Otaku Translation: My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player C63

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Chapter 63: Gan Yanyu's Radio

The scene before Lin Tian was enough to make anyone feel a pang of guilt. There she stood—Gan Yanyu, head bowed low, arms wrapped tightly around herself like she was trying to hold something fragile together.

Lin Tian sighed inwardly.

Her words had been so unfairly clever, almost cheating in their simplicity. How could he possibly bring himself to scold her when she looked this pitiful?

For a long moment, silence hung between them. Then, with slow deliberation, Lin Tian reached out and gently brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen over her face. His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary.

Her cheeks were flushed, her complexion pale and drawn. She looked exhausted, vulnerable.

He softened his voice as much as he could. “So… where do you want to go now? The hospital? Or home?”

“Home,” Gan Yanyu murmured weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Then, as if afraid he might disappear, she reached out and grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, tugging it lightly. “I’ll take some medicine and rest. I’ll be fine.”

“All right.”

Lin Tian didn’t push further. He flagged down a taxi by the side of the road, and they both climbed inside.

On the ride back, Gan Yanyu leaned against the seat, her eyes half-closed, already slipping into a daze. Her grip on his sleeve never loosened, even as her strength seemed to wane with each passing minute.

Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Lin Tian pulled out his phone and quickly searched for information about severe asthma attacks. From what he read, extreme fatigue and a crushing sensation in the chest were among the most debilitating symptoms.

He frowned thoughtfully. This wasn’t just from playing the cello for too long—it couldn’t be. The tension in the room, the emotional high they’d both experienced during the performance—all of it must have contributed to triggering her condition.

Thinking back to earlier, he realized how reckless they’d been. It wasn’t just Gan Yanyu who’d gotten carried away; he’d felt it too—the rush, the adrenaline, the euphoria of finishing a piece only to collapse into heavy breaths afterward.

But still… If this level of exertion was too much for her, how would she ever manage performing on stage? With thousands of eyes watching, the pressure suffocating, the stakes sky-high… Could she really handle it?

No, now wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

Shaking off the thought, Lin Tian turned his attention to researching ways to alleviate an asthma attack. Given Gan Yanyu’s current state, asking her directly wasn’t an option. After a few minutes, he found what he needed.

Physical remedies: sitting still, drinking water, taking deep breaths, controlling breathing patterns.

Mental strategies: staying calm, relaxing.

Gan Yanyu had lived with asthma for years. As an outsider, Lin Tian knew better than to try teaching her how to manage her own condition. But there were other ways he could help.

Soon, the taxi pulled up to their destination. When they got out, Lin Tian immediately noticed that Gan Yanyu was struggling to stay upright. Her legs wobbled as she stepped onto the pavement, but somehow, she managed to steady herself.

“Give me the cello,” Lin Tian said firmly, not waiting for her response. Without hesitation, he unslung the instrument from her back, the one thing she never parted with—not even on the night she’d tried to end her life.

That night, he hadn’t taken it from her. But today, finally, he did.

With the cello strapped securely to his shoulder, Lin Tian led the way toward the apartment complex. He planned to stop at the convenience store first to grab a bottle of water for Gan Yanyu. Just as he turned to tell her, though, she suddenly reached out and tugged at the hem of his shirt.

One hand pressed against her chest, she tilted her head up, looking at him with wide, pleading eyes. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Lin Tian… could you please not leave? Come upstairs with me. Stay a little while.”

This girl…

Did she really think he’d abandon her here? All he wanted to do was buy her some water!

Still, his original plan had been to take her straight to his place. Going to her apartment instead made sense, though. Her asthma medication would be there, after all. They definitely needed to stop by her place.

Making up his mind, Lin Tian softened his tone. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Just wait right here while I get you some water, okay?”

“Okay,” she replied softly, nodding obediently.

Two minutes later, Lin Tian returned carrying two bottles of mineral water.

“Let’s go.”

Gan Yanyu’s apartment was in the building across from Lin Tian’s. Downstairs in his building was Grandpa Gan’s coffee shop—a familiar landmark. Funny, he thought. For all the times Gan Yanyu had visited his place, he’d never once been to hers.

As they approached the entrance, Lin Tian glanced back at her with concern. “Do you think you can handle the stairs?”

“Yes,” she insisted, determined to prove him wrong. Clutching the railing, she took a step upward. But within moments, she faltered, bending over to catch her breath.

“Forget it,” Lin Tian muttered under his breath. This girl truly had no concept of her limits.

He stepped forward and handed her the two bottles of water. Confused, she stared at him.

“Hold these,” he instructed.

She obeyed, gripping one bottle in each hand. And then, without warning, her body felt lighter—as if gravity itself had lifted its hold on her.

Before she could react, Lin Tian scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her in his arms like a princess. One hand supported her neck, the other beneath her knees, holding her securely as he began ascending the stairs.

Gan Yanyu blinked in shock, still clutching the bottles of water awkwardly in midair.

“What floor?” Lin Tian asked casually, as if carrying her were the most natural thing in the world.

“Sixth floor.”

“The sixth floor?! And you were planning to walk up yourself?!”

Another reason added to the list of why he should lecture her later—but not today. Today, he let it slide.

Step by step, Lin Tian climbed higher. Despite the movement, Gan Yanyu felt surprisingly stable in his arms.

“You’re… really strong,” she murmured quietly, unable to resist commenting.

“I’ve got more strength where that came from,” he teased, flashing her a grin. “Just don’t complain if it hurts.”

“Huh?”

“Did you think my ‘185cm with abs’ label was just for show?”

His joke earned a faint smile from her, exactly what he’d hoped for. A little humor to ease the tension—and maybe, just maybe, a hint of truth behind the bravado.

