### Chapter 334: TikTok Hot Topic, Mysterious Street Player!
What a coincidence! Right here on the streets of Bai Jing, a man is casually slinging a cello!
At this moment, the onlookers are gathered around, soaking in the fun with an atmosphere that’s more cheerful than a daytime soap opera.
Only Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu can see that this seemingly scruffy street performer, with his unkempt look, is demonstrating some hair-raising cello skills.
One of the most outrageous parts? This dude’s remix of “A Beautiful Violet Flower” is a total game changer.
This high-level re-arrangement isn’t something your average music enthusiast can whip up on a whim. It requires not just exceptional instrument skills but also profound musical knowledge.
Is he perhaps a professional cellist in disguise?
Lin Tian squints at the man, whose shabby get-up and clearly chaotic demeanor make it hard to believe he’s a seasoned pro.
He really doesn’t want to admit it!
If he really is a professional, Lin Tian would have to ask Gan Yan Yu if cello players have factions—maybe this one belongs to the legendary Tomb Sect, ensuring Lin Tian can keep his distance!
“…”
As the man continues his absurd performance, the bald boss can no longer tolerate the cacophony.
That he managed to endure the racket up till now speaks volumes about his patience.
He waved to another employee and marched right up to the man, ready to give this freeloading lunatic a lesson.
“Kid, I’m gonna ask you one more time—do you have any money or not?”
“If it’s gonna be like that, I’ll have to invite you to chat in the kitchen,” the boss snapped.
With his fierce demeanor and the gleam of his gold chain, he looked every bit the part.
“Hey, boss! I’m giving you a show here! How can you treat me like this?” the man said, casually putting away his bow with a carefree attitude.
He may say that, but there’s a sense he’s ready to burst into laughter at any moment.
“How much? Boss, I’ll cover him too,” Lin Tian intervened, standing up.
Turning to Lin Tian, the boss showed a flicker of confusion on his face but replied, “Four dishes total 68 bucks, your friend owes 39, so that comes to 107.”
Kidding me? This guy ate more than Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu combined!
Lin Tian chuckled and scanned the codes for the payments. He wasn’t short on cash; he just found this man amusing.
Since the guy claimed his performance was to clear his debt, Lin Tian figured the 68 bucks was just paying for the entertainment.
One must say, the blend of cello and the local Jinghu style was pretty captivating.
Lin Tian completed the payment.
The man turned, eyeing him with curiosity.
A few onlookers started voicing their thoughts:
“Seriously, dude!”
“This guy’s a freeloader! Why are you paying for him?”
“Just some weirdo!”
“I’ve seen him in another shop working the same scam!”
“…”
Hearing the crowd’s warnings, Lin Tian only smiled and ignored them.
Honestly, with talent like that, there’s no way this dude’s not making some cash somewhere.
Living this way must have its reasons, right?
Maybe he’s just the typical “artist,” a wandering soul without a home?
Since embarking on his own musical journey, Lin Tian couldn’t help but feel a little compelled to lend a helping hand when he came across someone like this.
Must be influenced by someone else’s kindness, huh?
He glanced over at Gan Yan Yu.
“…”
After payment, the bald boss flashed Lin Tian a polite smile.
“Alright, you’re off the hook.”
Then he turned to the man and grumbled, “You’re lucky! Otherwise, I’d have you scrubbing my pots for the next two days!”
“Don’t rush! You’ll be waiting for my performance to turn your shop into an internet sensation,” the man retorted with a grin.
“Internet sensation?”
“Looks like doing music’s messed up your brain too,” the bald boss shook his head and returned to the shop.
What the man meant was that while he played, many onlookers had their phones out recording.
But most were just curious, trying to capture a ludicrous spectacle.
“One broke musician attempts to trade a performance for a meal, but ends up making everyone cry from how awful it is!”
You gotta admit—this kind of video is bound to be hilarious!
The crowd laughed even louder at the man’s comment.
“Ah, talking to you tasteless folks is pointless~”
The man put his cello back in its case, slung it over his shoulder, and started to leave.
He hesitated for a split second as he passed Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu’s table but decided to stop.
Grinning at Lin Tian, he said, “Thanks, bro! You’ve got the taste here!”
Looks like he’s taking Lin Tian’s payment as his own win, huh?
Lin Tian felt a bit embarrassed—this guy was unshakeably confident from start to finish.
The man added, “This meal’s on the house thanks to you; if we meet again, I’ll owe you one!”
“…”
After that, he patted Lin Tian on the shoulder, flashing that mischievous grin again, then continued on his way.
“You better tell me your name if you’re gonna owe me!” Lin Tian called out, feeling some sort of premonition.
The man waved his hand in the air, “Bai Junze!”
With that, Bai Junze vanished at the alley’s end.
So, it’s true.
Hearing that name, Lin Tian wasn’t really surprised. He’d kinda guessed it.
