88. Chapter 88 – Art Has Become
“Next, we have the honor of inviting the youngest performer of this concert tonight, the celebrated cellist Ms. Gan Yan Yu, to take the stage!”
“This evening, she will be performing with her partner Mr. Lin Tian, and they will present three works: ‘Ode to Love,’ ‘Can-Can,’ and the ‘Symphony No. 10 in G minor, Pathétique.’ These compositions showcase the deep emotion and skill of both the cello and piano.”
“Please give a warm round of applause for Ms. Gan Yan Yu!”
“…”
Gan Yan Yu looked at Lin Tian.
In her mouth, a bitter smile emerged eventually,
“Lin Tian, you’re out of your mind.”
“You know, Ms. Gan, if I weren’t completely out of it, we wouldn’t have become partners.”
“Is it worth it?”
“Mr. Gao taught us that we must experience things to truly connect.”
“…”
Gan Yan Yu pressed her lips together.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait a moment.”
Gan Yan Yu stopped Lin Tian.
Then, the young woman went on tiptoe, straightening Lin Tian’s slightly disheveled hair and patting him on his suit.
“Alright.”
“Take the stage, partner.”
“…”
All the audience’s eyes focused on the dark stage.
Suddenly, soft lights gently lit up, illuminating the music stand at the center, enveloped by a warm glow.
Click click!
High heels softly tapped against the wooden floor with a delicate sound.
A graceful young lady, in a flowing black dress akin to night, walked onto the stage!
“Gan Yan Yu! Gan Yan Yu!”
The crowd surged with excitement almost immediately.
“Here she comes! Oh wow! After two years, she’s still as gorgeous!”
“She lives up to being called the most beautiful cellist by the media; she looks even better in person!”
“Hey, the cute guy who’s playing the accompaniment?”
Following Gan Yan Yu, Lin Tian adjusted his necktie and stepped onto the stage.
“Is he OK? Why does he look so pale?”
Many front-row viewers had noticed something off about the pianist under the lights, prompting worried murmurs among them:
“You don’t think he’s swaying too much, do you?”
“Can he even play like this?”
“I feel like he might collapse right here.”
“…”
As the crowd speculated, Gan Yan Yu sat down in the center of the stage and rested her head lightly on her cello.
Lin Tian sat down at the piano.
After tuning the instruments…
They locked eyes.
They took a deep breath—
The performance—
Had begun.
“~”
The first piece was ‘Ode to Love.’
Composed by Lin Tian for Gan Yan Yu, its melody was beautiful and slow yet deeply emotional.
This piece presented little technical difficulty in ensemble—what really mattered was conveying emotion.
The audience sat quietly, immersed and attentive.
Many who had enjoyed this tune on Douyin were hearing the live cello and piano arrangement for the first time; it truly added to its charm.
“.”
The first piece ended.
Worried, Gan Yan Yu turned to look at Lin Tian.
The youth was nearly closing his eyes.
His expression looked distant.
But still, he gave a confident grin.
“.”
The second piece, ‘Can-Can,’ began to play.
The lively tune danced through the grand hall.
This piece required precise emotive output—the performer had to dive fully into it.
Especially on a live stage like this.
“Feels… just okay.”
“It’s not as impressive as expected; when I see this piano guy, I feel sleepier than him.”
“Well, at least it didn’t ruin the original.”
The audience murmured among themselves.
The performers seemed lacking life.
Down below, the crowd was even less enthusiastic.
“.”
Once ‘Can-Can’ finished, Lin Tian was worn out.
He stared at his hands, then at the piano.
The keys before him started blurring.
His head felt heavier and heavier.
This feeling had occurred before, but on this stage, it seemed to reach a breaking point.
Yes—
This was what he aimed for!
“.”
“Are you seeing him, he can’t last much longer?”
Audience members began to comment.
“He’s wobbling! Does he look like he’ll fall straight onto the piano?”
“Earlier pieces, he seemed ready to drop off, yet his fingers kept moving.”
“Can he finish the last one?”
“.”
Meanwhile backstage, Gao Zhen Yang observed this spectacle, his brow furrowed.
What was going on with these two today?
Despite finishing the first two compositions intact, his standards fell short.
Not even as good as their performance at the conservatory last time!
Emotionally out of sync!
Now, one looked half-asleep, and the other appeared utterly detached, mind wandering.
What in the world were they doing?!
“.”
Thump-thump
Thump-thump
This was Gan Yan Yu’s heartbeat.
She gazed at Lin Tian, only meters away but feeling like half the stage between them.
A serious yet crazily driven fool,
So many words burned inside her.
Yet musicians cannot speak on stage.
Every thought condensed into this:
Symphony No. 10 in G minor, ‘Pathétique.’
The final piece!
Let’s begin!!
Gan Yan Yu drew the bow across her strings.
The exhilarating and tense melody poured down!
“.”
Before, there were glowing lights causing squinting;
Behind, myriad gazes burning hot;
In her thoughts, only Lin Tian’s figure remained.
Worrying about his condition,
Anxiously concerned about his health.
She wished to ask—
Why must this be taken this far?!
She would accept her own fate alone.
But not him pulling her into this abyss.
Could this be part of your plan?
Lin Tian,
The violin growing faster and faster,
Lin Tian’s fingers hitting the keys at their peak!
Eyes barely open,
Sight blurred entirely,
Heart pounding like it could burst free.
Yet, a faint smile curled his lips.
Yes.
No way to help Gan Yan Yu, battling severe asthma and depression, conquer the stage.
