At Lin Tian's suggestion to "grab so coins," Gan Yanyu's expression froze in confusion.
"What do you an by ‘grab coins'?"
"Ever played Super Mario? When the little guy hits a block, money pops out."
"So… I have to hit soone with my head?"
"It's a taphor."
Lin Tian spoke with complete seriousness. "Look, as your parents, they're obligated to support you until university."
"I don't need it."
"It's not about what you need; it's about how much they should give."
Though Gan Yanyu had never explicitly ntioned her family's wealth, Lin Tian had pieced together enough from fragnts of past conversations. Her background wasn't ordinary. Her grandfather—a renowned cellist from the previous century—ca from an era when few could afford basic necessities, let alone cello lessons. Add to that her parents' business ventures abroad and the luxurious lifestyle she'd grown up with, including trips to England for education while still in high school. It was clear: Gan Yanyu's family wasn't just well-off—they were wealthy.
Yet, despite all this, Gan Yanyu refused to ask for more financial support. Not because she resented them but because she was too kind-hearted to demand anything. To Lin Tian, however, this dynamic needed correction.
"If they feel guilty for neglecting you, then they should compensate. Eight hundred yuan a month? For a girl living alone? That's insulting."
"Well…" Gan Yanyu hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. She wasn't holding onto resentnt or refusing to forgive—it was simpler than that. Asking for money felt wrong. Her parents were strangers wrapped in familiarity.
"Besides," Lin Tian continued, trying to make his point clearer, "we've been using borrowed equipnt from SYC for ages. Don't you think it's ti we upgraded? And I've been wanting to buy a phonograph for the café—it'll double as a prop for our videos."
Seeing Gan Yanyu still wavering, he pushed further. "Go ahead and ask. This is normal."
After a long pause, Gan Yanyu finally nodded. "Alright."
Truthfully, there was no reason to be nervous about her parents' visit. With her burgeoning music career on track, Gan Yanyu didn't owe them explanations. The real source of her unease stemd from sothing else entirely.
"The Starlight Cup is in two and a half weeks. How's practice going?" Lin Tian asked gently.
This marked the first ti Gan Yanyu had practiced without Lin Tian's involvent since their partnership began. He couldn't help but worry. After all, he knew better than anyone how fragile her confidence could be.
"It's a bit difficult," Gan Yanyu admitted softly. "I haven't decided which piece to perform yet. And without you around, I'm afraid I might ss up."
"That's okay. Take your ti," Lin Tian reassured her. He was relieved she could openly share her struggles. Silence would've been far worse.
"What piece are you planning to play? Let hear it."
Gan Yanyu's face lit up at the request. Despite practicing alone these days, she'd brought her cello over every day during als, hoping for this exact mont. Now, hearing Lin Tian ask, she eagerly prepared herself.
"Let play here," she said, setting up her cello on the sa sofa where their journey had begun.
The room filled with soft, tender notes as Gan Yanyu began playing Greeting of Love. Written by Lin Tian specifically for her, it remained one of his favorite compositions. Yet, watching her now, Lin Tian noticed sothing amiss. Her brows furrowed slightly, her movents tense. The lody wavered under the weight of her anxiety.
When she finished, Gan Yanyu lowered her bow, lips curling into a bitter smile before Lin Tian could even speak.
"It wasn't good, right?"
He nodded. "Your tempo was off. Too rushed."
If her usual performance level was rated at 100, this barely reached 60. Competitions required at least 90% of her peak ability to stand a chance against others.
"I guess I got too used to having you nearby," Gan Yanyu murmured. "Being alone again feels strange."
"It's confidence, Miss Gan," Lin Tian said gently. "You lack it."
He'd noticed this issue during their last concert. On stage, Gan Yanyu faltered—not due to skill but self-doubt. Confidence wasn't sothing easily conjured; it took work, especially when societal pressures constantly preached toxic positivity like "be average and confident."
Their previous performance together had catapulted Gan Yanyu into Qingzhou's spotlight. But the upcoming Starlight Cup would bring even greater scrutiny. The pressure was imnse.
"Why did you choose Greeting of Love?" Lin Tian asked suddenly.
Gan Yanyu thought for a mont. "I like it."
"Do you really?"
Lin Tian wasn't convinced. While the piece held sentintal value, it might not suit her current state. Their joint performances of it had never truly satisfied either of them.
"Have you considered switching to another piece?" Lin Tian suggested. "I can compose a new one for you."
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