According to the information Lin Tian could find online.
Gan Hua, that is Sir Gan.
That's the neighborly old man who meticulously studies hand-brewed coffee in the café every day, always cheerful and spirited towards every customer.
Lin Tian never expected him to be a world-renowned cellist.
It was hard for him, in any case, to associate the well-known musician, who performs in opulent concert halls dressed in suits, with Sir Gan who jests around daily and confidently fiddles with his blend coffee at the front desk.
If the article hasn't exaggerated.
Sir Gan was once considered the top cellist in Zhonghua.
Yet, this top figure of Zhonghua.
Sixteen years ago, faced a terrible defeat in the highest-level cello competition in the world – the Ker Cup.
The cultural and entertainment industry in this world, seems to care even more about musical honors than in the past.
It's imaginable.
What a severe blow this was to the cellist community of Zhonghua and the entire music world.
Just like the LPL sweeping national championships, taking the msi championship, and winning both the spring and summer tournaments.
But failed during the world championships, in the quarter-finals elimination round.
The widely anticipated top contender, fell.
Who knows how many wanted to quit, how many became disillusioned and never watched a match again.
Regarding the specifics of the competition sixteen years ago, Lin Tian has no way of knowing.
But what he does know, Sir Gan probably did not continue with his cello.
At least, in the time Lin Tian spent with him, he never mentioned it.
From this, Lin Tian speculated boldly—
Sir Gan's granddaughter, Gan Yanyu, has now become a cellist.
Could this be related to Sir Gan's unfulfilled dreams?
But why does Gan Yanyu now want to commit suicide.
When she hasn't achieved her dreams yet, hasn't fulfilled Sir Gan's regrets.
Is she really giving up just like that?
About these issues, Lin Tian has no way to verify at the moment.
He can only proceed one step at a time.
This article is really abstract though!
Constantly demanding introspection, making it feel like a Meaningful Forest magazine.
He opened the system interface that successfully bound yesterday.
[Partner List]
[Name: Gan Yanyu]
[Identity: Cellist]
[Ability: Cello A+, Foreign Language B+, Vocal B, Dancing C, Communication C, Learning S]
[Current Stress Resistance: E]
[SAN Value: 8]
[Health Status: Very Poor (Very Poor, Poor, Stable, Good, Excellent)]
[Note: Each time the host improves the partner's Stress Resistance, SAN Value, Health Status by one level, a new reward can be unlocked]
...
Another status bar that just by looking makes one feel sorry.
So many abilities, yet specifically listing "Stress Resistance" alone highlights its importance.
Only at E.
After all, this is a person who has clearly attempted suicide.
However, although the values related to mental state are all very low, Gan Yanyu is still very strong in skills.
The learning capability is at the highest S level.
Cello is also A+.
Regardless of whether there are rewards or not, Lin Tian believes, if Gan Yanyu can regain her spirit, with her capabilities, she is destined to achieve great things!
Afterwards, Lin Tian opened the item menu and opened the system gifted[Newcomer Gift Box].
[Received: Instrument Skill Self-selection Card*1]
[Upon opening, you can choose one from the five common instruments and acquire its beginner level Music Skill Card]
[Note: This is the only opportunity the host has to obtain a similar Music Skill Card, please choose carefully]
Choose an instrument?
Lin Tian seemed contemplative. Since there was only one opportunity, for now, he didn't need this item and could set it aside.
Upon opening the gift box, another interface popped up in the system.
[Personal Task Issued—]
[Objective: Play a piece of music on any instrument and receive praise from more than 10 people]
[Reward: Music Memory Enhancement Card]
[Music Memory Enhancement: Enhances all music-related memories in the host's memory, allowing the host to easily write music scores based on their own music theory knowledge]
[Note: The system will periodically release some reward tasks, categorized into 'Personal Tasks' and 'Producer Tasks', which are non-mandatory. The host may choose to complete or not. Completion will grant a reward, while non-completion will not delay the issuance of subsequent tasks.]
Clearly.
This task was meant to be used in conjunction with the previously mentioned self-select card.
These were not things Lin Tian needed to consider immediately.
Right now, he had to go to school.
....
Jingzhou Seventh Middle School.
As a school that wasn't ranked top city-wide but still counted as a key high school, Jingzhou Seventh always adhered to one educational philosophy—healthy education and self-discipline above all.
Perhaps because there had been several cases of stress-induced suicides among senior students, which got the school pointed out by the Education Bureau a few times, Jingzhou Seventh now had a generally more relaxed approach to student management.
For a day student like Lin Tian, he didn't need to attend morning classes; he just needed to arrive in the classroom before the first period.
The first period was math.
Summer classrooms always felt stiflingly hot, especially during math classes when the air seemed filled with an anxious atmosphere.
An old electric fan spun tirelessly on the ceiling, as if it might fall and chop off the students' heads at any moment.
"Tian, don't leave right after school today."
The boy sitting next to him, sporting several pimples and square glasses, turned his face towards Lin Tian and spoke.
The boy's name was Xu Yong, Lin Tian's desk mate.
He was also one of the few friends Lin Tian had at school.
"We're scheduled for the shift tonight."
Hearing this, Lin Tian was slightly startled.
He and Xu Yong had a part-time job at a tea restaurant near the school.
Because their main duty was as students and they were temp workers, it was uncommon for them to be scheduled.
Only on certain days, when the restaurant had high customer traffic, or someone was on leave, they would be called in to work.
"Is it a must?"
Lin Tian hesitated.
He had just planned to have dinner with Gan Yanyu tonight, and her mental state wasn't very stable. He feared that even a minute's delay could increase the danger for the girl.
"What's up?"
Hearing Lin Tian's hesitant tone, Xu Yong widened his eyes,
"Are you busy with something?"
"Sort of."
"What could you possibly be busy with? I know you too well, your life's always been so routine..."
As he spoke, Xu Yong's eyes suddenly narrowed,
"You sly dog, don't tell me, you have a date?"
"How could that..."
"Wait, I remember you said last night that you went to Foot Washing City—you didn't happen to meet some chick there, and now you're going to meet her tonight?!"
At that point, Xu Yong's face grew even more alarmed.
"Tian, we joke around, but don't really mess with the girls from Foot Washing City, okay? I know girls don't pay you much attention usually, but we mustn't resort to that even in dry spells!"
"Nuts..." Lin Tian glanced at the blackboard, waving his hand impatiently.
Lin Tian knew Xu Yong only too well.
The guy was a hype beast, always blowing up about explosive stuff.
He was known for his forum antics.
Beep beep—
Just then, Lin Tian's phone vibrated in his pocket.
He took it out under the desk, and found it was from "After the Rain."
It was a video.
Xu Yong quickly leaned over.
Upon opening it, Gan Yanyu was holding her phone, recording herself and a pot in the kitchen.
She also sent a text message:
"Lin Tian, how do you turn on your gas?"