"Classical music?"
Looking at the score in her hand, Gan Yanyu's delicate mouth trembled slightly, feeling the rhythm of the piece.
As she hummed softly, it reached a climax.
The girl's heartbeat quickened with a thud.
A pair of amber-colored beautiful eyes stared intently at the notes on the score.
As if she wished she could fully absorb every single note.
She was thrilled.
The girl suddenly turned her head.
"Lin Tian!"
"Ah?"
"Have you played this piece in its entirety?"
"No."
Then this means.
Am I the first one to play this piece?
Gan Yanyu's expression gradually became serious.
While Lin Tian was still dazed, Gan Yanyu suddenly extended her hand,
"Cello!!"
With a shout of "bring the instrument," Lin Tian hurriedly picked up the cello from nearby and handed it to Gan Yanyu.
The change in atmosphere astonished Lin Tian.
He had never seen Gan Yanyu act so imperiously before!
Gan Yanyu unzipped the case and solemnly took out the cello.
As if performing some solemn ceremony, Gan Yanyu slowly placed the cello between her legs and picked up the bow.
To avoid disturbing Gan Yanyu's performance, Lin Tian stood up and moved to the other side of the table.
He sat on the floor, with his hands on the table, chin resting on them, watching Gan Yanyu across from him, holding his breath.
"Can we open a window? It feels a bit stuffy," asked Gan Yanyu.
"Sure."
Lin Tian opened the balcony door.
And then he returned to the floor.
"You may begin, Mr. Gan," Lin Tian said respectfully.
Gan Yanyu took a deep breath and raised her bow.
The bow glided across the strings.
After testing several notes and confirming there were no issues.
Gan Yanyu adjusted her posture and started playing the cello.
...
In the eyes of many, the cello might not be a very popular instrument.
Because it's quite niche.
Few people play it, and even fewer listen to it.
Most people's impression of the cello is that it sounds muffled, exuding an aura of old-fashionedness.
Since it's so outdated, why not just bury it and listen to a suona instead?
The cello lacks the clarity and brightness of the violin, nor the loud and delicate sound of the piano.
It seems like an expendable character, barely noticeable either in films or real concert halls, only existing as an unremarkable accompanist in the orchestra.
Even in animated shows about bands, there are no protagonists who play the cello.
But, is that really the case...
Famous Chinese composer Tian Yimiao once said—
"If there were no cellos, how would our sorrow find a voice?"
The cello is just such an instrument.
Whether frosty and precise, warmly graceful, gently lingering, or deeply mysterious.
Whatever the style of the performance... in essence, the voice of the cello is "joined with life and death."
As a world-renowned piece, "Ode to Love" has had many versions throughout history.
Piano version, violin version, harp version — many top musicians, over more than a hundred years, have interpreted this piece in their own way.
However, to Lin Tian, none of those versions compare to the original instrument—the cello which conveys a deeper feeling.
Only the cello can offer such profound affection, only the cello can interpret tenderness to the utmost...
As Gan Yanyu drew her bow across the strings.
The beautiful sound of the cello flowed down through the melody.
What a tender piece is this?
Like a lover's gentle whispers, tinged with a hint of melancholy, yet filled with a sweet flavor.
Tender as water, deep affection to the extreme.
Even people who lack a musical bone, if they patiently appreciate it, would be emotionally moved.
How elegant! So elegant!
This is a solo performance exclusively belonging to Lin Tian.
He sat there, watching Gan Yanyu intensely playing.
The shabby little rented room seemed to transform into a splendid concert hall instantly.
The large bottle of chilled Yibao in his hand turned into a 1888 Rafi wine.
Enjoyment.
Nothing but enjoyment.
Gan Yanyu, drawing her cello bow, seemed like a completely different person.
Gone were her usual slowness and timidity; she was earnest and sublime, controlling the music at will with her hands.
Gradually, a confident curve formed at the corners of the girl's lips.
In that moment, Lin Tian would forget she was the introverted girl who wanted to jump out of the window, carrying her big cello case.
Forget she was the gifted drunk whose face turned red from drinking yet stood unyielding.
Forget she was that silly Gan Yanyu whose fingers were bitten and needed someone to blow on them...
Just in this moment.
She was the most beautiful poet in the world.
....
Gan Yanyu put down her bow and took a deep breath.
"How was it?"
The girl looked anxiously at Lin Tian.
After all, aside from her grandpa, this was her first time playing for someone face-to-face.
Lin Tian touched his chin, frowning.
This frown made Gan Yanyu even more panicked.
"Why haven't you won the Yingqin Cup yet?"
Lin Tian asked involuntarily.
"I..."
Gan Yanyu choked up but felt relieved inside,
"I'm not good enough, grandpa often says my performances are emotionless, like a robot..."
"But it depends on who you compare yourself to."
Sir Gan is the number one cellist, even a search of your name is dominated by him!
Despite being so distinguished, she still had such low self-esteem, it's hard to imagine the hellish suppressive education she must have received from Sir Gan as a child.
"I think your performance was already outstanding!"
Lin Tian stopped beating around the bush and gave his straightforward opinion.
Her first ever performance to interpret "Ode to Love" to this extent.
Gan Yanyu's cello skills had far exceeded his expectations!
If this is made into a video and it doesn't go viral, it would be an outrage!
"Good."
Hearing Lin Tian's praise, a rare joy appeared on Gan Yanyu's face.
For her, it was recognition from the composer himself.
"Lin Tian, the piece you wrote is so beautiful! I think it rivals those world-class classical music."
Gan Yanyu couldn't help but praise, "If grandpa were still here, he would definitely love this piece."
"Then let's record it, and play it for him the next time we visit the hospital!"
Lin Tian said with a smile, "Maybe, just maybe, Sir Gan will wake up after hearing this piece."
"Okay!!"
Gan Yanyu smiled radiantly.
The girl made a secret resolution in her heart.
We have a deal; we must go.
Lin Tian turned his gaze back to the music score.
Since the trial was successful, the next step was to record it and upload it online.
However, to ensure the quality of the recording, they would need professional recording equipment.
Plus, they would need a piano for times when Lin Tian would accompany.
These things all cost money.
Right now, to put it bluntly, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu were just high school students without any resources.
Renting isn't too expensive, but considering Lin Tian needed to post videos continuously, long-term renting was too loss-making.
Just then, Lin Tian suddenly thought of someone.
Maybe, could he ask him for help?
Lin Tian opened the drawer of the desk and took out a business card—
[SYC Music Agency]
[Director of Music Department: Zhong Weian]