Chapter 399: The Recording Doll of Gan Yanyu
—
You wanted to chat about the future?
Aren’t you curious what I’ve been hiding from you these past days?
Alright, here’s everything.
Lin Tian regained his composure and said, one word at a time,
“There’s no other reason, it’s just ‘The Ode to Love.’”
“I think you should know that we can’t play ‘The Ode to Love’ unless both of us pour our deepest feelings into it.”
“At first, I thought it was just Teacher Gan having some emotional issues, so I was pretty bothered for a moment. But then I realized it was because our relationship has always been different from others—we’re rational dream chasers, emotions never first on the list.”
Lin Tian spoke quietly.
In front of him, Gan Yanyu’s pupils trembled as she stared at Lin Tian as if seeing something unfamiliar.
“”
Lin Tian knew well…
How devastating and brutal his words would be for Gan Yanyu.
Because this practically negated her confession to him.
Like what He Zhichen reminded him, if the roles were reversed, Lin Tian would have gone mad too.
So before, Lin Tian kept it all bottled up inside, unwilling to say anything.
But now, he didn’t care anymore.
Not because he was numb but because…
“It’s not your fault, Yanyu,” said Lin Tian,
“It’s mine.”
Gan Yanyu was pure.
However, Lin Tian never was.
He lifted his head with a smile:
“It’s just me not adjusting my mindset.”
Once in his love-obsessed period.
Once was enough.
Always, Lin Tian had placed himself in a more rational perspective, he believed it was his job to protect his relationship with Gan Yanyu.
But Lin Tian was still human—a 19-year-old teenager with plenty of passion.
Humans have feelings.
For Lin Tian,
“Love” was thrown around casually.
Seemingly just a normal break time in class, desks were cluttered with noise. Su Ran turned around and suddenly asked,
“Hey, do you like Gan Yanyu?”
So Lin Tian confessed quite straightforwardly—
“Yes, I like Gan Yanyu.”
Bold in admission, appearing nonchalant.
But his “like” had always carried significant weight.
Even Lin Tian couldn’t guarantee he’d stay rational in love.
So even in their established relationship,
Emotions would occasionally cloud Lin Tian, particularly regarding the future.
As the match approached, Lin Tian’s feelings intensified.
Reflecting on it,
Gan Yanyu had always remained pure, not to love but to music.
Lin Tian had no reason to change her, for her purity was initially what he admired.
What he truly feared,
Was reaching a “dreamful future,” yet losing their initial spark.
“Actually, rather than doubting my affection for you and fearing the future—”
“I’m acting purely out of selfishness.”
Lin Tian lowered his eyes, looking down at his trembling hands.
Yes,
Blaming everything on Gan Yanyu was clearly his problem.
An easy thinker during music performances.
It was himself.
Always, Lin Tian just acted in self-interest.
Lin Tian smiled bitterly,
“I fear one day it’ll hit me—”
“That I won’t like you as much.”
Eyes wide as saucers, Gan Yanyu exclaimed,
“No!!”
She jumped forward, pinning Lin Tian flat on the couch.
Scared out of his wits, Lin Tian just blinked, dumbfounded by Gan Yanyu’s unexpected action.
Just like every scene in a movie, except here, Lin Tian found himself beneath. However, when he saw Gan Yanyu’s face, his mood turned serious.
“”
Grip tightening on Lin Tian’s shoulder, Gan Yanyu’s mouth pursed, her expression full of internal struggle.
“I-I’m not what you imagine…”
Gan Yanyu sobbed softly,
“I don’t let you be what you shouldn’t be either!”
Her tears cascaded straight down, wetting Lin Tian’s cheek.
Dreams coming true and losing interest
Such a future, no way would Gan Yanyu ever accept.
“”
A stunned silence for a few seconds.
Then, Lin Tian chuckled, wiping away Gan Yanyu’s tear,
“Fool, I was just saying…”
“I can’t accept that!”
Gan Yanyu cried passionately,
“If I did anything to disappoint you, tell me—I’ll change!”
“Just don’t say such things—okay?”
Her gaze so intense, almost pleading.
On this topic alone, nothing could be swept under the rug.
Lin Tian forced a smile, looking at the girl with a hint of unfamiliarity.
“Relax first—let me get up, I haven’t finished my point.”
Lin Tian tried to sit up.
“No!”
With her petite body, Gan Yanyu pushed down harder.
Her thighs gripping Lin Tian even tighter.
“”
Lin Tian was starting to feel helpless.
His sentence wasn’t finished after all.
Yet, Gan Yanyu seemed fully immersed.
Remember the strength of a cello player?
And the girl in question had developed, perhaps due to Lin Tian.
Unable to force himself up without hurting anyone…
“You first…promise that sort of thing will never happen,”
The girl continued.
Close to bursting into tears any second.
“Okay fine—I promise—”
“To never allow a future where that happens!”
Lin Tian held up two fingers solemnly.
Seeing this, Gan Yanyu’s expression eased slightly.
Brushing away a stray hair obstructing her vision.
“”
Seeing Gan Yanyu, looking lost like a child,
Lin Tian tentatively sat up. This time, she didn’t stop him.
“Wipe your tears?”
Out came a tissue, handed to Gan Yanyu.
Without a word, she took it, turning her blushing face away.
“”
A mix of emotions tugged at Lin Tian’s heart.
Why, why must it feel like he should be the crying one?
Isn’t he the least secure one here? Now playing the comforting role felt odd.
Who will comfort him?
