Chapter 313: If You’re Going to d*e, At Least Don’t d*e on the Stage Where I’m Performing Together With You
“Indeed, Moonlight Brother is my buddy.”
“Is it really that weird for Moonlight to consider us all as brothers? He’s always so down-to-earth with us!”
“Yeah, in the world of musicians, the only one willing to call me a ‘bro’ is Moonlight Brother!”
“But don’t call him Moonlight Brother; just call him ‘Lin Tian’ haha, makes it sound so real!”
Seeing the netizens’ comments, the female reporter finally got it.
“Oh, that’s what it means!”
“Yes, I believe that the popularity of Moonlight and Cat is not just because their music resonates deeply; it is also inseparable from Moonlight and Cat’s personal charm!”
Since the topic was out in the open, the female reporter stopped pretending.
In front of the live stream camera, she proudly said,
“Since their debut half a year ago, there have been no scandals, no dirt, they came from Douyin but never did any live sales, and they have even let everyone listen to their music for free!”
This speech gained unanimous approval from netizens.
No scandals—that’s true, since the biggest scandal is just the two of them.
No dirt—that’s way too far-fetched.
As everyone knows, in the influencer scene, there are hardly any clean souls.
Plus, it’s said that the more famous you get, the more drama you encounter, especially for those who rise to fame early, as their student days often contain some less-than-glamorous tales.
And since Moonlight and Cat exploded on the internet, there hasn’t been a shortage of people trying to dig up dirt on them.
But the scariest part?
The more they dig, the cleaner Moonlight and Cat turn out to be!
Let’s not talk about Cat, who already gained fame early as a cellist.
Moonlight? That guy is as clean as a whistle.
A model student, a stellar leader, a scholarship recipient from Qingzhou’s Seven Wonders—a totally upright student who’s even kept afloat by working part-time.
As the scrutiny intensified, the haters were left speechless, with a good chunk converting from haters to fans.
With such a background, even if the two are just actors, so what?
Let them rake in the cash!
You can see from these little details why Moonlight and Cat have made it this far.
They’re just genuinely pure people!
“To be honest,”
the reporter, Xiao Liu, said as she stood before the camera, amidst the bustling crowd around her,
“as a resident of Qingzhou, I feel incredibly lucky to witness such a pair of great musicians hold this historic concert.”
As the topic rose, viewers in the live stream stopped being abstract and sent their “Respect” in the comments.
As the live stream continued to gain traction, the audience spread the word far and wide.
The hype for Moonlight and Cat’s concert hit a peak this month!
At this moment, almost every user tagged by music data locked into their phones was getting notifications about it.
“Is this for real? That Moonlight and Cat on Douyin? They’re holding such a massive concert?!”
“OMG, as a resident of Qingzhou, I just found out about this!”
“Ahhhhh, is it too late to buy a ticket now?!”
“Oh my God, I just passed by there earlier, no wonder the traffic was terrible!”
“Amazing, we, Qingzhou folks, are proud!!”
At this moment, the flood of comments from viewers pushed the concert further into the limelight.
Soon, the news spread to every corner of Qingzhou City.
Hot searches on various platforms.
Automated big data notifications for locals.
From the aunt at the market casually scrolling Douyin while shopping, to the kid sneaking on an adult’s phone to accidentally stumble upon an ad for “Ultra Hero.”
As more and more people crammed into the live stream,
Xiao Liu, the reporter, stood in a live stream with over 100,000 viewers.
Facing some fans, some music lovers, and others just curious about the commotion,
She smiled and said:
“However, we also need to be aware.”
“No matter how much charisma Moonlight and Cat have, or how widespread their fame is now,”
“This is ultimately a classical concert.”
“For those who aren’t interested in classical music to spend hundreds or thousands just to see Moonlight and Cat perform is also an irrational choice.”
“So, the tickets are still available—there are still on-site tickets for sale!”
“We need to recognize that classical music is still a niche for the masses, and its promotion requires more effort.”
“…”
Xiao Liu had just finished when she suddenly heard a commotion from afar.
She turned her head, and in front of the square,
a large group of people was marching over.
And they were headed straight for the ticket booth!
At that moment, Lin Tian, who was watching the live broadcast backstage, noticed as well.
His eyes widened, fearing he hadn’t seen it right, as he leaned closer to the screen.
Lin Tian was dumbfounded.
Who are these people?!
Most of the crowd appeared to be young, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they looked around.
From their outfits and inexplicable energy,
they looked a bit like… university students.
When they spotted the ticket booth, they rushed toward it like excited puppies.
Lin Tian was bewildered.
Quickly, he saw from the backend information on his phone that the remaining tickets were being bought at an astonishing rate!