The process of elimination was pretty straightforward.
At this time, seen on the streets of Bai Jing, he’s young, plays the cello, and has this level of skill.
Chances are high he’s a contestant for the Dragon Zither Cup.
Considering the man’s distinct appearance and exceptional talent, Lin Tian easily recalled the contestant Yao Han had mentioned before.
This guy clearly has some chops.
Thinking back on that tune the man played, Lin Tian felt a chill run down his spine.
What rattled him was Bai Junze’s Jinghu play alongside the performance style distinct to Bai Jing.
These types of performances require at least a local cellist’s expertise to pull off, right?
But Bai Junze’s a Hanjiang guy.
He had probably been competing in Hanjiang all this while.
How does an out-of-towner suddenly master the local playing techniques upon arriving at Bai Jing?
Doesn’t seem likely.
The only possibility is…
Arriving in Bai Jing, he self-taught the Jinghu, then blended in with the local vibe, crafting that performance entirely on his own.
What a frightening ability to learn!
With this realization, Lin Tian finally grasped…
On the Dragon Zither Cup stage,
Playing ability is just the ticket to enter.
These exceptional talents from across the nation have virtually mastered the cello with no flaws.
What follows is understanding music and using it effectively.
Both the previously mentioned “Maozi” and this Bai Junze appear to have their unique interpretations when it comes to “playing” music.
Unlike all the rivals Lin Tian had faced in Qingjiang.
This fight isn’t just about the performance.
It’s a contest of music itself!
With that thought, Lin Tian felt like he was gearing up for battle.
As the pressure mounted, excitement surged within him.
“Teacher Gan!” Lin Tian turned to Gan Yan Yu.
The young woman, still scraping every last grain of rice from her bowl, looked up in confusion at his call.
“After a whole day of fun, it’s time to practice the cello,” Lin Tian declared.
“Okay!” Gan Yan Yu quickly set her chopsticks down, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.
Later that night.
As Lin Tian flopped on the couch after returning from the practice room to the apartment, he opened TikTok, bracing himself to waste half an hour of his life scrolling.
As he swiped, he stumbled upon a trending “local heat” video.
It was fresh out and already boasting 380,000 likes.
The scene looked so familiar—it was the very place Lin Tian had dined with Gan Yan Yu earlier.
Has it really blown up??
Lin Tian was momentarily stunned as he watched the video.
In the clip, the man who claimed he was performing to pay off a debt pulled out his old cello from a dilapidated case.
Then he launched into a jaw-dropping melody!
That remix of “Violet” was out of this world, sending shivers down the spine—the kind of music that slaps you right through the screen!
He was painfully entranced at first.
But how could you not listen to it all day?
That bizarre tunnel of sound that was both grating yet irresistibly captivating drew everyone in.
Just when the man was halfway through, he pulled out another Jinghu.
Now the music morphed into what could only be described as “dark tunes!”
The moment the suona’s sound hit, the comments section went wild!
“LOL, is this guy a total nutcase?”
“Dude! If I were the boss, I’d be ready to fight him!”
“‘This is the most tragic way to d*e!’”
“I can feel the bystanders’ despair from behind the screen.”
“Thought he was a pro; turns out he’s a mental case!”
“…”
Caught up in the absurd music, the audience empathized with the boss, cracking up hard.
Initially taken in by the man’s eccentric look, wild hair, and carrying a cello while claiming to trade “a song for a meal,”
If you didn’t know better, you’d think you’d stumbled upon some great maestro—a cloistered genius.
He’s gotta be a TikTok celebrity, right? The kind that waltzes in to use his clout for video content!
After all, daring to pull off such a stunt means you’ve got some serious background.
Like using scratch cards for a meal, or trading a photo for food—people can’t help but feel they’re about to be part of the next viral sensation!
Who could’ve guessed he was just throwing a feast for himself out in the streets?!
“I’m literally about to pass out laughing—what kind of karma did this boss attract?”
“Honestly, the boss’s shop is indeed booming… just not in the way he expected.”
“That poor boss, LOL—next time I’m definitely stopping by to eat!”
“Never judge a scruffy-looking cellist; don’t assume he’s some kind of artist!”
Meanwhile, as the video continued to spark discussions, netizens hadn’t even had a chance to feel sorry for the boss.
In less than an hour,
The internet detectives sprang into action with fresh intel.
In the comments, someone unveiled the true identity of this “wandering player!”
“Whoa, everyone, stop the hate!
This looks like a legit cellist!
No kidding! He’s actually the top cellist from Hanjiang Province!”
What a revelation!
As news spread, the comments exploded with images of Bai Junze, clips from award ceremonies, and even information from his Wikipedia.
In a flash, they had uncovered everything.
And what do they find?
“Wait, he’s actually a professional cellist??”
“OMG, this guy hails from our Hanjiang?”
“LOL, Hanjiang’s gonna have a meltdown—so this is their top cellist?”
