### Chapter 316: _Fate Symphony_
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#### “New Song?”
#### “Is it finally coming?”
After hearing the official report of the piece, many people quickly got over their initial panic.
What could excite the audience at this concert more than anything else?
Besides seeing the moonlight and cat perform for real, two new songs announced before the concert started were a major highlight.
Why does every new album from the moonlight and cat create such a buying frenzy online? After all, the music is released just a week later for open play.
The appeal isn’t just from fans but also from the bragging rights of being the first to hear it.
Now, everyone can be the first to hear, and better yet, witness them live.
How could they not get excited??
Yet,
Even though this was something anticipated from the start.
A considerable number of viewers now had other things on their minds.
“I’d rather know how Cat is doing!”
“She’s okay, right? I saw people in the front row speculating about her illness.”
“Damnit! Who the hell said cancer? You’re the only one left in your family tomorrow!”
“If it’s too much, then let’s not play! That’s fine, we don’t have a problem with that!”
“…”
But,
No matter how chaotic the crowd was, it didn’t affect the stage.
In the backstage:
Lin Tian watched as Gan Yan Yu swallowed her medicine and drank a cup of hot water.
Stepping forward:
“Feeling any better?”
“A little dizzy… but, it’s fine.”
“Fine??” Nanaly screamed in disbelief.
“After playing so long in the first half, you must be nearing your limit.”
Bai Xi crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.
During the first half, while their three-person performance went relatively smoothly, Gan Yan Yu’s cello lacked some of the usual strength, though overall there were no major hitches and the audience response was quite good.
Nevertheless, they weren’t entirely at ease.
They had a new piece coming up for its debut, and Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu would be taking the lead in it.
The pressure was immense, far greater than their previous performances.
Gan Yan Yu’s face was visibly exhausted.
Even not knowing the details, this exhaustion was hard to ignore.
“It’s almost time to go on stage, Lin Tian.”
“I’ll go to the restroom, then meet you in the hallway,” whispered Gan Yan Yu.
Lin Tian nodded. “Alright.”
Gan Yan Yu stepped out.
At that moment, Yun Qiu Qiu approached.
Still with her composed demeanor, she asked:
“Mr. Lin, can you tell us what’s wrong with Miss Gan?”
“What illness is she suffering from?”
“Why can’t you tell us?”
This remark made the backstage suddenly quiet.
Yun Qiu Qiu, usually silent, decided to ask.
This meant the girls had reached a breaking point.
Actually,
Their repeated questions came down to not knowing the whole story
And dealing with a constant worry about Gan Yan Yu who could collapse any moment.
“Mr. Lin, although I was dragged here, once I’m here, I view this concert as my responsibility.”
“So do I!” Nanaly passionately seconded.
While Bai Xi didn’t say a word, her expression showed agreement.
“I…”
In the eyes of these young women,
They were not just here for “Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu.”
They wanted to contribute to this groundbreaking classical concert, ensuring it would be an iconic event, remembered by future generations in Qingjiang and all of Tianchao.
“If Gan Yan Yu falters here, it’s not only irresponsible to the audience,”
“it’s also irresponsible to us.”
Yun Qiu Qiu calmly stated.
“Absolutely right!!” Nanaly added eagerly.
“…”
Facing their intense gazes, Lin Tian knew he couldn’t delay any longer.
He slightly nodded, gave a soft sigh, and said:
“I don’t know.”
“Wait—what?”
Nanaly exploded.
She lunged at Lin Tian, pounding him in the chest.
“You claim you don’t know?”
“How could you stand idly by and let Gan Yan Yu go on stage?!”
“If anything happens to her, you’re dead meat!”
Her punches pummeled Lin Tian.
Then, turning her head:
“No, take Gan Yan Yu offstage!”
“What about the performance?”
“Nevermind that! Gan Yan Yu shouldn’t continue!”
Nanaly shouted fiercely, clenching her teeth.
Lin Tian looked surprised at Nanaly.
Just moments ago, she was all about making sure the concert flowed.
“It was her insistence to continue.”
“Believe me.”
The girls stared blankly at him, incredulous.
“Maybe you can’t understand this,” Lin Tian chuckled, “but we will finish the song.”
“Just enjoy our performance.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s give a warm welcome to our special guest —”
“Cosmic Flying Pig Band!”
Standing on stage, Lin Tian officially greeted the audience.
Lights focused on the entrance; the entire hall erupted in excitement.
“There’s a guest?! It’s Cosmic Flying Pig?!”
“Oh man, can this get any crazier?!”
“He brought in Cosmic Flying Pig from Japan?!”
“This is like a dream come true!”
Amidst the Japanese audience members, many jumped out of their seats upon hearing the name, shocked to see their favorite band at a Chinese musical event abroad.
“Man, this is just getting too familiar.”
As everyone waited eagerly,
Out came the five-piece Cosmic Flying Pig Band.
They marched onto the stage with military precision. As they appeared, fans found it hard to believe their eyes.
“Isn’t this… Cosmic Flying Pig?”
“Wait… My Kana, why is she dressed like this?!”
“Did something happen to them?!”
“They dress like that? It’s unrecognizable!”
With no unnecessary movements or expressions, they lined up on stage, waiting for the conductor’s command.