At this speed,
the attendance rate was about to exceed 95%—no, it might sell out!
When Lin Tian lifted his gaze again, there was another wave of people!
Where on earth did these folks come from?!
Amidst Lin Tian’s daze, the backstage door was flung open, and He Zhi Chen hurried out, panting.
“Lin Tian, did you see what’s happening backstage?!”
“What’s going on?” Lin Tian asked.
“All those people are from Xingye Music Academy and Qingjiang Music University!”
He Zhi Chen exclaimed, “It’s all thanks to Wan Qi the elder!”
“Wan Qi?”
Lin Tian blinked.
Although quite a bit of time had passed, he instantly envisioned that kindly old face.
What does this have to do with Old Wan?
Hadn’t he already retired and moved abroad?
“It was Teacher Gao Zhen Yang and Old Wan leading the initiative at the association. The Music Association reached an agreement with the two music universities to subsidize university students who come to watch the concert by Moonlight and Cat!”
“…”
Well, that explains it!
Lin Tian chuckled.
So there were college subsidies!
Which university student could resist that perk?
“This time, the teachers from the academy are leading the charge, and many predecessors in the music community are expected to attend. I just learned about this!”
He Zhi Chen’s face beamed with excitement.
He wasn’t thrilled just because the attendance rate was about to hit 100%.
He felt pleased because this showed how much support the Qingjiang music community had for “Moonlight and Cat!”
Be it traditional music universities or the Qingjiang Music Association,
the once aloof old men with nearly fanatical conservative attitudes toward music had to be moved by the unfolding history of this concert.
Besides,
He Zhi Chen knew that in the neighboring rest room,
the best cellists from across Qingjiang were gathered.
Such a concert,
how could it not be a success?!
“Ahem, ahem—”
In the rest room.
Gan Yan Yu sat in a corner, covering her mouth as she repeatedly read the sheet music in her hands.
“Do you really need to review it? I thought you had those pieces memorized by now,” Bai Xi said as she sat down beside her.
“I have to.”
Gan Yan Yu muttered without lifting her head,
“There are many pieces that I only completed recordings with Lin Tian but haven’t performed on stage.”
From “Ode to Love” to “Voices of Spring”—
Even though so many pieces were engraved in her mind,
it had been so long since she’d practiced them; just to be safe, she needed to review them all!
“…”
Bai Xi, sitting nearby, was soon impressed by Gan Yan Yu’s determination.
She really hadn’t changed a bit.
Bai Xi watched Gan Yan Yu, a smile tugging at her lips.
In that fleeting moment, she was transported back to the Parrot Zither Cup in ‘22.
Sitting on the stairs, watching 16-year-old Gan Yan Yu memorizing her scores alone.
Did you think Gan Yan Yu couldn’t remember them?
Definitely not.
Bai Xi believed that even if Gan Yan Yu tossed the sheet music aside and didn’t look at it, she could still perform each note perfectly on stage.
But that was the essence of Gan Yan Yu.
Should it be called flexibility or caution?
Bai Xi felt it was more about Gan Yan Yu’s pure approach to music.
This purity was something someone like Bai Xi didn’t possess.
Perhaps that’s why she lost.
“Ahem, ahem—”
Another cough echoed.
Gan Yan Yu quickly covered her mouth and glanced away.
The rest of the crowd in the room found it hard to ignore the sound.
“Gan Yan Yu, why is your cough worse than yesterday?”
Nanaly asked bluntly.
“You barely coughed at all yesterday, now you’re at it again,”
Yun Qiu Qiu chimed in, unable to contain herself,
“Teacher Gan Yan Yu, are you sure you can go on stage like this?”
In a short while, Yun Qiu Qiu was the first special guest scheduled to perform.
So even she couldn’t help raising her concerns upon seeing the scene.
“I’m fine; I’ll take medication before going on stage. It won’t affect my performance.”
“No, you’re not fine! If you start coughing, can you hold it in? What are you going to do then?!”
Nanaly exclaimed, clenching her fists.
That’s why she didn’t want to bring it up in the first place.
Since yesterday, every time Nanaly brought up the issue, it felt like punching cotton—utterly ineffective.
And it was even worse with Lin Tian.
As a partner, he didn’t even bother to check in; instead, he left it to them, the guests and rivals, to care.
What was the point?
After all, if anyone were to d*e on stage, it wouldn’t be her!
If you didn’t care about it at all, then why should she bother!
With that mindset,
Nanaly initially wanted to play dead.
But when she heard Gan Yan Yu coughing again, she couldn’t help but ask.
“I can hold it in,” Gan Yan Yu said quietly.
