### Chapter 128: Bai Xi: The Alluring Performance
Lin Tian was taken aback and turned around, only to find Bai Xi indeed addressing him.
“Have we met before?”
“Mr. Lin Tian!”
Bai Xi immediately put on a delightful smile, stepping forward and enthusiastically grabbing Lin Tian’s hand,
“Your fame has spread far and wide, long admired!”
“?”
Lin Tian pulled his hand back.
He didn’t remember having such “far-reaching acclaim” that would warrant a famous cellist like her to be so impressed.
“You know, I saw you and Ms. Gan Yan Yu at the soul performance concert; this was the first time I realized that Qingshou has such a prodigious pianist,” Bai Xi said, her eyes filled with admiration.
Her attitude towards him surpassed even how she had acted toward Gan Yan Yu, who he had just met.
“Mm, thank you,” Lin Tian nodded, but his expression remained unchanged.
He admitted that those able to notice him during that performance were genuinely something special.
But given their current positions, he felt this woman was acting a bit odd.
“May I ask, what’s your relationship with Ms. Gan Yan Yu?” Bai Xi asked.
“Duo partner.”
It was plain for all to see, nothing needed to be hidden here.
“Just that?”
“The best duo partner.”
Lin Tian repeated.
“How wonderful!”
Bai Xi beamed as she moved closer to Lin Tian, saying,
“If you just came here to compliment me, thank you. But I’m sorry, I don’t have time for this right now.”
With a small step back, Lin Tian added,
“Back off, I fear Gan Yan Yu might misunderstand.”
.
In an instant, Lin Tian witnessed what seemed like Sichuan Opera Face-Changing.
The smile on Bai Xi’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of amused interest.
Her lips curved slightly upwards.
“Don’t rush, I just wanted to chat with Mr. Lin Tian,” she said.
“About what?”
“Recently, I’ve heard some rumors — of course, just rumors, Mr. Lin Tian, there’s no need to refute them right away.”
Bai Xi raised herself up and circled around Lin Tian,
“A year and more of disappearance, returning anew with rapidly progressing strength, shaking the hearts of many with one performance.”
“The previously association-called ‘walking classical music score’ Gan Yan Yu, returned after altering her playing style completely. Not only did she discard her old methods, but injected entirely new emotions into her music.”
“There are rumors that it was because Gan Yan Yu encountered a master teacher, one who helped reshape her playing style, allowing her classical music talent to fully blossom.”
“But, Master Gan has been with Gan Yan Yu for so long and never achieved such results. Furthermore, Master Gan was recently in a car accident, impossible now to stay close to Gan Yan Yu.”
Bai Xi paused, fixating sharply on Lin Tian,
“So, Mr. Lin Tian, who could this ‘teacher’ possibly be besides Master Gan?”
“Huh? Who could it be?”
Lin Tian rubbed his chin, pondering:
“Maybe they dreamed about him?”
“Ha ha, Mr. Lin Tian, you really know how to crack a joke.”
Bai Xi laughed.
Indeed, it was quite clear what she was implying.
“I’ve always believed that a great manager can nurture a musician way better than the musician themselves. Musicians are abundant, but true kindred spirits are rare.”
“I’m just a high school student, not a manager though.”
“Are you admitting it then?”
“With the words so clear, why play games?”
.
Dealing with the circuitous way Gan Yan Yu talks, Lin Tian really wished he could punch her at times.
“Mr. Lin Tian.”
Bai Xi hopped on the table, sitting on it as she observed Lin Tian.
Her gaze was filled with burning intensity:
“Would you like to hear me perform solo for you at some point?”
“No interest, very busy, gotta cook for Gan Yan Yu every day,”
Lin Tian decisively rejected.
“I understand your concerns, but I swear, I don’t hold intentions like you think. I know such admirable teachers like yourself select students based solely on merit, unshaken by external opinions.”
“I just wanted to perform solo for you, hear your perspective.”
“I feel you’re mistaken somewhere,” Lin Tian confessed, unsure of Bai Xi’s ulterior motives.
But, these statements indicated the essence of her thoughts, making them somewhat predictable.
So, Lin Tian responded authentically,
“Our relationship isn’t what you may assume as ‘manager’ and ‘musician,’ both just ordinary high school students. However, we might unconsciously share some of the attributes you imply.”
“But hope you realize, we empower each other mutually,”
Lin Tian clarified seriously.
During his interactions with Gan Yan Yu, he occasionally took on producer-like roles.
For example, the joy of “fostering” brought him much happiness, sometimes even surprising himself with his fondness for it.
But ultimately, they mostly were partners pursuing shared dreams.
For Lin Tian, finding a musician who could flawlessly perform compositions he transported was a joy.
Unconsciously, he found himself influenced too, evolving from someone disengaged from music pre-system, to now experiencing its allure through the examination process and eager preparation.
All these changes were from Gan Yan Yu’s influence.
