Chapter Summaries

During the performance, Gan Yan Yu’s cello inspired Mao Wei'ang to abandon his familiar style and express his own heart, allowing him to understand what Gan Hua had tried to convey nineteen years earlier. Mao Wei'ang’s moving solo ended with the audience and commentators astonished, just as they noticed Bai Junze’s battered cello on the livestream.

• Gan Yan Yu’s vivid cello performance immersed Mao Wei'ang in a vision of her riding fearlessly through a battlefield, and he realized her music was entirely her own.
• Mao Wei'ang began his solo with a gentle, lonely melody, then let its intensity rise as he imagined galloping into battle and disregarded his usual musical style.
• Yao Han recognized Mao Wei'ang’s performance as music shaped by his limited time, while He Shumo learned that Mao Wei'ang did not have long to live.
• Mao Wei'ang understood that Gan Hua had used his performance to convey classical music’s beauty, and he played his own music to communicate rather than simply evoke a feeling.
• The audience was moved by Mao Wei'ang’s warmer, more expressive solo, and Yao Han and He Shumo marveled at how well it complemented Gan Yan Yu’s performance.
• Yao Han warned that Bai Junze’s upcoming ensemble would be harder to change, but He Shumo noticed Bai Junze’s cello was patched together with scraps and tape.

Gan Yan Yu visited Bai Junze’s mother and learned that his father had died regretting their estrangement, then brought the family’s repaired cello back to him. Bai Junze played it onstage with grief and tenderness, and the ensemble was about to begin.

• Six days earlier, Gan Yan Yu visited Bai Junze’s mother, who told her that Bai Junze had never returned home after his father smashed his cello and drove him away.
• Bai Junze’s mother explained that his father later repaired the broken cello and longed to apologize, but died before seeing his son again.
• Gan Yan Yu accepted the taped-up cello from Bai Junze’s mother and brought it back, while Lin Tian chided her for traveling alone and Gan Yan Yu said she wanted him to rely on her too.
• Onstage, Bai Junze played the battered cello with restrained, sorrowful intensity, surprising the audience and Yao Han, who had expected his usual antics.
• As Bai Junze’s performance neared its end, the four-person ensemble was about to begin.

Lin Tian, Gan Yan Yu, Mao Wei'ang, and Bai Junze performed “Zhao Zilong” together, bringing pop and classical styles into harmony and prompting the audience to reconsider their hostility. After the performance won thunderous applause, Yao Han called Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu madmen for helping their rivals grow stronger before the finals.

• Bai Junze delivered an emotionally powerful cello solo before Gan Yan Yu and Mao Wei'ang joined him and Lin Tian onstage for the ensemble.
• The four musicians performed “Zhao Zilong” in a seamless blend of styles, and the audience praised their playing and discussed whether the piece was pop or classical music.
• Zhang Dong explained that the performance mattered more than the piece’s genre, while viewers recognized how the musicians had changed and wondered why they had chosen to perform together.
• As the ensemble ended, audience members connected the performers’ collaboration to accepting one another, and Lin Tian and Mao Wei'ang smiled at the message getting through.
• After He Shumo pinned Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu’s photos to a whiteboard, Yao Han called them madmen for strengthening Mao Wei'ang and Bai Junze, who would become more formidable opponents in the finals.

After their collaborative performance, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu signed a charity copyright agreement with Mao Wei'ang, who thanked Lin Tian through tears, while Bai Junze announced he would return home to teach music after the finals. Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu began preparing for the Dragon Qin Cup finals, then saw that their performance and the contest’s treatment of musical genres had become a trending topic.

• He Shumo praised Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu, while Yao Han decided their opponents’ improvement would help them give their best performance in the finals.
• Lin Tian, Gan Yan Yu, and Mao Wei'ang signed an agreement directing all revenue from “Zhao Zilong” to charity and sharing credit among the four performers.
• Mao Wei'ang asked whether people would remember their performance, and Lin Tian promised to help carry his story forward, prompting Mao Wei'ang to cry.
• Bai Junze told Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu he would compete in the finals, then return home to teach music and leave professional cello competitions behind.
• Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu set off to prepare for the Dragon Qin Cup finals, and Lin Tian saw a trending topic about their performance and China Daily challenging the Dragon Qin Cup’s treatment of pop and classical music.

After the recital drew widespread praise and China Daily challenged the Dragon Qin Cup’s treatment of classical music, He Zhichen told Lin Tian that public opinion might give sympathetic judges cover to vote fairly. Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu resolved to focus on the final, and Lin Tian proposed they perform “Salut d'Amour.”