“No, you can’t!”
Nanaly insisted,
“From my perspective, why not just skip performing? We have three cellists here; we can take turns. Do we really have to put the concert at risk?”
“I have no objections.” Bai Xi said with half-closed eyes,
“You can decide if you can go on stage depending on how you’re feeling for the last two new pieces.”
“No, no!”
Hearing this, Gan Yan Yu’s expression tensed immediately,
“I need to go on stage!”
“I can handle it! Lin Tian thinks I’ll be fine!”
“…”
Seeing Gan Yan Yu’s anxious demeanor.
The girls exchanged glances and finally sighed.
After all, they were just there to help; how Gan Yan Yu fared had little to do with them.
Still, seeing the poor girl before them,
it would be hard for anyone not to feel moved.
“Alright, fine! I won’t pressure you!”
Nanaly turned away, voice dripping with disdain,
“Just don’t d*e on stage in front of me!”
“Teacher Nanaly, you shouldn’t say that,” Yun Qiu Qiu remarked softly.
“Why can’t I say that?”
With that,
Nanaly turned back again, glaring at Gan Yan Yu.
“Since we came here to help you, shouldn’t we all… be on the same team?”
“We’re here as partners to support you!”
Nanaly bit her lip, speaking clearly,
“If we’re partners, why don’t you be honest with us?!”
“Can’t believe the word ‘partner’ actually came out of Nanaly’s mouth,”
Yun Qiu Qiu widened her eyes in surprise, clearly taken aback.
“You always say ‘this isn’t a big deal,’ and ‘a little sore throat is nothing; just take some medicine,’ but is that really what we want to hear?”
“Why do you have to make it so tough for us to care when we finally have a chance to be ‘partners’?”
The girl’s voice began to fade.
She covered her eyes and fell silent.
In the rest room, there was an eerie silence.
Even Bai Xi and Yun Qiu Qiu revealed some surprise.
“…”
In truth, the reason for their mixed feelings was simple.
The person in question was Gan Yan Yu.
She was Gan Yan Yu!
Hasn’t she faced her illness often enough?
This girl, who has been battling fate all this time,
Was suddenly hit with a bad cough right before the big moment.
“A little illness?”
Who would believe that?
She looked so pale, it must be tough just walking, let alone stepping on such a grand stage in front of so many people!
“…”
Gan Yan Yu kept quiet, lowering her head.
Her face was etched with guilt and resentment.
“Let it go.”
Bai Xi walked up to Nanaly with a smile,
“Actually, thinking it over, Lin Tian’s not having an easy time either.”
Nanaly looked up, puzzled.
“Just think, we’re only here to help this one time, and we’re already worried like this for Teacher Gan Yan Yu.”
“All those other performances and competitions before—”
“How much of a headache do you think Lin Tian has had to deal with?”
With these words,
Nanaly’s expression finally softened a bit.
“Yeah, I’m sorry.”
Upon hearing this,
Gan Yan Yu, who had been silent until now, finally buried her head deeper,
“Thank you all for coming here.”
“But please, trust me.”
“…”
Everyone watched Gan Yan Yu.
Silence lingered for a while.
“Of course, you only respond when Lin Tian’s name is mentioned,”
Nanaly stepped forward, irritation still showing on her face.
But she stubbornly extended her hand,
“If you’re really going to d*e, at least don’t do it on the stage while performing with me.”
Nanaly said quietly.
“Okay.”
Gan Yan Yu held Nanaly’s hand tightly, forcing a smile.
Just then,
The rest room door swung open.
Lin Tian and He Zhi Chen walked in.
Seeing the slightly odd atmosphere in the room, Lin Tian felt a twinge of unease.
But there wasn’t enough time to ponder that now.
“Teacher Gan!”
“Present!”
Gan Yan Yu immediately straightened up like she’d been fired a command.
So full of energy, it caught Lin Tian off guard.
This girl…
Lin Tian thought, I didn’t call her “Little Gan Classmate”!
How does a single “Teacher Gan” trigger this kind of transformation?
It’s bizarre.
Too bizarre!
Lin Tian was a bit stunned but had no time to mull over that now.
“Did you take your medicine?”
“Not yet.”
“Take it quickly! What time do you think this is?”
Lin Tian urged.
“Oh, right.”
Gan Yan Yu quickly ran to the table, opened her cello case, and retrieved her medication from the compartment.
Under the gaze of the girls,
Gan Yan Yu swallowed the medicine with a sip of hot water.
Capping the cup, she set it down.
“Alright, let’s go; it’s time to hit the stage.”
Lin Tian said,
“Out there, it’s already packed!”
(End of Chapter)
