### Chapter 352: Mysterious Invitation
—
When Lin Tian happily grabbed Gan Yan Yu’s arm and said those words, time seemed to pause for Gan Yan Yu.
That moment,
She was dazed.
Everything around her blurred, with the bright smile of the young man echoing in her mind.
Tianchao Music University.
The very place Gan Yan Yu had always longed for.
There was a time when this place seemed so distant to her.
Back then, her life was a mess, and she barely had the energy to focus on anything else.
She was tormented both physically and mentally by her illness.
Failing in competitions repeatedly, her time off was becoming longer and longer.
Not only could she no longer play the cello,
even her studies were practically abandoned.
At that time, all she could do was struggle day by day, having already exhausted every ounce of energy she had.
And the goal she longed for—Tianchao Music University—
seemed so unreachable.
For a long time, Gan Yan Yu kept this dream buried deep within her heart. Outside of mentioning it to Lin Tian, she rarely allowed herself to truly imagine it.
However,
right now.
Seeing the ecstatic Lin Tian, she began to believe.
Had they actually succeeded?
“Really? It’s really happening?”
Gan Yan Yu’s lips trembled slightly, still not quite believing it, whispering softly.
“The written exam was first in the province, and I got 521 in the gaokao. If they don’t admit us, Tianyin doesn’t need to exist anymore!”
Lin Tian rubbed Gan Yan Yu’s head,
“What are you hesitating about for, Little Gan! We… we’re already Tianyin’s new students!”
Hearing those words, the anxiety that had always gripped the girl finally dissipated.
The next second,
Gan Yan Yu suddenly reached out, wrapping her arms tightly around Lin Tian,
and literally jumped into his embrace.
“Mmm, Lin Tian, I actually did it.”
Her tears quickly started flowing, soaking Lin Tian’s clothes.
In that moment, the emotions she had bottled up for so long finally exploded.
She was genuinely happy.
So incredibly happy. And crying from the joy.
But, just for a moment…
The girl looked up at Lin Tian’s face.
She couldn’t tell,
whether her happiness resulted from getting into her dream university or being in the same university as her crush.
“Little Gan has always been smart. It’s not surprising at all.”
Lin Tian smiled as he stroked her head with affection.
“Thank you, Lin Tian. Truly, thank you,” Gan Yan Yu held him tighter.
“Still being so polite to me?”
Lin Tian teased.
Yet his heart was racing so fast, it felt like it might burst out.
He looked down at Gan Yan Yu’s face.
From this angle, she was absolutely adorable.
While the arm around his waist tightened, making his brain do some involuntary sit-ups.
Lin Tian couldn’t help but laugh.
It was true.
He was genuinely thankful for meeting Gan Yan Yu.
That cold, temperamental, and quirky Lin Tian? He must have been pretty annoying back then.
But because of Gan Yan Yu, he became who he was today.
“Little Gan, thank you too,” he said.
“No, I didn’t really do much. Thanks should be mine,” said Gan Yan Yu.
“You clearly did a lot, and I should be thanking you,” replied Lin Tian.
“I’ll thank you more,” said Gan Yan Yu.
“No, I should be the one doing the most thank yous.”
“Y’all two—”
An enraged yell came through the speakerphone followed by Xu Yong’s heartbroken voice,
“Stop acting all lovey-dovey, or I’ll eat you alive! I really will!”
Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu realized their call wasn’t over yet.
Even though Xu Yong wasn’t present, they instinctively let go of each other with a sheepish look.
Lin Tian quickly apologized,
“Sorry, Big Brother Yong, I should have called you earlier.”
“Are you even human?!”
Xu Yong’s voice grew more sorrowful.
Who would have thought…
After checking his scores, which were over five hundred, and planning to celebrate with family and friends, he ended up criticized by Lin Tian before even getting a chance to report his results.
Now he saw Gan Yan Yu’s score was over five hundred too, just ten points lower than him!
d*mn it,
Can’t geniuses give normal people a break?!
If he only needed to study for a month to score 521, what exactly was he supposed to do with three years of high school?
In any case, Xu Yong now regretted calling.
If he hadn’t made that call, he could have continued feeling smug for a long time.
As expected,
comparison always makes you realize things aren’t always as great as you think!
Now not only was he hit with a massive dose of reality, he was also fed a big spoonful of romance.
“Lin Tian, looks like you’re on a different level now. I get it. I’ll leave soon.”
Xu Yong spoke and there was a muffled sound of sobbing on the other end.
“Alright then, congrats on getting into your dream university.”
