Chapter 114: The “Sad” Music
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— Chapter 114: The “Sad” Music
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— Liking and being good at are two different things.
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— Lin Tian finally got it.
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— If Gan Yan Yu couldn’t overcome her fragile self, asthma and anxiety would follow her in every competition she had ahead of her.
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— This problem needed root-level solving.
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— It wasn’t possible for Lin Tian to always help Gan Yan Yu like he did at the concert using his… unique methods.
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— The best solution was for Gan Yan Yu to give a breathtaking performance at the Star Cup and completely defeat her inner self-doubt.
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— This time, without Lin Tian participating with her, it might be better for Gan Yan Yu’s growth.
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— Maybe this was her chance to break free from her mental cage!
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— “A new song?”
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— Confused, Gan Yan Yu stared at Lin Tian.
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— “Don’t play ‘Ode to Love.'”
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— Lin Tian said.
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— Since she needed confidence, there was no point in playing a duet that didn’t suit either of them.
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— Being fond of something isn’t enough.
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— Gan Yan Yu loved ‘Ode to Love,’ but ‘Ode to Love’ seemed to dislike her back.
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— Much like how Lin Tian had feelings he couldn’t express.
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— Love? Gan Yan Yu never had it.
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— How could there be resonance if there’s no foundation?
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— At least, currently, there wasn’t any.
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— He needed to create a song specifically for Gan Yan Yu.
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— A song that would suit her and help her regain her confidence while she plays it!
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— [Task Issued:]
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— [Objective: Compose a piece of music and film a video with your partner playing it together, aiming for 2 million likes on any platform, plus a whopping 500,000 ‘sadness’ value from the audience.]
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— [Deadline: 15 days]
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— [Reward: Master level make-up skills]
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— Five hundred thousand emotion points!
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— The number shocked Lin Tian when he saw it.
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— And for once, they had 15 full days to work with!
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— Quite a tough task.
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— Reward was make-up skills?
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— An oddly domestic skill.
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— If this skill included beauty, styling, fashion tips, it would indeed be helpful for his future endeavors, particularly his art exams.
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— Imagine using it when you become a star, in public appearances!
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— “Sad song,”
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— Lin murmured to himself.
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— The system had already picked a topic.
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— Indeed, heavier tunes would be more fitting for Gan Yan Yu.
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— In terms of impact, Lin wasn’t kidding.
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— In the cello world, there were few who could rival Gan Yan Yu.
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— Her ability to fully immerse herself in a piece was unmatched by others.
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— The immense emotional power combined with Gan Yan Yu’s innate knack for turning melancholy.
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— Just thinking about it made one feel…
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— The destructive force would be terrifying.
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— Actually, in the previous symphony No. 40, Gan Yan Yu had shown a tiny bit of her melancholic talent.
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— However, since the overall mood of that piece was quite enthusiastic, only a small peak was revealed before she retreated.
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— Now letting her play a purely “sad” composition…
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— It was almost like unsealing a curse.
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— “.”
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— Lin rubbed his chin, deep in contemplation, right in front of Gan Yan Yu.
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— “What are you doing?”
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— Seeing Lin suddenly quiet, Gan Yan Yu asked.
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— “Thinking of a tune.”
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— “Now?”
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— Gan Yan Yu’s eyes widened.
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— Lin just sat down, grabbed a notebook, and continued writing.
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— Which song though…
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— “.”
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— Suddenly,
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— The young man had a very bold idea.
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— He picked up his pen and began scribbling a score on the notebook.
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— His heart raced in tandem with his hand.
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— This song was intense.
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— So intense that although it’s well-known historically, in modern times, it’s hardly played at all.
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— One of the main reasons is that it’s hard to understand.
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— Not only does it perfectly suit the instrument, the cello, but it’s also a piece that might lead Gan Yan Yu to the pinnacle of her career—or send her spiraling into madness!
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— The Cello Concerto in E minor.
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— Elgar’s masterpiece.
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— As the first significant cello concerto in the 20th century, and the last major piece written by the renowned classical composer Elgar at the age of 62.
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— Its backdrop is World War I.
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— Compared to ‘Ode to Love,’ this piece makes the earlier song sound simple.
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— ‘Symphony No. 40’, even more so.
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— It needs no further description; it’s simply the voice of the cello itself!
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— An intense sorrow, mixed with gentleness.
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— Others might not pull it off.
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— But Gan Yan Yu can surely deliver it flawlessly.
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— “.”
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— Lin wrote down the score for the second movement—Adagio—of the Cello Concerto in E minor.
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— When he handed the score to Gan Yan Yu, she was astonished.
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— “Finished?”
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— “Yep.”
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— “Lin Tian, you’re always writing music so fast?”
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— “Gan Teacher is waiting, I wouldn’t dare be slow.”
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— Lin took a moment to tease Gan Yan Yu.
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— “.”
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— The young woman took the score with trembling hands, as though receiving an invaluable treasure.
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— But when Gan Yan Yu glanced at the score and started humming along—
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— Tremors seized her pupils.
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— The solo melody:
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— Loneliness, gentleness, sadness… a myriad of emotions intertwined with the sounds of gunfire, echoing in her ears…
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— Only when Lin removed the score did Gan Yan Yu snap out of her trance.
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— “I’ll try it now.”
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— “No,”
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— Lin interrupted Gan Yan Yu, “This piece requires patience. Go home and familiarize yourself with the score first, then learn its nuances over time.”
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— With the deadline being 15 days, Lin was in no hurry. He hoped Gan Yan Yu would get her mindset straight before recording.
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— He knew Gan Yan Yu too well, a single misstep might send her spiraling again.
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— No desire to repeat the grueling sessions he and Gan Yan Yu went through for Symphony No. 40, wearing them both out.
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— If she could master this piece, she could defeat her inner demons for sure!
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— “Okay.”
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— Saturday arrived.
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— Outside Fukai Restaurant,
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— Gan Yan Yu, her hair in a high ponytail, wearing her school uniform, waited for Lin Tian.
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— Seeing him in the tuxedo from their concert day, rushing through the crowd,
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— Gan Yan Yu’s eyes widened.
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— “Why wear such formal attire?!”
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— Without hesitation, she remarked upon seeing him.
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— “Ah?”
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— Lin stood there confused,
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— “Aren’t we meeting your parents? Given it’s your parents, I figured they still count as people.”
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— It was ironic how he’d combed his hair into a mature three-part split.
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— Yet, his effort fell flat in front of Teacher Gan!
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— “It feels weird, like a blind date”
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— “How do you describe me to your parents?”
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— “I say you’re my music partner.”
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— “Doesn’t it sound like you’re supposed to rock out like some sort of emo punk?”
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— “Enough talking”
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— Gan Yan Yu lowered her head,
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— “My parents are already here, inside. Let’s go in.”
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— (End of Chapter)
