Chapter 98: The Duel of the Cellists!
As soon as Nanaly’s cello resonated,
Lin Tian, who was busy playing the piano, froze.
What an aggressive attack!
It was so different from Gan Yan Yu’s oppressive presence that commanded respect without anger.
Nanaly’s cello was clear and full of power.
The young woman chose to place her bow at the tip, producing a sharper, more piercing tone.
And this aggression was not a paper tiger; behind it lay Nanaly’s profound understanding of the cello.
In Nanaly’s hands, it resembled not just a cello, but a mighty composite bow!
No, it was Noah’s Parashield!
Lin Tian found himself a bit surprised.
Having spent time with Nanaly earlier, he realized he might have underestimated her.
He thought she was just a childish character but didn’t expect such a stunning cello performance!
This sharp aggressiveness, in a way, matched perfectly with this super “chuunibyou” blonde princess.
Gan Yan Yu—
Lin Tian glanced at Gan Yan Yu, who was also performing, feeling emotional.
This time, he had genuinely encountered a rival.
“…”
Gan Yan Yu drew her bowstring while observing Nanaly, seated across from her.
She, too, displayed a hint of surprise.
She really had improved a lot!
Back in Manchester, she was completely different.
At that time, Nanaly’s cello, while thorny, leaned more towards a gentle approach.
Now in her hands, it felt like a weapon.
Exceptionally ferocious.
Both the speed and power were vastly stronger than before.
“…”
Confronted with such surging aggression,
Gan Yan Yu began to take things seriously.
She slightly increased the pressure on her bow.
The rhythm of her playing quickened!
“~!”
In the movements of this Spanish Bullfighting Song—
The two young women’s melodies intertwined,
Launching into their own duel!
At that moment, the two girls stood in the arena, like warriors of the medieval Roman coliseum. In the distance were bare mountains and a bl**d-red sun, as dust whirled up, and the wind with its gritty flavor slapped against their faces.
On the stage, Lin Tian played the piano.
Below, the two faced each other for a long time.
Suddenly,
Nanaly pounced like a fierce tiger, her weapon aimed directly at Gan Yan Yu, striking fiercely!
Each attack aimed for vital spots, showing no mercy!
Gan Yan Yu sidestepped—
But calmly used her weapon to counterattack, engaging in technical blocks.
Compared to a fierce tiger, Gan Yan Yu seemed more like an elegant martial arts master.
Skilled in all sword techniques, she knew precisely how to finish this battle in the most accurate and dignified manner.
Yet Nanaly was not a brainless brute either.
Every one of her attacks had its own methods to follow.
Under Gan Yan Yu’s continuous blocks, Nanaly would timely adjust the angles and methods of her assaults, continually upgrading and optimizing her attacks.
As their battle intensified,
The piece’s climax reached its most thrilling part!
Rapid cello sounds, a melody of extraordinary grace!
The duel of these two cellos made Lin Tian involuntarily close his eyes and bask in the moment.
Indeed,
It was right to have Nanaly perform “Espaa Cani” alongside Gan Yan Yu.
Nanaly’s aggression had completely stirred Gan Yan Yu.
In this piece filled with combat and conflict,
If it were just Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu playing together, it would hardly yield such an effect.
Their battle undoubtedly elevated the piece to a new pinnacle!
Nanaly, you did great!
Reality might help us clean up,
But in music, it could ignite Gan Yan Yu’s fighting spirit.
Lin Tian acknowledged Gan Yan Yu’s rival!
“…”
As the piece’s final climax approached,
In the arena, Nanaly fixed her gaze on Gan Yan Yu, gritting her teeth.
She swung her weapon forward!
Launching the fiercest attack yet!
An overwhelming force surged from Nanaly’s cello.
—This was her final strike.
Gan Yan Yu’s expression shifted.
The composed and relaxed demeanor she usually wore vanished.
The young woman closed her eyes.
The victor had been decided.
The café returned to tranquility.
Nanaly placed her bow down, pounding her fist into the soft couch.
“Darn it!!”
The blonde girl let out a frustrated voice.
She cradled her head, her earlier pride completely vanished.
She looked precisely like a defeated male lead from a hot-blooded shonen anime kneeling on the ground, exclaiming, “So I really can’t do this after all!”
“I had worked really hard; why…” Nanaly bit her lip.
Whether in expressing emotions, interpreting music through her instrument, or in the power and rhythm of her performance… she fell just a tad short!
And that tiny bit had become an insurmountable gap for Nanaly.
“…”
Lin Tian leaned against the piano, observing.
Having lost so many times, her reaction was still so intense.
“Miss Nanaly.”
A gentle call came.
Nanaly looked up to see Gan Yan Yu standing in front of her, leaning down.
“You’ve made significant progress.”
Gan Yan Yu said.
“Really?”
“Mm.”
Joy flickered on Nanaly’s face for a moment.
But she quickly suppressed it, returning to her normal expression.
Standing up, she pouted, pointing her finger at Gan Yan Yu like she was delivering a proclamation.
“I won’t give up, Gan Yan Yu! I’m here to challenge you, so get ready!”
“Okay.”
“By the end of next month for the Parrot Zither Cup, I will defeat you!”
“Hmm?”
Lin Tian looked puzzled, glancing at Gan Yan Yu.
“Next month’s end, the preliminary round of the Parrot Zither Cup.”
Gan Yan Yu gazed straight ahead, speaking softly.
“…”
The officially sanctioned provincial competition organized by the China Music Association carries different names in each province.
In Qingjiang Province, it’s called the Parrot Zither Cup.
The entire Parrot Zither Cup is divided into three stages—preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals.
Each stage is half a month apart, requiring different pieces of music.
Only by winning the championship at the Parrot Zither Cup and gaining the association’s endorsement can one qualify for next year’s apex honor in cello music—the Dragon Zither Cup.
Since the Dragon Zither Cup is by invitation only, with no open auditions, it is solely based on recommendations from local music associations.
Thus, being able to receive such a recommendation from winning the Parrot Zither Cup is immensely important.
“You’ll participate, right?”
Nanaly stared intensely at Gan Yan Yu.
“I will.”
“Great!”
Nanaly grabbed her cello bag, took one last glance at Lin Tian, and turned to leave the café.
“…”
Watching Nanaly walk away, Lin Tian looked at Gan Yan Yu, feeling contemplative.
“So you have a rival now.”
“Yes.”
“Winning just now wasn’t so easy, was it?”
Lin Tian could tell.
Though it seemed that Nanaly had never beaten Gan Yan Yu before,
From her recent performance, it was clear Nanaly was not to be underestimated.
In just the short time of a single song, Lin Tian had deeply impressed by her strong aggression.
The potential for her future is limitless.
Even Gan Yan Yu didn’t have it easy during their duel.
Several of Nanaly’s assaults were so fierce that had Gan Yan Yu’s skills been a tad lacking, she might not have held off.
One day, Nanaly’s aggressive nature could grow to a truly terrifying extent.
“How old is she?”
“19.”
19 years old.
Indeed, in such a vast world, talent isn’t something rare at all.
(End of chapter)
