My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 20: Fragile Wishes Beneath the Starlit Sky

After seeing Gan Yanyu dash out, Lin Tian was still in a daze.
But it didn't last long.
In an instant, the system interface exploded with notifications.
It turned out that after leaving the foot massage parlor, his [SAN Value] had already risen to 43 and was now rapidly dropping further.
[SAN Value: 31↓]
[SAN Value: 25↓]
[SAN Value: 17↓]
[SAN Value: 11↓]
Seriously, man?
This was a full-blown SAN meltdown, the kind you don't recover from easily. Even when Lin Tian played horror games and got jumped by ghosts, he'd never seen his sanity drain this fast. Was Gan Yanyu about to die right here?
Without hesitation, Lin Tian took off after her.
When he realized she was heading toward the bridge that had recently gone viral online, Lin Tian's heart sank like a stone. Below the bridge flowed the vast Qingzhou River—a death by drowning would be far more agonizing than falling to one's demise. And Lin Tian wasn't exactly a strong swimmer; if she jumped, there was a good chance he'd end up going down with her.
What on earth had happened just moments ago? One second, they were enjoying what seemed like a pleasant fan meetup. Lin Tian had even been wondering why Gan Yanyu was so well-known in cello circles. The next, she bolted out of the room as though possessed.
Lin Tian couldn't believe how quickly things escalated—it felt like stepping on a landmine.
By the time Lin Tian finally caught up to her on the bridge, panting for breath, he scanned the area frantically. Finally, not too far away, he spotted Gan Yanyu gripping the railing.
"Hey!" Lin Tian shouted, rushing forward and grabbing her shoulder. "Why did you—"
Before he could finish, Gan Yanyu turned around, holding up her index finger. Perched delicately on it was a brilliant azure butterfly, its wings fluttering gently.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked, blinking innocently at him.
Lin Tian stared blankly. "You're telling me you ran all the way here… because of a butterfly?"
"Huh? Why not?" Gan Yanyu pursed her lips, genuinely surprised.
What kind of girl chases butterflies faster than Usain Bolt? Most people tip-toe through gardens in flowing skirts, pretending to chase them for fun. But Gan Yanyu? She sprinted like she was trying to hunt the poor thing down!
Ignoring her response, Lin Tian's expression grew serious. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"What do you mean? What's wrong with me?"
"I don't know—that's why I'm asking."
"Well, then I must be fine."
"No, you're not." Lin Tian's voice softened but remained firm.
Gan Yanyu lowered her head slightly, a faint trace of bitterness tugging at the corners of her lips. She raised her fingertip, letting the butterfly take flight into the night air.
"My parents left when I was three," she began quietly. "Ever since then, I've lived with my grandfather."
"Hmm. My family situation is… half as bad as yours," Lin Tian said awkwardly.
"Half as bad?" Gan Yanyu tilted her head.
"You go first," Lin Tian urged.
Turning back to face the railing, Gan Yanyu gazed out over the dark river below. A cool breeze swept past, tousling her hair against her delicate face.
"All my life, I've never dared to dream or ask for anything. I've always known that compared to gaining something, simply not losing what I have is the greatest blessing I could hope for."
She paused, her voice barely above a whisper. "If I could only make one wish…"
"I want to play music. I want to pull the strings of a cello and perform every masterpiece this world has ever known. I want to keep playing forever."
Her eyes met Lin Tian's, filled with a quiet plea. "That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Lin Tian froze, unable to respond.
"But…" Gan Yanyu continued.
"Wait," Lin Tian interrupted sharply, cutting her off before she could go further.
He turned abruptly, facing the railing and bracing himself against the wind blowing in from the river. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring himself to hear it—the truth about her terminal illness. Losing both parents as a child, now losing her grandfather, and being diagnosed with an incurable disease—all before turning eighteen. Forcing those words out loud would be unbearable for anyone, let alone a young woman in the prime of her life.
"Gan Yanyu."
"Yeah?" She blinked, startled by his sudden tone.
"Come on. Let's go somewhere." He waved her over.
"Where are we going now?"
The taxi pulled over on a deserted mountain road. Stepping out, they were greeted by a refreshing breeze that ruffled Gan Yanyu's hair. Around them stretched an empty highway bordered by wild grasses, occasionally interrupted by the rumble of passing trucks.
"Where are we?" Gan Yanyu asked, unfamiliar with this part of Qingzhou despite growing up nearby.
"You'll see." Lin Tian grinned mysteriously, leading the way.
Pushing through the overgrown weeds, Gan Yanyu stepped onto solid concrete. Before them lay a platform, edged by guardrails overlooking the mountainside. As they walked closer, an entire cityscape unfolded before their eyes.
Gan Yanyu's pupils widened in awe. It was breathtaking—a sprawling metropolis bathed in the glow of countless lights. Skyscrapers shimmered under the night sky, their reflections dancing across the horizon like stars scattered on Earth. Neon hues intertwined in dazzling streaks, painting the city in vibrant colors. Streams of cars moved like glowing ribbons, weaving through the streets.
The entirety of Qingzhou sprawled beneath them, cradled in the embrace of twilight.
From where they stood, everything felt infinite.
Watching Gan Yanyu's stunned expression, Lin Tian leaned casually against the railing, a hint of pride in his voice. "From here, you can see all of Qingzhou. It's more beautiful than any other view."
"When I'm feeling troubled, I come here alone. Standing here, looking out, I feel small amidst the vastness of this city. There are so many people, so many stories happening every day. Somehow, everything else seems less important."
But Gan Yanyu wasn't listening anymore. Slowly, she stepped past the railing.
Lin Tian instinctively reached out to stop her—but she merely sat down on the edge, legs dangling freely. Her clear eyes sparkled with wonder, reflecting the glittering cityscape like constellations in an endless sea.
"Lin Tian."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for bringing me here." She hopped off the railing. "Can you take a picture of me?"
"Of course."
Lin Tian pulled out his phone and opened the camera app. "I didn't think you were into taking pictures," he teased, recalling her outdated social media profile devoid of posts.
Positioning the camera, he noticed the backlight made the scene dim, relying solely on the faint glow of distant streetlights. Yet, none of that detracted from Gan Yanyu's beauty. Just standing there, she exuded an ethereal presence, blending seamlessly with the urban backdrop behind her.
"I want to show this to Grandpa when I get to the other side," she murmured softly.
Click.
Still stunned, Lin Tian pressed the shutter button.
"Let me see."