### Chapter 320: Studious Failure Xiao Gan
As Moonlight and Cat’s concert started getting global attention,
they were actually preparing for the college entrance exam!
When this tiny bit of news hit the internet, it sparked massive online discussion.
【d*mn! Already a classical music master and now preparing for university? Really?!】
【Isn’t this timeline a bit ahead of itself??】
【Looks like Moonlight and Cat also need to review. Great, I feel relieved now!】
【This university is a must, right ( )?】
【Hahaha, just thinking about them both heading to the same examination room makes me feel so good!】
【.]
Many of these newfound fans instantly felt a jarring disconnect.
It was hard to connect “Moonlight and Cat,” “college entrance exam,” and “review” in one sentence.
Overseas netizens, when hearing about it, were even more terrified:
“(Is Chinese education really this intense? Even Moonlight and Cat have to take the exam!?)”
The topic instantly caused ripples around the world.
Clueless foreign fans almost fainted. They were torn between praising the fairness of China’s exam system or lamenting how fierce the job market had become, forcing even world-class musicians to go through such hoops.
Though, this wasn’t as complicated as it seemed.
Many domestic netizens got it right away.
The timing of Moonlight and Cat’s huge rise was simply unfortunate.
Both became famous right at the end of last year.
In theory, their musical achievements easily secured them spots in top music universities here.
But the application period for top schools had passed.
Meanwhile, Moonlight and Cat were likely focused on their music careers without actively pursuing college opportunities.
Hence, if they wanted to advance further, they had to sit for the exam themselves.
While this was just a guess,
many believed their accomplishments should have meant numerous schools would fight over them!
Clearly,
Moonlight Brother here just wanted to challenge himself,
an old fan knew,
he had been the ultimate model student back in the day.
Unlike those flashy starlets who plastered false personas onto their faces.
Moonlight Brother actually had real test scores to prove his mettle. His classmates and teachers all vouched for him; a genuine A+ student!
Those stars who achieved fame young and followed a shortcut route.
Only because they don’t have other skills to flaunt except their fame,
so they naturally aligned with media and film schools.
Calling it a “shortcut,” it was essentially a deal with university admissions offices appreciating the star power.
Others even braved the exams publicly to show off.
Everyone could see the true colors of their “talents,” which was obvious.
For Moonlight Brother,
why would he take the shortcut?
He didn’t need to make up for weak grades, as he already excelled enough to be considered for Peking or Tsinghua University!
If I were him,
why take a shortcut?
I’d take the exam, show off my skills, and have some fun!
Without that, wouldn’t the past three years have been a waste?
How else do you tell apart from those talentless industry peeps?
Netizens approved wholeheartedly.
Seeing their favorite idols taking the high road, everyone genuinely cheered.
【Moonlight and Cat, keep pushing forward!!】
Outside opinions aside, none of it mattered to Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu.
At their core, the exam was a personal matter, not someone’s concern.
Now, they just wanted to focus solely on their own tasks.
In Lin Tian’s room,
he spread a carpet on the floor and sat on his knees.
There were books and notes spread over a thirty-centimeter high white table.
n*ked feet aside, Gan Yan Yu sat in a quack-style pose, flipping through her exercise book.
Her ultra-short shorts revealed some toned thighs, rubbing against the soft carpet.
An inviting floral scent filled the air,
but this aroma wasn’t from Lin Tian himself – Gan Yan was wearing it.
For the first time, another person besides Lin Tian was present in the less than fifteen-square-meter room.
“Lin Tian, your room is so tidy!” she exclaimed, exploring his surroundings.
“Focus on what you’re doing,” Lin Tian said seriously, waving his hand in front of her eyes.
From now on,
Lin Tian would play mentor to Gan Yan Yu.
During this time,
he had to live up to his role.
She needs strict discipline.
This half-hearted student, who took a break after freshmen year and now returns during their senior year, needs to maximize her scores in the short time left.
“Hey, could you show me around?”
“What’s there to show?”
Lin Tian complained.
His room was basically just a bed, a side table, and a wardrobe.
Most of his activities were in the living room on the sofa.
Does he need to explain:
“Hello, I usually sit here for my pour-over coffee. You see this bedhead and the other one… I crouch, stand, swirl, and even upside-down here. This room is full of holy ground for me.”
Lin Tian actually felt flattered,
as he had tidied up before bringing her in.
To him, it was a way to familiarize her with the battleground they were on.
This place would be where they’d clash soon.
Naturally, he wanted to make a good impression.
But,
upon hearing Lin Tian’s complaint,
Gan Yan Yu stared blankly, her gaze darting between the pillow, blanket, and drapes.
She looked puzzled, as if inspecting a crime scene.
Her casual inspection of his private space felt intrusive.
Lin Tian felt a bit uncomfortable.
He remembered when she first visited his place.
Back then, they were still strangers, each move asking permission.
“Lin Tian, this rug is kind of hard. Got any pillows I can use?”
“Is there no limit to how demanding you can be!?”
Lin Tian sighed.
Do you need my pillow too?
Why not just plop down on my face instead?
