Chapter 127 Star Cup: Gan Yanyu's Rivals (6K)
After a long time, the day of the competition finally arrived.
Early in the morning, Lin Tian bought breakfast and called Gan Yanyu over.
The two of them sat in the living room of Lin Tian's house, eating breakfast face to face, and they even spoke less.
Nervous, anxious, yet with a hint of excitement.
These emotions played back and forth on the girl's face in turn. "Teacher Gan."
“.”
"Yan Yu!"
“Ahh?!”
Gan Yanyu suddenly came back to his senses.
He stared at Lin Tian with eyes wide open, the bun in his hand frozen in the air.
"What? What happened?"
"Did you sleep well? You don't seem to be in a very good mental state."
Lin Tian asked somewhat helplessly.
If morale is this low before a battle, it is a sign of disaster.
"Go to sleep. I remember I closed my eyes yesterday."
“.”
Finished,
They all started talking nonsense.
"You don't look like a musician at all."
Lin Tian put down the spoon in his hand and came to Gan Yanyu.
"Stand up."
"My bun"
“Stand up!”
Gan Yanyu stuffed the bun into her mouth and stood up obediently.
"Chest up, shoulders shrugged, head up!"
Lin Tian commanded Gan Yanyu like a military training instructor.
The girl was chewing a bun, her little face was puffed up, but her body was trying hard to cooperate with Lin Tian, with an expression that showed she was serious about wanting to join the party.
"Your shoulders aren't straight enough."
Lin Tian stretched out his hand and pressed Gan Yanyu's shoulder.
Just a gentle pinch.
"Um!!"
The girl immediately groaned in pain and almost spit out the bun in her mouth.
“Is it so sour?”
“.”
After trying hard to swallow the bun——
“It’s really sour”
The girl said weakly.
Asthma is not suitable for exercise. Since returning to school, Gan Yanyu has greatly shortened the frequency of exercise to once or twice a week.
And after I started preparing for the competition recently, I completely neglected it. I locked myself at home every day and practiced sedentary training for a long time with high intensity.
After a while, my whole body started to become stiff.
"If you had told me earlier, I should have given you a massage last night." Lin Tian said.
His master-level massage skills have not been used for a long time.
The main thing is that Gan Yanyu doesn't mention it usually, so it's not easy for him to bring it up on his own initiative.
I was afraid that I would say, "Take off your pants and stretch out your legs, I'll give you a massage," and Gan Yanyu would not appreciate it after she had her pleasure, and would say that she had crossed the line.
"After today's game is over, we can go wash our feet." Lin Tian said.
“.”
Gan Yanyu didn't say anything.
Then she asked, "Will you come into the venue with me later?"
"Come in—I bought a ticket."
Lin Tian even went to ask Gao Zhenyang about this matter specifically, whether there was any internal channel or something like that.
As a result, Lin Tian was told——
He is not a family member of the contestant, so he does not have a family ticket.
This is outrageous!
Before every meal from now on, I will take a picture of Gan Yanyu and save it.
I save up for a year or two, and then I confront the organizer and ask him how many hundreds of meals he ate at my house. Does that count as family? "You can see it backstage."
Gan Yanyu said, "Contestants are allowed to bring assistants into the lounge."
“I want to feel the atmosphere.”
Lin Tian said.
Of course, it is better to watch a music performance from the audience, as it sounds better live.
It's too awkward to watch it in front of a big TV backstage.
"Then you can stay with me backstage first, and then go into the audience when I'm ready to go on stage."
Gan Yanyu showed a cautious look.
"That's fine."
This was probably what Lin Tian had originally planned.
Who made Lin Tian the producer? Gan Yanyu could be considered as someone who was trained by Lin Tian himself.
It was like he was about to send the college idol he had nurtured to perform on stage.
This feeling is pretty good when you think about it.
"It's half past eight."
Lin Tian glanced at the time and said, "It's time to go!"
Then, he picked up a bun from the table, stuffed it into Gan Yanyu's mouth, and pulled her out.
Star Cup, full name "Star Cup National Cello Competition"
Sponsored by "Xingchen Music Group" and "Xingzhiyue Foundation", and hosted by "Art Future Cultural Center".
It is held every two years and twelve competitions have been held so far. The venue is set at the "Qingzhou Cultural Theater" in Qingzhou City.
As one of the top five events with local influence in Qingjiang Province, the start time happens to be one month before the Yingqin Cup qualifiers.
Therefore, many music lovers will regard the "Star Cup" as a preview of the Parrot Cup.
More than half of the contestants of the Yingqin Cup will appear in the "Star Cup".
For example, this year's session.
In addition to the 18-year-old talented cellist Gan Yanyu, who has recently become the most popular, there are also several heavyweight guests.
Yang Weize: 24 years old, undergraduate at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, currently pursuing a master's degree at the Hamburg Academy of Music and Drama in Germany, and has studied under the famous cellist Zhao Jun.
