Chapter 28: The Urgent Health Issue
This business card was given to Lin Tian by an Uncle he met after playing at the restaurant a couple of days ago.
To his surprise, when Gan Yanyu saw the card, she read out the name loudly.
“SYC?”
“Do you know them?”
“It’s a music management company, quite famous in Qingzhou, signing lots of talented musicians,” said Gan Yanyu. “One of their violinists even participated in last year’s national violin competition.”
“Quite impressive.”
The Uncle was overly enthusiastic that night, making Lin Tian doubt SYC’s level right away.
People tend to believe things are shabby when they’re too easily obtainable.
If you want it once it’s no longer easy, they might just give you three rounds of interviews.
“How did you get this card?” Gan Yanyu asked Lin Tian curiously.
“Got it when I was playing piano there, added him on social media.”
Although said casually, it stunned Gan Yanyu a bit. Impressive enough to be noticed by SYC, he must play really well.
“Is there a difference between a music management company and the normal star management companies we see?” Lin Tian inquired, recalling Gan Yanyu’s own background with such a company.
Even though they both sound alike, Lin Tian figured a company dealing specifically with musicians should be a cut above the rest, kind of like how people associate the term ‘idol’ with higher status despite it simply meaning ‘actor’.
“Their focus differs,” explained Gan Yanyu.
“While celebrity managers handle packaging, promotion, endorsements, etc., music managers also concentrate on music creation, production, release, distribution, managing recording sessions, music production, competitions, and performances.”
“Ah, I see.”
Lin Tian got the idea—marketing for the former, hardcore music for the latter.
Definitely the place to go!
He dialed the number on the card.
“Who’s this?”
“This is Lin Tian, the guy from SWING restaurant the other day.”
“Ah, you!”
Hearing Lin Tian’s voice, Zhong Weian’s tone became noticeably excited.
“So, Mr. Lin Tian, thinking about going professional as a pianist?”
“Not yet. I have another request. Can I rent your studio? I’ll pay.”
“Sure, what’s it for?”
“Recording songs, making short videos.”
Lin Tian felt a bit awkward saying that. After all, the studio was for serious music recording.
Making TikTok-style videos with a phone seems a bit much…
It’s like hiring a top-notch photographer and then asking them to fix the pictures yourself on your phone.
“Sure thing,” Zhong Weian readily agreed.
“Really?”
“If you’re going to make videos, it costs money to use our studio each time.”
“But since you’re a student, how about I send over some equipment so you can record at home. That should be enough for your TikToks.”
“Only if you mention our gear in the description when you post. When you can afford new stuff, return the gear. Fair enough?”
When Zhong finished, Lin Tian was shocked.
What?!
Students can get freebies?
In reality, the Uncle was giving Lin Tian equipment in exchange for free advertisement.
It seemed fair, but it looked more like a raw deal for the Uncle.
Expensive recording gear in exchange for a brief mention.
Clear exploitation, but Lin Tian accepted it gladly.
“Deal!”
“Add me on WeChat and send over your address,” Zhong Weian said.
“Okay.”
They ended the call.
Gan Yanyu eagerly looked at Lin Tian with concern.
“How’d it go?”
“I got the recording equipment. No cost!”
“Wow! No money?”
“Woah!”
Gan Yanyu waved her little fists in excitement.
But the next second,
Cough, cough.
Gan Yanyu hid behind her hand as she coughed.
“Are you alright?”
Lin Tian rushed over.
“Just throat inflammation, I’ll be fine with some medication.”
Gan Yanyu walked back to the sofa and opened her cello case. Her hand slid into the smallest pocket and grabbed a red plastic bag.
With urgency or privacy in mind, she clumsily pulled the bag open, causing it to tear.
Medicine boxes scattered across the couch and floor.
“Oh no!”
Gan Yanyu scrambled to pick them up.
“No worries, let me.”
Lin Tian froze upon spotting the variety inside—cough syrups, antidepressants, asthma medications, and countless pills he couldn’t identify.
The sheer volume made his head spin.
Knowing people often carry meds when health issues arise, he remained surprised by the quantity in the cello case.
“You take all these every day?”
Lin Tian picked up an antidepressant box, a serious look on his face.
“Not all, I stopped taking them yesterday,” Gan Yanyu said shyly, arranging the boxes.
“What about the others?”
“Medicines just in case I get sick. Extra precautions.”
“Do you know how illegal and dangerous it is to stockpile meds like this?! Are you the God of Medicine?”
Lin Tian lost his cool.
Seeing someone so dependent on drugs would bother anyone.
Taking a breath, he asked again:
“So, when are you going back to school?”
“They need a medical report from the hospital.”
“Well, I knew it.”
Covering his face, Lin Tian sighed—predictably so, having divine foresight in his heart.
“From tomorrow, you’re with me!” he declared.
