### Chapter 164 The Revenge Battle Begins!
#### Chapter 164: The Revenge Battle Begins!
Third place?
Lin Tian squinted his eyes in disbelief.
Nanali in third place? Are you serious??
Because of her long-standing rivalry with Gan Yanyu, she was placed third on the list.
Wait, do you actually believe that?
It’s like when Loubenwei said in an interview, “Yeah, I can solo-k*ll him quite often.”
And then some media outlets took him at his word and ranked him right next to Faker.
That’s a bit over the top, isn’t it?
Definitely a wildcard list.
With that, it’s not too surprising that Gan Yanyu got second place now.
Still, Bai Xi, the champion of Star Cup, should rightfully be first.
Her talent is beyond reproach, even for someone like Lin Tian, who can appreciate the finer points of composition.
That enchanting performance is forever etched in his memory.
This time, at the Parrot Zither Cup, Bai Xi is their main rival.
But there are other unfamiliar names on the list that Lin Tian hasn’t seen battle in the Star Cup.
While they’re below Gan Yanyu’s rank, their unfamiliarity makes them formidable unknowns.
After all, Qiujian Province really is a music powerhouse.
Who knows what surprises lurk—maybe another rock-playing cello beast like Bai Xi before.
Ultimately, this list is more for show. Saying it’s useful is pretty much just bad luck for those ranked high.
Often, the number one contender turns out to be the least likely to win.
Let’s hope this curse holds true this year as well.
Regardless, let’s see the real deal tomorrow at the preliminaries!
#### In the President Suite of Mingcan Hotel in Qingzhou City
In the quiet room, by the grand window, stood an old man, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the skyscrapers of Qingzhou.
Below, bustling traffic and people swarmed through the streets.
Behind the old man, Assistant Tian Rui was organizing documents for the upcoming competition.
“.”
Glancing up, Tian Rui saw the old man’s lonely figure.
“What are they saying about Miss Gan Yanyu and your interview recently?” Tian Rui blurted out.
“Many have accused you of abusing your seniority to bully newcomers… Wasn’t your comment too harsh?”
Tuo Ba Jian Hui took a deep breath, turning his face away.
His weathered features showed no emotion.
“If my words could deter that child, I would say even more.”
“…”
Tian Rui looked conflicted.
Then Tuo Ba Jian Hui turned to a suitcase laid open nearby. A framed photo lay atop neatly folded clothes—an image of a young Tuo Ba Jian Hui and a man carrying a cello case.
“Don’t worry, Gan. No one will touch your granddaughter.”
December 20th.
The first day of the Preliminary Round of the Parrot Zither Cup.
In the morning, the professional group’s first batch of competitions began.
The Plaza in front of the Qintian Music Hall buzzed with people.
Fans, viewers, reporters, and staff crowded at the gates, creating a lively scene.
As soon as Lin Tian exited the car, he felt the overwhelming noise as a black mass of people greeted him.
The scale of the crowd here dwarfed that of the Star Cup.
“Gan Yanyu is here! And Lin Tian!”
Excited cries erupted from a group of young fans in the distance.
Most of them only started following cello after becoming enamored with Gan Yanyu’s looks.
Many were attending a music hall event for the first time.
Thus, their fervor far exceeded that of typical spectators.
Many of these young viewers were coming due to the recent rumors about “Glowing Moonglow and Cat’s Performance in Qingzhou,” wanting to verify the identities of Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu.
No matter how mixed these crowds were, they elevated Gan Yanyu’s popularity notably among young people.
“Come on, Sister Gan Yanyu!!”
“You’ve got to win this!”
“Speaking of which, today is just the qualifying round, right?”
“Then pass the preliminary rounds smoothly!!”
Their roars swallowed Gan Yanyu as she walked down the red carpet.
Knowing Gan Yanyu’s usual distress over fan interaction, Lin Tian protected her, intending to quicken their pace.
However, right before entering—
Gan Yanyu stopped.
To Lin Tian’s shock, she turned around, lifted her hand, and—
made a victory “V.”
Lin Tian was dumbfounded.
Flashes burst, cameras clicked like mad.
Fans erupted into delirious cheers.
Turning red, Gan Yanyu walked forward briskly afterward.
“…”
Lin Tian was still befuddled.
He couldn’t help but laugh.
Gan Teacher sure seems different today.
Why so different?
Probably because she had a bonfire in her heart.
Lin Tian knew Gan Yanyu always appeared docile but actually craved victory the most.
Recalling her second place last Star Cup, knowing her deep feelings yet putting up a tough act—
Official bulletin announced her defeat.
Seeing her slumped silently on the couch, that moment was unforgettable.
At that moment, Lin Tian thought if he could join her on stage, he had to win everything.
Now the competition was right at his doorstep; he had to think about whether this was his last chance.
To restore the glory of cellists, we must charge ahead!
This time,
it’s a revenge battle!
#### At Parrot Zither Cup Venue
Inside the concert hall, the air crackled with excitement.
Audience seats filled up, and twelve judges entered their seats at the judge’s panel.
Backstage.
“Gemming’s intel says nine of the twelve judges have traditional music backgrounds, thus no favoritism towards any genre,” Gan Yanyu said, preparing her makeup.
“So, we focus on playing our best!”
“Okay.”
Gan Yanyu opened her lipstick, holding two towards Lin Tian.
“Which color looks better?”
“This lighter one, you don’t suit bold colors.”
“Good.”
Gan Yanyu carefully applied her lipstick while Lin Tian stared in a daze.
She asked him about colors? Looks like Gan Teacher’s in a great mood today.
The only twist could be this guy.
Lin Tian tilted his head to stare at the big screen.
In the judges’ panel, Tuo Ba Jian Hui adjusted his tie, sitting at the center of it all.
(End of chapter)
