My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player-Chapter 87: And So, It Begins

Chapter 87: And So, It Begins
"Is his phone on silent because he's in his teacher's office?"
Gan Yanyu furrowed her brows, her fingers hovering over the screen of her phone. Normally, Lin Tian would reply to her messages almost instantly—sometimes within seconds. But tonight, there was only silence.
Maybe I should wait a little longer, she thought, pressing her fingertips to her temples as if trying to massage away the tension building there.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Welcome to tonight's 'Resonance of Souls' concert. Throughout this evening, we will take you on a journey through various musical styles, showcasing performances by nine outstanding musicians from Qingjiang Province."
The voice from the intercom pulled Gan Yanyu toward the window. Below, the female host had already begun her opening speech on stage. The auditorium was packed—a sea of eager faces illuminated by dim house lights.
"Why are there so many people this year?" Gan Yanyu murmured under her breath, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Though the 'Resonance of Souls' concerts had always drawn decent crowds in previous years, even at their peak they rarely filled more than two-thirds of the seats. Tonight? There wasn't an empty seat in sight. Some had probably come to see her stumble—she knew that all too well—but she also understood how seriously music enthusiasts in Qingzhou took these events. Still, something felt off.
Could it be due to the promotion at the conservatory? Even that shouldn't have drawn this many people...
Her thoughts were interrupted as memories of that classroom performance flooded her mind—the one where her performance drew a big crowd. No, she couldn't think about that now. Quickly, she patted her cheeks to refocus.
The most important thing right now is to keep my composure.
She pulled out her phone again, hoping to distract herself while figuring out what exactly was going on with tonight's concert. She opened the ticketing app—while she might not be familiar with other apps, she knew this one like the back of her hand. Soon enough, she found the booking page for 'Resonance of Souls.'
To her surprise, there were an unusually large number of comments.
"Old Gan's granddaughter, Gan Yanyu, is back from overseas for her first performance. Must see!"
"I heard Moonlight and Cat's music will be performed tonight? Is that true?"
"Not only that, but the performer is Old Gan's granddaughter!"
"I'm already inside. Can't wait! Heard they're the last group to perform?"
"Haha, what if the performer is actually Moonlight and Cat themselves? (Just kidding, no disrespect intended to Old Gan's granddaughter.)"
"There's no way, right? Recently, lots of people online have been covering their songs, mostly male-female duos. Not surprising."
"Don't know who Old Gan is. Not expecting them to surpass the original, just hoping they don't ruin it."
"..."
So that's why there are so many people tonight. Some came to see me, while others want to hear Moonlight and Cat's music live?
Gan Yanyu felt momentarily stunned. Her heart thudded unevenly in her chest, torn between pride and dread. This wasn't just another performance anymore—it was something bigger, heavier. A weight rested on her shoulders, invisible yet undeniable.
After what felt like an eternity, a knock sounded at the door.
"Knock knock knock."
Gan Yanyu jumped to her feet, but instead of Lin Tian, Gao Zhenyang entered. His forehead glistened with sweat—clearly, he'd been busy running around backstage.
"Has Mr. Lin arrived yet?" he asked, his voice laced with growing concern.
"No," She replied, shaking her head.
"What's going on? We're already at the sixth performer."
"I've tried calling him multiple times," Gan Yanyu said, clutching her phone tightly. "He hasn't answered."
Gao wiped the sweat from his brow. "Let's try again. Maybe he'll pick up this time."
She dialed once more, holding her breath.
Still no answer.
"Miss Gan," Gao began cautiously, "I think something must have happened to Mr. Lin."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Gan Yanyu braced herself for what he was about to say next.
"If by the time the eighth performer finishes, Mr. Lin still hasn't arrived…" He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I'll arrange a piano accompanist for you."
"No." Her response was immediate, firm.
"I won't perform without Lin Tian."
"Miss Gan," Gao pressed, his tone pleading, "our accompanists are highly skilled. Many performers tonight are using them."