Behind them, each member of the Ai Er orchestra sat stone-still, faces austere, ready to burst into action.
The atmosphere was eerily tense.
Very quickly, the laughter and chatter among spectators turned serious.
When Lin Tian sat at the piano,
Gan Yan Yu raised her violin bow, and someone whispered in the dark room:
“What’s this piece called again?”
Seconds later:
Strong strings vibrated, carrying a sense of urgency and immense pressure!
Startled, Zhang Dong in the first row jumped.
“What is this?!”
The Fate Symphony
Composed by the German master Beethoven.
Words alone cannot describe its magnificence.
It is considered one of the most vital works in the history of classical music, setting a precedent in harmony, structure, and orchestral composition, profoundly influencing generations to follow.
Lin Tian had carefully chosen this piece,
Recognizing its monumental historical significance.
To discuss classical music, you cannot avoid mentioning _The Fate Symphony_:
Deciding when to present this song became his only consideration.
In this grand nationwide classical concert,
This was a significant day for both of them.
Performing _The Fate Symphony_ seemed perfectly timed.
With Gan Yan Yu’s cello leading the melody, woodwinds and brass joining in, the orchestra grew in complexity.
The tension heightened, layers of music intertwined, and each note intensified the pressure.
The audience froze, captivated:
“Wow!”
Zhang Dong clenched his fists, speechless.
“What kind of symphony is this?!”
“What state of mind could make such a piece?!”
Lin Tian shut his eyes, fully immersed in playing.
_Fate Symphony_ was crafted during Beethoven’s mature years,
A period when his deafness had reached its peak.
As a musician, nothing was crueler than losing the ability to hear.
At the time, Beethoven faced not just mockery and unfairness, but also personal strife.
The endless nights of torment drove him to compose, even as his hearing deteriorated.
Each note became a painful sacrifice.
Until silence filled his world.
Beethoven poured all his rage into this work:
A merciless accusation of fate!
Surely a composer wouldn’t want to lose the power of sound!
This symphony wasn’t just about suffering and sorrow;
It was about anger and defiance!
Perhaps,
Western stories of resilience against fate, often heavy on moral lessons, can feel trite.
However, in _The Fate Symphony_, Beethoven’s soulful cries pierce through.
His struggle, his anger, and his fierce determination to find hope!
Centuries later,
His music still resonates with the same intensity.
The symphony roared loudly once more:
The opening notes were back!
Everyone’s skin crawled.
“Wow!”
Zhang Dong gritted his teeth, entranced by the dramatic strings:
“Short-short-short-long!”
“Staccato and powerful—each note hits like fate knocking at your door!”
_Bam-bam-bam-bam!_
Four heavy knocks that shook souls.
“Freaking… insane…”
“Mr. Lin, you’ve got the guts to play this at a concert?”
“Do you want to rock classical music?”
As the music built up,
Complexity surged. The Ai Er orchestra reached a fever pitch.
The Cosmic Flying Pig Band’s musicians wore menacing looks!
The clash of strings and brass created a powerful tension.
From delicate serenity to fierce chaos, it all hit listeners harder.
At center stage,
The girl in a white dress closed her eyes, pulling her cello with fervor.
Her face flushed, body trembling with the force, dominating the stage despite her slight frame.
Zhang Dong felt dazed:
Yes,
This music mirrored Gan Yan Yu’s story:
An artist unable to perform.
What cruel fate!
Debuted young, with unmatched talent, yet trapped by illness.
While others still showcased themselves,
Gan Yan Yu struggled just to step onstage.
Despite it all,
She pushed forward, her music escalating to a peak no one could match!
So many years, battling disease,
To reach this moment!
Every note of _The Fate Symphony_ was her defiant cry!
Even enduring hardship, she prevailed!
“No!”
Zhang Dong couldn’t control himself:
“Why play such a piece now?!”
“Is your life settled already?!”
In this atmosphere,
On this stage,
Playing such music felt like—
A final performance.
Sweat glistened on Gan Yan Yu’s forehead.
She bit her lip, bow never slowing.
Fading vision—she pressed onward.
Not now; the music isn’t done.
She glanced at Lin Tian, a contented smile on her lips.
Returning her gaze, resolute.
This was the climax, led by strings—
Again and again.
The entire audience shattered:
“Ms. Cat, please, stop! I can’t handle it!!”
“No! Didn’t you see how pale Cat is?! Stop her!!”
“Please, no more, my heart can’t take it!”
“Ah, Cat…”
Coda—All instruments joined in,
the Ai Er Orchestra,
Cosmic Flying Pig,
Lin Tian, and Gan Yan Yu!
In crescendo, the brass horns blazed brightly.
The air crackled with intensity and drama—
Battle lines drawn,
victory close!
Louder, faster!
Unforgettable auditory bliss.
In this massive concert, every heartbeat synced to the crescendo.
Some bit lips, others stared blankly,
many sobbed and shouted “Gan Yan Yu!”
No matter the chaos, the final four beats held firm:
Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—
As the last chord ended with a drumroll.
Silence fell.
That moment—
In stark solitude,
that white dress faded away like a fading bloom …
“Crash!”
Gan Yan Yu collapsed.
—End of Chapter 316—