He is good at classical and modern works, and won the silver medal in the 2022 "Xuanwu Cup" Youth Cello Competition in Qingjiang Province.
Zhu Ya: 26 years old, bachelor degree from Xingye Conservatory of Music, master degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Her teacher is Wan Qi, a famous musician and former chairman of Qingzhou Music Association.
He is also good at modern music, winning the Best Performer Award at the 2021 National Music Festival in Shanghai and the Champion of the 2020 Star Cup Cello Competition.
They are all professionally trained.
On the way to the venue, Lin Tian couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the player information released by the organizer.
In comparison, the only impressive background of 18-year-old Gan Yanyu is probably that she is the granddaughter of teacher Gan Hua.
Moreover, the negative value of this background far outweighs the positive value.
Others all go to certain famous music colleges.
When it comes to you, it becomes "My grandfather is Gan Hua?"
It's a bit weird.
Lin Tian previously thought that the Star Cup was just a small local competition in Qingzhou. If it wasn’t for buying an insurance for the Parrot Qin Cup, he wouldn’t even have planned to let Gan Yanyu participate.
However, there is an increasing feeling that although the value of the competition itself is small, it does not mean that the value of the contestants is low.
As a province with a strong musical background, Qingjiang Province has always produced many talented people.
Including Gan Hua, the former number one cellist recognized by the circle, who is also a native of Qingzhou City.
Now, the biennial Longqin Cup is approaching, and in order to win this hard-earned spot, more and more young performers will gather in Qingzhou City during this period.
"I'm watching this game, why are there elementary school students?"
Lin Tian noticed that there was a child in his early 8s on the list of contestants reviewed by the media.
"If an 18-year-old is a genius, then isn't an 8-year-old a monster?!"
"Pfft, of course music competitions have to be divided into groups."
Gan Yanyu was almost amused by Lin Tian's seriousness.
If the previous questions were professional issues, then this one is a common sense issue.
Gan Yanyu raised his index finger and said:
"Except for the special invitational competitions like the 'Longqin Cup' which have their own special grouping mechanism, most of our domestic music competitions are divided into four groups according to age."
“There is a youth group for those under 12, a junior group for those aged 12 to 17, a youth group for those aged 18 to 26, and a professional group for those aged 26 and above, which is usually only attended by professional musicians.”
"So you are participating in the youth group?" Lin Tian asked.
"The professional team."
"ah?"
"Age is just a reference. In theory, if the performance is good enough, everyone can be admitted into the professional group as an exception."
“.”
"I see."
In the past, when Lin Tian heard them always talking about a “genius cellist”, he didn’t have any clear feelings about it.
Now that I hear it this way, the feeling becomes clear all of a sudden.
They said "my grades are good enough". It sounds like it would be easy to get an exception and participate.
In fact, Lin Tian was flipping through the list of participants.
Gan Yanyu, 18 years old, is undoubtedly the youngest in the professional group.
"It's not as exaggerated as you think."
As if noticing the subtle look in Lin Tian's eyes, Gan Yanyu quickly continued to explain,
"In fact, although it is open to all ages, there are now very few seniors over 40 who participate in such competitions. Most seniors who have reached a certain age have already achieved enough achievements and qualifications. They do not need to go through the 'Yingqin Cup' channel, but can be directly invited to the Longqin Cup Invitational Competition. And they do not participate in the 'professional group', but the 'special invitation group' with a performance nature."
"Similarly, if they want to participate in some influential international competitions, they also have their own special channels for participation, and they don't need to compete with young people like us."
“.”
Lin Tian understood.
To put it in plain language: musicians over 40 are unlikely to participate in such competitions.
Because they have honor bonuses and their own green channel, even if you want to participate, you are basically directly invited to participate in the competition.
However, saying this seems to be a bit disrespectful of musicians who are "over 40 years old and still have no honors to show for."
Having said that.
By participating through such a green channel, the games played at the Longqin Cup are exhibition matches for people to watch and there is little confrontation. It feels a bit like "you other players have a good fight" and "we masters come up and show off."
It's very cool, but if you look at it from the perspective of the goal being a trophy, even if you win the invitational group championship, it has no real value.
The one that really counts is the champion in the professional group.
There is a lot to say about this.
To go deeper: the music competitions for musicians over 40 years old are the same as most music competitions in previous lives.
Performance nature > practical significance.
And there is a feeling that "there is no first in literature" and "no second in martial arts".
Perhaps it is because young people watch fewer competitions by older artists, or perhaps the International Music Federation wants these older artists to be treated with dignity, and the battle for the future of music should be left to the young people to define.
This makes it seem as if old Deng and others can only play games without gold content.
However, there is no hard and fast rule that Lao Deng cannot play in the professional group.
But you can’t rely on “seniority” to win, you have to fight your way up on your own.
But it is still rare for older artists to join professional groups.
In fact, it is more like: you are already old and have been working for so long, whether you are a human or a ghost, others will respect you as an "old artist" and enjoy the treatment of being a respected senior.
