Chapter 130: Chief Fangirl
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A soothingly gentle piano melody reverberated throughout the competition hall.
In the resting area…
A group gathered around a large screen.
“Hey, isn’t this the new song by Moonlight and Cat that’s been all the rage on Douyin?” a player quickly responded.
“Yeah, Moonlight and Cat, I’ve always loved their pieces, but isn’t this new song only been out for just over a week?”
“Gan Yan Yu really dared to put a brand-new piece up for the competition after only a week and a half?!”
“I practiced that piece too; it’s tough, and I genuinely admire her guts.”
The meteoric rise of Moonlight and Cat in the music industry, particularly in cello circles, was no small feat. Because of them, the cello gained quite a bit of heat on Douyin.
And every time Moonlight released a new track and it went viral online, everyone, including professional cellists, would give it a shot.
Pieces like the “Can-Can,” “Symphony No. 6 in G minor, Op. 74, ” and the “Cello Concerto in E minor.” Honestly, those are no easy feat.
Even for professional cellists,
forget performing in a competition, getting it right without any mistakes and capturing the right emotions in such a short amount of time is already pretty good.
“I remember she did the same thing during the Soul Concert, blasting through three tracks by Moonlight in one breath, she’s truly an avid fan of Moonlight,” someone said.
“You can be a fan, but performing at a concert is one thing; competing is another.”
“This is really a d*ath wish. Even if you’ve got talent, this is suicidal,” another chimed in.
Meanwhile, Bai Xi stood among the crowd. On the young woman’s face, there was no expression to speak of.
She simply stared intently at the screen.
Her heart racing.
Gan Yan Yu, nobody understands you like I do.
Show them your skills!
Just as you practice every day.
Go up, play, then come back down. Simple as that.
Nothing to fear.
Nothing to stress about.
Gan Yan Yu reassured herself.
With closed eyes, she savored the flowing melody of the symphony.
The pendant hanging from her chest represented Lin Tian’s companionship.
She wasn’t alone in this battle.
This competition wasn’t just for her.
She couldn’t let Lin Tian down. She vowed to perform Lin Tian’s piece flawlessly, making sure everybody hears its power!
Wait a minute.
Wasn’t Lin Tian going to watch from the audience when she went on?
Where was he?
Gan Yan Yu opened her eyes.
There, in the back of the audience section, a flurry of agitated bodies became clearer.
“Aaaaah! It looks like Gan Yan Yu spotted us!” one shouted.
“Quick, quick, let’s lift this! Let Sister Gan see our enthusiasm!”
“Remember to take pictures, okay?”
A swarm of excited young fans raised banners with “Gan Yan Yu” and waved them furiously.
Some even stood up, just to wave their hands higher.
Their faces were filled with excitement, exhilaration, and eagerness. Their mouths opened and closed, lips moving rapidly in what seemed to be silent cheers.
To Gan Yan Yu—
They were leaping, their faces twisted into bizarre shapes as if they might pounce at any moment.
Her pupils dilated.
“Hey, her spirit’s wavering!”
Inside the resting area, a shock echoed through the room as everyone’s focus sharpened.
“Wait, she was just getting started. Did she already lose her nerve?”
“Is she nervous? Lack of competition experience?”
“Oh, I told you, she’s just too young! Being 18 and breaking the rules to join the professional league, how could the pressure not be immense?”
“She was 21 too when she joined the professional league for the first time at the Parrot Zither Cup!”
Bai Xi stood apart from the chaos. A calm smile played on her lips.
As the girl’s mind traveled back in time, two years ago came to life—
2022, the Parrot Zither Cup.
Back then, it was the semifinals.
At 21, Bai Xi was the youngest competitor in the professional division, unnoticed amidst the crowd, isolated by silence in the lounge.
Alone, she left the lounge and found herself in a desolate stairwell, intending to listen to music and relax.
As she reached for her headphones, a soft voice drifted down from above:
“Do-re-mi,” hummed to the tune of a musical score.
Lifting her head, she saw a girl at the top of the stairs. She clutched a thick stack of sheet music.
Compact yet intense, her face betrayed a focus that belied her youthful appearance.
Bai Xi knew the girl—Gan Yan Yu, just 16.
The younger contender in the junior division, the tournament already underway.
Could anyone really be preparing alone here?
Probably, she’s also fed up with the atmosphere, Bai Xi thought.
Holding thick pages of sheet music that seemed nearly as high as a book, Bai Xi felt deeply moved by what she saw.
Never had she seen such systematic memorization.
She didn’t want to disturb the diligent girl, standing silently once more.
It was only later that the title “Walking Classical Music Score” took root in Qingzhou.
Finally recognizing the 16-year-old cellist for who she truly was.
While others celebrated her natural talent, Bai Xi alone understood the countless hours of grueling practice behind the scenes.
Her dedication to classical music surpassed everyone else.
Two years ago, Bai Si had regretted not seeing Gan Yan Yu perform live.
But that image remained etched in her mind forever.
Now, on the Star Cup stage,
they were finally facing each other in the professional league.
Bai Xi believed—
This couldn’t possibly be her true potential!
Let them see the real deal!
Dizziness.
Blurriness.
Heart palpitations.
Various adverse effects overwhelmed Gan Yan Yu.
Gasping for air, she felt the judges scrutinize her as if their piercing gaze were a kn*fe.
No, no.
She couldn’t let this get to her.
Absolutely not, she thought fiercely.
Clenching her teeth, the young woman lifted her gaze.
Through her confusion—
A towering figure appeared in the audience.
He held aloft a banner bigger than those of her most ardent fans.
Five words emblazoned across the board—
[Gan Yan Yu is Boss!]
“. . .”
Gan Yan Yu’s eyes widened.
It was Lin Tian.
After holding up the banner, Lin Tian placed it down and, snatching two glow sticks from an audience member, grinned.
Then—
he started dancing!!
(The End)
