### Chapter 23: Synchronized: The Mermaid Warrior and the Penguin Boy
The rising sun illuminated the entire sky. Under the azure heavens, the scenery of Qingzhou City had never been clearer, appearing before the young man as if he was standing on top of the city itself.
The sunlight danced across his handsome face, and a gentle breeze stirred, filling him with boundless enthusiasm.
“You’re helping me?” Gān Yánhǔ yanked her eyes wide open.
“Yep.”
After flashing his charms, Lín Tiān leapt gracefully to the ground.
“I’m not much to boast about, except I dabble in music.”
“But particularly classical music.”
Upon hearing the words “classical music,” the girl’s pupils quivered noticeably.
The first time Gān Yánhǔ met Lín Tiān on the balcony, he effortlessly picked out the genre of the classical music she was playing. So, Gān Yánhǔ had faith in his musical prowess.
“I can compose, but my playing isn’t that great. We could collaborate,” he said.
“Collaborate?”
“I compose, you play. And when needed, I’ll accompany you on the piano,” Lín Tiān explained.
Cello performance paired with piano accompaniment? Pretty classic stuff.
It’s also the official set-up for many cello competitions.
From their very first meeting, having lived two lifetimes, Lín Tiān could tell this woman had extraordinary talent, with an impressive future ahead.
With proper nurturing, Lín Tiān believed she was destined for greatness!
“Then what do you need from me?” asked Gān Yánhǔ.
“Simple.”
Lín Tiān grinned. Earlier today, he already had his plan figured out.
“Let’s make some TikTok videos together!”
Lín Tiān declared.
In Qingzhou, the city famous for netizens.
As a high school student with prodigious talent, Lín Tiān wanted both quick cash and fame without jeopardizing his college entrance exams.
Making TikTok videos? Not a bad idea at all.
No sooner had the words left Lín Tiān’s mouth than a system prompt appeared.
Mission: Create a piece and release a video collaboration, earn over 10k real likes!
Deadline: 5 days
Reward: 10,000 RMB (legitimate and secure funds)
Cash prize? Talk about the good stuff!
Seeing the sum, Lín Tiān felt a wave of relief.
To someone in his situation, actual currency far surpassed any other form of reward.
Due to scheduling issues recently, Lín Tiān’s bank balance was dangerously low.
Plus, he was two months behind on rent. Thank goodness the kind landlord, aware of his struggles since he lived alone, hadn’t pressed for payment until now.
Getting that money would ease an immense burden.
“What’s a video clip?” inquired Gān Yánhǔ, genuinely curious.
Who could have guessed that the girl named “Post-Rainshine” had such innocent curiosity?
Rural access to the internet wasn’t uncommon.
“A short video featuring your cello performance, uploaded onto platforms like ‘TikTok.’ That’s basically it.”
“Oh, I see.”
Gān Yánhǔ pondered, then nodded.
Mentioning platforms, and she understood. Back abroad, she’d occasionally watch YouTube live or recorded music competitions.
“I’ll help you with cello competitions, you assist me with these videos.”
“Not a bad partnership, huh?”
Lín Tiān offered his hand, beaming.
Partner?
He gazed upon the young man’s radiant smile.
Gān Yánhǔ paused, then seemingly driven by some inexplicable force,
She extended her hand too.
“Alright,” she agreed.
Sunlight bathed them both; their hands clutched tightly.
From this moment, the partnership was sealed.
Though Gān Yánhǔ didn’t ask about composing or Lín Tiān’s piano skills,
In her heart, she found him trustworthy.
Perhaps just being beside him gave her a comfort she lost long ago.
Now, standing with him, she summoned the courage for any challenge.
Gān Yánhǔ released his hand.
“Lín Tiān,”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks, for bringing me here.”
“If you keep doing that, all my efforts feel wasted.”
Lín Tiān, rather exasperated, massaged his temples.
Mutual honesty or not, Gān Yánhǔ still spoke like a non-playable character.
But that same teen—
For reasons unknown—had turned beet red.
“Sorry, our handshake was way too formal. It didn’t feel right not saying thanks.”
Gān Yánhǔ murmured, slowly lowering her head.
“Not again!”
Lín Tiān put his hands on his hips.
“Gān Yánhǔ!”
“Huh?”
As if called to attention during military training, Gān Yánhǔ stiffened and looked up.
Lín Tiān grabbed both sides of her cheeks.
Soft and smooth, unexpectedly pliable despite lacking bulk.
He stretched out her face into a grin.
“Not so cool back there? Smile! Show some confidence, you’re an eighteen-year-old pro cellist!”
“Ugh,”
Gān Yánhǔ pouted, ducking her head.
Her face reddened further.
Looks like that tactic failed on her.
Then, he suddenly remembered something and whipped out his phone.
6:12.
Oh no, they were in the suburbs!
School would start late if he didn’t hurry!
Almost forgot, poor high schooler needed class too!
Rushing towards the road,
“Get some rest, see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll compose a piece for you; come find me!”
Watching Lín Tiān disappear,
Gān Yánhǔ recalled the night’s events.
A sweet curve formed on the young woman’s lips.
This morning, she had five classes—two math, one gym.
Since the PE teacher was absent, three math sessions in a row.
Lín Tiān dared not imagine how great his nap must have been.
At school, the first thing he did was collapse onto his desk for a heavy sleep.
Under the soothing math teacher’s lecture, Lín Tiān slept like a baby.
This might have been one of the best naps he ever took at school.
Until calls woke him.
“Lín Tiān!”
“Lín Tiān!!”
He snapped awake, seeing only Xu Yǒng sitting next to him.
“It’s midday break.”
Xu Yǒng wrinkled his brow in concern.
“Bro Tiān, you okay?”
“Just hadn’t slept well,”
Yawning and stretching.
He surveyed his surroundings, trying to clear his head.
“What did you and Gān Yánhǔ do last night? Don’t tell me you pulled an all-nighter.”
Xu Yǒng scolded, frustrated.
“Never mind that, first look at this!”
Xu Yǒng pulled out his phone and opened TikTok.
Drowsy and puzzled, Lín Tiān’s eyes bulged.
The video showed Lín Tiān’s overnight piano practice, garnering a whopping 120k likes.
“Brat, you’re famous, dude!” Xu Yǒng exclaimed.
(Finish of Chapter 23)
