My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 2: A Tribute to the Legendary Kobe Bryant

Life doesn't come with as many dramatic plot twists as novels would have you believe. For most people, life is a long stretch of monotony punctuated by occasional complexity. It's media and the internet that give us room to imagine something more exciting in our everyday lives.
Take Lin Tian, for example. When he saw someone perched casually on a railing, his first thought wasn't about suicide. He even cracked a joke and exchanged a light-hearted comment with the person. But once he returned indoors, the details of their encounter began replaying in his mind, gnawing at him. Something felt… off.
If it had been a prank, wouldn't she still be clutching her cello? Surely not handing it over like it was no big deal. No way. Was this girl serious?
Lin Tian shut his laptop screen with a soft click, took a deep breath, and sank into thought. When it came to matters of suicide, Lin Tian had always held an oddly pragmatic view. Life, after all, revolves around individuals. Everyone has their own path, and respecting others' choices is just another form of self-respect. Teenage girls who attempt suicide usually fall into one of two categories: either they're seeking attention or genuinely trying to escape unbearable pain.
For those desperate enough to stage a public spectacle—choosing crowded places to ensure someone will "save" them while secretly basking in the drama of it all—Lin Tian had little patience. To him, such people deserved nothing but indifference. Let the crowd gather around, munching popcorn and heckling until the whole ordeal became too embarrassing to continue. Honestly, people like that only lived to irritate everyone while alive, leaving behind a collective sigh of relief when they finally moved on.
But the girl Lin Tian had encountered earlier didn't fit that mold. After he jokingly suggested she move to a different spot to jump, she politely relocated elsewhere. Someone truly intent on ending their life wouldn't bother sparing others inconvenience.
Lin Tian sipped his coffee again, then paused mid-sip. The drink in his hand—a gift from Old Man Gan, brewed specially to celebrate Lin Tian's decent midterm grades—had lingered untouched in the fridge for days. While Lin Tian wasn't much of a coffee drinker, he couldn't bring himself to waste it; it represented Gan's goodwill.
And if the girl really was Gan's granddaughter—if Lin Tian let her go through with it—he'd carry the guilt forever.
With that realization, Lin Tian sprang to his feet, pushed open the door, and rushed upstairs. Sure enough, the rooftop entrance stood ajar, its lock broken and lying discarded on the ground.
"Oh no," Lin Tian muttered under his breath.
He burst onto the roof, greeted by the sight of the moon hanging high above and puddles shimmering under its glow. His eyes darted across the empty space, searching for any sign of movement. Had she already gone ahead and made her tribute to Los Angeles' legend Kobe Bryant? Just as despair began creeping in, a voice startled him from behind.
"What are you doing?"
Lin Tian spun around to find the girl standing there, head tilted slightly, staring at him with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Is something wrong?" she asked innocently.
Lin Tian hesitated, steadying his nerves before replying. "I came to check if you'd jumped."
"You here to collect my body?" Her tone was eerily casual.
Lin Tian blinked. Did she just say that? Was she mocking him? Or worse—testing him?
"Well…" he started, scrambling for words. "Let's just say I'm here because falling from this height isn't exactly painless."
"You've tried it?" she countered, clearly curious.
"No, but I knew someone who did. Helicopter accident. Best player we ever had." Lin Tian shrugged, hoping his bluff sounded convincing.
The girl bit her index finger thoughtfully. "But weren't we just messing around earlier?"
She meant their conversation back on the sixth floor. Now it was Lin Tian's turn to feel confused.
"Then, why are you here?" he pressed.
"I'm looking for my lost cat."
As if on cue, a soft nudge brushed against Lin Tian's leg. Looking down, he spotted a white kitten rubbing itself affectionately against his ankle. Well, damn. She really was looking for her cat.
The girl crouched down, extending a hand. The kitten darted toward her, leaping into her arms and curling up contentedly. Watching her stroke its fur, Lin Tian exhaled in relief. At least she wasn't planning anything drastic—at least, not tonight.
