149. Chapter 149: Por Una Cabeza
Forced calm?
No way.
Wouldn’t you give such a skill to Gan Yan Yu, instead of me?!
Don’t they need to stay calm during competitions?!
The best skill for Gan Yan Yu ended up in Lin Tian’s hands.
This forced calm thing isn’t that strong or weak.
Because Lin Tian already knew how to do it.
Only it was messy and limited.
Usually only one person in a room with some tissues around.
Lin Tian wouldn’t even be allowed on stage, because it damages morals and laws.
Men felt inferior, women craved it, no one listened to the music.
But now with the skill, there were no limits!
It could be used on stage to refresh oneself if emotions went off-kilter.
A rational state of mind could finish the performance better.
Crucial, really.
When playing with a “psycho” like Gan Yan Yu, rationality could easily go down the drain.
Having a forced calm skill would be life-saving.
But you couldn’t just use it anytime.
Sometimes, music needed emotional immersion. Forcing a calm at a peak moment might ruin the entire piece.
Context matters.
“—”
Lin Tian realized there was no extra theme this time.
Yet there was a requirement: 98% audience satisfaction.
Even the judges were part of the audience?
So he had to make everyone happy, including the judges.
Super hard.
Music appeals differently to each person, and judges were not simple.
Plus, there was Tuoba Jianhui, who clearly didn’t like Gan Yan Yu.
Lin Tian thought for a bit.
He had to pick a solid piece where Gan Yan Yu could unleash her potential.
But no depth, nothing too obscure like “Cello Concerto in E minor,” making sure every audience member could feel the emotion.
How to choose, really?
Lin Tian was conflicted.
Assignment questions were easier.
With a required mood, finding a song became simpler.
Lacking direction, he hesitated.
After all, this was for the Parrot Zither Cup. A huge deal, so he couldn’t afford to mess up.
Like if he’d performed a new piece on the Star Cup, one less extreme, the outcome might’ve been different.
According to He Zhi Chen’s data analysis.
Back then, Gan Yan Yu was almost a champion.
Though the final analysis let her stay optimistic, losing the title was still painful and frustrating.
Wait.
Just missing it?
That feeling…
Lin Tian had a brilliant idea.
Yes!
He wrote down the title on his notebook—
Por Una Cabeza.
A curious piece.
Originally created by Carlos Gardel and Alejandro Rodriguez in 1935.
This famous tango music began as a song but was later made into instrumental pieces.
Its beautiful melody and unique tango rhythm were timeless, still resonating with young people today.
It matched the rules of releasing deep and catchy tracks.
People loved it.
The next popular track should fit well.
This one would nail it.
The next day, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu met at a café to record.
“—”
“~”
As soon as the tune started,
The young woman’s face lit up with surprise after trying a section.
“Lin Tian, this new song of yours is fascinating! What’s its name?”
“Por Una Cabeza.”
Seeing Gan Yan Yu’s reaction, Lin Tian knew he made the right choice.
Not only was the melody interesting, the story had a touch of dark humor.
In the earliest versions with lyrics, the song portrayed a gambler’s attitude.
Comparing life to horse racing, always just short of winning each time.
“Por Una Cabeza” means “by a head.”
The sarcasm and self-mockery in the lyrics showed the gambler’s optimistic yet frustrating outlook on life.
In truth,
Lin Tian wrote this for Gan Yan Yu’s encouragement too.
Stay positive—the road’s long.
Losing at Star Cup doesn’t mean end; there’s Parrot Zither Cup. If even that’s gone, we’re young enough for a comeback.
It holds sorrow, passion, nostalgia, and irony.
Only through performing can you understand its nuances.
“Give it a go,” said Lin Tian,
“There are more surprises!”
“—”
Simple setup, recording device fired up.
Lin Tian, rusty from disuse, felt slightly awkward in front of the camera.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” nodded Gan Yan Yu.
“—”
As the young woman played the cello,
Beautiful melodies filled the air. Their duet began.
This piece was originally meant for violin, exuding a seductive vibe throughout.
After Lin Tian converted it to cello, it kept the sensuous element while adding more emotion.
Then came the piano.
With the addition—everything ascended!
A transition led into an enthusiastic and fiery melody!
Piano and cello harmonized in harmony.
Suddenly, the café transformed into a dance hall.
Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu held hands, dancing passionately.
Within this dance, they shared heartbeats, feelings unspoken.
The surroundings turned into petals under the lights, breathtaking.
However,
At the end of the piece,
Lin Tian noticed the young woman looking at him with a pained expression.
“This piece… it’s good, but I don’t think it suits me.”
Check out the music video, you must see it!
Cast your votes!
(The End)
