Chapter 330: Baijing International Concert Hall
“Yao Han?”
Lin Tian’s eyes widened slightly at the name.
Since they last met in Tokyo, half a year had passed.
To his surprise, he was now being invited to meet Yao Han right after landing in Baijing.
This news spread faster than the wind.
Even before he stepped off the plane, Yao Han knew he’d be there.
“What’s your opinion?” Lin Tian asked He Zhi Chen.
“While I previously said ‘stay away,’ since we’ve just arrived in Baijing and Yao Han invited you, I think it might be about Baijing or something related to the ‘Dragon Zither Cup.’ We should go,” He Zhi Chen replied thoughtfully.
That made perfect sense to Lin Tian.
“Alright.”
“Uh-huh.”
“He just invited me,” Lin Tian clarified, surprised.
“Only you?” Gan Yan Yu asked with a hint of disappointment.
Just then, she leaned over and listened in on their conversation.
“No,” He Zhi Chen repeated awkwardly.
“Well.”
Gan Yan Yu’s face fell a bit.
“It’s fine. Gan Teacher, we’ll tell you everything when we’re back,” Lin Tian said.
“Can you pack some to-go?” Gan Yan Yu asked hopefully.
Lin Tian had anticipated this.
This girl could never keep a secret; her mind was always full of food!
The airplane wasn’t even on the ground yet, but Gan Yan Yu was already planning what to eat.
“There are so many delicious things! You can’t leave me behind, Lin Tian!”
“Are you serious?!!”
Lin Tian retorted,
“Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll take a detour in Baijing once I finish lunch with Yao Han.”
“Got it~”
The plane landed at Baijing’s third international airport.
As Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu stepped out from customs, they were greeted by a crowd of frenzied fans.
“Lover Man Moonlight! I love you!!”
“Welcome to Baijing!!”
“Good luck in the competition!!”
Many fans with light boards and banners shouted excitedly.
This caught Lin Tian off guard.
He Zhi Chen, standing beside him, almost chuckled.
“You two are probably the first classical musicians in history to receive such treatment.”
Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu walked through the entrance, and soon seven or eight black-suited bodyguards surrounded them, leading them with surprised gazes.
“Away from our base,” He Zhi Chen explained.
“Baijing base?”
It was the first time Lin Tian learned that Yue Yun had a Baijing base too.
“Although small, it’s more than enough for you two.”
He patted Lin Tian’s shoulder and led them out slowly through layers of bodyguards.
What in the world did “international superstar” mean?
They arrived at a three-bedroom high-rise apartment.
Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu were placed next door to each other—closer than ever and equally spacious.
A three-bedroom, one-living room loft-style setup, with a large living room on the ground floor and two bedrooms upstairs.
Why didn’t they have the same room? Considering all the luxury, Gan Yan Yu might have been too shy to refuse if they had been together from the start.
Like in Tokyo, a grand piano awaited Lin Tian—a fancy one.
“Actually, if you both need training, you can use the base studio downstairs. They’ve got special practice rooms,” He Zhi Chen explained.
“Can I go whenever I want?” Lin Tian asked.
“Anytime you like.”
“This room is our studio territory—you alone can use it.”
In most agencies, each artist had a personal studio and practice room—often adorned with their group name outside as “territory”.
Such demarcations were common in big agencies, where studios kept a distance and didn’t meddle together.
But Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu had just arrived in Baijing.
To find two studios ready for them so quickly—it smacked of favoritism for the “Moonlight and Cat Studio”!
“Fair enough. We’ll check it out another day.”
No apartment disturbances, then.
“Take it easy today. You two have a good rest. We’ll discuss tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
With everything settled, He Zhi Chen left, closing the door behind him.
“.”
Lin Tian stood in the middle of the spacious living room, surveying the place.
Not a bad living situation.
Though smaller spaces usually felt crammed, this layout offered a large, airy living room—one of Lin Tian’s favorites.
At the first-floor apartment, he brought his packages to his room and set up his computer, pillows, blankets, clothes, and other necessities.
Surveying his new home filled him with satisfaction.
He wondered about Gan Yan Yu’s arrangements.
Tentatively opening the door to the next room,
“Dong-dong-dong!”
Lin Tian knocked.
Silence.
He knocked again.
This time, fumbling sounds erupted inside.
Slowly, the door swung open.
His eyes widened.
Gan Yan Yu sported a ponytail, mouth covered by a mask, holding a broom in hand, scrutinizing him.
“What are you up to?”
“Deep cleaning!” Gan Yan Yu replied with a hint of embarrassment.
“Did you not clean this room?”
“Not enough…I’m sensitive to dust mites. Clean under the bed and under the couch,” Gan Yan Yu added, coughing.
“Got it.”
Lin Tian knew asthma patients needed a sterile environment, but he hadn’t expected such diligence—cleaning a brand-new apartment.
