Chapter 95: Gan Yan Yu’s Opponent (4K)
This piece composed by the Spanish maestro Maquina at the end of the 19th century is famous for its name alone.
Its inspiration? The ancient bl**d-and-gore spectacle of bullfighting in Spain.
Every time the tune plays, you can almost picture the valiant bullfighter boldly challenging a raving bull in the arena. Such excitement!
As a hallmark of Spanish culture, this sport has even inspired a world-renowned dance known as the Mad Bull Dance.
In this performance, men play the bullfighters while women don the eye-catching red capes that lure in the bulls.
Lin Tian, having never seen this dance nor being particularly savvy about Spanish classical arts, mused that if the female dancers were capes and the men were the mad bulls charging with gusto while fervent music played, the imagery must be utterly electrifying.
The heart-pounding vibes come from many pieces of music. Some, however, truly require an understanding of their backgrounds and stories to appreciate their charm.
Take Lin Tian’s beloved “The Voices of Berlin” — “Erika.”
Though its melody might not seem especially invigorating, every time Lin Tian hears it, his right hand twitches in a reflexive urge to raise it at a sharp angle.
And context is king; perspectives shift depending on the listener. For instance, Poles might call it the “Poland’s Misery Tune,” while to Jewish ears, the lack of context could water down the experience.
Considering it all, Lin Tian decided on “Espaa Cani.”
He first heard this version while watching “Tom and Jerry,” and it sent him on a musical high.
Especially the moment when Jerry absolutely demolished the insomniac champion, Tom — oh, the adrenaline!
Following his usual routine, Lin Tian jotted down the sheet music and adapted it into a cello and piano duet according to his understanding.
This modification was all about showing off the charm of the instruments and interpreting the piece from various angles.
In the original, the trumpet takes center stage, giving it that “triumphant,” “excitable,” “energetic” feel.
In contrast, the cello version of “Espaa Cani” turned the lower bass into something heavier; emotions deepened — it felt downright epic.
It was like a fateful duel.
Gone were the simple bravado and skill of bullfighters against raging bulls.
What emerged was a cool, calculated game; a face-off devoid of emotion, yet still heart-thumping and exhilarating!
After writing it out, Lin Tian sat at the piano for a test run.
“.”
Not too shabby?
Lin Tian pondered for a moment.
Yet, just with the cello and piano alone, it still felt a bit lacking.
Perhaps some electronic synthesized percussion could be thrown in?
He’d consider it tomorrow when he heads out with Gan Yan Yu.
Qingzhou 17th Care Hospital.
Located on the outskirts of Qingzhou, this hospital was desolate and lonely. Its entrance sported a tiny flower garden, where a few elderly figures donned hospital gowns, shuffling slowly by.
Even on a Saturday, it looked eerily devoid of life.
In stark contrast to the bustling outside world, this place felt like an isolated fragment lost to time.
Dry, yellow leaves fluttered down with a gentle breeze, landing softly in the palm of a girl.
Gan Yan Yu observed the dried leaf in her hand, then raised her gaze.
She inhaled deeply, taking in the dilapidated building before her.
“Let’s go in.”
“.”
Pushing open the ward door.
At the center of the room, a frail figure lay quietly on the hospital bed.
Lin Tian stepped forward.
That familiar face was none other than Grandpa Gan, whom he hadn’t seen in over a month.
He was already aware of the situation, but seeing it for himself still struck a chord in Lin Tian’s heart.
He placed a bunch of carnations on the bedside.
“Grandpa, I’m here to see you.”
Beside him, Gan Yan Yu had already bent down, clutching the old man’s hand.
Her expression was not one of sorrow, but rather adorned with a gentle smile.
“Surprise! I brought another guest — Lin Tian and I have become partners!”
“He mentioned you took good care of him before ~ you really can’t help yourself, can you? Seeing someone like Lin Tian living alone, of course, you couldn’t resist reaching out to help him~”
“But, thanks to your meddling, I’ve been getting just as much care from Lin Tian, you know!”
“Just last week, I performed again at the Qingzhou Concert Hall, and next up is the Parrot Zither Cup!”
“.”
Lin Tian couldn’t continue to listen.
Instead, he slipped out into the corridor and made his way to the window.
For a long time, he had lived alone, and yet Grandpa Gan was one of the very few people who made him feel the warmth of family.
