played, but I can give it a shot.” William stood up and made his way to the entrance.
Lila and Alice quickly followed him.
Lila was curious, but Alice was even more intrigued. Her mentor was knowledgeable in medicine, practiced magic, understood antiques, had remarkable culinary skills, and now he played the violin too?
Was he a master of time management?
One’s lifetime is limited. Many pursuits may require a focus of ten, twenty years, or even a lifetime to achieve any form of mastery. William was only twenty years old, and the array of skills he possessed seemed exaggerated.
“Young lady, may I borrow the violin next to you?” William approached the woman at the door and politely asked.
The woman lifted her eyelids, and the music from the strings came to an abrupt halt. She looked at William with a furrowed brow, “Do you know how to play?”
“know a bit about,” William replied with a smile.
“This violin is different from the others.”
“I know. The fidula is a stringed instrument from the Middle Ages. Its origins can be traced back to the 10th century, and it was widely used in Western Europe between the 12th and 14th centuries. A fidula usually has two to five strings, but this one has three. Its shape is similar to a violin, but its fingerboard is flat, generally smaller in size and has a simpler structure. It’s usually played with a bow, and in some instances, the strings can be plucked with fingers.” William chuckled as he spoke, recalling a performance by Niccolò Paganini that he once heard; it was melancholic yet passionate. Now, seeing the fidula, he felt an itch to play a piece.
The woman’s expression softened. “Fidula” is not a commonly recognized term. Most people would mistake it for a violin, unaware that it’s a fidula, let alone its history and structure.
In recent times, many have taken up playing the violin, but those who play the fidula are few and far between.
The woman asked, “What do you want to play?”
“Paganini’s Caprice No. 24,” William replied, his thoughts drifting to the golden age of European music. That was indeed the pinnacle era for the violin, with many great composers penning classic works for the instrument.
“Paganini’s Caprice No. 24?!” The woman’s eyes widened in astonishment. That piece is a pinnacle challenge for violinists. Even she, having played from the age of five, hadn’t mastered it yet. Could the man before her possibly play it?
William inquired, “May I?”
“Go ahead,” the woman said, slowly rising and gesturing for William to take a seat. She was a student from Hudson University’s Music Department. Initially, seeing William approach with Lila, she had assumed he simply wanted to show off in front of the likes of Lila and Alice. But now, he claimed he could play the extremely challenging “Caprice No. 24.” Even the professors at her college couldn’t guarantee a flawless performance every time. For someone William’s age to play it would be extraordinary.
“Thank you,” said William, sitting down and quickly tuning the instrument. The woman immediately recognized from his adept tuning that he was an expert.
Taking a deep breath, William’s fingers danced rapidly on the fidula, producing a melody that was pure magic. For a moment, the entire restaurant was engulfed solely by the sound of his fidula. Though Alice and the others weren’t versed in fidula music, they were stunned by his performance. The piece William played had numerous climaxes and leaps in notes. With closed eyes, one could feel as if they were being transported through the annals of history, with each note resembling a beautiful tale.
All the patrons in the restaurant put down their cutlery and ceased their conversations, completely engrossed in the music. It was as if everyone was being spiritually cleansed. Even a young man, who had just broken up with his girlfriend, seemed to lose himself in the music, feeling all his sorrows dissipate.
Was this really the “know a bit about” knowledge he had claimed?
The woman from earlier stood to the side. While others might not understand, with her years of fidula practice, how could she not? William’s skill had reached an incredible height, such that even seasoned masters in the music industry could only look up to him in awe.