• Music critics and media praised the four-person recital as proof that classical music could endure through new forms.
• China Daily reported on the recital and criticized the Dragon Qin Cup’s unequal treatment of classical music, prompting netizens to demand an investigation.
• He Zhichen told Lin Tian that public opinion could give sympathetic judges an excuse to vote for him and Gan Yan Yu, even if it would not change the competition system.
• Lin Tian shared the news with Gan Yan Yu, but she said they still needed to prepare seriously and focus on winning.
• Lin Tian declared that they would win the final and proposed performing “Salut d'Amour” with Gan Yan Yu.

Lin Tian proposed that he and Gan Yan Yu perform "Salut d'Amour" in the Dragon Qin Cup finals, hoping to revisit their first piece and revive the feelings it represented. Gan Yan Yu lacked confidence because their past attempts had fallen short, and she promised to give Lin Tian an answer the next day.

• Lin Tian explained why he wanted to perform "Salut d'Amour" in the finals, citing its history with Gan Yan Yu and its suitability for a steady performance.
• Lin Tian privately hoped the piece would rekindle the romantic flutter between him and Gan Yan Yu, and he mistakenly thought she was hesitant to reveal their relationship publicly.
• Gan Yan Yu told Lin Tian she lacked confidence because they had never performed the piece well before.
• Lin Tian encouraged Gan Yan Yu, saying their understanding of each other's feelings had changed, but she asked for one day to decide.

Lin Tian vented to He Zhichen about Gan Yan Yu hesitating over their finals piece, and He Zhichen called him a love brain for overthinking her feelings. He Zhichen suggested Gan Yan Yu might be trying to overcome her dependence on Lin Tian, leaving him to consider how to support her as the Dragon Qin Cup finals approached.

• Lin Tian told He Zhichen about Gan Yan Yu wanting time to consider their finals piece and worried that her lack of confidence meant she doubted his feelings.
• He Zhichen pointed out that Lin Tian was overthinking the issue and suggested both he and Gan Yan Yu might be anxious as the competition and their engagement drew nearer.
• Lin Tian acknowledged his emotional state and decided to refocus on the competition rather than dwell on his feelings while Gan Yan Yu worried about winning.
• He Zhichen suggested Gan Yan Yu wanted to overcome her dependence on Lin Tian and urged him to let her rely on him without reservation.

Lin Tian learned that Gan Yan Yu agreed to perform “Salut d'Amour” with him in the Dragon Qin Cup finals, and they planned to begin training the next day. After claiming a system reward, he received a new ability that showed the probability of someone entering a “heartbeat” state toward him.

• He Zhichen discussed Lin Tian's relationship with Gan Yan Yu and invited him to share any future developments.
• Gan Yan Yu told Lin Tian she agreed to perform “Salut d'Amour” in the finals, though she worried about playing it well.
• Lin Tian asked Gan Yan Yu to trust him no matter what happened, and she agreed.
• Lin Tian said they would begin training the next day and returned to his apartment.
• Lin Tian claimed the completed task reward and received the permanent BUFF enhancement Heartbeat Rate Visualization.

Lin Tian tested his new ability and learned that Gan Yan Yu's Heart Flutter Rate was only 12%, which he understood as high for someone with so little grasp of love. As they practiced "Salut d'Amour" for the finals, Gan Yan Yu began playing with an unexpectedly forceful, rushed tempo, and Lin Tian urged her to look into his eyes.

• Lin Tian saw Gan Yan Yu's Heart Flutter Rate was 12% and reasoned that her feelings had grown from almost nothing as she gradually learned what love meant.
• Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu set up recording equipment and began practicing "Salut d'Amour" together.
• Gan Yan Yu's cello playing grew rushed and forceful during the climax, throwing Lin Tian's piano playing off pace.
• Lin Tian called out to Gan Yan Yu to look into his eyes while they continued playing.

Love Letter Teacher announced that the novel had reached 1.2 million words and was nearing its conclusion, reflecting on its single-couple focus and efforts to develop supporting characters. The author promised to finish Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu's story in the coming months, hinted at two final twists, and launched a monthly-vote giveaway.

• Love Letter Teacher reported the novel's readership and ranking, explained the challenges of sustaining a single-female-lead romance, and said the story would likely end in June.
• The author described efforts to give opponents and supporting characters more depth, including adapting an old screenwriting-class story for Bai Junze's arc.
• Love Letter Teacher said the final two months would focus on a smooth conclusion for Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu, with two more twists and a satisfying ending planned.
• The author asked readers to support the novel in the monthly vote rankings and offered gold, a Nintendo Switch, character goods, and other prizes through an April 7 giveaway.

Lin Tian realized Gan Yan Yu struggled to express love through music, even though she could understand and feel it, and he guided her through a warmer performance of Salut d'Amour. After she let thoughts of their approaching finals turn the piece passionate, Lin Tian proposed that they do something intimate to help her learn how to convey love.