Lin Tian had once vowed to himself that after making a name for himself, he’d treat Grandpa as if he were his own grandfather, giving him the care he deserved.
Life is unpredictable, though.
Maybe at first, Lin Tian had been too busy worrying about the suicidal Gan Yan Yu to allow himself to mourn.
But when sorrow finally caught up to him, he found it hard to hold it all together.
He wished he lived in a fairytale world.
Then perhaps he could compose a piece of music to wake Grandpa Gan up — just like stories always said.
“.”
When the door to the ward opened again.
Gan Yan Yu stepped out, her eyes slightly reddened.
Clearly, she had shed some tears.
The girl offered Lin Tian a soft smile.
After visiting Grandpa Gan, they strolled along the roadside, both weighed down by a heaviness in their hearts.
In a way, everything Gan Yan Yu had been doing was to fulfill the wishes that Grandpa couldn’t complete.
After a moment, Lin Tian spoke up first:
“Let’s go.”
“Hmm?” Gan Yan Yu looked a bit startled.
“Grandpa at least left us with some wealth.”
Lin Tian smiled.
“It’s time we unlock that wealth.”
To revamp Grandpa Gan’s café.
Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu set out to buy supplies in the city.
Custom chairs, tables, workbenches—
Essential items, of course.
Then they needed to snag a comfy, stylish sofa, because, after all, Gan Yan Yu loved to lounge.
And don’t forget some shooting props that might come in handy:
Stuffed toys, dolls, costumes, a white plush carpet, and all sorts of potted plants.
They planned to buy everything first and sort out how to arrange it later.
As Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu roamed about, they ended up purchasing a mountain of eye-catching yet potentially useless stuff.
Like… a finely crafted white skull.
When Gan Yan Yu picked up the skull in the shop and showed it to Lin Tian, his head spun around just in time to almost trip over his own feet!
“Why are you buying that?!” Lin Tian asked.
“Who knows? Maybe you’ll need to compose some ‘Hell’-themed pieces in the future?”
“We could always add a crucifix, maybe some black notebooks; they’d make great shooting props, adding some real atmosphere to the videos!”
Gan Yan Yu was a bit excited about this.
To think that she, who usually avoided the internet, had an interest in these Western cultural notions!
Truly a trendsetting returnee artist, huh?
Lin Tian shrugged and said, “Good.”
So he took out his phone and earnestly suggested,
“How about we throw in a peach wood sword, some black dog bl**d, a bagua clock, and a figurine of a cow, too? I’ve dabbled a bit in these things before.”
“Actually, I have a slight understanding of spirit communication.”
Gan Yan Yu’s face turned a ghostly white instantly.
She quickly grabbed Lin Tian’s sleeve.
“Let’s not, okay?”
“Hmm?”
It’s okay to have hell vibes, but Fengdu? That’s pushing it, isn’t it?
What’s wrong with toasting to Western culture? My Ten Yama King is just as cool as their Grim Reaper, right?
“I genuinely find that terrifying.”
Gan Yan Yu bit her lip, whispering her fears.
“.”
Lin Tian chuckled.
He was just messing around with Gan Yan Yu.
In real life, if you bump into someone in a black robe wielding a scythe, most people wouldn’t bat an eye and might even think it’s kind of cool.
But if you encounter two individuals — one in white, one in black, both shackled with handcuffs, one grinning ear to ear, tall and pale, tongue flicking out, while the other has a fierce face, broad build, and a dark complexion…
Nah, that’s just too much to handle.
That’s the essence of Chinese horror.
While overseas, Halloween has been transformed into a festive event.
No one dares to stir anything up on the fifteenth of July, though.
But Lin Tian was just playing around with Gan Yan Yu.
Halloween was just two months away; he could actually buy some whimsical Halloween-themed props.
Who knows, he might even get Gan Yan Yu into some cosplay!
“.”
So, they spent an entire afternoon gathering all sorts of things that might come in handy, hiring delivery for everything.
It felt like they spent a fortune, but when it added up, it was just over eight thousand, and that was before accounting for the bulk of the furniture.
Most of the big-ticket items? Lin Tian had already ordered online.
Including new speakers, lighting, and filming equipment.
All of that totaled over one hundred thousand.
