My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 6: Then Lets Go Get a Foot Massage Together

Gan Yanyu wasn't sure how long she'd slept. All she remembered was a dream—a long, fragmented one. Voices echoed in her mind, calling her name.
"Yanyu, pursuing this path will lead you nowhere… Have you forgotten what happened to your grandfather in the end?"
"Yanyu, I see you've spent too much time with that stubborn old man. You're just as obstinate as him now."
"We regret to inform you, Miss Gan Yanyu, but our contract is terminated. Please don't contact us again."
"Rain, your condition can't be delayed any longer. Go to England, and Grandpa will wait for you when you return."
With a jolt, Gan Yanyu snapped awake, sitting upright on the couch. She blinked, taking in her surroundings. The room was unfamiliar. Morning sunlight streamed through the glass doors of the balcony, casting warm patterns across the floor. From the kitchen came the sound of running water. Glancing at the tidy table, memories of last night flooded back.
She had fallen asleep here, at Lin Tian's place.
Gan Yanyu pressed her hand to her forehead. How much trouble had she caused him? Drinking truly messed things up. Acting almost instinctively, she pulled back the blanket covering her and gave herself a quick once-over. Her dress, underwear, hair—all intact, no signs of tampering. Just a throbbing headache and sore thighs. Probably from all the running around and drinking last night.
Slipping on her shoes, she followed the sound into the kitchen. Peeking around the corner, she saw Lin Tian in an apron, skillfully wielding a spatula over the stove.
"You're awake?" he asked without turning around.
"Yeah," Gan Yanyu replied, stepping closer. "What are you making?"
"Egg noodles."
Lin Tian held out his hand. "Soy sauce."
Gan Yanyu grabbed the bottle of Haitian soy sauce from the counter, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to him. He poured it deftly, then said, "Eggs."
"How many?"
"Two."
"Got it."
She passed them over.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
He cracked the eggs into the pot, then handed her the spatula. Moving to the cutting board, he chopped a row of green onions and tossed them into the pot. Gan Yanyu stirred quickly, their movements fluid and synchronized. It was as if they'd been working together for years—clean, efficient, and full of unspoken understanding.
Soon, the noodles were ready. They sat across from each other, beginning their breakfast. Gan Yanyu poked the egg with her chopsticks, letting the runny yolk seep out. She scooped up a bite, savoring the rich, savory flavor as it burst in her mouth.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"Good?" Lin Tian asked.
"Mm-hmm!" Gan Yanyu nodded vigorously, devouring another mouthful of hot noodles. Resting her chin in her hands, she beamed with pure delight.
"It's delicious…"
It took real skill to make something as simple as egg noodles taste this good.
"Lin Tian, I didn't expect you to be such a great cook," Gan Yanyu praised sincerely.
Never in a million years would she have guessed that her biggest emotional swing of the day would come from a bowl of egg noodles.
Lin Tian chuckled. "Living alone, I cook this dish the most. Over time, I've picked up a few tricks."
"When do you head to school?"
"In a bit."
"And you won't be coming home for lunch?"
"Usually not."
Though Lin Tian commuted daily, the subway ride was too much of a hassle. During lunch breaks, he typically went to the library near the school or napped at a nearby milk tea shop.
But…
Looking at the girl before him, Lin Tian couldn't shake his concern. Even though the system had successfully bound her as his partner, he worried that the moment he left, Gan Yanyu might attempt something reckless again.
"You won't be back for lunch, huh?" Gan Yanyu murmured, biting her lip thoughtfully.
"What's on your mind?"
"Before leaving, I want to repay you somehow. Food, milk tea, or maybe going somewhere fun—it's up to you," Gan Yanyu said earnestly. "From yesterday until now, I've been nothing but trouble. I can't just leave like this."
When she said "leave," did she mean leaving to meet God? As far as Lin Tian was concerned, simply not attempting suicide would be repayment enough.
"Lunch isn't possible today. What about dinner?"
"Dinner… Hmm…" Gan Yanyu chewed on her index finger, lost in thought. After a moment, she spoke hesitantly.
"I'll just give you money instead. You can use it to buy whatever food or drinks you want. I still have some savings."
Using the word "savings" for something as minor as food and drinks? Clearly, she was broke, just like him. Lin Tian, of course, couldn't accept money—it would undermine his plan to keep her close.
Just then, he noticed something odd about her posture while eating.
"What's wrong with your arm?"
"Huh?" Gan Yanyu looked puzzled.
Without warning, Lin Tian reached out and gently squeezed her shoulder.
"Ow…" she whimpered softly.
"Did you strain yourself yesterday?"
"My legs are still sore too," she admitted.
"How about a foot massage?"
"Foot massage? Why?" As she spoke, Gan Yanyu lifted her foot, wiggling her toes innocently.
Lin Tian clarified. "I mean a spa—do you know what that is? A massage place where they can help relax your body."
"That must be expensive."
At this, Lin Tian grinned mischievously. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a coupon like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
—Golden Impression Foot Spa: 399 Yuan Discount Coupon.
"When I get back tonight, you treat me to dinner, and I'll take you for a foot massage. Deal?"
Gan Yanyu stared blankly at the coupon in Lin Tian's hand, then glanced down at her own toes.
"Well… I guess it's not impossible…" she mumbled reluctantly.
"It's settled, then." Lin Tian stood up decisively. "Don't go wandering off today. Wait for me tonight, and I'll take you to get a foot massage."
With that, he grabbed his backpack from the couch. Before Gan Yanyu could fully process what had happened, Lin Tian pulled out his phone, opened WeChat, and held it up to her.
"Add me."
"If anything comes up at school, you can message me here."
"Okay."
Gan Yanyu opened her QR code, and Lin Tian scanned it. Her username was Sunshine After Rain, with a sunflower as her profile picture.
Was this seriously the kind of WeChat account a high school girl in 2024 would use?! Lin Tian felt as though he'd stepped into a different era. Even the 24-year-old cosplayer he'd met yesterday who dressed as a high schooler had a username like Sexiest Flower on the Prairie.
No wonder people said classical musicians were old-fashioned. Looking at Gan Yanyu, Lin Tian realized she fit the stereotype perfectly.
"I'm heading out."
Lin Tian slung his bag over his shoulder and opened the door. Before stepping out, he turned back to look at Gan Yanyu one last time.
"If anything happens, make sure to message me."
Click.
The door shut behind him.
Walking toward the subway station, Lin Tian took a deep breath and pulled out his phone. Recalling Gan Yanyu's murmurs in her sleep last night, he switched to his browser and revisited his recent search history.