### Chapter 230: Let’s Go Back to School (Third Update) (Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)
The next day, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu headed to Yueyun to record the songs.
Aside from the second movement they practiced yesterday, Lin Tian also recorded the other three movements.
Originally, He Zhi Chen planned to get some of the trainees at the company to help with accompanying the music, since there were quite a few capable people in Yueyun. However, Hu Dongdong, Zhou Xia, Wang Chun, and others who played string instruments seemed rather reluctant.
Though they had promised at dinner that they would help when needed…
Just thinking about the chaotic MV recording session last time…
They were genuinely terrified by the memory.
Performing with others required skill, but performing with Moonlight and Cat? That took a toll on one’s very life!
If it were just straightforward recording, it wouldn’t be too bad.
But imagine if they end up doing this impromptu ensemble version again. Everyone would break down.
Seeing the trainees tremble and say, “It’s not like we can’t go,” He Zhi Chen didn’t have the heart to push them anymore.
Especially after he saw the score; indeed, it looked quite innovative.
Who knew what big surprise Lin Tian was cooking this time?
So, all accompanying parts were handled by electronic post-production instead.
The work would be released as a symphony album.
One great perk about symphonies was that an entire album could be dedicated to a single piece, making it sellable on its own.
However, Lin Tian never walked the predictable path.
After consulting with He Zhi Chen, they decided to compile the previous “Canon in D Major,” “Hungarian Rhapsody No.5 in G Minor,” and the current “Surprise Symphony” into one album under the collection of works titled, “The Work Collection 2” by Moonlight and Cat.
In any case, their earlier album, “Rainy Day Wet,” already mixed a variety of genres. So why not continue along this path?
“I thought you’d re-record the first four Hungaricus,” He Zhi Chen chuckled.
“So, what do you plan to name this new album?”
This question struck Lin Tian. Earlier, the reason why their first album, “Rainy Day Wet,” was named so made perfect sense, as it combined elements of both his name and Gan Yan Yu’s. Originally, they had intended to call it something like “Rainy Day Legend.”
Now, naming another album just seemed too cumbersome.
“Actually, you don’t need to cater specifically to today’s audiences, Lin Tian. Just use traditional classical names.”
“Traditional classical names?”
“Yes,” He Zhi Chen explained. “For example—”
“The Work Collection 2 of Moonlight and Cat.”
“Fine.”
Lin Tian found this title unexpectedly posh. When they eventually release “Moonlight and Cat’s Work Collection 8,” there’ll be significant commemorative value.
“That’s the name then.”
As days passed…
While waiting for the new album to release across various platforms, Lin Tian remained busy.
Monday came.
After much anticipation, the results for the provincial music assessment were out.
Logging onto the score-checking website,
It came as no surprise.
Gan Yan Yu had come out as the top scorer in the province.
Next, Lin Tian noticed his name standing at the second spot, which made him a close runner-up.
Further down, third place belonged to Wu Yi, who had interacted with him on the art exam stage.
He isn’t half bad either.
If it weren’t for bumping into me and Gan Yan Yu, he would’ve been this year’s provincial champion.
Still, maintaining high standards even after meeting us is impressive;
Perhaps we will meet at Tianchao Music University.
January is almost over.
Various colleges have already or are about to start their entrance exams.
Taking leave for nearly two months under the guise of “exam preparation,” and without his grades suffering, Ms. Zhang must be quite confident in him.
She initially only approved a month off.
Gan Yan Yu’s history makes perfect sense; she might get special consideration for her condition.
But Lin Tian’s scenario seemed peculiar; he hadn’t even received an inquiring text from Ms. Zhang.
Ah, right.
Lin Tian recollected. After the official implementation of real-name registration for the Parrot Zither Competition, he and Gan Yan Yu had gained considerable local fame.
As head teacher, Ms. Zhang must know about this. Vice Principal is likely in the loop too.
That’s the only explanation for why she hasn’t asked about his prolonged leave.
Thinking about this, Lin Tian felt moved.
Ms. Zhang, typically concerned with class averages, has surprisingly granted him significant leeway with his grades.
Checking the dates, Lin Tian surmised final exams were soon.
With the new album not out yet and the Piano Competition still a while away, this was indeed a lull period.
Perhaps, he should return to take the final exams.
Considering Ms. Zhang has been quite understanding, skipping the finals after more than two months off would appear uncouth.
For those familiar with juvenile dramas, this was akin to:
The A Class ace, the golden card in the hands of the Head Teacher!
The final exam is here!
Now, A Class urgently needs Lin Tian’s return to rescue their grades from the abyss.
Action is taken immediately.
Lin Tian called Gan Yan Yu, alerting her ahead of time.
Unexpectedly, Gan Yan Yu responded firmly,
“I’ll come back too.”
“Why are you going back?”
Lin Tian questioned with confusion.
Does her class also require her to boost the average grades?
Poor student, just stay home! Don’t cause trouble for your teachers!
“There’s a few months until the College Entrance Exam, so I need to improve my cultural scores,” Gan Yan Yu replied. “Thus, I think I should take the final exams too.”
“.”
Since Gan Yan Yu insisted, Lin Tian couldn’t argue.
Hence, he informed their teacher beforehand.
On the eve of the final exams, Wednesday,
they embarked on their journey back to school.
Noticing Gan Yan Yu dressed in her rarely-worn school uniform, complete with the black-and-white jacket, Lin Tian felt oddly nostalgic.
During the trip to school, he couldn’t help but glance at her more than once.
“What?”
Gan Yan Yu caught him looking, and promptly retracted her hand into the sleeve of her jacket, covering her mouth.
“Nothing, just thought it’s nice to visit school occasionally.”
“.”
Shortly after, the taxi arrived at school.
Stepping out, Lin Tian suddenly sensed something different—though he couldn’t articulate what—in the familiar campus gate.
Looking up, he discovered a gigantic banner hanging above the entrance:
—Congratulations to our students Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu for their championship victory at the Parrot Zither Cup Cello Competition!!!
(Finish of Chapter 230)
