127. Chapter 127: The Star Cup – Gan Yan Yu’s Opponents (6K)
—
Shaky as a leaf, the day of the competition finally arrived.
Early in the morning, Lin Tian had bought breakfast and called for Gan Yan Yu.
The two sat face-to-face in Lin Tian’s living room, munching on breakfast with barely any words exchanged.
Tense, anxious, yet brimming with excitement.
These emotions played out on the young lady’s face like a chaotic reel.
“Gan Teacher.”
“…”
“Yan Yu!”
“Ahh?!”
Gan Yan Yu snapped back to reality.
Wide-eyed, she stared at Lin Tian, her bun frozen mid-air.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
“Did you not sleep well? You seem quite worn out.”
Lin Tian asked, somewhat helplessly.
If the will was that low before battle, it was a surefire sign of a fiasco.
“I slept well, I think. My eyes closed yesterday,” she said drowsily.
“—”
Great, now they were both babbling nonsense.
“You don’t look like a musician at all,” Lin Tian put down his spoon and approached Gan Yan Yu.
“Stand up.”
“My bun—”
“Get up!”
Gan Yan Yu stuffed the bun into her mouth and stood up obediently.
“Stick out your chest! Raise your shoulders! Hold your head high!”
Lin Tian took on the role of a drill sergeant, directing Gan Yan Yu.
Her mouth full of bun, her little cheeks puffed up like balloons. She strained to cooperate with Lin Tian, looking like she just joined a political cult with zeal.
“Your shoulders aren’t stiff enough.”
With a light pinch, Lin Tian pressed on her shoulders.
“Gah!!”
She instantly let out a painful groan, almost spitting out the bun in her mouth.
“Is this bun that sour?”
“—”
Once she swallowed the bun:
“It’s really sour,” the girl said weakly.
Hers was an ailment that didn’t mix well with physical exercise. Since returning to school, Gan Yan Yu had cut her workout sessions to once or twice a week. Now, prepping for the competition, she’d utterly abandoned them, practicing indoors for hours every day.
After all that, every part of her body was as rigid as a log.
“If only you’d mentioned it earlier, I would have massaged you last night,” Lin Tian sighed. His masterful massage skills hadn’t seen the daylight for ages.
It mainly was because Gan Yan Yu rarely brought it up; he didn’t want to start anything untoward if they got into it.
“Worried about getting massaged? No worries, we’ll relax tonight after the competition,” Lin Tian suggested.
“—”
Gan Yan Yu remained silent.
Then, she asked:
“Are you coming with me to the venue?”
“Coming! I’ve got tickets.”
Lin Tian specially confirmed with Gao Zhen Yang about backstage entry and such.
Alas, it turned out:
He wasn’t a family member, so no family tickets.
Utterly unbelievable!
From then on, he planned to snap a photo of Gan Yan Yu each mealtime for a year and demand an explanation from the organizers as to whether that counted as a family member since he fed her so many times.
“You can watch from backstage,” Gan Yan Yu said. “Competitors are allowed assistants in the rest rooms.”
“I wanna feel the atmosphere, though,” Lin Tian replied.
Watching music live was always better in the stands. Watching it on a big TV backstage is a bit awkward.
“So, wait for me backstage and when it’s my turn, come out to the audience?”
Gan Yan Yu looked at him cautiously.
“Sure.”
Lin Tian’s original plan was also around this idea.
After all, Lin Tian was the producer of this show and had been nurturing Gan Yan Yu himself.
This felt like sending a carefully raised school idol onto stage.
A rather nice feeling it turned out to be.
“It’s 8:30 already,” Lin Tian checked his timepiece. “Let’s go!”
He grabbed a bun off the table, stuffed it into Gan Yan Yu’s mouth, and headed out.
The Star Cup, full name “National Cello Competition”, hosted by the “Starry Music Group”, “Starry Moon Foundation” with the “Future Art Cultural Center” as its organizer.
Held biennially, it’s the twelfth edition this year, based in the “Cultural Theatre of Qingzhou City”.
As one of the top five influential events in Qingjiang, and timed a month before the Parrot Zither Cup preliminaries, many music enthusiasts consider the Star Cup a preview of the Parrot Zither Cup. Nearly half the Parrot Zither Cup participants feature in the Star Cup.
Apart from the popular 18-year-old prodigy Gan Yan Yu,
Some notable guests are:
Yang Weize, 24, undergraduate at Hushang Music University, currently pursuing a master’s at Hamburg Music and Drama Academy, student under renowned cellist Mr. Zhao Jun.
Specializes in classical and modern pieces, won the Silver Award of the Xuanwu Cup Young Cellist Competition in 2022.
Zhu Ya, 26, alumna of Xingye Music Academy and Hushang Music University, student of former President Wan Qi of the Music Association of Qingzhou City.
