### Chapter 7: Even in Drought, You Can’t Just Soak in the Foot Bath City!
#### Chapter 7: Even in Drought, You Can’t Just Soak in the Foot Bath City!
Based on what Lin Tian could find online.
It was none other than Grandpa Gan—yes, the very same one who studied French press coffee every day at the café, always appearing full of vigor and cheerfully greeting every customer as if they were part of his family.
Lin Tian never imagined this cheerful neighbor was actually a world-renowned cellist.
No matter how hard he tried, he found it impossible to connect the image of a well-dressed, grand maestro performing at a luxurious concert hall with the guy who chatted with him daily about his self-assured coffee blends.
If the information wasn’t exaggerated…
Grandpa Gan was also the first person to popularize cello playing in China.
But this first person…
Sixteen years ago, he lost spectacularly in Kol Cup, which represented the highest level of cello competitions in the world.
The entertainment industry in this world seemed to take musical achievements even more seriously than in Lin Tian’s previous life.
One can imagine the severity of the blow this loss was for the cello community and the entire music scene in China.
It was like when LPL swept through the domestic championships, winning the MSI, Spring, and Summer Titles, only to lose in the World Championship’s quarterfinals.
The hopes pinned on the top player were dashed.
Who knew how many people would quit, how many would forever lose faith in the sport.
As for the details of that championship from sixteen years ago, Lin Tian had no idea.
But he did know that Grandpa Gan clearly didn’t continue pursuing his cello career.
At least, during their interactions, Lin Tian never heard him mention anything related to it.
From this, Lin Tian had a bold hypothesis—
Could Grandpa Gan’s granddaughter, Gan Yan Yu, have become a cellist due to her grandfather’s unfulfilled dream?
Yet, why does Gan Yan Yu now want to commit s*icide?
Clearly, she hasn’t realized her own dreams, nor helped her grandfather fulfill his regrets.
Is she willing to give up so easily?
Lin Tian couldn’t verify these questions right now.
He would just have to take it one step at a time.
But dang! This novel is really abstract!
Always making people reflect, it’s giving me all the Yilin vibes.
He opened the interface confirmed by the system yesterday.
### Companion List
Name: Gan Yan Yu
Identity: Cellist
Abilities:
– Cello – A+
– Foreign Language – B+
– Singing – B
– Dance – C
– Communication – C
– Learning – S
Current Stress Tolerance: E
SAN Value: 8
Health Status: Poor (Horrible, Terrible, Bad, Stable, Good, Excellent)
Note: The host can unlock new rewards every time a companion’s stress tolerance, SAN value, or health improves.
What a depressing status list!
So many talents, but putting ‘stress tolerance’ alone in its row emphasizes its crucial importance.
Just an E rating though.
After all, we’re talking about someone who has already attempted s*icide.
Despite low values for mental health, Gan Yan Yu still holds strong capabilities.
Her learning ability is the highest S rank.
And her cello skills are A+.
Even without considering the rewards, Lin Tian believes if he could help her regain her confidence, her abilities would definitely lead her to great success!
Then, Lin Tian opened his inventory and revealed the newbie gift box given by the system.
Received: Instrument Skill Card 1
Upon opening, users could choose one of five common instruments to learn its starting skill card.
Note: This is the host’s only chance to receive such a music skill card. Choose wisely.
A self-selected instrument?
Lin Tian paused. Given this was a one-time thing and he wasn’t in immediate need of it, he decided to save it for later.
After opening the box, the system provided another interface:
### Personal Task Launch—
#### Objectives:
– Perform a piece with any instrument and receive praise from more than ten people.
#### Reward:
– Music Memory Enhancement Card
Using this card enhances all musical memory stored, allowing owners to easily write out sheet music.
Note: The system occasionally rolls out reward tasks that aren’t mandatory. Host can choose whether to complete them, gaining rewards for completion, while non-completion doesn’t affect subsequent tasks.
Clear enough.
The task pairs well with the earlier self-selection card.
But this isn’t something Lin Tian needs to worry about now.
He needs to get to school.
Jingzhou No. 7 High School.
As a city high school somewhere between elite and average, No. 7 held a firm belief in one teaching principle—emphasis on health and self-discipline.
They became more lenient after several incidents involving students overworking themselves leading to jumping off buildings.
For Lin Tian, a day student, he didn’t need to attend morning classes. He just needed to be in class before the first period started.
Math class began first.
In summer, the classes were often sweltering, especially math class which added a layer of jitteriness to the air.
An outdated ceiling fan spun endlessly, looking ready to drop any moment and decapitate the students.
“Brother Tian, don’t rush off after school today,” said Xu Yong, Lin Tian’s roommate, a guy covered in teen acne, wearing square glasses.
Xu Yong was one of Lin Tian’s few close friends at school.
“Tonight’s shift roster has us listed.”
Lin Tian raised an eyebrow. He and Xu worked part-time at a nearby tea house as casual employees.
Normally, scheduling was light, with work only called upon during peak times or if someone was absent.
“Do we have to?”
Lin Tian hesitated. He had planned dinner with Gan Yan Yu, whose mental state was fragile. Delaying could mean endangering her further.
“What’s up?”
Hearing the hesitation, Xu Yong widened his eyes,
“Got something important?”
“Sort of.”
“Come on, what could you possibly have going on? I know you have a routine—”
Suddenly his eyes narrowed.
“Don’t tell me you’ve got a date?”
“Are you crazy?”
“Well, wait. Last night you mentioned getting foot baths – oh boy! You met someone hot and you’re rushing off to meet her, right?”
Xu Yong’s face grew increasingly alarmed.
“Brother Tian, let’s keep playtime separate from real-life shenanigans, okay? Don’t go after girls from the foot bath parlor. I know you struggle socially, but even in drought, you can’t jump into those waters!”
“Nonsense” Lin Tian said without diverting his gaze from the blackboard, waving his hand dismissively.
Lin Tian understood Xu Yong too well.
This guy was unpredictable, always spouting wild theories.
Probably just a result of spending too much time on forums.
Ringing—
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
Lin Tian took it out from under the desk. It was from “Sunshine After Rain.”
A video.
Next to him, Xu Yong leaned over immediately.
She was filming herself and the kitchen pots, holding the phone for a selfie.
With text:
“Tian, how do you turn on the gas at your place?”
(End of Chapter)*
