Chapter 375 – Dr. Lin Tian: The Specialist in Troubleshooting Cello Player Complexities (Extra Update) (Please Support by Subscribing)
“Oh, gosh.”
Bai Junze was instantly dumbfounded and didn’t know what to say.
Mao Wei Ang, pinching his chin, pondered seriously:
“Indeed, there was this overwhelming pressure from Bai Junze when we played together just now. I must play with much more vigor in the next performance!”
“…”
Gan Yan Yu’s eyes widened slightly, looking thoughtful for a moment before a hint of relief flickered across her gaze:
“Just don’t secretly cheer when you encounter someone even more egocentric than yourself.”
Lin Tian smacked Gan Yan Yu on the head, and she clutched at it, wailing.
This sort of character was always played by Gan Yan Yu previously.
The kind who only cared about their own performance and didn’t give a d*mn if others lived or died.
Who would have thought that now Gan Yan Yu had matured, only to bump into another one like that?
Lin Tian then turned to Mao Wei Ang, his face serious:
“What happened?”
“I don’t know!”
Having learned the truth, Bai Junze adopted a ‘what-the-hell’ attitude, wrapping his legs around the cello as he turned away, unbothered.
“Teacher Bai, when you’re working with someone, you need to put some effort into it,” said Lin Tian helplessly.
“I really don’t know!”
Bai Junze threw up his hands,
“In previous competitions, I barely used any accompaniment, and this is my first time playing with anyone!”
Hearing this, Lin Tian was quite surprised.
Upon reflection, it made sense.
In Bai Junze’s performances in the Dragon Zither Cups, the accompanying orchestra barely registered. They merely shadowed him everywhere.
“Try playing solo again and let me see.”
Lin Tian said.
It seemed clear to him now.
He was born to be a coach for cello players.
Gan Yan Yu may seem to be the student molded by Lin Tian.
But in reality, Lin Tian himself had been forcefully trained by Gan Yan Yu into a “cello doctor.”
Very soon, Bai Junze picked up his bow again.
Though clearly displeased, he was still willing to comply with Lin Tian.
And for Lin Tian, this indicated some hope.
“…”
After a solo performance,
“No problem,” muttered Lin Tian.
It was familiar territory, no issues detected.
So, the problem must be—
Mismatched styles.
Lin Tian called for another group practice.
“…”
This time, Lin Tian kept his eyes on Bai Junze’s cello.
As the climax approached…
At the beginning, everything was perfectly in sync.
But after three to five seconds, things started slipping.
Bai Junze’s cello gradually started applying pressure—
This pressure came suddenly, completely disregarding Mao Wei Ang and Gan Yan Yu.
Pretty soon, under this pressure,
Gan Yan Yu unconsciously increased her intensity!
Gan Yan Yu could still control herself under Lin Tian’s guidance.
But she couldn’t guarantee her instincts wouldn’t be triggered.
Used to being “the absolute center,” she instantly activated a passive skill.
She collided with Bai Junze uncontrollably.
“Teacher Bai, slow down!!” cried Lin Tian.
During the performance, Bai Junze heard voices and paused, relaxing his stance.
The music briefly stabilized.
However, it only lasted two seconds.
In a flash, Bai Junze’s cello resumed its lightning-fast pace.
“…”
Predictably,
The collaboration flopped again.
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be collaborating? Can you please control your dynamics?”
Lin Tian couldn’t take it anymore, blurting out.
“I’m trying!” grumbled Bai Junze.
“I’m not seeing it!”
“Can’t I concentrate on my own performance?”
After some arguing,
The practice room turned quiet momentarily.
“I believe Teacher Bai wasn’t intentional,” interjected Mao Wei Ang gravely,
“It’s normal for each performer to have their unique style. Once they dive into their zones, things can go haywire.”
“So I said from the start,” Bai Junze spread his hands helplessly,
“I’m just not someone who can work well with others.”
“…”
Lin Tian was speechless, the words stuck in his throat.
A while later,
Bai Junze picked up his cello and moved beside Lin Tian, patting his shoulder,
“Sorry, Professor, you were disappointed.”
“But you got it wrong. I’m not who you think I am.”
With that, Bai Junze walked out.
“Teacher Bai!”
Mao Wei Ang called but failed to stop him.
He turned to Lin Tian to find him speechless.
They watched as Bai Junze left the practice room alone.
Now, only the three of them remained.
“…”
Then,
Lin Tian took a deep breath, gazing at the remaining two.
He realized,
From the outset, this collaboration had never been an easy feat.
With Bai Xi, Nanaly, and Yun Qiu Qiu…
Their cooperation was smooth because they shared a common goal—
To organize the greatest classical concert.