At least,
He hoped to share suffering with Gan Yan Yu, their hearts linked.
Though not like a madman of classical music—
Directly speaking to lonely Mozart through melodies.
He had his method.
After two days of feverish, sleepless practice.
Lin Tian stood on the edge of total collapse.
Closing eyes felt like an eternity of effort,
Looking at the audience, the heart raced uncontrollably;
Chest heavy, breathing erratic.
Awesome!!!
In this instant—
Extreme exhaustion physically, ecstatic spirits mentally, clashed violently like an explosion!
Lin Tian’s piano performance also reached its climax!
“Holy cow?! What’s going on?!”
“Feeling the style changed?”
“No, how come he went from looking lifeless, and suddenly seems high?”
“Could it be he’s having a last hurrah?”
“Man, I’m getting goosebumps!”
The audience was instantly swept up in the emotion.
From soporific to breathtaking in just one variation,
Like a tranquil midnight interrupted by a lightning strike.
“~!”
Violent celli-piano collaboration.
This symphony reflected the experiences of this young couple over the past weeks.
Faster, faster.
Audiences stared wide-eyed in disbelief,
Each heart clutched by unseen grips, sinking into this exhilarating tension.
Inside the hall, only two entities felt alive:
The cellist and the pianist.
Everyone could set aside everything, connecting directly through souls via this music.
“Teacher, what kind of monsters did you send us?”
Gao Zhen Yang held his chest, eyes wide, fixated on the two.
It felt like choking,
A breath pent up, nearly bursting his heart upon release.
This performance transcended mere act.
It was art!
Including the stage, these spectators,
And himself now witnessing backstage,
Were pieces of their artwork!
Was he now drawn into their vortex?!
“.”
With the music intensifying,
Lin Tian’s vision blurred, but he forced his eyes open.
Knowing once he closed them, he would surely crash and slip into unconsciousness.
Not yet.
He must complete this concert.
In his mind, Lin Tian repeated,
Or all would be in vain.
Just need to get past this finale crescendo.
Consciousness fading,
Hands on piano slowing down;
Maxing out physical limits.
Eyes drooping,
Blink—
[Battery Recovery Capsule, automatic use—]
Lin Tian bolted awake.
Fingers dancing on the keys.
Piano surged with unprecedented force!
“Amazing!!!”
Gao Zhen Yang shook his fist, a deafening scream.
Cellist response quickly followed!
-Gan Yan Yu, stunned momentarily, released her final energy through the bow.
Now,
Terrified silence,
Every audience member silenced, eyes glued to the performance.
Faster, faster.
Deafening sounds drowned out, yet faint beats synced with the tune—
Crest of tension.
Apex of exuberance.
All emotions masterfully controlled.
Seemingly, each hand held an instrument, violin or piano, moving subconsciously to the beat!
Joining this uplifting classical music!
True music!
“.”
’40th Symphony,’ concluded on an ordinary yet extraordinary stage.
“.”
Entire hall dead quiet.
Young woman heaved breaths, sweat staining cheeks.
Lin Tian sitting motionless, silent around them.
Five seconds later—
Clapping thundered!
Crowds rose to feet, applauding fervently.
“Bravo!!!”
Voices screamed, some even weeping.
Thus,
Art was born.
Media personnel rushed to the exit, eager to write news stories.
News!
Big news!
Scrambling to be first.
Calm turned chaotic.
“.”
Ignoring the pandemonium, voices faded.
Onstage, a silent world.
Gan Yan Yu stood, turned to Lin Tian.
Youth stifled a yawn, then jumped from his seat.
Smiles exchanged.
Lin Tian approached Gan Yan Yu.
“Still holding?” she asked.
“Yeah, should be good until home,” he yawned again.
“What makes you look more energetic?”
Gan Yan Yu tilted her head, “When you lagged near the end, I panicked, thinking you’d fall.”
Actually, he did.
But, Energy Amethyst, remember?
“Not bad. Human endurance varies. I’m a sports major.”
Lin Tian considered adding this to his resume someday.
“You’re feeling alright?”
“Yeah, but sometimes this illness hits unexpectedly. You never know.”
“So, remember to take medicine.”
“Okay.”
“.”
“.”
Two people stood facing each other, suddenly mute.
Bizarre sensation.
Just moments ago, they’d expressed such intense feelings through music.
Now, standing face-to-face, nothing to say.
Time felt ripe to leave.
“Lin Tian, you’re really okay?”
After a pause, Gan Yan Yu whispered.
“What?”
Why ask again?
“You’ve been up for two days, performing too, no rest?”
She hurried an explanation, worried for Lin Tian’s state.
She realized Lin Tian had pushed himself this hard for her.
After the performance, regret overwhelmed her.
But instead, Lin Tian seemed full of vigor?
“You aren’t…?”
Wide-eyed, Gan Yan Yu said sharply.
“Quite fine!”
Lin Tian, dripping sweat, found those remarks humorous.
“Actually, if you can’t walk properly”
Gan Yan Yu spun, her elegant black gown fluttering.
“I can support you.”
Head turned, cheeks flushed,
Hand beckoning shyly toward Lin Tian.
Stunned, Lin Tian reached out.
“Alright.”
As Lin Tian moved, Gan Yan Yu wrapped her arm around him, assisting him up and looked into his eyes,
Smiling sweetly,
“Come on.”
“.”
Moving forward.
At that moment, Lin Tian watched her profile, lost in thought.
Was he…
Actually quite fond of her?
(End of Chapter 88)