Similarly proficient in modern music, won Shanghai National Music Festival Best Performance Award in 2021, first prize in the Dragon Zither Cup Cello Contest in 2020, too.
Classically trained indeed.
Lin Tian, on the way to the venue, couldn’t help but marvel at these profiles.
Compared to which, the only noteworthy thing about 18-year-old Gan Yan Yu was her relation to Professor Gan Hua, her grandfather.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t a positive association in the eyes of most people.
While others boasted credentials of prestigious music schools, she only had “my grandpa is Professor Gan Hua” as her pedigree.
Which, a bit odd, don’t you think?
Lin Tian initially thought the Star Cup was merely a local event in Qingchou. He hadn’t intended to have Gan Yan Yu compete until it could bolster efforts for the Parrot Zither Cup.
However, the deeper he delved, the more he realized that even minor competitions harbored significant meaning.
Qingjiang Province has a long history of producing musical talents.
Renowned cellist Gan Hua, one of the most recognized figures in the field, hails from Qingzhou city as well.
With the Dragon Zither Cup on the horizon, many young players congregate in Qingzhou, hoping to secure a coveted spot.
“Gee, there are even kids here?”
Lin Tian noticed the media listing some young players as contestants.
“At 18 that’s a genius; at 8, that’s a mythos!”
“Ha, you know music contests are age-segregated.”
Gan Yan Yu tried hard not to smile at his seriousness.
“If it’s specialization we’re talking about, then this is elementary. We divide domestically in four groups for music contests. Ages 12 and below, 12-17, 18-26, and over 26 are professionals.”
“So you joined the youth group?” Lin Tian asked.
“No, it’s the professional one.”
“What?!”
“Ages are merely a reference. In theory, everyone can enter the professional group if they meet the criteria.”
“—”
“Interesting.”
Previously, he’d heard of these ‘genius cellists’ without much clarity.
This brought everything into focus. Achieving a goal in theory seemed doable easily.
In reality, scrolling through contestant lists:
There was no denying Gan Yan Yu was the youngest in the professional category at 18.
“Not really overblown,” Gan Yan Yu quickly reassured, noticing his perplexed expression.
“There aren’t many seasoned veterans beyond 40 anymore. Most have achieved great success and don’t need to participate through routes like the Parrot Zither Cup; instead, they get direct invites for special concerts and don’t compete in the professional group.”
“Same for influential international contests. They have their own exclusive pathways, leaving us youngsters to fight.”
“—”
Lin Tian got it:
40-plus musicians hardly ever engaged in such competitions.
Because they had honors already and shortcuts, invitations usually got them straight into major events if they wanted.
But, phrasing it this way was a bit rude, dismissing those struggling musicians.
On the flip side:
Participating through these shortcuts meant taking part in performance-heavy contests in the Dragon Zither Cup, not competitive ones.
It was impressive, but winning the invited contest didn’t count much compared to professional categories.
“Grandpa won the championship in the professional group of the old Dragon Zither Cup,” Gan Yan Yu murmured.
“Oh?”
“With his background, there were multiple other paths he could’ve taken, including K’er Cup, but he chose the Dragon Zither Cup for recognition in classical music.”
Her eyes sparkled with pride.
“The old master.”
I’d be proud too.
Imagine:
Sixteen years ago, hailed as the prodigy of cello in Qingjiang, aged over fifty.
He could’ve had a glorious retirement, enjoying admiration and adoration until his last days…
But for some inexplicable reason, he pursued something.
Amidst confusion, he battled from the Parrot Zither Cup to the Dragon Zither Cup, winning numerous titles to represent his nation at the K’er Cup, claiming the championship.
In the end, it all went south—
Heartbreak, never touching the instrument again.
To bear mockery and disdain from peers who misunderstood—why chase glory when a peaceful life awaited?
His final act, a cowardly withdrawal.
Now portrayed in retrospective articles, falling from grace.
Was it worth it?
What path would lead to satisfaction?
Lin Tian could only guess what drove Gan Dadao within.
To him, Gan Dadao would always be the jovial, kind grandpa who loved handcrafted coffee.
But Gan Yan Yu seemed to share a piece of her inner world too.
Their journey paralleled his grandfather’s unfinished quest.
“—”
Drawing a breath,
He shifted thoughts.
Now isn’t the time.
They’re just getting started.
Rethinking the remaining list of contestants, Lin Tian flicked through his phone, but Gan Yan Yu reached out and halted his arm.
“They’re useless.”
“Really?”
These were no ordinary contenders:
All graduates from top music universities, past champions, or big-shot award-winners.
“Look for someone named Bai Xi,” she urged.
“Bai Xi?”
Such a name could belong to a century kid, Lin Tian mused.
He immediately focused on finding her in the registration list.
Bai Xi, 23, alumna of Shijin High School, Qingzhou.
