Otaku Translation: My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player C163

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Chapter 163: The Preview

After returning home, the next few days proceeded relatively smoothly. With ’s involvement, the contract signing process went off without a hitch, and the establishment of their personal studio began to take shape. Everything was progressing in an orderly fashion.

had taken particular care to address one crucial issue—the division of music copyright royalties. Having been burned by this before, he was especially vigilant. He Zhichen, true to his word, was diligently negotiating on Lin Tian’s behalf with upper management. According to He Zhichen, he had ample data to demonstrate the immense commercial value of Lin Tian and ’s music, so securing the most favorable royalty split for them shouldn’t be difficult.

Lin Tian didn’t know exactly how He Zhichen was pitching it, but given that He Zhichen had boldly predicted 180,000 CD sales—a figure Lin Tian himself would never have dared to imagine—Lin Tian decided to trust him completely.

Compared to other logistical concerns, what troubled Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu the most was something seemingly trivial: their stage name.

“…”

“What should we call ourselves?”

At Lin Tian’s apartment, the two sat down to seriously discuss the matter. Choosing a name under which to release their debut album was no small decision. Over the past few years, many and music bloggers had transitioned from internet fame to becoming full-fledged idols. Almost without exception, they abandoned their online handles in favor of stage names closer to their real ones.

After all, “” sounded unmistakably like an online username. But using their real names would essentially expose their identities. Thanks to the release of , it was already widely speculated that Moonlight and Cat were locals from . Many in the city’s music circles had begun piecing together clues about Gan Yanyu and Lin Tian’s true identities.

Qingzhou natives, high school students, 18 years old—and performing Moonlight and Cat’s music at every competition. These details stacked up neatly, leading many in Qingzhou’s music scene to strongly suspect that the duo behind Moonlight and Cat was none other than Gan Yanyu and Lin Tian. The only thing missing was concrete proof.

When the Parrot Cello Contest officially kicked off, it was bound to draw crowds eager to confirm these suspicions. However, while some people already believed this theory, Gan Yanyu, despite her growing recognition as part of Moonlight and Cat, hadn’t yet reached the level of mainstream fame necessary to break out of niche circles. Discussions on platforms like about uncovering their true identities garnered little traction. Without solid evidence, such speculations remained mere whispers drowned out by Moonlight and Cat’s overwhelming popularity.

What they needed was an explosive piece of news—a smoking gun—to ignite the revelation. This could very well be the announcement of Moonlight and Cat’s official debut.

“Ultimately, it’s up to the two of you,” He Zhichen said over a WeChat call. “In truth, unmasking yourselves is just a matter of timing. Given your current popularity, announcing the release of an album and MV alone would likely top trending lists across major websites. Revealing your real names would only serve to amplify that momentum further.”

“From my perspective, this can be used strategically. Since no one has definitive proof yet, let them speculate all they want. When we need a bombshell to drive traffic—whether to shift attention during controversy or boost rankings on HX-board charts—we can deploy it. Alternatively, if you simply prefer to drop the mask now alongside your debut album, that’s perfectly fine too. It’s entirely up to you.”

He Zhichen’s advice reflected the seasoned perspective of a professional music agent. Lin Tian found it quite reasonable, especially the part about leveraging it for PR purposes. For instance, if Lin Tian accidentally leaked a picture of his abs online, sparking chaos among women vying to become his wife, they’d need an even bigger bombshell to divert attention. And Lin Tian wasn’t short on potential scandals—though perhaps not ones he’d willingly unleash.

But beyond career considerations, He Zhichen also stepped into his role as a parental figure, considering their personal lives. “If you’re not keen on stepping into the spotlight yet, I think there’s no rush. After all, both of you are still high school students, right? It could bring unnecessary trouble to your school and family. Plus, where you live isn’t exactly hard to find. Diehard fans can be terrifying.”

Indeed.

Gan Yanyu might not mind, but Lin Tian shuddered at the thought. The security guard in his aging neighborhood looked perpetually drained, and it was hard to say who’d collapse first in a confrontation. Still, the elderly man did have one formidable rule: anyone leaving after midnight had to pay a 5-yuan door-opening fee, whether resident or tenant. If any obsessive fans tried sneaking out without paying, they’d witness a miraculous transformation—the frail-looking old man suddenly brimming with energy, glaring fiercely until coins were dropped.

Thankfully, Lin Tian always escaped through the café on the ground floor.

“…”

“So, Miss Gan, what do you think?” Lin Tian asked, bringing the conversation back to Gan Yanyu.

“I think… let’s wait until after winning the Parrot Cello Contest to decide.”

“Why?”

“Lin Tian, think about it. If we reveal ourselves now and people search for ‘Gan Yanyu’ or ‘Lin Tian,’ all they’ll find is second place at the and a lackluster track record. They’d be disappointed, wouldn’t they?”

She had a point.

Though Gan Yanyu didn’t voice it outright, her primary concern wasn’t her own reputation—it was Grandpa Gan’s. She still cared deeply about preserving his legacy. Losing the Starlight Cup had been embarrassing enough; exposing their identities prematurely might invite ridicule. Fans could be harsh, and Lin Tian knew it well. Once Moonlight and Cat were revealed as professional musicians, legions of devoted fans would flood in, hyping them up while tearing others down. When casual observers saw titles like “Runner-up in a local competition,” the mockery would follow swiftly.

