Chapter 129: At This Point, Let the Performance Begin
After a while, the door to the lounge swung open. Bai Xi strode back in, her deanor relaxed and carefree. Instantly, all eyes in the room turned toward the young perforr who had just delivered such a stunning performance. A mixture of emotions—awe, fear, admiration, envy—rippled through the crowd as everyone stole glances at her from the corners of their eyes.
But Bai Xi didn't return to her seat. Instead, she scanned the room, her gaze eventually landing on Lin Tian. With confident strides, she approached him.
"Mr. Lin," Bai Xi said, addressing him directly in front of everyone. "Did you watch my performance just now?"
"Yes."
"Would you mind giving your thoughts?"
"Strong."
Lin Tian didn't mince words; his straightforward appraisal ca without hesitation. "To bring cello performances of pop music to that level is truly rare."
"Hahaha, thank you, Mr. Lin!" Bai Xi covered her mouth, laughing joyfully. "Then what about my earlier request—have you reconsidered?"
By this, she ant her offer to perform privately for Lin Tian. Was she really that eager to play just for him? Lin Tian couldn't understand why.
"No interest."
"All right then." Bai Xi smiled faintly, saying nothing more. She clasped her hands behind her back and finally shifted her attention to Gan Yanyu beside Lin Tian. Her gaze was heavy with aning.
"Miss Gan, good luck," Bai Xi said before turning and walking away.
"…"
This felt like a direct challenge—a slap in the face, even. Among so many contestants in the lounge, Bai Xi chose to single out Gan Yanyu for encouragent. It seed deliberate.
Bai Xi's actions quickly drew the attention of other competitors:
"Wow, does Bai Xi only see Gan Yanyu as her rival?"
"But what about Zhu Ya and Yang Weize? Their records are no less impressive than Bai Xi's. Gan Yanyu might not even rank in the top four—she's too young."
"But didn't it feel like Bai Xi was more interested in that guy?"
"Yeah, who exactly is he?"
"He's Gan Yanyu's previous piano accompanist. Handso, sowhat skilled, but very low-key."
"…"
Feeling the weight of the gazes around him, Lin Tian heard a soft voice at his ear:
"Lin Tian."
"Hmm?"
Lin Tian turned to look at Gan Yanyu.
"Bai Xi… she…" Gan Yanyu hesitated, leaving her sentence unfinished. Then, after a pause, she continued:
"I think… I can't beat Bai Xi."
"You're still saying things like that?"
"No, I'm serious." Gan Yanyu looked into Lin Tian's eyes, her voice soft.
"That piece Golden Dance of hers—it's incredible, truly Dragon Cello Competition-level. Right now, even if I give it my all, I don't think I can match it—"
As she spoke, Gan Yanyu's gaze shifted to the large screen, which displayed the audience seating area. In the back rows, groups of excited university students were eagerly looking around, their seats adorned with glow sticks and light boards they hadn't yet raised.
Lin Tian knew—Gan Yanyu's little fanbase had arrived on the battlefield. Gao Zhenyang's attempts to intervene had ultimately failed. The organizers hadn't enforced stricter regulations as expected.
The fan behavior that had caused Gan Yanyu trouble during the preliminaries would surely resurface once she took the stage.
As Gan Yanyu had said, deep down, her greatest fear wasn't letting these fans down or disappointing their expectations.
Over years of an abnormal musical career, Gan Yanyu had long lost the ability to sense genuine affection. Every fervent gaze made her subconsciously believe people were there to laugh at her. After all, she'd grown accustod to skepticism over the years.
Under her current lack of confidence, handling this kind of pressure was nearly impossible.
"Enough."
Lin Tian waved his hand in front of Gan Yanyu, pulling her focus back to him.
"Just treat them like radishes and greens."
"Radishes and greens?"
"Yes. Focus your gaze where it should be."
Lin Tian spoke firmly: "Go up, play your piece, then co back down. That's all you need to do."
"Respected judges, esteed guests, and dear audience mbers, please prepare to welco our next outstanding cellist."
With the host's announcent, Gan Yanyu stood up.
Facing the mirror, she bit down on a red hair tie and began gathering her hair layer by layer.
"The next perforr is an 18-year-old prodigy from Qingzhou, Gan Yanyu. This young musician has already made waves in recent months with her exceptional technique and heartfelt interpretations."
Gan Yanyu secured the high ponytail, adjusted it in the mirror, then turned to face Lin Tian.
Softly, she asked:
"How do I look?"
"If this were a beauty pageant, you'd win easily."
"…"
Gan Yanyu lowered her head modestly, her eyes cast downward.
"I'm going."
She pushed open the lounge door and walked toward the stage. Down the corridor she went, until she pulled aside a curtain. A blinding spotlight montarily blinded her.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward boldly.
Amidst thunderous applause, Gan Yanyu walked onto the stage.
Almost instantly, the audience below began buzzing with excitent.
"Is that Gan Yanyu? She's as beautiful as the rumors say!"
"She exudes such grace—it's no wonder she has so many fans."
"The granddaughter personally trained by Old Gan himself! If she could perform even a third as well as him, it would be amazing."
In the front row, the judges exchanged nods and whispers. Across Qingjiang Province, few hadn't heard of Gan Yanyu.
If her earlier fa stemd from having a renowned grandfather, her recent surge in popularity ca from a certain concert.
The flawless duet of Symphony in G Minor: Pathétique—cello and piano combined—had earned glowing reviews from nearly every music publication in Qingzhou, including NQ.
Even now, she was touted as one of the strongest contenders for this year's Parrot Cello Contest. Everyone awaited her performance with great anticipation.
"…"
Yanyu, stay calm. Stay calm.
Standing on stage, bathed in dazzling lights and facing a packed audience, Gan Yanyu gently patted her chest, repeatedly reminding herself to stay composed.
"Thump."
"Thump."
In the midst of the roaring noise, the sound of her heartbeat echoed clearly in her ears.
Slowly, Gan Yanyu sat down, placing the cello in front of her. She picked up the bow with one hand, acutely aware of her rapid breathing.
Concerto in E Minor for Cello.
At this point, let the performance begin—
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