### Chapter 108: Xiao Gan Wants to Talk About Girl Topics Too
#### Why???
Almost as soon as the message was sent, Gan Yan Yu replied.
Isn’t this class time? This sneaky kid…
Before Lin Tian could even type a response, messages from Gan Yan Yu flooded in like a tidal wave:
1. ”You don’t want to be partners anymore?”
2. ”Why, what did I do wrong?”
3. ”I shouldn’t have stolen your bananas from the café yesterday! Sorry!”
4. ”I’ll buy you lots of bananas after school! Don’t be mad at me!!”
Lin Tian was completely overwhelmed by these messages.
When did she ever steal bananas?
Lin Tian had no clue she had pulled that off!
Timing was everything!
Seeing Gan Yan Yu misunderstanding, Lin Tian rushed to comfort her:
”No, I’m not mad. I left them there for you to eat if you got hungry filming.”
”(Sniff) (Sniff)”
”So you found a new partner then?”
”Is she also a cello player??”
”Is she better than me??”
”.”
Another barrage of questions, and now Lin Tian was drenched in sweat. He started wondering if Gan Yan Yu was intentionally teasing him.
But on second thought, it might’ve just been his wording that led to the confusion.
”It’s not like that,” Lin Tian replied.
He didn’t mean to split up in real life. What he meant was:
They would still work together but pursue their goals independently.
The Star Cup competition was important and he couldn’t miss it. The art exams were equally crucial, too.
However, doing two significant things together might dilute their efforts in both areas.
Thus,
Perhaps working separately for a bit might be better.
Without Lin Tian’s help, Gan Yan Yu might struggle in the Star Cup.
Conversely, without Gan Yan Yu, Lin Tian’s preparations for the art exam would be tough as well.
Unfortunately, life sometimes forces hard choices.
As partners, they should trust and support each other.
But if they couldn’t function without each other, did that turn their “partnership” into something unhealthy?
Lin Tian shared his thoughts with Gan Yan Yu, clarifying that it wasn’t about avoiding each other.
Sure, they would still meet often.
But they’d temporarily focus on separate goals and give each other space.
Lin Tian wasn’t sure if this was the right choice,
But he wanted to try it out anyway.
Back on WeChat:
Gan Yan Yu remained silent for quite some time.
In the end, she just responded with three words:
”Talk after class.”
Gan Yan Yu put away her phone and gazed at the blackboard.
The English teacher continued explaining the test answers.
But the girl’s mind was elsewhere.
Month apart?
She had gotten so used to Lin Tian’s presence in recent months.
This sudden talk felt like a shock.
Lin Tian made sense. Competition and the art exams couldn’t coexist perfectly.
Best bet was to focus separately.
Yet, why did Lin Tian seem so relaxed about it?
School dismissal.
Since Lin Tian was a day student who didn’t have night classes, while Gan Yan Yu needed to stay behind to catch up on studies,
When Gan Yan Yu finished her classes, Lin Tian had already gone home.
Exiting the school gates, Gan Yan Yu waited at a traffic light.
Suddenly, a surprised voice broke the silence:
”Oh, Gan Yan Yu!”
Gan Yan Yu turned around, puzzled, to see a smiling young woman.
”.”
Gan Yan Yu recognized her.
Su Ran—a classmate who was very pretty and had even asked about Lin Tian recently and added her on WeChat.
“Isn’t Lin Tian with you?”
“He left first.”
“Oh, right.”
At that moment, a mischievous glint flickered in Su Ran’s eyes.
“Come on, Gan Yan Yu. Let’s get some milk tea.”
“What?!”
Gan Yan Yu widened her eyes and quickly pulled away from Su Ran’s grasp.
“Umm, maybe later. I… I have an emergency.”
“Ah, but there’s this fantastic dessert shop. They have a pudding as big as a rice cooker!”
Gesturing dramatically, Su Ran pretended to be regretful,
“I’ve got a membership card. And if you’re okay with it, I can treat you!”
“Huh?!”
Before Su Ran could finish:
Gan Yan Yu’s face popped in front of hers, sparkling with excitement—
“Where is it?”
Warm lighting and cartoon decorations greeted the pair,
A monstrous golden pudding sat on a white plate between them.
Gan Yan Yu picked up her spoon, scooping a layer of pudding and popping it into her mouth.
She savored the taste,
Her eyes instantly sparkled like little stars,
Clutching her face, she closed her eyes in pure bliss.
”.”
Su Ran was stunned.
So. Freakin’. Adorable!
She really did this in real life?!
Maybe, that’s how you tell a regular girl from a super-cute one.
Suddenly, Su Ran felt a fierce determination to compete.