Lin Tian tried to comfort him,
“I’ll treat you after my next match.”
Having just settled one, he had to console another.
All three of them got into their desired universities.
What better ending could there be?!
Why did the atmosphere feel so strange?
“Let’s talk sometime later, musical prodigy. By the time you finish your battle, your status will be insane. I can’t just casually associate with you,” Xu Yong said with regret.
“It’s no big deal, if you’re uncomfortable, we can eat at your place. I promise, it’ll be fresh.”
“Come on, why not eat out? It’ll be even better.”
“Were you serious?”
“We graduated high school. What’s so bad about that?”
“Just wait, you’re all talk, you’d never really come.”
“Oh no, are you looking down on me? I’ll—”
.
Gan Yan Yu was clueless listening to the exchange.
What difference does where they eat make,
and why must they be in high school to have their meal?
Lin Tian and Xu Yong bickering went on until they noticed Gan Yan Yu’s expression had turned a bit sour, so they immediately changed the subject.
“Oh right, how’s your chat with Su Ran going?”
“Huh?”
“We two haven’t been chatting much recently.”
“I’ve talked to her but a lot less since the exams.”
“After getting our results, let’s celebrate together?”
“That’s not important.”
Lin Tian wanted to say something more but Xu Yong, as if reading his mind, added:
“Don’t bring it up. I already told you. There’s no way between Su Ran and me.”
Hearing this unexpectedly somber remark, Lin Tian was momentarily speechless.
Lin Tian felt disappointed, even though he could not be with Gan Yan Yu himself, he truly hoped Xu Yong and Su Ran could find their happy ending.
But Xu Yong seemed unwavering in his stance.
Back when they parted ways last night, Weng Xu had made it clear then.
It wasn’t that he disliked Su Ran.
Rather, it was himself he despised.
He knew he lacked confidence, sensitivity, and was timid. Even starting a relationship would likely lead to him driving her away.
He would rather it never begin than suffer the sting of rejection again.
“I thought such good exam results might change your perspective.”
“As an adult, I know it’s fine to cherish some memories from high school, otherwise regrets might follow later.”
Lin Tian had thought Xu Yong would bounce back after achieving such success in the college entrance exam.
But it appeared his personality remained unchanged.
“Geez! Stop asking me such stuff!” Xu Yong chuckled,
“It’s not like anyone cares about someone like me, why dwell on such questions?” he said self-deprecatingly.
“Whatever, once we graduate, no one will remember me—unheard, unmissed.”
“Fine, fine!”
Lin Tian was stumped by Xu Yong’s incessant questioning.
He understood they wouldn’t talk about it further,
“Alright, then. I’m going with Teacher Gan for a celebration dinner soon, so let’s wrap this up—I’m really happy for you!”
Rarer still,
Lin Tian conveyed his congratulations earnestly to Xu Yong.
“OJBK.” Xu Yong said.
“.”
Lin Tian hung up the phone.
This was when a voice broke the silence:
“Lin Tian, can I say something?”
“. You?”
Lin Tian was taken aback; it seemed like he’d misunderstood.
“Yes.”
Gan Yan Yu nodded.
Lin Tian handed the phone over to her.
She took it and spoke softly into it, “Hello—”
“Ahh?”
Weng Xu didn’t expect Gan Yan Yu to take the call, feeling baffled.
“I thought Lin Tian would convey my thanks, but decided it’s better I say it myself,” she said, taking a breath,
“Thank you for the encouragement during my revision in the library.”
X.
Weng Xu froze.
“Encouragement?”
Weng Xu recalled he had been blunt to Gan Yan Yu about her perfectionism back then.
It seemed like an ordinary afternoon in the library to him,
everyone simply studied as usual, conversing naturally as well.
Even Weng Xu almost forgot that incident himself.
Yet,
Gan Yan Yu, who had always seemed oblivious to everything, remembered?
“All of this is possible thanks to your encouragement. Thank you!”
Gan Yan Yu said sincerely.
Weng Xu’s chest felt pierced by a gentle yet sharp arrow.
He fell silent completely.
How could someone like him, insignificant everywhere, be remembered at all?
Back then, even during his gaokao preparation, he often filled merely temporary roles.
During Rantian and Suran’s patient explanations,
with his poor grades, Xu Yong mostly chatted and complained, offering little real advice.
Why.
Did Gan Yan Yu remember him at all after all?
Xu Yong’s hand holding the phone shook,
X.
He wanted to speak, but his throat felt blocked, unable to utter a single word.
After a moment,
With the gratitude conveyed, Gan Yan Yu smiled gently,
“Goodbye.”