"No." She shook her head, refusing to budge. "This isn't negotiable."
"But if this continues, we won't be able to proceed with the program!"
"I hope Mr. Gao can understand my position."
In that moment, Gao Zhenyang felt something he'd never expected from this seemingly delicate young woman—an overwhelming presence that brooked no argument. For someone who appeared fragile, Gan Yanyu radiated an unyielding resolve.
"...Fine," Gao gritted his teeth. "If this causes any breach of contract, I'll find a way to resolve it for you."
"Thank you," she said softly, though her gratitude seemed hollow against the storm brewing inside her.
Turning back to the window, Gan Yanyu watched as the brightly lit stage hosted a small symphony orchestra, bringing the concert's atmosphere to its peak. Outside, the world buzzed with anticipation, but inside her dressing room, silence reigned supreme.
Lin Tian, where have you gone? she thought, her hands trembling slightly. Just yesterday, I said those things to you. If you're deliberately ignoring me because you're upset… at least give me a chance to apologize.
She didn't resent Lin Tian for speaking the truth. She understood that her illness was fate's doing—it was she who had chosen to walk the path of cello, and no one could truly empathize with her pain. Lin Tian had already done more than enough. How could she possibly blame him?
No matter how difficult tonight's performance would be, she would surely finish playing…
---
"The eighth performer…"
Gao Zhenyang burst through the door, panic etched across his face. "Miss Gan, it's time to get ready for the stage, you—"
Bam.
At that moment, the door was pushed open.
Both turned to look.
Lin Tian stood there, dressed in a crisp new suit but looking utterly exhausted. Leaning heavily against the doorframe, his hair slightly disheveled, his face pale, his eyes bloodshot and dry, he offered them a weak smile. "I timed it perfectly. Am I late?"
"You've finally arrived, Mr. Lin," Gao exclaimed, relief washing over him. "Not late at all. Right on time."
"Lin Tian, you..." Gan Yanyu stared at him, her voice trailing off as she stepped closer. Her hand reached out tentatively, as if trying to feel for something—anything—that might explain his condition.
When her fingers brushed against the chest of his suit, Lin Tian let out an exaggerated moan. "Ah~"
"What are you doing? This is hardly the time," Gan Yanyu scolded softly, covering her mouth with her hand, though her cheeks flushed faintly.
Seeing his disheveled state, she couldn't help but ask, concern lacing her voice: "What's wrong with you…?"
"Nothing. I've never felt better," Lin Tian replied, his voice steady despite his appearance. He gave her a thumbs-up, his wide eyes gleaming with determination.
Before she could press further, Gao Zhenyang swung the door open again. With an urgent wave of his hand, he barked: "Let's go!!"
The backstage corridor buzzed with activity as staff members hurried past, some carrying equipment, others chatting about the performances that had just concluded. Under their guidance, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu made their way toward the stage.
As they walked, Gan Yanyu kept stealing glances at Lin Tian, her gaze fixed on his pale face. Worry gnawed at her heart. She finally broke the silence:
"Lin Tian."
"Hmm?"
"What's really going on with you?"
"I told you, I'm fine."
"You didn't come from school, did you?" she pressed, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"No, I came from home."
Her brow furrowed. "Then...?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Gan," Lin Tian interrupted, his tone sincere. "I lied to you."
They stopped at the entrance to the stage. Beyond it lay the dazzling lights of the performance area and the vast sea of eager faces waiting in the audience.
"I spent all day today playing the piano. I didn't go to school," he confessed, his voice calm but firm.
"Yesterday too. Ever since I left your house, I haven't stopped playing. Not until just now."
Turning to face her fully, Lin Tian locked eyes with Gan Yanyu. His expression was resolute, his words deliberate and measured:
"I'm the kind of person who would stand safely on the sidelines, telling someone not to jump off a building. That's usually enough, right?"
He paused, his gaze unwavering.
"But if standing there isn't enough—if I need to step forward and grab their hand to save them—then so be it. If that means jumping with them, then I'll do it too."