Maybe, it just meant Gan Yan Yu was very clean-minded?
Remembering her tidying up his entire place when she first visited, Lin Tian teased her about leaving “goodbye notes.”
“If I came back only to find you dead, it’d haunt me forever!”
Glancing around, he heard the hum of the washing machine.
“What are you washing?”
“Oh, bedding and pillows. Of course, they need a wash too.”
Turning, Gan Yan Yu peeked inside as if checking something before turning back again.
“Need something?”
“Not really. Just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
He paused,
“Need help?”
“Nope, you’re meeting with Maestro Yao Han tomorrow. Get plenty of rest!”
“Okay.”
Lin Tian didn’t insist. Besides, she seemed almost done.
Watching her with mask and slightly dusty face stirred a sweet feeling in his heart.
“By the way, what’s your apartment’s code?”
Startled, Lin Tian worried,
“What do you need it for?”
Though long-term cohabitation would eventually bring such requests, he hadn’t anticipated Gan Yan Yu would ask so early.
She couldn’t possibly want breakfast—she wouldn’t still be asleep when he left.
“I’m free while you’re out.”
Holding the broom, Gan Yan Yu leaned her head against the door with a sweet smile,
“Do you—need Maestro Lin’s housekeeping services?”
“Eagerly!”
Although Lin Tian had lower standards for cleanliness, her proactive attitude reminded him of a newlywed wife sweeping for future bliss.
“Deal. Give me the password.”
“Done.”
Next morning, Lin Tian woke up and recalled last night’s conversation while brushing his teeth.
He ordered breakfast, enough for two.
Given his uncertainty about Baijing’s cuisine, he opted for foolproof items like dumplings and porridge.
After finishing one, he left the other on the table for Gan Yan Yu.
When she came to clean later, she’d find it, and there was a microwave in the apartment for reheating.
Arriving at the high-end restaurant where he was to meet Yao Han, the route struck him as unnecessarily secretive.
“Great view!”
Yao Han waved Lin Tian over to a window overlooking the bustling city.
“There, that’s Baijing’s second ring, packed with activity.”
Turning, Lin Tian saw Yao Han gazing at the cityscape.
Yao Han’s face lit up, arms spread open.
“Maestro Lin!”
“Hello.”
Smiling, Lin Tian firmly shook his hand, avoiding a hug.
Embarrassed, Yao Han smoothly adjusted to a handshake.
“Welcome to Baijing—or rather, the heart of Tianchao’s music scene.”
“Why the secluded spot?”
Surprised by the route’s intensity, Lin Tian questioned.
“Stunning view!”
With a flourish, Yao Han directed Lin Tian to the window.
“See, here are Baijing’s busiest spots from up here.”
“Look over there—” Yao Han gestured, and Lin Tian’s gaze followed a colossal blue building with pillars, filled with design allure.
Above its grand facade, the name—
“Baijing International Concert Hall.”
“An impressive structure,” Lin Tian remarked.
Though similar in size to Jingtian Hall in Qingzhou, it had an intimidating presence.
Probably due to architecture and context—never mind.
The hall’s grandeur lay in those giant characters “Baijing”!
Nation’s most prestigious venue! How many global maestros performed here!
He had seen many clips featuring performances at Baijing Hall online.
Seeing it in person, he felt a surge of admiration.
Who wouldn’t dream of performing on such stages?
Time to capture these moments for Gan Teacher!
Lin Tian whipped out his phone and snapped photos.
Then, he sent them to Gan Yan Yu.
Seeing Lin Tian’s excitement, Yao Han grinned and added,
“And this is where the Dragon Zither Cup will be held!”
“You mean this place?”
Lin Tian was surprised.
“Yeah.”
Meaning he and Gan Yan Yu would perform here?
Finally understanding the excitement Gan Yan Yu showed for famous concert halls, Lin Tian realized:
“As incredible as it sounds, let’s eat first—Maestro.”
Yao Han gestured back to the table.
Taking another photo, Lin Tian sent it to Gan Yan Yu before sitting down.
“You certainly achieved something miraculous in classical music history!”
Flattered but humble, Lin Tian responded modestly.
True, he felt the hype was partly fan-driven.
Most fans lusted for Moonlight and Cat, treating them like pop stars rather than classical musicians.
Thus, spreading classical music was still challenging.
“You deserve it, Maestro Lin,” Yao Han replied thoughtfully as he sipped soup.
“Incoming question,” Yao Han continued.
“The pieces you prepare, are they different from last time?”
“As expected, Righ—”
“Yes,” Yao Han stated,
“Unlike the Parrot Zither Cup, the Dragon Zither holds a distinct perspective on classical music.”
“So we’re facing something new.”
Lin Tian nodded.
“To be honest, I haven’t experienced it. So, how challenging is it?”
(End of Chapter)
