My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 76: This Ones for You

Chapter 76: This One's for You
"You—you—"
The girl was at a loss for words, her face flushing red with frustration. She raised her hand as if to slap the smug expression off Lin Tian's face but hesitated when she realized he towered over her by nearly two heads. The thought of being swatted away like a fly froze her mid-motion.
Her hand hung awkwardly in the air, trembling slightly before dropping back down to her side without ever making contact.
Her companion, meanwhile, had turned invisible, standing there dumbfounded and silent, unwilling to intervene or even offer a word of support.
"Psycho..." the girl muttered under her breath, glaring daggers at Lin Tian.
Lin Tian merely smirked, unbothered. Girls like this were always stuck somewhere between having some brains and not enough backbone. If she'd been smarter, she wouldn't have said what she did—or gotten herself into this mess. And if she'd been dumber, she'd have already swung that slap regardless of consequences. But no, here she was, caught in limbo, too scared to act yet unable to back down.
Stuck. Humiliated. With her so-called friend watching from the sidelines like it was all just entertainment.
Pathetic.
"Let's go," the companion finally chimed in, pulling the fuming girl along by the arm, offering her an out. As they walked away, the girl couldn't help but turn back one last time to shout, "What kind of person are you? I can't believe this! Defending Gan Yanyu like that—what, are you her boyfriend?"
Her voice trailed off into the distance, fading along with their retreating figures.
Lin Tian pointed after them, turning to Gan Yanyu with a small grin. "She lost her cool."
"That was reckless, Lin Tian." Gan Yanyu sighed softly, her tone far from relieved despite the situation resolving itself. "It's not worth arguing over things like that. It's not just those two—it's everyone. That's how people talk about me outside these walls."
"But hearing it firsthand makes it impossible to ignore," Lin Tian replied seriously. "A bunch of strangers pretending they know everything about you? How could I stand by and let that slide?"
Gan Yanyu lowered her head further, avoiding his gaze. When Lin Tian had stepped forward earlier, she'd been genuinely frightened. She wasn't used to seeing him like this—so serious, so angry. In fact, she'd never seen him truly enraged before. Part of her felt strangely happy that he cared enough to defend her... but another part worried about the trouble he might bring upon himself.
"Lift your head," Lin Tian said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Ah!" Startled, Gan Yanyu snapped her head up, staring wide-eyed into his intense gaze.
"You always do this," he chided gently. "Whenever something happens, you bow your head and fidget with your fingers or play with your hair. What's the difference between that and acting like a pushover? Plus, you're already adorable enough. Keep your head down like that, and anyone who sees you will think they can walk all over you."
Her cheeks flushed crimson. Here he was, moments ago sounding perfectly serious, and now casually throwing compliments around again.
"Listen," Lin Tian continued, raising a finger for emphasis. "Next time someone tries to belittle you to your face, don't hesitate—shut them down right then and there."
"I'm not good at arguing," Gan Yanyu protested. "I'll probably lose."
"Hmm?" Lin Tian stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then practice. Insult me. Right now."
"W-What?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"C'mon, give it a shot."
"...Stupid pig Lin Tian."
"Aaah~"
"Don't make weird noises!" Flustered, Gan Yanyu kicked him lightly in the shin with her foot.
"Sorry, sorry!" Lin Tian scratched the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. He couldn't help it; her voice was just so soft and endearing. It made it hard to stay mad—or take anything seriously.
"Try harder," he encouraged. "Don't you hear me curse sometimes when we're hanging out? Learn from me."
"Retard Lin Tian."
Lin Tian grimaced. "Yeah, maybe skip that one."
No wonder it was considered the most straightforward, gut-punching insult in Zhonghua culture. Even coming from Gan Yanyu's lips, it packed quite the punch—and left him fighting back laughter.
"Anyway," he cleared his throat, steering the conversation back on track. "A talented musician shouldn't be completely spineless. If people keep looking down on you and you never stand up for yourself, sooner or later, you'll start believing their nonsense."
If it were anyone else, Lin Tian might have told them to shrug it off—to treat haters like background noise. But not Gan Yanyu. No, he wanted her to fight back, to stand tall. She was strong, incredibly so, but lacked confidence—a problem that had plagued her since day one.
Physically frail, almost delicate, like a modern-day Lin Daiyu. If her personality mirrored that fragility too, she'd practically be inviting bullies to pounce.
"What if it comes to blows, though?" Gan Yanyu asked nervously. "I wouldn't stand a chance against them."
"True," Lin Tian admitted, scratching his chin. "Your physical stamina isn't great. And with your long hair, they'd definitely try to grab it. Or… you could always smash them with your cello."
"No way! Don't joke about my cello!"
Gan Yanyu waved her hands frantically, shaking her head in protest.
"Relax, Miss Gan, I'm kidding." Lin Tian grinned. "If anything ever happens, come find me. Whoever messes with you, I'll handle it."
"You'd pull their hair?"
"If I step in, trust me—it won't stop at hair-pulling."
His words sent shivers down her spine, though whether from fear or excitement, she couldn't tell.
As their banter grew increasingly absurd, the topic veered dangerously close to martial arts techniques. Thankfully, Gan Yanyu glanced at the clock just in time.
"Oh no, the concert's starting soon!"
"We still need to use the restroom! Hurry!"
They scrambled to their feet, the tension from earlier melting away as they rushed through the venue.
Though the unpleasant encounter lingered in the background, Lin Tian knew gossip didn't vanish simply because he'd confronted a couple of rude girls. Confidence wasn't built overnight either—not even with his encouragement. For Gan Yanyu, the real answer lay ahead: next month's concert.
Only results spoke louder than rumors. Only skill silenced critics.
Entering the auditorium, they were greeted by opulent decor and warm, ambient lighting. Onstage, musicians fine-tuned their instruments while scattered attendees filled the seats below.
"Not bad for a Wednesday," Lin Tian murmured as they settled into the second row.
"Concerts usually don't draw huge crowds anyway," Gan Yanyu replied. "Besides, this week's performance isn't the main event. Next week will be busier."
As she spoke, Lin Tian noticed her hair had changed. Earlier, she'd worn a single ponytail, but now it cascaded freely around her shoulders.
"Why'd you let your hair down?"
"In the restroom," she explained, twisting to show him a cute little lamb-shaped hair clip pinned near her ear. "You mentioned I needed more accessories, so I bought this."
Before Lin Tian could respond, she added, "Hold out your hand."
He extended it obediently, watching as she tied something around his wrist. Looking closer, he saw it was the red hair tie she'd used earlier to secure her ponytail.
"For everything you did today... thank you," she said softly, tilting her head with a shy smile. "I don't have much to repay you with, but please accept this as a token of gratitude."