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Chapter 23: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy Become One
The rising sun bathed the entire sky in a golden glow, its rays stretching out like fingers to light up every corner of the horizon.
Beneath the azure expanse, the city of Qingzhou sprawled behind the young man, clearer and more vivid than it had ever been before. In that moment, it felt as though Lin Tian stood atop the world, the sprawling metropolis beneath his feet like a kingdom conquered.
Sunlight danced across his handsome face, catching on the sharp angles of his jawline, while a gentle breeze tousled his hair, lending him an air of effortless confidence. He looked every bit the hero stepping off the pages of some grand tale.
“You’ll help me?” Gan Yanyu’s wide eyes betrayed her disbelief.
“Yes.”
With that single word, Lin Tian leapt down from where he’d been standing, landing gracefully on the ground with all the flair of someone who knew exactly how to make an entrance.
“I may not be much,” he said with a casual shrug, “but I do know a thing or two about music.”
“Especially classical music.”
At those words, Gan Yanyu’s pupils visibly dilated, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. It wasn’t just idle talk—she remembered their first meeting on the balcony when Lin Tian had effortlessly identified the piece she was playing as classical. That small detail had stuck with her, leaving her inclined to trust his claim.
“I can compose,” Lin Tian continued, “though my performance skills leave something to be desired. So, we could collaborate.”
“Collaborate?”
“I’ll write the music, you play it. And if needed, I can accompany you on the piano.” His tone was matter-of-fact, yet carried an undercurrent of excitement.
Cello and piano—a timeless combination, one often seen in prestigious cello competitions around the world.
From the moment they’d first crossed paths, Lin Tian had recognized Gan Yanyu’s raw talent. With two lifetimes’ worth of experience behind him, he could see potential where others might miss it. This girl wasn’t just good; she was extraordinary. If nurtured properly, there was no telling what heights she could reach.
“And what would I need to do for you in return?” Gan Yanyu asked, tilting her head slightly.
“It’s simple,” Lin Tian replied, a sly grin spreading across his face. He’d already thought this through earlier in the day. “Film short videos with me.”
In Qingzhou, a city known for churning out internet celebrities, being a high school student with hidden talents meant opportunities were everywhere. If you wanted to earn money and fame quickly without jeopardizing your studies—or your college entrance exams—filming TikTok-style content was practically a no-brainer.
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, a notification popped up in front of him:
[Producer Task Issued —]
[Objective: Compose a piece and release a short video featuring your partner’s performance. Achieve over 10,000 genuine likes.]
[Deadline: 5 days]
[Reward: ¥10,000 (Source is legitimate and safe to use)]
Cash reward?
Lin Tian’s heart skipped a beat. Ten thousand yuan wasn’t life-changing, but for someone in his current financial predicament, it was nothing short of salvation. Between erratic work shifts and mounting bills, his bank account had dwindled to near-nothingness. He was two months behind on rent, saved only by the kindness of his landlord—a sweet older woman who understood the struggles of living alone.
If he could pull this off, the pressure weighing on his shoulders would lift significantly.
“What’s filming short videos?” Gan Yanyu asked curiously.
Her question caught Lin Tian off guard. Then again, considering her WeChat profile name was [Sunshine After Rain] and her avatar resembled something straight out of a middle-aged mom’s photo album, it made sense. She probably hadn’t spent much time exploring social media trends.
“You record yourself playing,” Lin Tian explained patiently, “then edit it into a short clip—usually less than a minute—and post it on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels.”
“I see.”
Gan Yanyu nodded thoughtfully. Platforms like YouTube weren’t foreign to her; during her time abroad, she’d occasionally watched live streams or recordings of international music competitions online. The concept clicked instantly.
“I’ll assist you in preparing for your cello competitions,” Lin Tian offered, extending his hand with a warm smile, “and you help me film these videos. Partners?”
Partners?
Gan Yanyu stared at his outstretched hand, momentarily frozen. There was something disarming about the way he grinned—so open, so full of hope. A strange force seemed to guide her movements as she hesitantly reached out and clasped his hand.