“I’m shook—did I really just watch him goof off?”
“…”
However, a substantial number of netizens were connecting the dots.
This can’t be right!
Assuming every Hanjiang cellist is a joke, how could a nutjob even be a contender?
The only explanation? He must’ve been messing around—there’s no way he showed his true potential!
“…”
Suddenly, opinions flipped.
Many “industry insiders,” claiming to have studied the cello for a decade, suddenly popped up in the comments.
They began to break down Bai Junze’s earlier performance in detail.
While it appeared horrendous to the average listener, the remixes were incredibly impressive!
Totally top-tier musician level!
And the Jinghu interaction level cranked the creativity even higher.
What seemed like nonsense was drenched in technique.
You might wonder why so few noticed before the turnaround.
Don’t ask, because those comments just got drowned out!
And even deeper into the comment section, “insider” critiques fell flat.
Because tons of “true experts” had an inkling that…
This cellist’s skill is not something just anyone can critique.
To analyze to such a degree is already quite the feat; digging deeper would entirely surpass their musical taste.
Many couldn’t help but exclaim—so this is what it means to qualify for the Dragon Zither Cup?
And as the netizens viewed all the dissection in the comments…
They became even more puzzled:
“Such an oddball! If he can play the cello, why the theatrics?”
“Was he just trying to annoy the boss?”
“Definitely seems like a nutcase!”
“What’s he getting out of this? He can’t pay his bill but is pulling these stunts; doesn’t he fear repercussions?”
Logically, if he’s a top musician, he should’ve raked in a decent amount from prizes, right?
With so many sponsors in music competitions nowadays, a good-looking guy like him could snag a couple of endorsements if he won.
How could he end up being broke and homeless?
Could it be he’s squandered it all?
Considering how out of sorts he seems, it’s possible he just got scammed to the bone the moment he stepped off the train in Bai Jing.
“…”
That contrast and confusion led even more people to take an interest in Bai Junze.
They began digging up his references, reviewing his past competitions.
Many noticed he usually dressed fairly decently on stage, albeit a bit wild-haired, but at least he was clean.
Even with that style, it couldn’t cover up the fact that this guy was actually somewhat of a looker.
“…”
Right as netizens exhausted their discussions about Bai Junze, a new twist emerged!
Or rather, it wasn’t really a twist.
A watchful netizen discovered a blind spot.
A pretty massive one at that, making everyone wonder how they missed it until now.
As they zoomed in on the background of the video, suddenly they noticed…
The couple at the adjacent table seemed increasingly familiar.
“Whoa, isn’t that Moonlight and Cat?!”
“It really is!!”
As soon as the netizen shared that revelation in the comments, the little video section erupted with a third mind-blowing phenomenon.
“Whoa?! Moonlight Bro and Cat just so happen to be eating here too?”
“Ahh! How did I not see that earlier?”
“All my attention was on this weirdo!”
“d*mn, Moonlight and Cat are witnessing this live performance debacle!”
“Wonder if they cracked a smile during the show…”
This made for one explosive episode.
Netizens had been eagerly awaiting updates on Moonlight and Cat and now were completely sidetracked by White Junze’s antics instead.
The result was neither Moonlight nor Cat’s TikToks nor their official Weibo; it turned out to be a TikTok video backdrop.
Apparently, in the comments, a bystander pointed out, “The couple at the next table paid for the guy!”
Of course, that “couple” was Moonlight and Cat!
“I can’t believe the bystander recognized them!”
“Totally on point, bro!”
“No doubt, Moonlight probably spotted Bai Junze’s talent and took care of the bill.”
“You folks in the outside arena wouldn’t understand, our Moon God and Cat are the charitable ones now; do you have any idea how much they donated for the ‘Symphony of Fate’? Our Moon God and Cat are like little angels! Even if that guy wasn’t a professional, if he just needed help, they’d still cover his bill!”
In just that one video,
There were three different bombshells, appearing right when the heat started to d*e down.
Over a single night, it racked up millions of likes.
The following day, it shot straight to the most trending topic on TikTok.
By this point,
Forget about the True Love Fans; virtually everyone on the internet was aware that Moonlight and Cat had indeed arrived in Bai Jing and were on their way to participate in the Dragon Zither Cup.
Some netizens even started cooking up drama over that eccentric cellist facing off against Moonlight and Cat directly.
For instance, winner takes all—dinner’s free; loser pays double!
They had to make good use of this opportunity and let the weirdo suffer a bit.
Folks joking around aside, they still respected the competition’s integrity.
They understood that this national tournament holds significant weight and even Moonlight and Cat might not clinch the top spot.
Numerous local fans in Bai Jing began speculating about their whereabouts based on their outing paths, preparing for a grand encounter.
“…”
But right now, Lin Tian had no time to pay attention to those happenings.
He had a new song to compose!
(End of Chapter)
