214. Chapter 213 – A Relationally Awful Two-Person Dynamic Without Feedback
“.Alright.”
He watched as Gan Yan Yu walked away.
Lin Tian pretended to be calm and redirected his gaze back onto his phone.
But internally, he was already in turmoil.
It was like singing that lyric:
—Are you really serious about taking a step back?
Such a small action caused so much hurt.
Su Ran had told him to do something intense with Gan Yan Yu.
But these past few days, Teacher Gan had been like this,
How on earth was he supposed to do anything?!
The moment he seemed to hint at wanting to take things further, she’d find an excuse to leave.
In fact, she was even more distant than when they were just partners and scared of crossing lines.
Because Lin Tian couldn’t get close enough.
“.”
As Gan Yan Yu came back from the toilet.
She saw Lin Tian sitting on the sofa, giving her a melancholy look.
Gan Yan Yu widened her eyes slightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“You come here.”
Lin Tian motioned with his hand.
Seemingly sensing some bad vibes,
She walked up nervously.
When she was almost at the sofa,
Lin Tian immediately stood up, grabbed her shoulders,
And turned her around, pushing her down onto the couch, causing a little wiggle with her skirt and cushions.
He pulled over a chair, put it backwards and sat opposite her, putting his hands on the backrest.
“There are only a few days left for the competition. Practicing daily isn’t helping, let’s just relax today.”
“I’ll go to bed then?”
“Not that kind of relaxing!”
Complaining, Lin Tian seriously stated,
“Let’s chat.”
“But we’re always chatting.”
“Can we talk about something unrelated to music?”
“Oh.”
Thoughtfully, Gan Yan Yu showed a pure expression,
“Okay.”
“Mhmm.”
Lin Tian nodded.
Though he spent every day with Gan Yan Yu,
Sometimes he felt that the distance between them was still wide.
Endless piano, cello.
Whenever together, they would only talk about music.
It was unclear when they developed such a relationship.
At first, it wasn’t like this; they could still talk about washing feet at least.
Getting used to each other’s presence,
They often overlooked each other’s feelings.
This “closest stranger” dynamic, Lin Tian didn’t want for his partner.
While clueless about Gan Yan Yu’s recent weirdness, Lin Tian guessed,
He must have done something outlandish, making it awkward for her to express her frustration, thus turning into this dynamic.
Essentially, there was a lack of communication between them.
So,
Rather than challenging or seeking clarification today,
He decided on just talking to Gan Yan Yu before confessing.
Talk about stuff other than music.
“So, how much do you weigh now?”
“I weighed 88 last week. I’m pretty steady at that weight now.”
“Asthma? Still happening?”
“Well, yeah, but less than before. Last week, I went to see my grandpa, and had an episode afterward.”
“You haven’t stopped taking your meds, right?”
“Of course, I’ve been taking them regularly.”
Suddenly, as she spoke,
Gan Yan Yu covered her mouth and couldn’t hold it in—
“Pfft.”
She laughed.
“Lin Tian, what are you doing today? Talking like it’s our last moments together,”
“Like a will, huh.”
Lin Tian finished speaking,
The next second, she put her finger to his lips, stopping him mid-sentence,
With a serious look in her eyes.
“Don’t say that.”
Gan Yan Yu said firmly, no humor present.
“.”
Lin Tian looked stunned at Gan Yan Yu and nodded.
Perhaps only someone who had lost someone dear would be particularly sensitive to these things.
After seeing him nod, Gan Yan Yu withdrew her hand.
Smiling, she said,
“Don’t worry, I’m doing well. For the Parrot Zither Cup, I’ll play well for you. No need for psychological counseling.”
“But if it’s truly about the Dragon Zither Cup, who knows. After all, I’ve never participated in a national competition. It’s possible I could have another episode, and I’ll need Lin Tian’s help again.”
“Ugh, sometimes I ponder whether someone like me has the right to reach the Ke’er Cup.”
Gan Yan Yu rambled on.
Her face displayed a mix of longing and sadness.
“.”
Not this again?!
He shook his head.
How did it turn to competitions again?
Seeing this scene, Lin Tian both laughed and sighed in frustration.
But…this was also what was endearing about Teacher Gan.
Her seriousness, her purity.
Wasn’t she just as confused by this?
“.”
As Gan Yan Yu kept rambling,
Lin Tian finally couldn’t take it anymore, standing up and hugging her.
“?!”
Immediately,
Her pupils dilated, and her lips paused mid-sentence.
Her tiny body was tightly enclosed in Lin Tian’s arms.
A fragrant aura wafted towards him.
Lin Tian released his grip, holding her arms, and said each word distinctly,
“I’ll take you to the World Championships.”
“As for whether you’re qualified—I won’t let you say that.”
Gazing straight into Gan Yan Yu’s eyes,
His words were sincere.
The World Championship was no longer just Gan Yan Yu’s dream—it was also his resolve.
“.”
Gan Yan Yu stared blankly at Lin Tian.
Immediately, her cheeks flushed red, and she turned her face abruptly.
Seconds later,
Her expression returned to calm like water.
She said quietly,
“Sure, I understand.”
“.”
Understood?
Lin Tian quickly let go, his eyes wide in disbelief.
Not this!
What can I say?!
Is that all you got?!
Lin Tian’s composure broke down.
He couldn’t resist the urge to hug her.
After building up the courage for a grand gesture,
You give that to me?!
A little clinging to me or even blushing and looking down would’ve sufficed.
Wait.
Lin Tian suddenly froze.
Suddenly, it reminded him of that live stream.
—When Gan teacher placed her hand beside her mouth after hugging Lin.
He used [Force Calm].
And then she gave him that same look.
Now he finally understood why Gan Yan Yu had been acting strange lately.
“.”
That day,
Gan teacher had come before Lin wearing a flight attendant uniform because Lin thought she looked unconvincing.
Thus, the young woman mustered the courage to take Lin’s hand in a surprise.
Gan Yan Yu held back her blush and excitement, raising her head—
Only to see an unresponsive Lin Tian.
Silence ensued.
That silence meant she never wanted any more intimate interactions with Lin.
Whether Gan Yan Yu was restraining herself because she thought Lin disliked it, or if she simply was angry at him,
Lin Tian didn’t know.
But one thing was certain,
Gan Yan Yu knew that touching Lin Tian would cause his heart to race.
She did it on purpose.
Everything after was an act.
It was “something she would never directly tell Lin Tian.”
If she admitted that, she’d expose her act.
Would everything she’d done before be real, and would she continue to act in the future?
These questions Gan Yan Yu absolutely didn’t want Lin Tian to uncover.
“So that’s what it is.”
Gan teacher, now it all makes sense!
It’s all this damned [Force Calm].
Lin Tian, now heartbroken, tasted the bitterness of cold violence.
Only then did he realize,
A two-person dynamic without feedback is terrifying!
Breathing deeply,
Gan teacher must have hoped to see more emotions on his face.
Failing dismally, she didn’t get upset but quietly changed back.
Seemingly through a “Gan-style” reflection,
She decided that she and Lin Tian should not pursue boundary-pushing actions anymore.
So did Gan teacher do it intentionally to provoke, or had she accepted reality and chosen a calm approach?
Lin Tian turned around and couldn’t help but speak,
“Gan teacher, earlier…”
“Thank you, Lin Tian. Chatting made me feel better.”
Gan Yan Yu faced away, covering her face,
As if unwilling to show him her expression,
She whispered,
“Let’s stop here today. I’m heading back.”