But this time, their initial goal was contradictory—
To reconcile classical music with pop music.
Firstly, even Lin Tian found it hard to blend with pop music.
He accepted it mostly as penance to Mao Wei Ang.
On another note, Lin Tian believed such collaboration would boost classical music’s popularity.
More people should experience classical music’s charm through their collaboration.
Mao Wei Ang, too, had mixed feelings. His urge to atone far outweighed his ambition.
Bai Junze from the start, showed little interest in this.
Each had their own agenda.
Furthermore, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu had vastly different playing styles compared to Mao Wei Ang and Bai Junze.
Their communication was like classical versus pop music, full of conflict and difficulty.
“Do we keep practicing?” mused Gan Yan Yu softly.
“Let’s call it a day,” replied Lin Tian.
He turned to Mao Wei Ang,
“You worked hard today.”
“The same to you,” smiled Mao Wei Ang,
“This piece is splendid; I’ll study it again.”
“What about Bai Junze?” asked Gan Yan Yu worriedly.
“We can’t lose him,” Lin Tian stated.
If he hadn’t invited Bai Junze in the first place, Lin Tian might have shrugged off his concerns.
But having gone this far, he couldn’t abandon him.
He was determined.
There’s no cello player he can’t handle.
“I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” Lin Tian added.
Moreover,
He felt.
If Bai Junze’s issue remained unresolved, they couldn’t overcome such challenges themselves.
How could their music move people?
The next day.
Inside a teppanyaki restaurant in Baijing City,
Bai Junze personally grilled a steak for Lin Tian and placed it on his plate.
“How embarrassing, Senior, making you pay,” giggled Bai Junze, quickly taking a bite.
Seemingly unbothered, it suggested yesterday’s conflict never happened.
Yet, this gave Lin Tian some comfort.
At least, this guy was willing to meet with him, proving the potential for communication.
“Minor detail. Don’t you have enough money?” Lin Tian probed,
“After all, isn’t your dad the richest man in town?”
“Hmph! That’s exaggeration. Media love sensationalizing stories about a ‘former billionaire’s son’. It’s all speculation,” Bai Junze waved dismissively,
“My dad runs a small business. He was briefly the city’s richest person about twenty years ago, but then everything crumbled.”
“When I left home, the family was on its last legs.”
“I get it.”
Lin Tian wasn’t sure how much of this was true.
But what he said made sense to him.
Even if his father hadn’t reached that level, Bai Junze wasn’t lacking compared to a vagrant in Baijing.
“We’ll give it another go at the practice room tonight.”
“Spare me, Sir!”
Bai Junze clasped his hands together, as if begging,
“I just can’t collaborate with others.”
“Why do you think that is?” Lin Tian asked. Before Bai Junze could respond,
he continued,
“To me, your cello seems overconfident. Not that you’re bad, but you feel you need to cover everyone else’s role, which causes problems.”
Those words stunned Bai Junze.
He stared at Lin Tian, dumbfounded,
“That’s right… I’m at a loss for words.”
“After all, I understand your tribe well.”
Lin Tian bit into another piece of steak, conveying both pride and frustration,
“So just loosen up a bit. Both teacher Gan and Mao Wei Ang excel; they’re no worse than you. Trust them and things will improve.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
Bai Junze argued,
“I’ve tried, but couldn’t shake it, right?”
During the last practice,
When Lin Tian paused Bai Junze,
He did pause for only a couple of seconds.
Swiftly, he resumed his hyper speed performance.
“How can you not control that?” Lin Tian frowned,
“You feeling our teacher is below you?”
“No, not at all.”
“I just,” Bai Junze leaned back in his chair, loosening up,
“Can never trust anyone.”
His disheveled appearance gave way to seriousness.
He gazed at the ceiling, eyes reflecting memories,
“Because of my good-for-nothing old man.”
“Your dad?”
“Yeah.”
Bai Junze chuckled,
“This loser dad always supported my every dream, but never allowed me to learn the cello. Instead, he forced me into a steady job, forbidding me to leave the county.”
“Back then, my company went bust, he blamed me for learning the cello and ruined the instrument the other night.”
“Since then, I’ve run away from home and never looked back.”
Tears welled up as he recounted,
“Rage and regret, vivid as though it was yesterday.”
Lin Tian understood.
Besides seeking inspiration, Bai Junze wandered in search of justice.
“To tell you so much? Just for washing my feet?” Lin Tian asked,
“Maybe, who knows?”
Bai Junze laughed loudly,
“Drinking cold beer right here,” he sipped,
“But truly, I admire your sincerity, Dr. Lin.”
“You’re destined for great things, unlike me.”
Serious now,
“Don’t waste time on someone like me.”
(End of Chapter)
