Chapter 310: Who Are You Trying to Dazzle with That Outfit?
Lin Tian, having made this decision, went through a considerable amount of contemplation.
In fact, when it came to arranging these two new songs, he had two options.
One was to create and release the music before the concert, generating excitement.
The buzz from the new songs, combined with the concert’s ongoing promotion, could have a fantastic publicity effect, letting more people know about their classical concert.
That would definitely help with the concert’s attendance!
However, there was a pretty significant downside to this approach.
If they released the pieces in advance, the emotional engagement during the concert would surely be lessened, which could hinder the success of the mission.
So, Lin Tian decided to consult He Zhi Chen.
After all, it was his first time organizing a concert, and he wasn’t quite sure whether they could perform new songs at the event.
Once he received a positive response, he decided to give the two new songs as a surprise treat for the fans who bought tickets.
In fact, many stars do this; they often perform experimental songs at their concerts. Take Jay Chou, for instance—he’s done it before.
This method serves as more of a test for how new songs fare in front of a live audience, adjusting the compositions after gauging the crowd’s reactions.
The final version usually differs from the live rendition.
But Lin Tian clearly didn’t have that need.
His work was already complete; any changes would be dictated only by the instruments.
So this was a win-win!
And it turned out, Lin Tian’s generosity did not go unappreciated.
Once the official announcement was posted on Yueyun’s Weibo, the netizens responded swiftly!
【New songs? Two of them??】
【Great, great! I was wondering why Moonlight Brother hadn’t released anything in half a month. I thought he was slacking off! Turns out he was waiting for us!】
【Whoa, those who went to the concert basically get to hear them first, right?!】
【I was still hesitating about whether to go, but now I HAVE to!】
【New songs from Moonlight and Cat? They’ve got to be worth way more than those few hundred bucks for a ticket!】
After a wave of online hype,
On the weekend,
He Zhi Chen made a phone call.
Taking a deep breath, he seriously announced to Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu:
“As of midnight last night, 82% of the tickets have been sold.”
“Teacher Lin Tian, Teacher Gan Yan Yu.”
He Zhi Chen paused, calmly elaborating,
“We have no worries now.”
“We can confidently proceed with the performance!”
“.”
In his living room, Lin Tian had the phone on speaker as he turned to look at Gan Yan Yu on the sofa.
Before Lin Tian could react,
Gan Yan Yu suddenly jumped up from the couch.
“.”
With both hands raised above her head, she dove in front of Lin Tian.
“Yes! Awesome, Lin Tian!”
“We did it!”
“.”
Gan Yan Yu’s smile was pure and untainted.
The sparkle in her eyes seemed to glow, as if they were inching closer to their dream planet.
“Okay, I understand.”
Lin Tian hung up the phone and looked over at Gan Yan Yu, equally pleased.
Indeed,
Since they’ve reached an 80% occupancy rate,
The biggest worry about whether the concert could be successfully held had been tackled.
To put it bluntly,
Even if Lin Tian’s performance ended up being a total trainwreck, at least the audience had already been lured in.
It wouldn’t be a loss.
However, to maintain the hard-earned good reputation of “Moonlight and Cat,”
He certainly couldn’t afford to bomb the performance.
Now, it was all about ensuring the concert-goers enjoyed themselves.
“With just one more week left, Teacher Gan, let’s give it our all!”
“Yes, cough cough—”
Just as Gan Yan Yu nodded, she quickly turned away, covering her mouth to cough twice.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Tian, being the ever-observant one, immediately asked.
“Nothing.”
Gan Yan Yu turned back, smiled lightly,
“My throat’s just been a bit sore lately.”
“Were you sneaking treats again?”
Lin Tian’s tone was a mix of teasing,
“You can’t have sweets every day; too much sugar will irritate your throat.”
“Alright, alright.”
Gan Yan Yu put her hands behind her back, a bit shy from Lin Tian’s ‘parenting’ remarks, smiling bashfully,
“I’ll be careful.”
April 15.
Rehearsal day.
This was a very important day; all the arrangements and setups were complete, just waiting for the concert’s main event to run through the process.
Today, all the guests were to arrive and join Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu.
“.”
It was Lin Tian’s first time at the Qingjiang Cultural Center, and as a local, the immense scale of the venue struck him in awe.
With thousands of seats arranged in a tiered manner, stretching endlessly,
In the dim light, he couldn’t even see the end at first glance.
Lin Tian climbed up to the stage, looking out from there.
The pressure was unreal.
He spread his arms, feeling as if he might be swallowed by the encroaching darkness.
“.”
“Lin Tian.”
He looked down to see Gan Yan Yu sitting front and center, lifting her phone,
“Eggplant—”
“Snap!”
Gan Yan Yu reviewed the photo on her phone, beams of satisfaction radiating from her.
“Lin Tian, you’re starting to look like a world-class musician~”
“Just starting?”
“Just starting is already a big deal.”
“If we’re measuring against Teacher Gan, then it’s truly just a bit.”
If anyone was to have that big artist charisma, it had to be Gan Yan Yu.
“Hop up; I’ll go down and take one for you.”
“Ah?”
“Quick, quick!”