“Okay.”
Her voice was soft but firm, sealing the deal between them.
The sunlight bathed the young pair, their hands clasped tightly together.
From this moment on, Lin Tian's [partner] was truly and officially bound to him.
Gan Yanyu didn’t ask about his composing abilities or how skilled he was at playing the piano. She didn’t need to. Deep down, she already trusted him completely.
Or perhaps, it wasn’t so much about trust as it was about something else—something she hadn’t felt in a long time: security. Standing beside Lin Tian made her feel safe again, like she could face anything life threw her way.
With that thought lingering in her mind, Gan Yanyu gently released his hand.
“Lin Tian.”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you… thank you for bringing me here.”
Lin Tian sighed exasperatedly, pressing a palm to his forehead. “If you keep being this formal with me, I’ll start thinking all my efforts today were wasted.”
He couldn’t help but feel frustrated. They had just opened up to each other, yet Gan Yanyu still spoke like some scripted NPC from a video game. But when he glanced at her, he noticed her cheeks were flushed red.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured softly, lowering her head. “Our handshake earlier felt too ceremonial… almost too serious. If I didn’t say ‘thank you,’ it would’ve felt weird…”
“Oh no, not again,” Lin Tian groaned, planting his hands on his hips. “Gan Yanyu!”
“A-ah?” Startled, she snapped upright, her body stiffening like a student caught slacking during military training.
Without hesitation, Lin Tian reached out and pinched both of her cheeks between his fingers. Her skin was soft and smooth, surprisingly squishable despite her slender appearance.
He tugged lightly, forcing her face upward into an awkward smile. “Didn’t you look cool during that handshake? Smile! Be confident! You’re an 18-year-old professional cellist, for crying out loud!”
“Mm…” Gan Yanyu whimpered faintly, ducking her head again. Her face turned even redder.
It seemed his attempts to cheer her up weren’t working quite as planned.
Just then, realization dawned on him. He quickly pulled out his phone.
6:12 AM.
Crap. They were in the suburbs.
School started soon!
He’d almost forgotten—he was still a high school student with classes to attend.
Panic setting in, Lin Tian spun around and sprinted toward the road. Over his shoulder, he called back, “Rest well tonight! See you tomorrow!”
“And tomorrow, I’ll write you a piece. Come find me after class!”
As Gan Yanyu watched his retreating figure, memories of the evening flooded her mind. Slowly, a sweet smile spread across her lips, lighting up her entire face.
---
Meanwhile, back at school, Lin Tian was making the most of his morning. Five classes awaited him, including two math lessons and one physical education session. However, since the PE teacher called in sick, it became three consecutive hours of math instead.
Lin Tian couldn’t imagine how blissfully he could sleep through such monotony. As soon as he arrived at school, he collapsed onto his desk and drifted off into a deep slumber. The droning voice of the math teacher only served as the perfect lullaby, ensuring he slept soundly.
This might have been the best nap he’d ever had in his entire academic career.
That is, until a voice broke through his dreams.
“Lin Tian…”
“Lin Tian…”
Snapping awake, Lin Tian blinked blearily, finding the classroom eerily empty save for Xu Yong sitting beside him, shaking his shoulder.
“It’s lunch break already,” Xu Yong said, frowning with concern. “You alright, man? You okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, just didn’t get enough sleep,” Lin Tian yawned, stretching lazily. He glanced around the room, trying to shake off the grogginess.
“So…” Xu Yong began accusingly, “what exactly were you doing last night with Gan Yanyu? Did you guys pull an all-nighter or what?”
Before Lin Tian could respond, Xu Yong shoved his phone in front of him, opening TikTok. On the screen was a video—filmed by someone who happened to catch Lin Tian playing the piano the previous night.
The likes had already soared past 120,000.
“You little punk, you’ve gone viral!” Xu Yong exclaimed, half-amazed, half-exasperated.
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