Yet Lin Tian kept the real price under wraps from Gan Yan Yu; explaining where his extra ten grand came from was going to be tricky.
After all the deliveries were finally complete.
Back at the apartment building.
Gan Yan Yu pulled out her keys and unlocked the long-closed café doors.
Inside, it still bore the familiar, yet eerily abandoned look.
Though only a month had passed since their last visit, it felt as though it had fallen into an abyss of time.
The chilling air showed no signs of the vibrant life that used to fill it.
As she flipped the circuit breaker, bright lights flooded the café.
Lin Tian approached the counter and lightly brushed his fingers against it.
A cloud of dust greeted his touch.
“Gotta clean up first.”
Gan Yan Yu placed her hands on her hips, surveying the clutter around her, saying earnestly.
“True that.”
“Tools are lacking; I’ll run home for a bit to grab more. Lin Tian, could you shift those tables around?”
“Sure thing.”
After Gan Yan Yu left,
Lin Tian rolled up his sleeves, diving into a whirlwind of activity at the café.
His main task was moving the scattered tables inward, clearing a space in front of the counter.
In that open area, he could set up a makeshift studio to sh**t videos.
Far more convenient than his cramped living room.
Soon enough, the delivery Lin Tian had ordered arrived, unpacking and carefully setting up each item.
They even brought his piano along!
Once everything was in place, the delivery guys exchanged nods with Lin Tian and then took their leave.
As the delivery team exited, Lin Tian resumed adjusting the tables.
But then—
A sound of “clunk, clunk” approached.
“Is anyone there?”
A clear, bell-like voice called out.
Lin Tian looked up.
At the entrance stood a girl with golden hair.
With a petite face and a high nose, she bore the rare feature of a finely crafted visage.
Dressed in a luxurious lolita dress and sporting a little hat.
A foreigner?
Lin Tian mused.
Pretty cute.
She’d fit right in at a foot spa place.
“Sorry, the café isn’t open.”
Lin Tian replied, returning to his work.
“I’m not here for coffee; I’m looking for someone.”
“You’ve got the wrong address; this place has been shut for a month.”
“The address I found is right here.”
“You’ve definitely made a mistake.”
“Not at all.”
“?”
Lin Tian felt a twinge of regret.
Maybe he should’ve hung a sign saying “No Foreigners or Dogs Allowed” on the door sooner.
He lifted his head with mild annoyance to encounter the girl, arms crossed, brows furrowed.
“I’m looking for Gan Yan Yu; she used to work here. Do you know her?”
“Ah?”
Finally setting aside his task, Lin Tian sized up the girl in front of him.
“Who are you?”
“Looks like you really do know Gan Yan Yu.”
The golden-haired girl smirked slightly, as if confirming some mental note, and confidently strutted into the café.
Only then did Lin Tian notice she had a cello slung over her back.
A friend of Gan Yan Yu?
Once inside, the girl wasted no time, plopping down at a table.
Surveying the café with a disdainful gaze, she remarked:
“So this is the place where Gan Yan Yu used to work, huh? Smells like broke here.”
“Well, kindly get off my ‘broke’ table then.”
Lin Tian’s expression darkened, holding down the tabletop with one hand.
Turns out, he had indeed overthought it.
If she weren’t a girl and possibly a foreigner, endowed with a double dose of charm and superiority, he would’ve booted her out already.
“Wait a sec.”
At that moment.
The golden-haired girl finally lowered her haughty gaze to meet Lin Tian’s eyes.
Upon recognizing him more closely, she gasped.
“You’re Lin Tian?”
“Ah?”
“Definitely you!”
Her sharp azure eyes sharpened quickly, ramping up their intensity.
“Who are you?”
“How dare you unfriend me on WeChat; how rude!”
Her tone shifted to a colder one.
“Oh, it’s you.”
Lin Tian suddenly understood.
No wonder he’d thought she was a little touched in the head from the moment she walked in.
But if she were the same ditzy girl who added him yesterday, that suddenly made sense!
“Let me be direct, then.”
The girl settled herself on the table, crossing her legs, and positioned a high-heeled shoe just inches from Lin Tian’s face.
“My name is Christine Nanaly, the only daughter of the prestigious Nanaly cello family from England.”
“I’m here today to challenge that annoying Gan Yan Yu.”
(End of Chapter)