She memorized this expression,
Intending to practice back home—
If she could nail half of the cute quotient,
All those otakus on Douyin would flip!
“Hey, thank you, Su Ran. For bringing me here for this delicious pudding!”
“No worries. I’ve always wanted to meet you,” Su Ran replied with a grin.
“I thought you wouldn’t agree to random outings with strangers,”
“True, usually I don’t.”
Gan Yan Yu contemplated,
“But you are friends with Lin Tian, right?”
“.”
Surprised by this question,
Su Ran faltered.
She accepted the offer because of Lin Tian?
Pretty neat!
“Ah. So, Lin Tian’s important to you,”
“Huh?”
Gan Yan Yu was puzzled.
How did this transition?
“I saw you looking troubled at the lights.”
“I’m not having boyfriend troubles!”
“Really? You must be having some issues then, related to Lin Tian.”
Su Ran sipped her tea, zeroing in on Gan Yan Yu.
“How do you know?”
Gan Yan Yu stared.
“Because girls know, especially pretty ones like us.”
Su Ran smirked,
“Need some advice on romance?”
“Advice on romance?”
“Oh, come on. Haven’t you ever joined a deep conversation about girl stuff before?”
“No.”
Gan Yan Yu shook her head.
Timid and old-fashioned,
She almost never joined such chats.
When other girls talked about which boy was cute, Gan Yan Yu hadn’t developed her standards yet.
While others gushed over dramas and dating novels, Gan Yan Yu was clueless.
Girls formed such exclusive circles,
And here was this boring Gan Yan Yu, easily becoming someone no one wanted around.
“So you haven’t?”
Su Ran gasped with excitement,
“That makes you the ultimate natural beauty!”
For a girl like Gan Yan Yu—an unusual and aloof individual,
This was exactly her character arc in a manga!
“What?”
Confused by Su Ran’s sudden enthusiasm,
Gan Yan Yu sensed trouble brewing.
“Well, let’s chat!”
Su Ran pounded her chest,
“Come on, you and Lin Tian. How far are you guys?”
“We perform together.”
“So, you’re really close!”
“Sorta.”
“Then, what is there to worry about?”
“Actually, we are thinking of splitting up.”
Perhaps sensing Su Ran’s friendship to Lin Tian, Gan Yan Yu let her guard down.
She finally said:
“Splitting up?”
“Yup. I have a match next month, he’s preparing for the arts exam.”
“Understood.”
Su Ran nodded thoughtfully.
Typical Lin Tian.
Rational and ambitious—he made sense.
“Are you okay with it?”
“Sure, it’s worth it. But,”
“But…”
“But what?”
“He seemed too relaxed about it.”
Gan Yan Yu munched on her spoon, looking conflicted,
“A month apart isn’t supposed to be an easy decision, right? Lin Tian made it look too simple. Doesn’t seem like he cared enough.”
“Maybe that’s just how I feel. It sounds too easy”
Before Gan Yan Yu finished,
“HAHAHA!”
Laughter boomed.
“What’s so funny?”
Gan Yan Yu blushed furiously,
Poking her feet anxiously.
“Sorry, I just think it’s so cute. Pure as Lin Tian, cute as you!”
”.”
Gan Yan Yu’s face turned bright red,
“Don’t joke like that, we aren’t like that.”
“Shouldn’t worrying make you cuter?”
“”
Su Ran teased,
Getting more interested every minute.
People who dated knew one thing:
Watching other people love was way cooler!
Clearly, only someone pure enough could survive the real world without experience!
Su Ran composed herself and spoke kindly,
“Xiao Gan, you’re not being ridiculous. Feeling like this is normal for girls!”
“Normal?”
“Yeah. You probably don’t understand boys.”
“We talked on WeChat.”
“Right! Words can be cold. Without seeing emotions through texts, couples fight.”
“Plus, Lin Tian is smart. His coldness doesn’t mean coldness. Deciding like this isn’t bad if it’s the right choice.”
“.”
Gan Yan Yu was dazed.
Though she disliked the girlfriend-mentality, she understood Su Ran’s logic.
“Got it. I was overthinking.”
“Yes.”
“Thanks.”
Gan Yan Yu stood up sincerely.
Now she gets girl conversations.
“Don’t be silly, Gan. How do you feel about me calling you ‘Gan-senpai’?”
“Eh, but why?”
“It’s how we 2D fans say cute things.”
Smiling impishly, Su Ran added:
“Any other topics, please share!”
“—Look, without me, you’d still be confused.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
Gan Yan Yu said,
“Cause I will clear it with Lin Tian.”
“!”
Su Ran paled,
“You’re going to ask him in private? Like that?!”
“Say it. Talk it through. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”
(The End)