Lin Tian jumped down from the stage, urging Gan Yan Yu on.
Gan Yan Yu’s cheeks turned slightly pink as she hesitated up on the stage.
“I-I’ve never stood on such a big stage!”
“Just a couple of photos to commemorate.”
Now Lin Tian took a seat in the front row.
He whipped out his phone, launching the camera and focusing on Gan Yan Yu.
“.”
In the phone’s screen,
The girl stood where Lin Tian had just been.
Gazing out at the audience, her expression seemed lost in thought.
As if her feet were bound by something.
“Teacher Gan, don’t be so rigid.”
“Could you strike a peace sign?”
“Teacher Gan?”
Noticing the odd vibe, Lin Tian called her name again.
“Ah, cough cough cough—”
Gan Yan Yu snapped back to reality, covering her little mouth.
Then she squatted down, smiling sweetly as she flashed a peace sign at the camera.
“Alright! That’s the world-class cellist, Teacher Gan Yan Yu!”
Lin Tian praised her, chuckling as he pressed the shutter.
“Come on up, let’s take one together.”
Gan Yan Yu suggested.
“No need; there will be plenty of chances.”
“Selfies are more commemorative!”
“Who said we can’t take selfies once the concert starts? I’ll make sure to snap one right in front of the audience!”
“Isn’t that disrespectful to them?”
“Our stage, we do what we want!”
Across the empty concert hall, the banter between the two echoed, filling the space with laughter.
Meanwhile,
From the side of the audience, at the backstage entrance,
He Zhi Chen watched them from afar, and soon, a staff member dressed in a vest walked over.
“Teacher He, the rest room is ready. The two teachers can head over now.”
The staff member looked up and caught sight of Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu, joyfully snapping photos on the empty stage.
Momentarily stunned.
“Didn’t expect that, did you?”
He Zhi Chen turned his head, chuckling.
“Yeah.”
The staff member blinked, a bit dazed, stuttering,
“Didn’t expect that Moonlight and Cat Teachers would be so childlike, huh?”
“Well, they are all just kids at heart.”
He Zhi Chen looked back at the stage, warmth in his gaze.
“It’s because this era needs them to push them to grow into the adults they are.”
“What a large venue!”
Nanaly was just led onto the stage and was awestruck by the scene.
“If all these seats are filled, it would be incredible.”
“Are you not from a musical family?”
Lin Tian asked, bewildered,
“Would this really scare you?”
“Not scared!”
Nanaly snapped back, eyes wide, “I’m just saying, as an artist, it’s normal to feel that way if you haven’t performed in such grand venues!”
“Only ‘Moonlight and Cat’ could perform classical music here, right?”
White Xi approached the stage, surveying their surroundings.
For today’s rehearsal, she had specifically dressed in a red slit gown.
Combined with White Xi’s poise, she appeared to be an exquisite beauty.
In comparison, the other girls wore either baggy t-shirts or loose hoodies.
“No need to dress up so fancy just for rehearsal, right?”
Nanaly crossed her arms, raising her voice a notch.
Who are you trying to dazzle?
In her mind, she derided such behavior fiercely!
In reality, setting aside their identities as cellists,
They were all in their twenties, the prime age for young women.
There was no way they wouldn’t care about their appearances.
Since they were going up on stage together,
There was a little bit of that competitive spirit—no one wanted to be outshined!
After all, it was all of theirs’ first time standing on such a big stage.
Everyone wanted to look good; at least they wanted to avoid being outdone by those around them!
Gan Yan Yu was undoubtedly a step above the rest.
That was something everyone clearly understood.
This eighteen-year-old girl, with a face like that, appearing in the classical music world was essentially the biggest glitch in this reality!
But if you can’t compete with Gan Yan Yu, how about you?
“What I wear is up to me and that’s that; it’s none of your business!”
White Xi half-covered her face, elegantly smiling.
“Tsk tsk tsk, pleasing yourself~”
Nanaly rolled her eyes, turning her face away.
Dressed up for rehearsal like this,
Nanaly couldn’t help but wonder how stunning they’d all be on stage later.
“Looks like you’re not buying it, huh?”
White Xi continued smiling gracefully.
“Besides, you’ve got a dress on too, don’t you?”
Looking down,
Nanaly was in a green-brown little dress that flared out large enough to fit another person underneath.
“My Lolita is just a daily outfit, that’s not the same as yours!” Nanaly shot back seriously.
“Mm-hmm~ So you’ve already made dressing up a part of your daily routine—if that’s not for self-satisfaction, then what is?”
“Nonsense! I’m just wearing a dress, no makeup, and no accessories; how is that too dressed up?” Nanaly shot back defiantly.
“Well, I’m just wearing a dress too; we’re all here for rehearsal, how does that mean I dressed up?”
Thus continued their playful verbal sparring, the atmosphere thick with tension.
“Yes, I believe everyone is just dressed normally today.”
Standing between them, Yun Qiu Qiu, who accidentally pulled the drawstring of her hoodie and was busy stuffing it in, chimed in.
“.”
“Either way, thanks for taking today’s rehearsal seriously.”