He glanced up at the starlit sky, appreciating the serene beauty of the moment. The night air was crisp, the weather surprisingly pleasant. Satisfied that things were okay—for now—he turned to leave.
That's when a notification appeared before his eyes:
[Detected potential partner. Recommended binding candidate: Name: Gan Yanyu Successful pairing grants Beginner's Pack.]
"Gan Yanyu?" Lin Tian murmured aloud without thinking.
The girl looked surprised. "You know my name?"
"Your grandfather mentioned it once," Lin Tian replied quickly, improvising.
At the mention of her grandfather, Gan Yanyu's gaze dimmed, flickering away momentarily.
[Binding Conditions: 1. The candidate must spend the night at your residence. 2. Extract bodily fluids for intelligent health analysis.
Time Limit: 24 hours]
Bodily fluids? Spending the night?? Lin Tian's mind reeled. How on earth was he supposed to convince a near-stranger to stay overnight—and extract bodily fluids? This was absurd. Maybe waiting for her to jump and scavenging afterward would be easier. At least then, logistics wouldn't matter. Though, admittedly, storing a corpse in the fridge might present its own challenges.
Before Lin Tian could spiral further into existential dread, a gentle melody filled the air. Turning, he saw Gan Yanyu seated on the threshold, cradling her cello. One hand rested lightly on the strings, while the other drew the bow across them with practiced ease.
Wait, what? Why was she suddenly performing?
Granted, the scene had undeniable charm—a beautiful girl playing music under the moonlight—but given the circumstances, it felt bizarre. Lin Tian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Still, he had to admit—the piece was hauntingly tender. The rich, velvety tones of the cello resonated through the quiet night, evoking a sense of calm and wonder.
Clearly, she'd been trained since childhood. If nurtured properly, her talent could take her far.
Finishing the piece, Gan Yanyu set the bow aside, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She looked up at Lin Tian, her expression softening.
"My grandfather taught me this song."
"He plays music too?" Lin Tian asked, intrigued.
"Yes, though he doesn't anymore." As she spoke, a fleeting spark lit up her hazel eyes. "Were you close to him?"
"He's helped me out quite a bit," Lin Tian said modestly.
"And your name?"
"Lin Tian."
"Lin Tian…" Gan Yanyu repeated softly, studying him curiously. Between their earlier exchange on the sixth floor and his sudden appearance on the rooftop, she found herself wondering: What kind of guy was this? Eccentric, sure—but also oddly endearing. And perhaps, just maybe, trustworthy.
Yet trust or not, his presence complicated things. From the moment Lin Tian barged in, Gan Yanyu's thoughts had dissolved into chaos.
Cradling the kitten, she spoke gently. "It's late, Lin Tian. You should head home."
"And you?"
"I'll stay a bit longer. Enjoy the breeze."
"I'll keep you company."
His response caught her off guard. Lin Tian wasn't naive enough to fully buy her excuse about the cat. Something about her demeanor hinted at deeper turmoil, and his instincts screamed caution. If he left now, there was no guarantee she wouldn't act impulsively once he turned his back.
Lin Tian had made up his mind. Whether for the sake of unlocking the system's perks or ensuring her safety, tonight, Gan Yanyu was coming home with him—even if it required drastic measures. Knocking her out, tying her up, whatever it took. Once inside, where she went next wouldn't be her decision.
Their gazes locked, tension thickening the air between them. The wind swept past, tousling her ink-black hair, framing her delicate features bathed in moonlight.
Finally, Gan Yanyu exhaled softly. "Do you have a bathroom at your place?"
"Yeah." What kind of question was that? Who didn't have a bathroom?
"Well…" She placed the kitten gently on the ground, turning her back to reveal a large damp patch staining her blue-and-white uniform and athletic trousers. "Could I use it to clean up?"