Otaku Translation: My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player C101

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Chapter 101: The Opportunity for University Admission

"Congratulations to both of you on a successful debut performance!"

Gao Zhenyang raised his glass in a toast, clinking it against Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu’s cups. After downing the beer in one gulp, he suddenly froze, his face turning pale as realization struck him.

"Wait—aren’t you two still high school students?!"

"Oh no! I just encouraged underage drinking! What have I done?!"

Slapping his forehead in dismay, Gao Zhenyang let out a groan of regret. As a university professor, encouraging minors to drink would undoubtedly be a career-ending scandal.

"Well…" Gan Yanyu began, but Lin Tian cut her off with a straight face.

"Yes, Mr. Gao. You’ve committed an unforgivable sin."

"If we develop a habit of binge-drinking, it’ll all be your fault."

"..."

"Please, stop! Drinking is bad for your health! Terrible for your health!" Gao Zhenyang pleaded frantically.

Seeing how flustered he was, Gan Yanyu decided to intervene.

"Relax, Mr. Gao. Lin Tian’s just teasing you. Truth is, we’ve had drinks before."

"What?!"

Gao Zhenyang nearly choked on his own spit. Lin Tian being a drinker wasn’t entirely shocking—boys often started experimenting with alcohol in middle school—but Gan Yanyu? Sweet, innocent Gan Yanyu?

"Where did you even learn to drink?"

"She taught me," Gan Yanyu said without hesitation, pointing directly at Lin Tian.

And just like that, the blame shifted squarely onto Lin Tian's shoulders.

"Cough… uh…" Lin Tian fell silent, unsure how to defend himself.

What could he say? At the time, getting Gan Yanyu drunk had seemed like the only way to keep her from leaving. Besides, if anyone was truly responsible, it was Grandpa Gan—he’d been the one who first introduced Lin Tian to drinking.

So really, this was karma coming full circle:

You taught me to drink.

I taught your granddaughter to drink.

Perfectly logical.

Of course, whether Grandpa Gan would agree—or wake up from his hospital bed to beat Lin Tian senseless—was another matter entirely.

"...Wow."

Gao Zhenyang exhaled sharply, clearly overwhelmed by these revelations. Perhaps these two weren’t as “pure” as they appeared on the surface. Then again, artists often led double lives—it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

"By the way…" Gao Zhenyang’s eyes narrowed as something caught his attention.

"That hair tie on your wrist—is that…?"

"This thing?" Lin Tian glanced at the red hair tie around his wrist.

It had been returned to him by Gan Yanyu when she untied her single ponytail after school one day.

"This—"

Lin Tian hesitated. If he admitted it was a gift from Gan Yanyu, Gao Zhenyang would surely pick up on its significance. And then Gan Yanyu might realize the deeper meaning behind it too.

Awkwardness would ensue.

"It’s mine," Gan Yanyu chimed in, raising her hand proudly like a child eager for praise.

"Yours?" Gao Zhenyang stiffened, his gaze snapping between Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu.

Had their relationship progressed this far already?

"It symbolizes our partnership," Gan Yanyu explained with a gentle smile.

"Partnership?" Gao Zhenyang blinked in confusion.

"Yeah. Why? Is there something wrong with calling us partners?"

Gan Yanyu tilted her head innocently, genuinely puzzled by Gao Zhenyang’s reaction.

"..."

Though reluctant to meddle in young people’s affairs, Gao Zhenyang couldn’t help but shoot Lin Tian a sympathetic look.

This scenario felt eerily familiar: a girl acting friendly, giving ambiguous gifts, even tying a hair tie around his wrist—and yet, when questioned about their relationship, she played dumb.

Wasn’t this classic emotional manipulation?

From "I only see you as a friend" to "I only see you as a partner."

At this moment, Gao Zhenyang gave Lin Tian a knowing glance, silently conveying, Brother, I feel your pain.

"..."

Lin Tian furrowed his brow, sensing that Gao Zhenyang had misunderstood something.

Shaking off the awkwardness, Gao Zhenyang steered the conversation back on track.

"NQ Weekly gave Gan Yanyu’s performance rave reviews—the most enthusiastic language I’ve seen in years. There’s no doubt your concert was a resounding success. Now, across Qingzhou, your names are officially making waves. Expect plenty of attention from industry insiders moving forward."

Hearing this, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu exchanged glances, their expressions lighting up with pride. Having their efforts acknowledged face-to-face felt incredibly rewarding.

"Given that Gan Yanyu’s ultimate goal is the Dragon Cello Competition, the next step should naturally be the Parrot Cello Contest. As the official competition hosted by the Music Association, winning the Parrot Cello Contest grants direct entry into the Dragon Cello Competition. Gan Yanyu, you’ll participate, right?"

"Mm-hmm." Gan Yanyu nodded firmly.

Reassured by her answer, Gao Zhenyang continued.

"In that case, have you considered entering other competitions as well?"

"Other competitions?" Lin Tian asked, perplexed.

"The Dragon Cello Competition operates on an invitation-only basis. Each province’s Music Association nominates the year’s top cellists. While the Parrot Cello Contest winner gets automatic entry, there are usually one or two additional spots reserved for standout performers. For example, the Starlight Cup will take place three weeks from now—it’s Qingzhou’s largest local competition. If Gan Yanyu wins the Starlight Cup, she’ll still qualify for the Dragon Cello Competition even if she doesn’t win the Parrot Cello Contest."

"..."

Lin Tian understood now. Gao Zhenyang was suggesting they enter smaller competitions to bolster Gan Yanyu’s résumé. This would act as a safety net—if she didn’t win the Parrot Cello Contest, she could still earn a recommendation to the Dragon Cello Competition.

But… three weeks later?

Lin Tian frowned, deep in thought. Gan Yanyu mirrored his expression, lost in contemplation.

"Why such serious faces?" Gao Zhenyang asked nervously.

"It’s nothing… except that our art exams are next month."

"Oh… right!" Gao Zhenyang slapped his forehead again. "I forgot about that."

December 12th.

That was the date of the unified arts examination for all senior high school students in Qingjiang Province. Participating in the Starlight Cup would undoubtedly interfere with their preparations.

As third-year students juggling music careers and academics, balancing both was already a Herculean task. Adding another competition to the mix seemed almost cruel.

However…

"To be honest, there’s another reason I invited you here today," Gao Zhenyang said, leaning forward earnestly.

"What is it?"

"The college has been reviewing candidates for early admission recently, and I happened to overhear some discussions. Thanks to your recent performances causing such a stir in Qingzhou, the administration is considering extending offers to both of you."

Pausing for effect, Gao Zhenyang looked them in the eye.

"Would you consider enrolling in Xingye Conservatory of Music?"

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