My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 3: Can We Skip the Drinking Part?

The sound of running water from the bathroom filled the silence as Lin Tian, seated on the couch, let out a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected the first strategic objective to fall into place so effortlessly.
But something nagged at him—Old Man Gan's house wasn't far away. Why hadn't she gone there to clean up? Before he could dwell on it, memories of the girl's strange behavior throughout the day prompted him to grab his phone and dial the old man's number. Though Lin Tian had saved the contact ages ago, this was the first time he'd ever called it. He needed confirmation: Was Gan Yanyu really the old man's granddaughter? And who exactly was she?
The phone rang several times before going unanswered. Clearly, Old Man Gan must've been occupied. Otherwise, he wouldn't have closed his shop today.
Bam.
Before Lin Tian could overthink further, the bathroom door swung open. Gan Yanyu emerged, towel in hand, drying her damp hair. The moment Lin Tian laid eyes on her, his mind sharpened.
With her single ponytail undone, her jet-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She'd changed into a sleek black slip dress that accentuated her collarbones and hugged her figure perfectly, highlighting curves that any artist would envy. Her legs—long, slender, and impossibly smooth—were now fully on display.
Damn. What a figure.
It was as if the ponytail had been some sort of seal binding her student-like awkwardness. Without it, Gan Yanyu transformed from an ordinary high schooler into the radiant heroine of a teen drama.
"What should I do with my dirty clothes?" she asked, holding up the uniform she'd just taken off.
"The washing machine's on the balcony. Hand them over."
Lin Tian accepted the bundle and headed toward the balcony. As he stood by the washing machine, about to toss the clothes inside, he paused, feeling the faint dampness clinging to the fabric. Sweat counted as bodily fluid, right? Given tonight's humidity, there was bound to be some residue.
Hesitating for only a second, Lin Tian crouched beside the machine and gently lifted the uniform. Despite being a fellow student at the same school, he couldn't recall ever seeing Gan Yanyu around campus. Then again, maybe she was just as low-profile as he was.
How exactly was he supposed to collect what he needed? The system hadn't provided instructions. Placing his hand near the slightly damp collar, he brought the fabric closer and sniffed cautiously.
A faint, pleasant scent mingled with the earthy aroma of rain-soaked concrete.
"What are you doing?"
Lin Tian's head snapped up. Turning sideways, he saw Gan Yanyu standing at the threshold of the balcony, staring at him blankly.
The air froze.
"I'm applying detergent," Lin Tian blurted out lamely.
"Oh." Whether she believed him or not, Gan Yanyu nodded thoughtfully. "By the way, is your couch okay to sit on?"
"Go ahead. You don't need to ask permission for everything."
"All right." With that, she turned and disappeared back into the living room, leaving Lin Tian flustered.
He'd gone his entire life without even touching a woman's hand, and here he was moments away from being mistaken for a creep! Just as frustration bubbled up and he prepared to curse the system, an interface popped up before his eyes:
[Bodily fluids extracted. System analyzing...]
[Analysis complete. Health generated.]
[Name: Gan Yanyu Occupation: High School Student; Professional Cellist Age: 18 years, 8 months, 24 days Height: 166.9 cm Weight: 41.3 kg Blood Type: O Health Status: - Noticeable symptoms of depression include loss of interest, fatigue, decreased appetite, sleep disturbances, and significant weight loss. - Has undergone treatment with two types of antidepressants but experienced poor results and notable side effects. - Overall physical condition is stable, though severe weight loss and chronic exhaustion are affecting daily life and functionality. Cognitive functions such as attention span, memory, and processing speed remain unclear.]
Reading through the alarming status window, Lin Tian took a deep breath. This body was practically begging for intervention. Even seasoned cultivators might balk at inheriting such a fragile vessel.
His earlier suspicions were confirmed. Gan Yanyu harbored suicidal thoughts, interrupted twice tonight—first when she relocated from the railing outside his apartment, then again when he burst onto the rooftop. To avoid dragging him deeper into her troubles, she'd tried to send him away. But his persistence left her no choice but to follow him home, likely hoping to lull him into complacency before making another move.
If Lin Tian's instincts were correct, her next step would be finding an excuse to leave.
Returning to the living room, he found Gan Yanyu sprawled on the couch, completely absorbed in the video playing on his laptop. It was part of a series titled Hardcore Badass, created by a YouTuber known as "Dead Rat." While this world's history and entertainment differed slightly from Lin Tian's previous one, parallels abounded, offering familiar substitutes.
This episode recounted the tragic tale of a medieval European composer whose controversial music earned him imprisonment by the Church. After performing his final masterpiece, he was burned at the stake. Gan Yanyu watched intently, her wide-eyed fascination surprising Lin Tian. He'd never seen her so animated.
"Are you imagining yourself in his shoes?" Lin Tian asked, his tone more serious than teasing after reviewing her health .
Gan Yanyu blinked, breaking her trance. "What makes you say that?"
"Well…" Lin Tian hesitated, realizing his assumption stemmed from the earlier cello performance. "I figured it out from the piece you played earlier."
To his surprise, Gan Yanyu lit up with genuine admiration. "Wow, most people wouldn't catch that. You're pretty sharp."
Lin Tian shrugged modestly. "Still learning myself." Technically, he wasn't lying. If he became a producer, music would undoubtedly be his starting point. Copying songs was easier than plagiarizing novels or manga—it required less effort and yielded faster fame.
"So, which high school do you go to?" Gan Yanyu asked suddenly, initiating conversation for the first time.
Lin Tian's youthful appearance made guessing easy enough. "Same as you—Seventh High. But I don't remember seeing you around."
"I took a year off and studied abroad. I just got back recently."
"That explains it." No wonder he didn't recognize her. A beauty like her would've been unforgettable among their peers.
Just then, Lin Tian stood abruptly. "Want something to drink?"
As a host, serving nothing felt ungracious.
"Anything's fine."
Striding to the fridge, Lin Tian retrieved a convenience store bag containing several bottles of beer. Setting them on the table, he glanced at Gan Yanyu expectantly. "How about some alcohol?"
Her expression shifted to discomfort. She hadn't expected him to interpret her vague response so literally. "I didn't buy any water, so this is all I've got. But trust me, this stuff helps with sleep."
Drunk equals immobile. Immobilized means staying overnight. And once she stayed… well, victory would be his.