Salut d'Amour

"Classical music?"

Looking at the sheet music in her hand, Gan Yan Yu's lips trembled slightly as she felt the rhythm of the piece.

As she hummed along, the melody reached its climax.

The young girl's heart pounded faster.

A pair of beautiful, hazel eyes stared intently at the notes on the score.

It was as if she wanted to devour every single note.

She was excited.

The girl suddenly turned her head.

"Lin Tian!"

"Huh?"

"Have you played this piece in its entirety?"

"No."

So, this means...

I'm the first person to play this piece?

Gan Yan Yu's expression gradually turned serious.

Lin Tian was still dazed when Gan Yan Yu suddenly reached out her hand.

"Cello!!"

With a shout of "Instrument, come!", Lin Tian didn't dare to delay. He quickly grabbed the cello from the side and handed it to Gan Yan Yu.

The shift in her aura startled Lin Tian.

He had never seen Gan Yan Yu act so impolitely before!

Gan Yan Yu unzipped the case and solemnly took out the cello.

As if completing a solemn ritual, Gan Yan Yu slowly placed the cello between her legs and picked up the bow.

To avoid disturbing Gan Yan Yu's performance, Lin Tian stood up and moved to the other side of the table.

He sat on the floor, propped his hands on the table, rested his chin on them, and watched Gan Yan Yu opposite him, holding his breath.

"Can you open the window? It's a bit stuffy," Gan Yan Yu asked.

"Okay."

Lin Tian opened the balcony door.

Then he returned to the floor.

"You can start now, Teacher Gan," Lin Tian said respectfully.

Gan Yan Yu took a deep breath and raised her bow.

The bow glided across the strings.

After trying a few notes consecutively and confirming there were no issues, Gan Yan Yu adjusted her posture and began to play the cello.

In the eyes of many, the cello might not be a very popular instrument.

It's simply too niche.

Few people play it, and few people listen to it.

Most people's impression of the cello is that it sounds muffled, with an old-fashioned vibe.

If it's already old-fashioned, it might as well be buried and listened to with a suona.

The cello lacks the clear brightness of the violin or the resonant richness of the piano.

It seems like a dispensable instrument, whether in film and television or in real concert halls, only serving as an inconspicuous accompaniment in an orchestra.

Even in anime about bands, there isn't a protagonist who plays the cello.

But, is that really the case?

The famous Chinese composer Tian Yimiao once said—

"Without the cello, how would our sorrow find its voice?"

The cello is such an instrument.

It can be cold and rigorous, warm and elegant, mournful and lingering, or deep and mysterious.

And no matter the style of playing... ultimately, the sound of the cello is

one of "lifelong commitment."

As a world-renowned masterpiece, "Salut d'Amour" has had numerous versions throughout history.

Piano versions, violin versions, harp versions – many world-class musicians have interpreted this piece with their own understanding over the past hundred years.

However, in Lin Tian's opinion, neither version was as impactful as the original instrument – the cello.

Only the cello could convey such deep emotion, only the cello could interpret tenderness to its absolute extreme.

As Gan Yan Yu drew her bow across the strings.

Beautiful music poured forth, following the melody.

What a tender piece this was.

Like a lover's whispered endearments, it carried a hint of melancholy yet was filled with sweetness.

Gentle as flowing water, profoundly emotional.

Even someone with no musical talent, if they patiently savored it, would be moved.

Elegant, so elegant!

This was a solo performance exclusively for Lin Tian.

He sat below, watching Gan Yan Yu play with intense focus on the sofa.

The dilapidated little rental room instantly transformed into a magnificent concert hall.

The large bottle of chilled Yibao water in his hand became a 1888 Lafite.

Enjoyment.

Beyond enjoyment, it was pure enjoyment.

Gan Yan Yu, playing the cello, seemed like a completely different person.

Gone was her usual slowness and timidity; she was focused and reverent, the music in her hands manipulated at her will.

Gradually, a confident curve formed on the young girl's lips.

In that instant, Lin Tian forgot she was the withdrawn girl who sat by the window with her cello case, contemplating jumping.

He forgot she was the one who, despite a face flushed red from drinking, stood unyielding as a naturally gifted alcoholic.

He forgot she was the clumsy Gan Yan Yu who needed someone to blow on her bitten finger.

In this moment.

She was the most beautiful poet in the world.

Gan Yan Yu lowered her bow and let out a heavy sigh.

"How was it?"

The girl looked at Lin Tian nervously.

After all, this was the first time she had performed one-on-one for someone other than her grandfather.

Lin Tian stroked his chin, his brow furrowed.

This frown only made Gan Yan Yu more anxious.

"Why haven't you won the Parrot Qin Cup yet?"

Lin Tian couldn't help but ask.

"I..."

Gan Yan Yu was momentarily speechless, but a sense of relief washed over her.

"I'm not good enough. Grandpa always says my playing lacks emotion, like a robot..."

"That depends on who you're comparing yourself to."

Grandpa Gan was the undisputed master of the cello! His name was the first result when you searched for it!

To be this accomplished and still so self-conscious, it was hard to imagine what kind of hellish, oppressive education Gan Yan Yu received from Grandpa Gan as a child.

"I think your performance was already outstanding!"

Lin Tian cut to the chase, giving his honest critique.

To interpret "Salut d'Amour" to this extent in her first performance.

Gan Yan Yu's cello skills far exceeded his expectations!

If this wasn't filmed and didn't go viral, it would be a crime against nature!

"Good."

Hearing Lin Tian's praise, Gan Yan Yu showed a rare smile of joy.

For her, this was recognition from the composer himself.

"Lin Tian, the piece you wrote is so beautiful! I don't think it's any less than world-class classical music,"

Gan Yan Yu exclaimed, "If Grandpa were still here, he would have loved this piece."

"Then let's record it and play it for him next time we visit the hospital!"

Lin Tian said with a smile, "Maybe Grandpa will wake up when he hears this song."

"Okay!!"

Gan Yan Yu smiled brilliantly.

The young girl secretly made up her mind.

It was settled, she absolutely had to go.

Lin Tian shifted his gaze back to the sheet music.

Since the trial performance was fine, the next step was to record it and upload it online.

However, to ensure the quality of the recording, he needed professional recording equipment.

And also, a piano, so Lin Tian could accompany her when needed.

All of this required money.

Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu, to put it bluntly, were high school students without any support.

Renting wouldn't be too expensive, but for Lin Tian, who planned to post videos regularly, a long-term rental would be a rip-off.

Just then, Lin Tian suddenly thought of someone.

Perhaps he could ask him for help?

Lin Tian opened his desk drawer and took out a business card—

[SYC Music Agency]

[Music Department Director: Zhong Wei'an]