“High school graduate?”
Lin Tian was puzzled.
“Yes,” Gan Yan Yu nodded.
Curious, he read further:
2022 “Ke’r Cup” Bronze Medalist,
2022 Qingjiang Junior Artist Award,
2023 Tokyo Symphony Orchestra Solo Performer,
2023 Extraordinary Award by the Young Musicians Association of Qin Flower.
Quite the impressive resume.
Wait, how could she be this good without formal education?
Seems like her skills came from some legendary dojo.
“Check this out,” she pointed to a highlight,
2022 Parrot Zither Competition runner-up.
“2022?”
“Yeah,” she whispered, “That’s when I was still competing.”
When 16-year-old Gan Yan Yu quit early to go to England.
Mass outrage—being the youngest contestant, all anticipated her performance.
“Xi Bai was 21, entered the professional group, and came in second.”
“She’s quite powerful.”
“Reminds me vividly,” she admitted.
This was the first time Lin Tian heard such praise from Gan Yan Yu.
Being 21 and partaking in the professional group made her a genius too.
At that age, competing in the youth category was a guaranteed win.
But breaking the mold to enter the professional group suggested a similar dream—ambition for the Dragon Zither Cup.
Other trophies did not interest her.
She won second place two years ago.
Now, reeling in achievements nonstop.
Clearly, she is aiming for championship this year in the Parrot Zither Cup.
“I didn’t expect meeting here in the Star Cup… thought it’d be at Parrot Zither!”
Gan Yan Yu’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.
“Don’t lose heart!”
Seeing her deflated spirits, Lin Tian held her shoulders firmly.
“At 18, she should be the freakish talent everyone talks about,
Yet seeing anyone strong makes her doubt!”
Hard to offer comfort when she gets so rattled.
“Today, no worrying, just play our hearts out, then home for a feast, okay?
Music competitions are grand.
Regardless how tough your rivals are,
You’re playing your own game.
Not like sports, chess or boxing matches.”
She nods.
Taxi stops at the venue gate.
Stepping outside floods them with noise and buzz. Unexpected crowd for a Sunday morning.
Seeing Gan Yan Yu and Lin Tian, cheers erupt.
Female university students stretch, shout excitedly:
“Gan Yan Yu is here!”
“Real deal!”
“Soooo beautiful!”
“Certainly stylish!”
Security maintained order, separating spectators from performers.
Red-faced Gan Yan Yu hurried past amid applause.
Crowd went wild:
“Even cuter when shy!”
“—”
She sped up, entering the venue.
Noise subsided instantly.
No wonder Gan Yan Yu disliked the hullabaloo.
Even Lin Tian, her shadow, felt his eardrums throb.
Just glad he was an unsung pianist.
Who knows, maybe one day his cover as ‘cat and moon’ might expose him to similar hysteria.
Terrifying notion.
Guided by staff, they entered a waiting lounge—large hall.
Unlike solo artist chambers during soulful concerts,
Competitions gather many, each from diverse age groups.
Room size about double classrooms.
They entered the waiting area for the youth and professional groups.
Chaos reigns.
Staff, makeup artists, agents bustling.
Participants adjusted their looks, some even warming up with practice.
Noise mixed into a chaotic blend.
Pressure and anxiety spread throughout.
Gan Yan Yu found a seat, placed her cello beside.
“Teacher Gan!”
Voices interrupted as they turned around.
An elegantly dressed woman in a black dress, short hair, smiling approached.
Polished earrings twinkling, she looked like a competitor herself too.
“I intended to see you back in the preliminary match, couldn’t find time. Finally caught a break!”
She chuckled.
“Hello,”
Gan Yan Yu greeted politely but coolly.
“This is Bai Xi?”
Lin Tian scanned her legs beneath the black dress.
Indeed fair-skinned.
Yet not as striking as Gan Yan Yu’s.
“—”
“Didn’t see you since two years back. Back then, you were still in the youth group, I kept an eye on you, surprised to be competing together this year.”
Bai Xi leaned against the makeup station, smiling warmly.
Around college student age, perhaps high school dropout.
Feeling seductive.
She looked elegant in black on Gan Yan Yu.
Bai Xi wore it with a touch of vulgarity.
Without prior discussion, Lin Tian might’ve thought Gan Yan Yu knew Bai Xi well.
Social butterfly indeed.
“Teacher Gan!”
A middle-aged woman beckoned from afar.
“Your makeup’s not done?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Mind if I take a stab? Could you come over?”
“Excuse me.”
Gan Yan Yu stood up, facing Bai Xi.
“Well, go ahead!”
Smiling, Bai Xi waved with closed eyes.
Watching her leave, Lin Tian prepared to follow when suddenly,
“You must be Lin Tian, right?”
—
(End of Chapter)