Both laughing and frustrated, Lin Tian said,
“Alright, tell me why you weren’t done earlier—why I’m not pure enough or whatever.”
Gan Yanyu turned again, settling into a composed posture, ready for a scolding.
But looking at Gan Yanyu, Lin Tian merely shook his head.
“Forget it.”
He didn’t need to explain.
“Purity,” isn’t the derogatory term he meant earlier.
Like he said,
Gan Yanyu had always been steadfast in her dreams.
Her dream, not just hers but also grandfather Gan’s, Tuoba Jianhui’s, and those old-school classical musicians’. It belongs to everyone.
Did she love Lin Tian?
Of course, she did and in her own unique way.
19 years old, a genius cellist, had her own way of showing affection.
Her feelings towards Lin Tian exceeded traditional love definitions.
Which included everything about music, dreams, and the future.
Thus, when he says she’s not “pure,” it’s not a bad thing but because her feelings have multiple layers.
These layers didn’t suit the music they aim to play together.
That’s why their “Ode to Love” lacks that one missing piece.
But that’s okay.
This is what makes their relationship unique!
Indeed,
Lin Tian values their shared dreams just as much as Gan Yanyu does.
It’s never been one-sided, but a united effort.
Always enjoying the journey.
Only recently,
Lin Tian might have been experiencing some hormonal imbalances.
Maybe he was just growing too much?
Leading to some ridiculous thoughts.
He decided maybe he’d measure his length another day, just to ensure.
Hormonal surges might come from overdevelopment,
“Forgive me, Teacher Gan.”
Lin Tian said,
“Like Teacher He said, maybe I’m just dealing with a case of teenage syndrome.”
It was due to his nonsensical thoughts almost ruining their hard-won healthy bond.
As long as,
The future where they cannot marry after the Cole Cup does not come to pass.
He’d have nothing to worry about!
“What does ‘love-struck’ mean?”
Gan Yanyu tilted her head, confused.
“Um,”
Lin Tian scratched his head to explain,
“Being blinded by love, so obsessed with doing everything with the loved one that they lose touch with reality.”
“Then I’m love-struck too,” Gan Yanyu immediately chimed in.
“Every girl can be love-struck, except for you,” Lin Tian corrected firmly.
“Why!?”
Her eyes widened, somewhat irritated, “I clearly want to do loving things with Lin Tian.”
“This isn’t the same,”
said Lin Tian, sweating bullets.
“Not exactly, is ‘love-struck’ an honorific?”
To Lin Tian, that term was purely negative.
Because he was love-struck while practicing “Ode to Love,” almost ruining everything they built.
“Let’s not fight over this!” Lin Tian said.
Gan Yanyu was the opposite of the “love-struck” type.
Look at how determined he’d always been!
Since debut, she never strayed from her goal—champion, champion, champion.
Only “pure.”
Nothing else would fit.
Model citizen!
Frankly speaking,
Only someone like a cellist of such caliber could interpret complex compositions.
“Hm,”
Silence lingered for a while before Gan Yanyu spoke softer,
“You don’t need to apologize, Lin Tian. I owe you a lot already; I’d be happy if you showed your real feelings…”
“Happy?” Lin Tian was puzzled.
“Nothing!”
Gan Yanyu waved her hand frantically to shift the topic.
Then, she looked at the cello in the corner.
“So, Lin Tian, since our current state can’t quite nail ‘The Ode to Love,’ and there’s no solution…”
“What should we do?”
No matter how many words they exchanged,
Everything revolved around that song.
Yet somehow,
They still didn’t find a resolution…
“There will be,”
Lin Tian said,
“There will be.”
Tomorrow’s competition…
When they stand on stage…
He believed,
Together, they would complete the last piece that was missing.
“.”
Watching Lin Tian’s earnest expression, the young lady nodded.
She still trusted him, as she always did.
“In short, Teacher Gan,”
At this moment, Lin Tian grabbed her hand and said,
“We will win this match!”
There wouldn’t be any distractions anymore.
Their relationship always was defined by this sense of dedication.
Born from a camaraderie of dreams, blossoming into something else.
Naturally, they understood what mattered most!
Past, present, and future, the same!
“Mmm,”
Gan Yanyu nodded with confidence.
Opening up completely,
“I will prepare more West Pearl Dew for you,” said Gan Yanyu as she got up.
“Great,”
Lin Tian responded with a nod.
After that,
He lay on the couch, utterly exhausted.
What a relief,
Like finally finishing an end-of-term project.
Indeed,
It’s better to clarify things with Gan Yanyu.
Their open-and-shut relationship always stood out.
For reasons unclear,
Both of them had become somewhat tangled.
Now, they’re in the clear—everything resolved.
Ready for tomorrow’s final round.
A must-win match!
Still,
Something felt off.
Probably when he was pushed on the couch days ago.
Certainly, men remember such moments for ages.
But there was no need to get upset.
Lines drawn together must remain unbroken, quite natural.
Actually, Lin Tian did quite well in holding the line.
Leaning back on the sofa, Lin Tian idly thought.
Just then, he felt something digging into the back of his neck.
His hand reached under the cushion, feeling around.
Finally,
He pulled out a hard object.
Before him,
A miniature doll of Lin Tian himself.
“Oh, Teacher Gan, why bring this?”
Lin Tian was pleasantly surprised, holding the doll and shouting out to Gan Yanyu in the kitchen.
But next instant—
“Why won’t you cross the line? Why won’t you cross the line?”
A voice echoed from the doll.
Silence filled the room.
(End of Chapter)