• Gan Yan Yu lost focus during her first attempt at Salut d'Amour, and Lin Tian concluded that her anxiety about the finals was affecting her performance.
• Lin Tian asked Gan Yan Yu to focus on him as he played with romantic warmth, helping her relax and begin the duet with a sweet, joyful tone.
• As the piece reached its climax, Gan Yan Yu's cello grew passionate because she thought about achieving their dream, and Lin Tian let the performance continue to its end.
• Lin Tian realized Gan Yan Yu was not skilled at expressing love and that her excitement about the finals kept her from conveying the piece's pure affection.
• Lin Tian asked Gan Yan Yu whether she wanted to do something intimate.

Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu tried to find the heart-fluttering emotion needed for their finals performance by practicing intimate gestures. Gan Yan Yu’s words and actions stirred Lin Tian’s feelings, and they began a hug that left his energy nearing a breakthrough.

• Lin Tian persuaded Gan Yan Yu to practice holding hands, but their awkward handshake made them laugh instead of feel romantic.
• Gan Yan Yu explained that gestures needed an emotional atmosphere, then praised Lin Tian’s eyes, pressed her forehead to his, and placed his hand against her chest.
• Lin Tian realized Gan Yan Yu had stirred his heart, while she insisted she had acted on instinct and still needed to learn how to express love.
• Gan Yan Yu suggested they move on to a more intimate gesture for the competition, and Lin Tian agreed to hug her.
• As Lin Tian embraced Gan Yan Yu, he enjoyed the closeness and felt energy gathering inside him, seemingly close to breaking through its seal.

Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu practiced expressing the feelings behind “Salut d'Amour,” and Lin Tian realized that Gan Yan Yu had been showing her love through small acts of care. The practice ended with her offering him her lap to rest on, while they kept their agreement not to cross the line before the Ke'er Cup; afterward, she suggested practicing in her room the next day.

• Lin Tian pushed Gan Yan Yu away when his body reacted, and they discussed whether their cautious approach could reveal the feelings they needed for “Salut d'Amour.”
• Lin Tian remembered Gan Yan Yu telling him he did not always need to ask her opinion, then leaned toward her as she nervously retreated.
• Gan Yan Yu stopped Lin Tian from kissing her and offered him her lap instead, stroking his hair as he rested.
• Lin Tian told Gan Yan Yu that her careful attention to his preferences might be how she expressed love, and asked her to bring those feelings into the next day's practice.
• Lin Tian sent Gan Yan Yu home to reflect, then reconsidered their failed attempt to move beyond their agreed boundary before the Ke'er Cup.
• Gan Yan Yu messaged Lin Tian after returning home and suggested that they practice in her room the next day.

Lin Tian met with Gao Zhenyang to discuss the difficulties he and Gan Yan Yu faced with their planned Dragon Qin Cup finals performance of “Salut d'Amour.” Gao Zhenyang argued that their agreement to pursue their dreams before getting together made the piece’s demand for irrational, unreserved love impossible to fulfill, leaving Lin Tian questioning whether love and dreams could coexist.

• Lin Tian agreed to practice with Gan Yan Yu in her room and received He Zhichen’s invitation to breakfast the next morning.
• He Zhichen brought Lin Tian to meet Gao Zhenyang, who had arrived in Beijing and wanted to advise him about the finals.
• Lin Tian told Gao Zhenyang that he believed the problems with “Salut d'Amour” had mostly been resolved after guiding Gan Yan Yu the previous night.
• Gao Zhenyang warned Lin Tian that he and Gan Yan Yu would not perform “Salut d'Amour” well because their agreement to get together only after achieving their dreams made their love too rational for the piece.
• Lin Tian questioned whether love and dreams could coexist.

Lin Tian sought Gao Zhenyang’s advice about whether he and Gan Yan Yu could perform “Salut d'Amour” well, then tested their rehearsal and realized their restrained feelings still kept the piece from reaching its full potential. He considered changing the piece, but Gan Yan Yu insisted that she wanted to perform this one.

• Gao Zhenyang advised Lin Tian to consider changing their competition piece, and Lin Tian left to speak with Gan Yan Yu.
• Gao Zhenyang and He Zhichen bet on which of Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu would act more impulsively during a future crisis, wagering a coaching month and the role of wedding witness.
• Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu rehearsed “Salut d'Amour,” and Lin Tian heard that Gan Yan Yu’s playing had become deeper and more expressive.
• Lin Tian concluded that their restrained love still kept their performance from reaching its full potential and suggested choosing another piece.
• Gan Yan Yu refused to change pieces and told Lin Tian she only wanted to perform “Salut d'Amour.”

Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu committed to performing Salut d'Amour and found a freer way to combine their love with their dreams. They continued practicing for the Dragon Qin Cup finals, and Lin Tian headed to Gan Yan Yu's apartment the night before the competition to keep his promise, wondering what surprise she had planned.

