Chapter 169: Xiao Yanyu, Small-Minded Tuoba Jianhui Strikes Again
When Gan Yan Yu said that, Lin Tian immediately caught on to what she meant.
Regarding—whether his performance was as dangerous as Tuoba Jianhui claimed.
Because when Lin Tian was chatting with Tuoba “Pig Nose” Lao Deng, Gan Yan Yu wasn’t around.
The conversation between them, Gan Yan Yu wasn’t aware of.
To Gan Yan Yu, she probably never realized just how “unique” her performances were.
All she knew was that she really enjoyed the feeling of resonating with music. She had turned such a playing style into a habit, because since she was seven, she had always played like this.
When she encountered pieces that deeply immersed her or presented problems, Gan Yan Yu would vaguely understand them as challenges that come up naturally during performances.
For such a long time, neither Lin Tian nor Gan Yan Yu faced this issue head-on.
So, when Tuoba Jianhui first pointed this out, even Lin Tian was taken aback.
Forget about Gan Yan Yu.
In Gan Yan Yu’s eyes, after all, Tuoba Jianhui was still an orchestra maestro she once admired.
It was hard not to take this to heart.
“Lin Tian, do you think my performance is very dangerous? When I play with you, have you ever been hurt, but didn’t tell me?”
With the barrage of questions from Gan Yan Yu, Lin Tian found himself somewhat flustered.
Yes, he thought.
Shouldn’t he consider this too?
After giving Tuoba Jianhui the verbal lashing of his life, but still couldn’t deny it—
Regardless of however arrogant Tuoba Jianhui was, he was still a great musician. Some of the things he had said did make sense. Youthful vigor and spirit didn’t mean being irrational.
After all, Lin Tian doesn’t have any special powers that can snap Gan Yan Yu back to her senses before she loses control entirely. So he needs to take this seriously.
The point at which Gan Yan Yu loses her mind is a blur.
In fact, deep down, Lin Tian didn’t want to see Gan Yan Yu completely immerse herself using extreme methods every time, performing perfectly yet harming herself in the process.
This kind of playing style is harmful to the body.
Gan Yan Yu is naive; Lin Tian couldn’t afford to be.
So, what else could they do?
At least, Lin Tian hoped Gan Yan Yu should learn to rely on him a bit.
Even if only a little, Lin Tian wished he could help her bear her pain when necessary.
Ugh!
If only the system could give him a power, like telepathy or reading minds—it would solve so many problems.
In his helplessness, Lin Tian was starting to wish for that.
With that ability, most issues could be perfectly resolved. Lin Tian could wake Gan Yan Yu up whenever she was off-kilter.
“Lin Tian,” Gan Yan Yu called again.
“I don’t think so,” Lin Tian replied.
“You don’t?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
Although he still had doubts, he had to instill an idea in Gan Yan Yu’s head.
He raised a finger, looking serious:
“Just keep your performance going; I think it’s excellent, and I’ve been affected!”
Don’t listen to what that snide Tuoba said.
Based on her performance alone, Lin Tian was already pleasantly surprised. She actually found confidence and performed well without relying on him.
“Keep it up until the semifinals!”
Gan Yan Yu’s eyes slightly lowered, as if there were words stuck in her throat, wanting to speak but holding back.
But in the end, she nodded.
“Okay.”
—
The next day.
With the Parrot Zither Cup amateur group preliminaries officially concluding, the aggregate rankings from major music media organizations were released.
Based on a total score of 1000 points:
【First Place: Bai Xi, 937 points】
【Second Place: Cristine Nana Li, 913 points】
【Third Place: Yun Qiu Qiu, 901 points】
【Fourth Place: Mao Junfeng, 894 points】
【Fifth Place: Lou Yitong, 886 points】
【…】
【Eighth Place: Gan Yan Yu, 802 points】
Pushed to eighth place?
Lin Tian felt a twinge of sadness seeing the list.
Though it’s a media rating, the on-site media certainly referenced judges’ feedback.
Clearly, Gan Yan Yu’s performance was not well-received by the judges.
The list for semifinalists will be decided by the committee and announced next week.
Considering eight semifinal slots, if judged by the current media score, he and Gan Yan Yu might be in trouble.
In fact, after revealing the rankings, people online started discussing it!
[“This competition really has hidden talents! I hadn’t heard of Ma Junfeng or Lou Yitong before the contest, and they’ve really surprised me!”]
[“What’s up with Gan Yan Yu’s eighth-place finish?”]
[“I heard that after playing, she was severely criticized by her teacher, Tuoba.”]
[“Oh no! Does this mean she won’t make it to the semis?”]
[“That’s overboard for Gan Yan Yu! She’s obviously incredible.”]
[“It’s hard to say… I heard Tuoba is pretty petty.”]
[“…”]
Did he go overboard?
Lin Tian regretted his harsh words now.
Thinking back to cursing up a storm at that old coot, a nagging doubt crept into his mind.
This is Gan Yan Yu’s competition. If he caused her to come back in two years because of his insults, he’d feel guilty.
He could only hope the other eleven judges didn’t get swayed by Tuoba Jianhui.
Come on! This is the Parrot Zither Cup, an important competition—don’t bow to the whims of that grumpy old man. Vote your best, folks!
Lin Tian tossed and turned in bed—
Bong!
His phone buzzed.
A message from their manager, He Zhichen.
He informed Lin Tian that MV filming was almost planned, and they could start shooting in a few days.
They were really getting started?
Lin Tian was stunned.
With Gan Yan Yu’s performance problem, he hadn’t thought of a solution yet.
He suddenly didn’t know how to face the filming with Teacher Gan.
Snap!
Another incoming notification.
A friend request.
[Verification Message: I am pianist Yao Han.]
Yao Han?
Lin Tian recognized the name but didn’t know where from—maybe he was a judge?
The reason he remembered was because the young judge, looking about thirty, stood out awkwardly among the older fellows.
Why would a judge want to add him?
Curious, Lin Tian accepted the request.
The first thing he got was a message.
[Yao Han: Can I treat you to dinner sometime?]
(Finished Chapter)
