My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 7: Were Desperate, But Not Desperate Enough To Stoop That Low

Based on the information Lin Tian had managed to dig up online, Gan Hua—Grandpa Gan—was none other than the cheerful neighbor who spent his days at the café perfecting hand-brewed coffee. He was always lively and full of smiles for every customer, a friendly figure that radiated warmth and familiarity.
What Lin Tian hadn't expected, though, was that this same man was also a world-renowned cellist—a legend in his own right. No matter how hard he tried, Lin Tian couldn't reconcile the image of a dapper musician performing in opulent concert halls with the humble elder who tinkered with coffee blends behind the café counter.
If the articles Lin Tian read weren't exaggerating—and they rarely were when it came to such matters—Grandpa Gan wasn't just any ordinary cellist. He was the pioneer of cello music in their country, a trailblazer often referred to as the "First Cello of Zhonghua."
But sixteen years ago, even someone as illustrious as Grandpa Gan had suffered a crushing defeat. It happened during the Kölner Cup, the most prestigious competition in the cello world—a stage where only the best dared to compete. And there, amidst roaring applause and sky-high expectations, Grandpa Gan faltered. He lost, and not by a small margin.
In this world, people placed an almost sacred importance on artistic accolades. The blow dealt to the domestic classical music scene—and to Grandpa Gan personally—was monumental. To understand its weight, one only needed to think about what it would feel like if your favorite esports team, after sweeping all regional titles and dominating international tournaments, suddenly collapsed in the quarterfinals of the World Championship. Imagine the heartbreak. Imagine the shattered dreams.
For Grandpa Gan, that failure seemed to have marked the end of something profound. Lin Tian didn't know the specifics of that fateful match, but one thing was clear: Grandpa Gan hadn't touched the cello since—not once, at least not in Lin Tian's presence. During their countless interactions, the topic of music never came up. This silence spoke volumes.
And then there was Gan Yanyu, Grandpa Gan's granddaughter. A cellist herself, she bore the torch her grandfather had set down long ago. Could it be, Lin Tian wondered, that her career choice stemmed from her grandfather's unfulfilled ambitions? Was she trying to carry forward what he had left behind?
But why, then, did Gan Yanyu want to die? Why throw away her life before achieving her dreams, before giving her grandfather the closure he deserved? These questions swirled in Lin Tian's mind, unanswered for now. For the moment, all he could do was take things step by step.
---
Still, the article Lin Tian had been reading felt oddly preachy, peppered with vague platitudes urging readers to reflect on life's deeper meanings. It reminded him of those overly sentimental magazines one'd find at a dentist's office. Shaking off the thought, he turned his attention back to the system interface that had successfully bound itself to him yesterday.
[Partner List][Name: Gan Yanyu][Identity: Cellist][Skills: Cello (A+), Foreign Languages (B+), Vocal Performance (B), Dance (C), Communication (C), Learning Ability (S)]
[Current Stress Resistance: E]
[SAN Value: 8]
[Health Status: Very Poor (Poor → Stable → Good → Excellent)]
[Note: Each time the host improves the partner's stress resistance, SAN value, or health status by one level, new rewards will be unlocked.]
Lin Tian sighed as he stared at the screen. The stats painted a grim picture. Her stress resistance being rated as "E" said it all—this was someone who had already attempted suicide. Yet despite her mental state, Gan Yanyu's abilities were undeniably impressive. With an S-tier learning ability and an A+ in cello, she clearly possessed immense talent. If Lin Tian could help her regain her footing, he believed she could achieve greatness.
He switched over to his inventory, opening the [Beginner's Gift Box] the system had provided.
[Reward Obtained: Instrument Skill Selection Card x1]
[Upon use, select one of five common instruments to receive its basic skill card.]
[Note: This is a one-time opportunity. Please choose wisely.]
Lin Tian pondered for a moment. While intriguing, the card didn't seem immediately useful. He decided to hold onto it for later.
As soon as he closed the gift box, another window popped up.
[Personal Task Released]
[Objective: Perform a piece of music using any instrument and receive praise from at least ten people.]
[Reward: Musical Memory Enhancement Card]
[Effect of Reward: Amplifies all musical memories stored in the host's mind, allowing them to transcribe sheet music effortlessly based on existing theoretical knowledge.]
[Note: The system will occasionally release optional tasks categorized as ‘Personal Tasks' or ‘Producer Tasks.' Completion is voluntary; rewards are granted upon success, while failure does not hinder future task releases.]
It was obvious—the task was designed to pair with the recently acquired instrument selection card. But these were concerns for another day. Right now, Lin Tian had more pressing matters to attend to: school.
---
Qingzhou Seventh High School prided itself on fostering a balanced education, emphasizing health and self-discipline above all else. Perhaps this philosophy stemmed from past tragedies—several students had jumped to their deaths due to overwhelming academic pressure, prompting stern warnings from the Ministry of Education. Nowadays, the administration adopted a relatively relaxed approach, especially toward commuting students like Lin Tian, who weren't required to attend morning study sessions. All he needed to do was arrive before the first class began.
The first class was math, and the classroom buzzed with restless energy. Summer heat clung to the air, making everyone irritable. An old electric fan whirred overhead, looking precariously close to falling and decapitating someone.
"Hey, bro, don't leave right after school tonight," whispered Xu Yong, Lin Tian's bespectacled, acne-speckled desk mate.
Xu Yong was one of Lin Tian's few friends at school. They worked part-time together at a teahouse near campus, though shifts were rare since both prioritized their studies. They were only called in to work on certain days—when the restaurant experienced a surge in customers or when someone else requested leave.
"We're scheduled to work tonight," Xu Yong added.
"Can I not go?" Lin Tian hesitated. He had planned to meet Gan Yanyu for dinner. Given her fragile mental state, delaying might put her at greater risk.
"What's wrong?" Xu Yong asked, noticing Lin Tian's hesitation. "Got plans?"
"Sort of."
"Oh, come on! What could you possibly have going on? You live such a boring life." Xu Yong squinted suspiciously. "Wait… Are you meeting someone? Like, a girl?"
"No way."
"Hold up! Didn't you say you went to a foot spa last night? Don't tell me you met some floozy and are planning to hook up tonight!"
Horrified, Xu Yong leaned closer. "Bro, I get it—we joke around, but seriously, don't mess with girls from places like that. I mean, yeah, you don't exactly have a line of admirers waiting for you, but we're desperate, not desperate enough to stoop that low!"
"Shut up," Lin Tian muttered, rolling his eyes. Xu Yong was notorious for his outrageous comments, likely inspired by too much time spent scrolling through internet forums. Still, Lin Tian waved him off dismissively.
Bzzt! His phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out discreetly, Lin Tian saw a notification from [Sunshine After Rain]. It was a video message from Gan Yanyu. She held her phone selfie-style, filming herself standing in front of a stove.