Otaku Translation: My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player C144

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Chapter 144: The Exam He Couldn’t Afford to Fail

From a very young age, knew one thing for certain: he was different.

He had an extraordinary gift for music, one that set him apart from other children his age. By the time he was five—when most kids were glued to cartoons—he was already seated at a , fingers dancing across the keys with an intuition that left even seasoned teachers stunned. It wasn’t long before his talent earned him first place in a , cementing his reputation as a prodigy.

After that, Wu Qi became a household name, trotted out by proud relatives and neighbors as the shining example of what hard work and natural talent could achieve. His mother beamed with pride wherever she went, recounting tales of her “successful parenting” to anyone who would listen. Conversations about Wu Qi inevitably turned into discussions about the future virtuoso of the family.

But beneath all the praise and admiration, Wu Qi felt something else entirely—a suffocating pressure. He no longer belonged to himself. Instead, he represented his mother’s honor, the adults’ bragging rights, and the aspirational figure every child was told to emulate. If life’s worth lay in being needed, then Wu Qi existed solely to fulfill everyone’s need for the “perfect neighbor’s kid.”

This weight followed him through the years, growing heavier with each passing milestone. By the time he reached his final year of high school, Wu Qi had become the golden standard for success within his training program. Everyone whispered the same prediction: this year’s top scorer in the music exams would undoubtedly be Wu Qi. He was the epitome of what an art student should aspire to be—confident, talented, and untouchable.

Yet, behind the confident facade, Wu Qi carried a secret only he knew. Beneath the polished exterior, he was just as fragile as anyone else. The expectations placed on him weren’t merely burdens; they were mountains, crushing him under their weight. To everyone around him, Wu Qi was the embodiment of artistic genius—the kind of person who breezed through challenges with effortless ease. But inside, he struggled to keep up the act, constantly battling the fear of being exposed as a fraud.

And then, there was that youth.

When Wu Qi crossed paths with earlier, it took only seconds for him to recognize the unmistakable air of confidence radiating from the stranger. It was the same self-assuredness Wu Qi had spent years trying to cultivate—the belief that he could conquer any challenge thrown his way. Yet standing face-to-face with Lin Tian, Wu Qi felt something unsettling: inadequacy. For all his efforts to embody perfection, he suddenly realized how hollow his own confidence truly was compared to Lin Tian’s quiet assurance.

---

The phone buzzed, pulling Wu Qi from his thoughts. On the line was his teacher, checking in on his progress.

“How are things going? How did the earlier sections go?” his teacher asked.

“No issues. Just the instrumental performance left,” Wu Qi replied calmly.

“I’ve heard the student from that out-of-town program is quite impressive. People are digging into his background—it seems he’s not your average candidate.”

“I spoke with him earlier. Turns out, he’s also a local student; he just hasn’t attended any training programs.”

“Really?” His teacher sounded genuinely surprised. “That’s unheard of! So… what do you think?”

“He’ll be a worthy opponent, but I’ll beat him.”

Wu Qi’s voice was steady, resolute.

His teacher laughed heartily. “Of course! I knew you’d say that. Keep it up, and we’ll celebrate tonight!”

As the call ended, Wu Qi exhaled deeply. He understood the stakes perfectly. There was no room for failure. If his carefully constructed image crumbled now, the ridicule and doubt would swallow him whole. He had to win—not just for himself, but for everyone who believed in him.

---

In ’s 2024 music performance exam, candidates were evaluated across four subjects: (15 points), (15 points), (30 points), and (240 points). Together, these totaled 300 points. While the previous sections had been important, the real test—the one that mattered most—was the instrumental performance.

Lin Tian drew number 13. With twelve separate examination rooms spread across the floor, each designated for different instruments, the hallway buzzed with nervous energy. Musicians tuned , adjusted , and warmed up cellos, creating a cacophony of sound. Unfortunately, Gan Yanyu’s room was located farthest from Lin Tian’s. There was no chance of checking on her until after his own performance.

Soon enough, the piano auditions began. As melodies drifted through the corridors, the tension among waiting students grew palpable. Unlike sight-reading, where randomness added complexity, the instrumental portion allowed candidates to prepare one or two pieces ahead of time. Within eight minutes, they had to deliver their best work while being scrutinized by multiple judges seated in a row. The presence of several examiners made the atmosphere oppressive, magnifying the pressure tenfold.

“Look, look! Isn’t that Wu Qi from ?” someone shouted, pointing toward a nearby window.

Curious heads turned in unison. Sure enough, Wu Qi strode confidently into the exam room, taking his seat at the . Whispers erupted among the crowd.

“That’s him, alright. Just look at his hair—it screams talent.”

“Our teacher mentioned him often. They said he’s incredible at piano and works harder than anyone else.”

“He looks like a champion, doesn’t he?”

As the province’s top-ranked candidate from its premier arts training institution, Wu Qi naturally drew attention. Seated before the piano, he took a deep breath. Through the walls, faint murmurs of anticipation filtered in from the hallway. This wasn’t unusual for him; he was accustomed to performing under watchful eyes.

Being the model student was a role Wu Qi had embraced since childhood. Whether it was winning competitions at eleven or earning accolades as part of Chunchou Art Training Center, he had always risen to meet expectations. Now, sitting at the piano, he reminded himself of the mantra that had guided him thus far:

I started learning at five. I won my first championship at eleven. And today, I am a student from the Chunchou Art Training Center, preparing for the art exam.

Advantage: me.

With that thought, he raised his hands to the keys, ready to prove once again why he deserved the spotlight.

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