• Lin Tian accepted Gan Yan Yu's decision to keep Salut d'Amour and promised not to give up on her or the piece.
• Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu performed together, blending their love and their ambitions, and both felt the music had gone well.
• Gan Yan Yu asked Lin Tian about what he had discussed with Teacher He Zhichen, then invited him to train at her apartment the night before the finals.
• Over the next two days, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu practiced with fewer distractions and prepared for the Dragon Qin Cup finals.
• Lin Tian kept his promise and set out for Gan Yan Yu's apartment, hoping she had prepared a surprise.

Gan Yan Yu tried to comfort Lin Tian before the finals by making his favorite desserts and talking about their future together. When Lin Tian finally revealed what had been troubling him, he told her that he thought her feelings for him were not pure.

• Gan Yan Yu reflected on Lin Tian’s recent insecurity and decided she wanted to embrace the changes in their relationship rather than abandon “Salut d'Amour.”
• After showering, Gan Yan Yu welcomed Lin Tian into her apartment, where he admired their Parrot Qin Cup trophy and ate the mung bean cakes and coconut sago she had made.
• Gan Yan Yu explained that she had prepared the desserts to help Lin Tian relax and give him strength before the finals.
• Gan Yan Yu proposed discussing their university plans and how to repair their relationship after the Ke'er Cup.
• Lin Tian stopped Gan Yan Yu as she spoke and said he thought her liking for him was not pure.

Lin Tian admitted that his worries about losing his feelings for Gan Yan Yu came from his own insecurity, and the two reconciled before the finals. Their conversation ended with a strange recording from a chibi doll in Lin Tian's likeness.

• Lin Tian told Gan Yan Yu that he feared he might stop liking her after their dreams came true, and Gan Yan Yu tearfully insisted that she would never let that happen.
• Gan Yan Yu made Lin Tian promise that he would never lose his feelings for her, and he explained that his overthinking had nearly damaged their relationship.
• Lin Tian decided not to dwell on Gan Yan Yu's complicated feelings and promised that they would complete the missing piece of 'Salut d'Amour' at the competition.
• Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu reaffirmed that they would win the finals, then Gan Yan Yu went to pour him sago milk.
• Lin Tian found a chibi doll of himself beneath the sofa pillow, and a voice inside it asked, 'Why didn't you cross the line?'

After a recording in a doll made Gan Yan Yu blush and send Lin Tian home, Lin Tian wondered whether she wanted him to cross the boundary between them and decided they needed to talk. On the morning of the Dragon Qin Cup final, a speeding car startled Lin Tian, while Gan Yan Yu told her makeup artist that she and Lin Tian would definitely marry.

• Lin Tian discovered that the doll he had given Gan Yan Yu contained a recording of her saying, “don't cross the line,” and she flusteredly pushed him out before returning to give him the remaining sago dessert.
• Lin Tian found the doll’s hidden recording-function detail in his Taotao order and speculated that Gan Yan Yu had wanted him to become more intimate, though he remained unsure.
• Lin Tian decided to talk with Gan Yan Yu after the competition and messaged He Zhichen for advice, but He Zhichen questioned whether his interpretation sounded like Gan Yan Yu.
• The next morning, Lin Tian saw Gan Yan Yu’s message that she had gone to the venue early, then left for the Dragon Qin Cup final after breakfast.
• As Lin Tian reached his ride-share, He Zhichen’s reply arrived and a speeding car’s headlights startled him.
• At Beijing International Concert Hall, Gan Yan Yu told the makeup artist that she and Lin Tian would definitely get married.

The Dragon Qin Cup finals began as the contestants performed while Gan Yan Yu waited for Lin Tian, who was late after being hit by a car. Mao Wei'ang and Bai Xi reflected on Lin Tian’s influence, and the chapter ended with Lin Tian forcing himself into a ride-hailing car and ordering the driver to take him to Beijing International Concert Hall.

• Bamboo Leaf backed Nana Li Christine to win the championship, while Maple Leaf predicted Gan Yan Yu would take it.
• Mao Wei'ang greeted Gan Yan Yu backstage and learned that Lin Tian was still resting and would arrive later.
• Mao Wei'ang performed “Return on the Wind” with a warmer, more delicate sound, then returned backstage and heard Bai Xi praise Lin Tian’s influence on the cellists.
• Bai Junze performed onstage as Bai Xi admitted she had wanted Lin Tian’s guidance and was content simply to have reached the finals.
• Lin Tian awoke after being hit by a car, ignored the driver’s pleas to wait for help, and climbed into his ride-hailing car.
• Lin Tian ordered the driver to take him to Beijing International Concert Hall despite his injured leg.