As the pinnacle of provincial cello competitions, winning the Parrot Cello Contest would make the unveiling far more impactful. Pairing the announcement of their true identities with news of their victory would create an unprecedented explosion. At that point, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu would command unparalleled influence.

“That settles it, then. Let’s wait until after winning the Parrot Cello Contest to reveal our real names,” Lin Tian concluded.

“Alright. What about the name?” Gan Yanyu asked.

“We’re partners, so let’s stick with the group name.”

They’d grown accustomed to it, and “Moonlight and Cat” wasn’t half bad. If anyone disliked it, there were plenty of other quirky combinations out there—like Milk Coffee or Phoenix Legend. Before short video platforms took off, many listeners had enjoyed Phoenix Legend’s music for decades without knowing the real names of Zeng Yi and Linghua.

With that settled, He Zhichen chimed in, “Great. I’ll get back to work. The MV planning should be ready by next week. Tomorrow’s the preliminary round of the contest—good luck!”

“Thanks.”

The call ended, and Lin Tian exhaled deeply, sinking into the couch. Releasing an album was worlds apart from posting on TikTok. The considerations involved weren’t even on the same level.

Ping~

A notification popped up on Lin Tian’s phone. It was another message from He Zhichen.

“Mr. Lin, something I couldn’t say over the phone earlier—when are you planning to confess?”

Wait, was He Zhichen more anxious about this than Lin Tian himself?

Slightly alarmed, Lin Tian replied, “Probably sometime soon.”

“From my perspective, sooner is better. What if Miss Gan loses the competition? How will you muster the courage to confess then?”

Fair enough. He Zhichen’s thoroughness was both appreciated and mildly irritating.

“But if she does lose, I can devise a plan tailored to comforting a heartbroken girl and winning her affection.”

Lin Tian stopped reading. He Zhichen’s words had made him uneasy. The preliminary round of the Parrot Cello Contest was just two days away. Considering the harsh comments had made previously, anything could happen during the competition. Knowing Gan Yanyu’s temperament, a single glance at Toba’s smug face might throw her off completely.

Forget Gan Yanyu—even Lin Tian would’ve been tempted to jab his bow into Toba’s nose if subjected to similar insults before a match.

“Miss Gan, how are you feeling about tomorrow?” Lin Tian asked. “Any concerns? Let’s practice.”

Gan Yanyu’s first stage appearance had been marred by her fear of performing. Her second attempt was disrupted by fan interference. Though Lin Tian had managed to help her overcome those hurdles each time, neither instance truly constituted overcoming her fears—they were more acts of avoidance or reliance on him.

This time, new challenges could arise.

To Lin Tian’s surprise, Gan Yanyu actually lifted her head, gazing at the ceiling thoughtfully. After a moment, she smiled softly. “I think… I’m okay.”

“Really?” Lin Tian blinked, stunned. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Have you figured it out? Found your confidence?”

Lin Tian fired off questions, probing whether Gan Yanyu had finally conquered her stage fright. He found it hard to believe she’d resolved such deep-seated issues in just a few days. She’d been with him constantly, and he hadn’t noticed anything remarkable.

“Maybe not everything you mentioned, but… I feel great. Really great.”

No specific reason. Just a genuine belief that she’d perform well tomorrow.

Lin Tian stared blankly for a moment, then smiled. “If Miss Gan says so confidently, I guess I have no choice but to believe you.”

---

Tuesday arrived—the day before the Parrot Cello Contest officially began. Lin Tian received a message from his homeroom teacher, Zhang Juan, asking about his return to school. Technically, he should’ve gone back after the art exams, but Lin Tian had postponed it, citing upcoming university entrance exams. Little did his teachers know that the student skipping class was about to compete in the largest cello tournament in the province.

Thinking about it brought a smirk to Lin Tian’s face.

As the contest approached, Lin Tian unexpectedly received messages of encouragement from various friends. Xu Yong wrote, “Can’t attend due to class, but I’ll secretly watch the livestream. Good luck, buddy—I’ll see you when you return.” Gao Zhenyang sent a fiery message: “Go for it! Win the championship and head straight to nationals!” Even Su Ran called—not Lin Tian, but Gan Yanyu. Lin Tian still couldn’t fathom when their relationship had grown so close.

A palpable sense of anticipation filled the air. The encouragement flooding in had its intended effect, ratcheting up Lin Tian’s nerves despite his earlier readiness.

This was the true battlefield for music students.

Online, major music media outlets buzzed with previews of the biennial event. Headlines blared:

- “Toba Presiding Judge: What Makes This Year’s Parrot Cello Contest Different?”

- “Legends Assemble: The Most Prestigious Parrot Cello Contest in Two Decades.”

- “For the First Time, Over Three Under-20 Contestants Qualify for the Professional Division. Sparks Will Fly!”

Among these, the most anticipated article ranked the contestants based on authoritative assessments:

1. Bai Xi

2. Gan Yanyu

3. Christine Nanali

4. Yun Qiuxiu

5. Zhu Ya

6. Yang Weize

“Among them, British cellist Christine Nanali makes her debut in a Zhonghua cello competition. Known for her fierce rivalry with Gan Yanyu in the UK, the two have traded victories equally. Thus, Nanali is ranked third overall in this year’s Parrot Cello Contest. Audiences can eagerly anticipate her performance.”

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