Lin Tian’s eyes narrowed.
Is Nannali serious about this ranking??
Because of a spoken rivalry with Gan Yanyu for "many years," he’s been placed right behind Gan Yanyu in third...
No, do you all really believe that?
It’s like Lu Benwei saying in an interview, "It’s fifty-fifty, I often solo kill him."
And then the media actually ranks him on the same level as a player like Faker.
It’s kind of preposterous.
No surprise it’s a wild list.
That aside, Gan Yanyu being ranked second doesn’t seem so unacceptable now.
However, Bai Xi being the Star Cup champion, there’s definitely no issue with her ranking first.
Her skill is something even a composer with systemic aesthetic capabilities like Lin Tian finds faultless.
That captivating performance... even now, it leaves a deep impression on Lin Tian.
In this Yingqin Cup quest for the championship, Bai Xi is the primary opponent.
And there are also other unfamiliar names on the list, ones Lin Tian hasn’t seen on the Star Cup stage.
Although they’re ranked below Gan Yanyu, their unfamiliarity makes them certainly not to be underestimated.
Just as the mainstream music media always promotes,
— Qingjiang Province is a big music province.
Who knows, there might be another monster like Bai Xi, who played rock music with a cello, showing up.
In any case, this list can only serve as a reference, and if we’re talking about its usefulness...
The "media rankings" before each big competition over the years usually end up being a curse.
Those ranked first rarely win the competition.
Hopefully, this curse will continue through this year.
Anyway, let’s wait and see the true mettle during tomorrow’s preliminary competition!
Qingzhou City, Mingcan Hotel, Presidential Suite.
In the quiet room, by the large floor-to-ceiling window,
An elderly man stood with his back to the window, looking out at the skyscrapers of Qingzhou City.
Below was a busy scene of streets and alleys, full of cars and pedestrians.
Behind the old man, his assistant Tian Rui was organizing documents for tomorrow’s competition.
Casting a casual glance and seeing the elder’s solitary figure, Tian Rui couldn’t help but speak up:
"Teacher, everyone online is discussing Miss Gan Yanyu and your recent interview..."
"There are already many accusations against you bullying the newcomer with your seniority... Were the words that day too harsh...?"
Hearing this, Tuoba Jianhui took a deep breath without a change in expression.
He turned his face slightly, his weathered features betraying no emotion.
"If those words can make that child give up this path, then I should have said even more."
Tian Rui showed a conflicted expression.
At that moment, Tuoba Jianhui turned around and looked towards an open suitcase nearby.
On a stack of clothes lay a picture frame.
In it, a young Tuoba Jianhui posed with another man who was carrying a cello case.
"Old Gan... don’t worry, I will not let anyone harm your granddaughter..."
The first day of Yingqin Cup preliminaries.
Morning, the first batch of the professional group competition.
In front of the Qingtian Music Hall, a large crowd had gathered.
Fans, audience, media reporters, and staff were at the entrance, bustling and noisy.
Stepping out of the car and hearing this clamor, seeing the dense crowd in front, Lin Tian gasped.
Such a horrifying scale was incomparable to the previous Star Cup.
"Teacher Gan Yanyu is here, and Teacher Lin Tian too!"
Soon, a group of young people in the distance immediately burst into excited cheers.
Most of them started paying attention to the cello only after becoming fans of Gan Yanyu’s stunning looks.
Many of them are attending a concert hall competition for the first time.
Therefore, their enthusiasm and excitement levels are much higher than those of the regular audience.
Among these young spectators, quite a few came to verify the identities of Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu because of the recent buzz about "Moonlight and Cat’s Qingzhou performance".
No matter how diverse their reasons, they all significantly heightened Gan Yanyu’s popularity among the younger crowd in this competition.
"Go for it! Sister Gan Yanyu!!"
"You must win the championship!"
"Hey... isn’t today just the preliminary round?"
"Then smoothly sail through the prelims!!"
Cheer after cheer engulfed Gan Yanyu as she walked on the red carpet.
Knowing that Gan Yanyu has always been fearful of such fan shouts, Lin Tian consciously stayed by her side, planning to quicken the girl’s pace.
However, just as they were about to enter the door...
Gan Yanyu stopped in her tracks.
Then, under Lin Tian’s astonished gaze, the girl turned her head and raised her hand towards the distant fans who were shouting for her.
- Flashing a victorious "V" sign.
Lin Tian was stunned.
For a moment, flashes sparked everywhere as numerous reporters’ cameras frantically snapped photos.
The fans fell into even more excited cheers.
Following that, Gan Yanyu, with a flushed face, turned back and stepped forward briskly.
And Lin Tian, with a somewhat dazed expression,
Suddenly, couldn’t help but laugh.
Teacher Gan today, really is different.
What could it be due to?
Lin Tian knew that Gan Yanyu has always appeared fragile on the outside but is more eager for victory than anyone else inside.
He recalls the second place at the last Star Cup.
She cared so deeply yet had to grit her teeth and pretend not to care...
That day’s official announcement declared Gan Yanyu’s defeat.
Seeing Gan Yanyu silently slumped on the couch, that image remained forever unforgettable for Lin Tian.
At that moment Lin Tian thought, if he could become a professional musician and take the stage with Gan Yanyu, he would have to win everything. Now that the competition was looming, he had to consider whether this might be his only chance in life.
To restore the glory of cellists, is our inescapable duty!
It’s a battle for revenge!
The scene of the Yingqin Cup.
Inside the music hall, the noise was thunderous.
The audience seats were filled to capacity, and the twelve judges also took their seats one after another.
"According to the information provided by Chen this time, among the twelve judges, nine have a background in traditional music and won’t favor any particular musical genre."
Gan Yanyu was applying makeup at the front, while Lin Tian analyzed seriously at her side,
"So, all we need to do is play well and fully showcase our strength!"
Gan Yanyu nodded, she opened the lipstick cap, holding two lipsticks up to Lin Tian,
"Lin Tian, which color do you think looks better?"
"This lighter one, you’re not suited for too bright ones."
Gan Yanyu applied the lipstick carefully, while Lin Tian watched entranced.
To even consider asking about lipstick shades, Teacher Gan must be in unusually good form today...
If there has to be a change, perhaps it’s just this one.
Lin Tian looked up towards the large screen.
In the midst of the judges, Tuoba Jianhui adjusted his tie and took his seat at the central position C.