Just at that moment,
As the voice of the girl rang out,
Nanaly and White Xi turned in unison.
The stage lights shone down on the girl wearing only a short-sleeve shirt and jeans.
Gan Yan Yu, tilting her head, smiled radiantly.
At that moment, amidst the glow, the girls believed they had seen an angel!!
“So beautiful.”
Yun Qiu Qiu’s mouth dropped open slightly.
For a moment,
Both girls were left speechless.
Miraculously, silence enveloped the air.
“.”
Suddenly, the topic of discussion felt pointless.
At that moment,
He Zhi Chen stepped out from backstage and beckoned to the girls,
“All the teachers are here; you can head to the backstage to prepare now.”
As he approached, glancing at how the girls stood,
He Zhi Chen couldn’t help but remark,
“Despite being competitors for the Dragon Zither Cup, you all get along so well!”
“Then am I leaving?”
Yun Qiu Qiu stretched her neck, pointing at her own head.
“.”
While walking down the hallway towards the rest room,
Yun Qiu Qiu suddenly leaned over, standing beside Lin Tian, whispering,
“Today, can I see the Cosmic Flying Pig?”
“Of course.”
Lin Tian replied, “It’s a rehearsal day; they’ll be here too.”
“Awesome!”
Yun Qiu Qiu’s expression lit up with enthusiasm.
“Are you a fan of theirs?” Lin Tian asked curiously.
He had heard her mention the band before, but she had never expressed this level of enthusiasm.
“Kind of.”
Yun Qiu Qiu replied softly,
“When I saw them for the first time last year, I became really interested; their explosive hits since they became popular this year—I’ve played them over and over again.”
Once she got onto the topic of the band, Yun Qiu Qiu’s demeanor lit up, her words flowing much smoother.
“If I had known you liked them this much, I would have arranged for you to meet them earlier.” Lin Tian said.
After all, even if Yun Qiu Qiu had been dragged in, she had also been a tremendous help for this concert.
Every guest was considered an “honored benefactor” by Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu.
Lin Tian would definitely ensure Yun Qiu Qiu got to meet them.
“No, no, no, meeting here is great.”
Yun Qiu Qiu’s expression slightly turned shy,
“I’m afraid I won’t know how to interact if it’s just the two of us.”
“What’s there to be nervous about?”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about when it comes to the Cosmic Flying Pig!”
Yun Qiu Qiu’s urgency was palpable in her tone, her face brimming with anticipation.
“They are not just Tokyo’s top rock band; privately, they’re all incredibly handsome brothers and sisters!”
“Their wild style and free-spirited demeanor? Just… super cool!”
With that, Yun Qiu Qiu became breathless with excitement.
Regardless of whether Lin Tian was following her train of thought, she excitedly continued,
“I just really love that feeling they exude!”
“The Queen of Subculture Hoshino Kana, with the explosive artistry of Ishiguro Yuhei, and the ultimate cool guy Kobayashi Mizuki!”
“If I had to meet them one-on-one, I’d be so intimidated by their boldness that I wouldn’t even be able to say a word!”
“But that’s exactly why I like them!”
“.”
Listening to Yun Qiu Qiu’s heartfelt monologue left Lin Tian momentarily stunned.
He hadn’t anticipated the small, quiet girl would have such a passion for that kind of band.
Indeed,
Lin Tian remembered feeling the same way when he first saw the band at an underground live show; they truly were a strikingly cool group.
But—
Lin Tian fell silent for a moment, about to respond.
However, they had already reached the rest room.
At this moment, standing at the door of the rest room were five people in suits.
Upon seeing Lin Tian and company, their faces lit up with joy as they immediately opened their arms and welcomed them:
“Teacher Moonlight!”
“(Finally you’re here, Teacher Moonlight, we’ve been waiting for you!)”
The leader, Kana, exclaimed.
“Hey, where’s your purple hair?” Lin Tian asked, astonished.
“(Dye job! Teacher Moonlight, didn’t you say on stage it shouldn’t be so flamboyant?)”
Kana tilted her head, the subculture queen now looked as sweet as her outfit.
“(And me! Teacher Moonlight!!)”
A buzz-cut man hurriedly pushed forward, excitedly saying.
Lin Tian stared for two full seconds before realizing,
“Kobayashi Mizuki!”
The one with the spiky hair!
Oh right, he was also the one known for being “the ultimate cool guy.”
“(Great meeting you, Teacher Moonlight!)”
With his explosive hair now trimmed to a bald head, Ishiguro Yuhei stood there, his fitted suit accentuating his robust physique while wearing a charmingly earnest expression.
“It looks like you all cleaned up really well, just like I asked.”
Lin Tian offered sincere compliments.
Hearing Lin Tian’s praise, the group exchanged shy, bashful glances.
“.”
“Oh, right, Qiu Qiu.”
Lin Tian seemed to remember something and turned his head.
However,
At that moment, Yun Qiu Qiu was slowly stepping back,
The sparkle in her eyes dimmed.
“N-No, it’s not like that.”
“It’s not like that!!”
Yun Qiu Qiu’s voice trembled in absolute panic, and then, clutching her head, she turned and bolted away.
(The End of This Chapter)