Gan Yanyu fell silent, her thoughts drifting as she gazed at Lin Tian’s face from a distance closer than she’d ever been before. His deep-set eyes and high cheekbones seemed unfamiliar yet striking. She had never paid much attention to such details in the past—perhaps because she simply hadn’t noticed.

Is Lin Tian… actually kind of handsome?

She wasn’t well-versed in aesthetics or what constituted attractiveness. For most people, their understanding of beauty often came from television screens or movies; after all, everyday life didn’t offer many encounters with stunning individuals. But Gan Yanyu wasn’t someone who watched TV or browsed the internet. Now, staring intently at his features, she couldn’t decide whether he would be considered “good-looking” among his peers.

Still, one thing was certain: looking at him brought her a sense of quiet pleasure, akin to hearing an exquisite piece of classical music. No one needed to tell her it was beautiful—it just made her feel better. That alone was enough.

As her awareness sharpened, Gan Yanyu became acutely conscious of lying cradled in Lin Tian’s arms. Her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment. This situation felt far too intimate.

Am I starting to look like some lovesick girlfriend clinging to him?

The thought made her squirm uncomfortably.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Tian asked, noticing the slight shift in her body. He assumed she was feeling unwell.

“Uh…” Gan Yanyu hesitated, wanting to say something about overstepping boundaries but choking on the words. It wasn’t something she could easily articulate. Besides, Lin Tian appeared completely unfazed by their proximity, acting as though this were nothing more than a partner helping another.

If she read too much into it, wouldn’t that make her seem strange? After all, he was merely being kind and supportive. Partners took care of each other—it wasn’t unusual.

Stop overthinking, Gan Yanyu scolded herself silently.

Unaware of her internal turmoil, Lin Tian focused solely on the task at hand. As he carried her up the stairs, a single thought crossed his mind:

So this is what a life-sized figurine feels like?

At 166 cm tall and weighing just over forty kilograms, Gan Yanyu was surprisingly light. Lin Tian hadn’t exaggerated when he joked about his strength earlier. Regular workouts had given him a physique stronger than most, which now proved useful. Carrying her felt almost effortless, like lugging around a delicate collectible.

Before long, they reached the sixth floor. Gently setting her down, Lin Tian kept a steadying hand under her arm to help her balance.

“Which apartment?”

“603.”

Lin Tian paused. The same number as his own unit. Coincidence? Or perhaps fate had played its hand that day when she chose to stand outside his door.

Unlocking the door, they stepped inside. Lin Tian guided Gan Yanyu to the couch, laying her down gently before fetching a bottle of water. He unscrewed the cap and handed it to her, encouraging her to sip slowly. Then, he turned to boil more water, locating the kettle on the table without difficulty.

While waiting for the water to heat, Lin Tian surveyed the apartment. It wasn’t what he’d expected from a young woman’s home. Dark wooden furniture, curtains embroidered with auspicious designs, and calligraphy scrolls adorning the walls gave the space a distinctly classical vibe. Larger than his place, the two-bedroom layout exuded an air of timeless elegance.

The scent of sandalwood lingered faintly in the air—a fragrance he recognized from Gan Yanyu herself. Wrapped in this atmosphere, Lin Tian couldn’t help but feel enveloped by her presence.

When the kettle clicked off, he poured hot water into a glass, mixing it carefully with cold mineral water to achieve the perfect temperature. Double-checking, he handed the cup to Gan Yanyu, who sat up slightly to take her medication. Watching her swallow the pills, Lin Tian finally allowed himself a small sigh of relief.

“Do you want to lie back down?”

“No, sitting helps during an episode,” she replied, pressing a hand to her chest. Truthfully, her heart raced faster thanks to being carried upstairs, making her discomfort worse. Still, she blamed no one but herself for overthinking everything.

I’m always causing trouble for him.

“Let’s listen to some music,” Gan Yanyu suggested softly. “Whenever I’m anxious, I find music soothing.”

“Sure.” Lin Tian stood, glancing around. “What should we use? Do you have speakers or a computer?”

“That—” She pointed toward a corner where a vintage cassette player rested.

Lin Tian blinked. A tape recorder? This was practically ancient technology—even considering his past life, he’d only seen these as a child at his grandfather’s house. Modern devices offered superior sound quality, so why bother with this relic?

“Open the cabinet below,” Gan Yanyu instructed.

Inside, rows of neatly labeled cassettes greeted him. Following her directions, Lin Tian pulled out the third cassette from the second row.

“This one? It says ‘JavierD3.’”

The name sounded familiar. Earlier today, at the conservatory, hadn’t there been a piece attributed to Javier?

“Yes, play that.”

“How does it work?”

Gan Yanyu patiently walked him through inserting the tape and pressing the triangular play button. With a satisfying click, the machine sprang to life, filling the room with mellifluous classical melodies.

“Oh…”

Lin Tian marveled at the sound emanating from the old device. “This is Javier’s Third Concerto in D Major, featuring piano, violin, and cello,” Gan Yanyu explained, pride flickering across her pale face. Sharing this cherished treasure brought her undeniable joy.

The analog warmth of the tape added layers of richness to the music, creating an immersive experience unlike anything digital could replicate. Leaning back in a nearby rocking chair, Lin Tian let the notes wash over him, swaying gently to the rhythm.

He imagined Grandpa Gan lounging here, fanning himself while basking in the music. Despite performing several times, Lin Tian realized this was the first moment he truly grasped the profound allure of classical music.

In the tranquil apartment, both Gan Yanyu on the couch and Lin Tian in the chair surrendered to the soothing embrace of the melody. Exhausted from the morning’s performance, they let their minds drift, savoring the peaceful interlude. Gradually, lulled by the music, they drifted off to sleep.

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