Otaku Translation: My Girlfriend Is a Cello Player C189

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Chapter 189: The Legendary 18-Year-Old Composer

Let’s rewind two days, to the moment after Nanali had left. After two hours of practice, Lin Tian finally abandoned Greeting of Love and started brainstorming a new piece.

He sifted through Moonlight and Cat’s extensive catalog, but nothing felt quite right—each option seemed to fall short in some way.

Finally, he turned to Gan Yanyu with a hesitant question: “What if we wrote something new? Would that…”

“Sure!”

Gan Yanyu immediately perked up, her small hands clasped together as she beamed at him.

“A new piece? No problem—I can learn it.”

“…”

This was Gan Yanyu, all right.

She knew full well how crucial this upcoming competition was, how carefully they should choose their repertoire. She’d even been the one to suggest replacing Greeting of Love.

And yet, the moment she heard the idea of composing something new, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

“You can write it first,” she said, sitting beside Lin Tian at the piano. “We won’t know if it works for the stage until I’ve tried learning it. I won’t force anything.”

Her tone carried a hint of playful pleading, her eyes shimmering with unspoken words like Please! or Can we?

With no other choice, Lin Tian nodded reluctantly.

For this semifinal performance, Lin Tian decided against crafting some grand, earth-shattering masterpiece. Instead, he aimed for simplicity.

A harmonious, warm melody would showcase both his and Gan Yanyu’s abilities while leaving a lasting impression.

That alone, he believed, would be enough to secure victory.

Moreover, reflecting on their previous performance of A Step Away, Lin Tian realized part of Toba Jianhui’s explosive reaction stemmed from the piece being overly dramatic. The intense emotions had nearly transformed the competition venue into an intimate dance hall for the two performers—an affront to someone as rigid as Toba.

If that was the case, then why not counter with a calm, emotionally stable composition? Pure music would leave no room for argument.

In the end, Lin Tian scribbled the title onto the sheet music: Canon in D Major.

---

The term “canon” doesn’t refer to any specific work but rather a musical form—or, more accurately, a set of compositional rules. Originating in 16th-century Europe, it’s a type of counterpoint where a melody is repeated across different voices at varying pitches. The most common form features overlapping melodies among two or more parts, creating a rich tapestry of interwoven polyphony.

Throughout history, many great composers have written canons, but perhaps none are more famous than Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, composed around the 1680s. Its timeless beauty has made it a staple in classical music ever since.

And now, here they were—Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu—performing their own rendition of the iconic piece.

“…”

“What a beautiful melody…”

Back in the green room, Mao Junfeng sat cradling his arms, lost in reverie. His face relaxed into a blissful smile.

“Exquisite elegance, flawless flow, perfect harmony… My goodness, a debut performance like this, and in such an important setting…”

Beside him, his violinist partner couldn’t help but chime in, visibly moved:

“I’ve never heard anything like this before! Whose work is it?”

“…”

“Moonlight and Cat.”

Yun Qiuqiu’s voice drifted lazily from the corner.

“Their latest release on the platform, posted just two nights ago.”

“They learned it so quickly? And brought it to the competition today?” Mao Junfeng exclaimed in disbelief.

At first glance, the melody didn’t seem particularly challenging for solo performance—even a beginner cellist might manage it with a few days of practice.

But achieving this level of cohesion in a duet? Within a single day? That was another matter entirely.

As someone accustomed to multi-instrument arrangements, Mao Junfeng understood just how extraordinary their execution truly was.

He turned back to the screen, shaking his head.

“How is this even humanly possible?”

The intertwining of piano and cello spun a gentle web of sound, imbued with freshness, serenity, and warmth. Without realizing it, the entire audience succumbed to its soothing embrace.

Many faces softened, eyes closed in quiet appreciation, as smiles spread throughout the concert hall.

“This piece… it’s brilliant,” He Shumo murmured sincerely. “Using multiple voices in counterpoint creates rich harmonic layers, adding depth to the music. Then, by repeating the melody across different parts while introducing fresh harmonies each time, it feels both familiar and novel. Truly masterful craftsmanship.”

“And yet,” he added, turning to Yao Han, “this piece only premiered online two nights ago, and Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu have already brought it to this level.”

He paused, looking expectantly at the renowned pianist. “You’re a pianist yourself. What do you think of Lin Tian’s skill?”

“It’s certainly worth examining,” Yao Han replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “To perform a completely unfamiliar, freshly composed piece with such precision…”

“Impossible,” he concluded with a faint smirk.

“Impossible?”

“Yes. From my perspective as a pianist, I believe it’s absolutely unfeasible. And based on my understanding of his prior skill level, he doesn’t strike me as someone capable of this either.”

“Then—”

“The only explanation,” Yao Han continued, leaning forward slightly, “is that this piece has existed in his mind far longer than its official release date suggests.”

“But it was just uploaded recently!”

“…”

Yao Han simply smiled, letting the implications hang in the air.

He Shumo’s eyes widened in realization. “You mean…”

“Shh.”

Yao Han silenced him with a raised hand, his gaze returning to the stage.

His expression grew increasingly animated.

Could it be true? Was the internet rumor correct?

While older judges dismissed such gossip, Yao Han paid close attention.

A prodigious composer responsible for hits like Greeting of Love and Can-Can Dance… allegedly just 18 years old, still in high school… with piano skills rivaling professional virtuosos.

Lin Tian—was this Canon in D Major your latest creation?

Yao Han’s leg began bouncing uncontrollably beneath the table.

He knew it.

He hadn’t misjudged him.

This unassuming, seemingly insignificant accompanist—Lin Tian—would prove to be the greatest surprise of the Parrot Cello Contest semifinals.

It was almost time.

Yao Han glanced sidelong at Toba Jianhui.

Even amidst such sublime music, the man remained stoic, maintaining his composure.

Yao Han understood what he was waiting for.

He was waiting for her—for Gan Yanyu—to slip up, to reveal a crack in her armor.

Then, he would sigh regretfully, shake his head, and eliminate her without hesitation.

You old fool.

Do you have any idea what art is? Why must you ruin everything with your stubbornness? Even the greatest performances would crumble under your cold, unfeeling gaze.

Yao Han fixed Lin Tian with an intense stare, his eyes nearly bloodshot.

You can do this, kid.

Protect Gan Yanyu with your piano.

Show this old man—and all these judges—what Canon in D Major is truly capable of.

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