“From what you say, I detect little respect for my partner. It’s already generous of me to talk now.”
Lin Tian politely ended.
.
Bai Xi stood in surprise for a moment, then spoke:
“Well, what drew you to Ms. Gan Yan Yu initially?”
“Everything!”
Lin Tian suddenly laughed, speaking nonsensically,
“I’m a fan of Teacher Gan.”
“What?”
Taken aback by this sudden change, Bai Xi hadn’t expected Lin Tian to flip.
She recovered momentarily, displaying a lackadaisical expression.
“Alright,”
Bai Xi flattened her black dress, getting off the table.
Facing Lin Tian sincerely,
“Mr. Lin Tian, please watch my performance carefully later.”
No harsh words or conditions, merely turning her head and glancing at him.
A smirk formed, slightly mocking,
Music speaks for musicians, she seemed to whisper.
Then, she turned and left.
Left behind, only Lin Tian stood there, thoughts swirling about their recent interaction.
Sitting down, she displayed a black, triangular lacy skirt.
d*mn, that’s a real showstopper!
Must tell Gan Teacher.
Hand rubbing together, Lin Tian turned to look for Gan Yan Yu.
Finding her makeup station, he approached.
Gan Yan Yu had already finished her foundation and was applying contouring.
Seeing Lin Tian, she asked,
“Who were you talking with moments ago?”
“Not much, just rejected a request for a solo performance.”
“Yeah…”
Gan Yan Yu’s pupils dilated slightly.
A thoughtful nod from her, uncertain what she pondered.
“Anything else?”
“Plenty, I gathered useful intelligence.”
Lin Tian asserted,
“Don’t worry, I’ve seen straight through your panties, top rival!”
“What?”
Shortly, the announcer’s voice echoed from the large screen in the rest room.
“Esteemed judges, guests, and dear audience members…”
Everyone in the rest room quickly looked up.
Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu followed suit, noticing White Xi approaching the stage.
“First to perform is the young instrumentalist from the professional group, Bai Xi!”
Surprisingly the first one.
Lin Tian was surprised.
How could she be so calm moments earlier while still chatting with him?
In contrast, Gan Yan Yu had drawn the number seven,
“A good sign, I like the number seven.”
The idea of top contenders rolling away felt reassuring.
To be clear, performing too soon would mean less preparation, while waiting much longer could increase nervousness.
Seven felt perfect for Gan Yan Yu.
“On to appreciate ‘Golden Dance’, performed by Bai Xi.”
Bai Xi walked to center stage, seating herself.
Gently lifting her skirt, she set up her cello.
As she pulled the bow softly—
A melodic sound filled the air.
“…”
Beautiful.
Instantly, Lin Tian realized this beauty transcended regular “good sounds”.
Comparatively, Bai Xi’s piece evoked evident euphoria.
“A pop song,” Gan Yan Yu beside pointed out.
“Pop music?”
“Yes, focusing on emotional resonance rather than mere expression.”
“Got it,”
Nodding affirmingly, using rudimentary understanding:
Pop music resembled street-side grilling — tasteful, yet lacking sustenance.
Certainly, Bai Xi possessed audacity.
Unlike pianos, cellos rarely blend with pop music.
High demands, demanding adaptations.
“Gone are traditional techniques, requiring innovative modifications.”
“In the contest, focus on pop melodies through intricate techniques.”
“And, employ slides, trills for dynamic richness.”
Essential for conveying pop aesthetics.
Instruments adapted for pop—extremely challenging.
This self-inflicted difficulty showed immense skill.
“Unbelievable,”
Even with limited context, Lin Tian recognized her extraordinary proficiency.
“Wow.”
Gripping his leg, tears in her eyes.
Clearly impactful, beyond expectations.
Pop music played beautifully.
Techniques and emotion hit perfect scores.
No wonder Gan Yan Yu mentioned her earlier.
Bai Xi’s true strength emerged.
“She’s a formidable contestant.”
A palpable silence engulfed the room.
Others murmured,
“Never expected such dominance.”
Bai Xi concluded her performance.
Lin Tian, confident in their own potential, remained calm.
“Still, we’ve got Gan Yan Yu.”
Turning to find Gan Yan Yu hunched over, rapidly drawing stars on her thigh.
“cr*p, cr*p…”
“Sit properly!”
Lin Tian forcibly stopped her drawing antics.
Eyes innocent, legs kicking,
“We’re about to compete, giving up now?”
“Not really, just… nervous.”
Gripping her fingers, she whispered softly.
Fear wasn’t an option.
But being scared rigid, very possible.
Gan Yan Yu, fully made-up, sat elegantly, more beautiful than ever.
“Right, your hair tie.”
Noticing her loose hair, Lin Tian untied his wrist hair tie, placing it in her palm.
“Fear not, I’ll always support,”
he vowed.
(Chapter 128 ends)