“No, just stuffed pillows. I’ve got special ones for the couch.”
“Alright then.”
Lin Tian stood and pulled out a giant teddy bear from the top shelf of his closet.
It fit snugly under his arm.
“Use this.”
He handed it over.
“Why do you have such a toy?”
Gan Yan Yu, taken by surprise, didn’t reach out,
instead, tilting her head to stare at him curiously.
“It’s from Xu Yong.”
“Oh, that Xu what classmate?”
“Yeah. Since I don’t know girls besides him, who else would send me a stuffed animal?”
Lin Tian explained,
“Back in freshman year, on Valentine’s Day, he said we needed some feminine cheer, so he gave cute stuffed animals. It felt meaningful.”
“Valentine’s?”
Gan Yan Yu widened her eyes, absorbing the information.
“Did you give him one?”
“No,” Lin Tian replied sheepishly.
Of course, he wouldn’t go mad with Xu Yong, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t return the favor. A nice pair of headphones was his gift.
Yet, after receiving the bear, Lin Tian found it uncomfortable, sensing Xu Yong’s presence. He tucked it away in a drawer, deciding to forget about it.
“I see.”
Gan Yan Yu pondered, placing the bear on the carpet.
When she plopped down, Lin Tian inwardly exhaled, relieved from the awkward situation.
“.”
“Why are you being so cautious about a small bear?”
“Can’t a guy have a teddy bear?”
Gan Yan Yu giggled, looking back at Lin Tian’s room again.
“Lin Tian.”
Gan Yan Yu spoke suddenly, breaking the silence,
“Do you usually close the curtains while sleeping?”
“Depends. Sometimes I remember.”
Lin Tian had a habit of napping,
enjoying the sunrise wake-up sometimes.
But this laziness would have to stop as exam prep began in earnest.
By May, everyone in school was up by six.
So, at home, Lin Tian needed to push himself too.
Gan Yan Yu rested her chin in her hand,
“Thinking about it, what does your view look like when you call me every morning?”
“.” Lin Tian looked taken aback.
They did indeed have the habit of checking in with a call first thing in the morning.
Quick chats about breakfast and lunch plans,
nothing serious.
He never thought about it much.
But Gan Yan Yu’s interest caught him off guard.
Perhaps, she saw something meaningful in these calls.
“.” Gan Yan Yu looked dreamy, gazing at the window outside.
Maybe to her, it held sentimental value.
“Starting tomorrow, close the blinds,” Gan Yan Yu stated firmly.
“Wait, why?”
“Well, just do it,” Gan Yan Yu repeated, sitting down once more.
“Okay.”
Lin Tian agreed, not quite understanding.
Either way, he had been waking early for study anyway, so who cared.
After a moment, Lin Tian glanced at the clock – an hour had passed!
On his desk, the exercise book—
only two pages turned!
“Xiao Gan!”
He shouted sharply,
making her jump.
“Time for questions!”
“Yes, Mr. Lin!”
Gan Yan Yu buried herself immediately.
Sure enough,
Lin Tian groaned, resting his forehead.
This distraction was no good!
Not only is Xiao Gan distracted, but now her teacher follows suit.
What a terrifying student!
Even worse, he’s starting to enjoy it…
With the exam looming closer,
Lin Tian knew he needed to get serious.
“Xiao Gan.”
“Hmm?”
She raised her head.
“Let’s play a game.”
Lin Tian suggested,
“The one who talks first loses!”
“But if I don’t know the answer?”
“We went through this practice problem already.”
Lin Tian pulled the notebook towards her, scribbling on it.
Lin Tian handed it back.
Seeing the three pages, Gan Yan Yu looked grim.
“Alright,” she took a deep breath, nodding.
“Then let’s not talk at all.”
Crinkling sound of writing filled the air.
Through the window, the sunset filtered in, carrying a faint pine fragrance.
On a small cushion, Gan Yan Yu sat cross-legged, a math workbook open before her, frowning deeply.
Facing off, Lin Tian held a pen in hand, focusing intently.
Time ticked on.
Half an hour, and then another went by.
After an hour,
Lin Tian realized it had been some time since he last checked.
When he lifted his head, he saw Gan Yan Yu still working.
“Xiao Gan!”
He couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“Aaah??”
She jumped, startled.
“What’s going on, where’d you leave off?”
Lin Tian was puzzled,
“That question took over two hours…!”
“I’m calculating this one…” she stammered.
Lin Tian checked her notebook,
only to discover she hadn’t moved far.
“The third one isn’t done yet!”
“I can’t figure out this question…”
Gan Yan Yu covered her face, worried.
“Why does X have to equal Y? Can’t they be pretty separately?”
“It’s not about that,”
Lin Tian said dryly,
“Can’t you skip and proceed?”
“If I can’t do it, it’ll bother me for long…”
“You’ve been at it for hours?” Lin Tian gasped.
Finally, he realized her problem.
Previously, during musical pursuits,
he missed how
despite a strong ability,
her mind stubbornly clung to concepts.
She was more stubborn than he imagined.