“Weng, Xu Yong’s classmate!”
The call ended.
Xu Yong was silent.
“d*mn it !!!”
His roar echoed through the skies.
Later that night, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu found a nice seafood buffet to celebrate their admission to Tianchao Music University.
Sure, this was just a week into the competition, with the semi-finals soon, celebrating already seemed premature to some extent.
But this celebration was no small affair.
They were not just opening bottles of champagne.
It was like drinking water!
Of course, to Lin Tian, it provided him an excuse to treat Gan Yan Yu to a fancy dinner.
The 498 yuan per person seafood buffet was quite generous, especially the unlimited prawns.
As Lin Tian gnawed on a lobster, savoring every bite,
“Seriously,”
he thought,
“Since Gan Yan Yu broke into the entertainment world,”
Lin Tian practically feasted on all the food he had missed growing up for the past 18 years.
Remembering how terrible life had been during his orphan days,
He splurged extravagantly.
Living life to the fullest seemed to be his mantra.
Lin Tian, a simple guy with no desire for material things, had never bought a luxury car or mansion despite having made plenty of money.
Why not indulge a little?
He called for the waitress to order forty slices of salmon belly and twenty portions of premium foie gras.
X.
Though the celebration was joyful, there were other intentions underlying tonight’s dinner.
The duo used the opportunity for a serious discussion about the upcoming competition plans.
Once they reached a comfortable half-full state,
Gan Yan Yu removed her gloves.
She started the conversation,
“Lin Tian, did you finish your composition?”
Lin Tian was munching on a lobster; he paused,
“In progress, actually.”
Gan Yan Yu seldom asked about his composing progress proactively.
When she did,
it indicated the immense pressure she felt.
Indeed,
the debate online between popular music and classical music had been relentless and intense.
With media attention reaching an all-time high.
She definitely witnessed these developments.
Given everything going on, it was natural for her to feel tense.
Frankly speaking, those press articles were pressuring, but back in the old days, Gan Yan Yu would have been stressed enough to lose her appetite.
This whole situation between Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu felt quite awkward to them.
On the surface, it seemed like a debate between classical and pop music,
but in reality, it was them, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu, against the entire music realm.
Media outlets seemed to deliberately avoid discussing it, making it unfair to them.
On the Dragon Zither Cup stage, they were the only ones sticking to classical music.
Discussing them alongside the broader theme of classical music avoided highlighting the stark contrast with the mainstream.
And that realization weighed heavily on Lin Tian.
They still had two weeks to prepare for the semifinals.
Technically, he could submit his piece any time in the coming days.
But he couldn’t decide what to write!
“Is there anything I can help with?”
She asked.
In the preliminaries, the Blue Danube had emerged from a talk with Gan Yan Yu, inspired by her thoughts on music.
She had contributed a segment of it.
On the surface, it seemed like a spontaneous outcome,
but actually, it showed Gan Yan Yu’s desire to support Lin Tian.
With the semis approaching, she still aimed to help.
Her growing pressure confirmed she felt the same as Lin Tian.
Thus, she had to act.
“I have no idea,”
Actually, Lin Tian wished he could just compose an awe-inspiring classical piece, stunning everyone.
But it would be futile given their current circumstances,
their compositions might not resonate the same emotional depth now.
The creation had to align with and amplify who they were as players.
Songs crafted merely to shift mood, didn’t fit their vibe and wouldn’t be viable for the competition.
“.”
They fell into a brief, uneasy silence.
But that moment of stillness was shattered by a ringtone.
Lin Tian picked up the phone.
“Teacher Lin Tian, free tomorrow?”
He heard He Zhichen’s voice.
“Tomorrow…?”
Lin Tian pondered,
“No free time.”
“Well, if that’s the case, wake up early! I think someone you’d both be interested in!”
The next morning,
Lin Tian, Gan Yan Yu, and He Zhichen piled into one car.
Their destination: Tianchao Music University.
“Tuoba Jianhui wants to see us?”
Even though they were already en route, Lin Tian was still astonished.
They had been in Baijing for some time, and except for Yao Han, he hadn’t met many other people.
Tuoba Jianhui?
After that round of mutual humiliation in the competition, they ended up not meeting amicably.
If they met again, there might be a fight,
why the sudden invitation?
Neither Lin Tian nor Gan Yan Yu had anticipated it, but they still showed up.
“He has a few words for you both. I think it may help with your next song,” He Zhichen said as they pulled up to the university gates.
“Nothing else, let’s see him!”
(End of Chapter)