Isn’t it good to live a decent life?
In this music industry that places so much emphasis on competition honors, it's good to participate in exhibitions from time to time and show off your muscles occasionally. Others won't be able to tell what level you are at, and it's good to get by in your life.
There seems to be a saying that goes something like this.
No matter what their level was, writers of the same generation as Ba Jin were able to survive to the present day, which was a glorious and honorable thing for them. They had at least managed to gain a glorious and respectable identity.
It really came down to it, competing with the young people for the professional group trophy.
If they win, it's fine, but what if they lose miserably? Moreover, the current trend is that classical music is becoming less and less popular, while modern music is becoming more and more popular. Old Dengs will have even less room to live.
Probably, that's the idea behind it.
"My grandfather was the champion of the professional group of the Longqin Cup."
Gan Yanyu paused and spoke softly.
"ah?"
"With my grandfather's resume, he could have had more opportunities to participate in the Kerr Cup, but in order to be recognized as a classical music representative of flower planting, he chose the title of Longqin Cup professional group champion."
Speaking of this, a hint of tenderness and smile flashed in Gan Yanyu's eyes.
It’s like I’m proud to have such a grandfather.
“.”
If it were me, I would be proud too.
You can imagine.
Sixteen years ago, Mr. Gan, who was over fifty years old and was known as the number one cello player, was a famous calligrapher.
He could have had a pretty glorious old age.
He enjoyed everyone's admiration and worship, amidst endless flowers and applause, until his retirement. However, because of some obsession with music in his heart, he still went.
Amid the puzzled and bewildered looks of his peers, this old gentleman, bearing everyone's gaze, fought his way through the Longqin Cup professional group, starting with the Yingqin Cup, and won one championship after another.
As the "first", I came to the Cole Cup.
People also know the final outcome.
——My heart is broken and I will never play the zither again.
I don't know how much I have to endure ridicule and contempt from my peers. They don't understand why I have to compete when I have a glorious title that can make my life fulfilling.
In the end, he was like a coward and retreated after losing.
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
It has been used as a teaching material for reflection by countless music media and has been featured in capital letters.
From being the center of attention to falling into disgrace.
Why is it worth doing this? Lin Tian had no way of knowing what was going on in Mr. Gan's mind.
Because in Lin Tian’s eyes, Uncle Gan will always be his optimistic, kind, and hand-brewed blended coffee-loving grandfather.
But it seems that Lin Tian can get a glimpse of Gan Yanyu's inner world.
The path they are taking now.
In fact, this was the road that Uncle Gan had never completed.
“.”
Take a deep breath.
Adjusted my mood.
There's no point thinking about these things now.
They're just getting started.
Lin Tian turned his attention back to his phone.
I plan to finish reading the list of professional groups that I haven't finished reading yet.
Gan Yanyu stretched out a hand and held Lin Tian's arm.
"The guys you saw are useless."
"Is this still not working?"
These are Yang Weize, Zhu Ya and others.
They are all professional students, and they are either champions of the previous two sessions or winners of some major awards in other competitions.
"Look for the one called Bai Xi."
"Bai Xi?"
It sounds like a name that someone born after 2000 would come up with.
Lin Tian immediately took this contestant seriously, as he was actually specifically mentioned by Teacher Gan Yanyu for attention.
Soon, he found his name on the list.
Bai Xi: 23 years old, graduated from Qingzhou No. 13 Senior High School.
"Graduated from high school?"
Lin Tian was a little confused.
"Yeah." Gan Yanyu nodded.
Lin Tian continued to read.
——
Bronze Medal in the 2022 "Blue Cup" National Cello Competition.
2022 Qingjiang Province Young Artist Award 2023 Tokyo Symphony Orchestra Special Invited Soloist.
In 2023, he won the Special Award from the Flower-Growing Young Musicians Association.
What a luxurious resume.
No, how come he is so fierce even though he is not from a music school? !
It has to be this kind of fake sect that came from nowhere that is so awesome.
"Look at this."
Gan Yanyu pointed his finger at a column in his resume.
【2022 "Yingqin Cup" Cello Competition Runner-up】
"2022?"
"Um."
Gan Yanyu said softly, "I participated that year."
That was the year Gan Yanyu was hailed as a "deserter".
At that time, Gan Yanyu, who was only 16 years old, was allowed to participate in the youth group. She withdrew from the competition when she reached the quarterfinals and went to the UK.
The music media was in an uproar at the time. As the youngest contestant in the youth group, everyone was looking forward to her performance, but she missed the competition at the last minute.
"Bai Xi was 21 years old at the time. He participated in the professional group and won the runner-up."
"She is amazing."
“I was very impressed.”
Gan Yanyu said.
This was the first time that Lin Tian heard Gan Yanyu speak so highly of other people.
He joined the professional group at the age of 21 and is also a monster-level talent.
At this age, with this level of strength, if he participates in the youth group, he will definitely win and achieve great results.
However, if you really want to join the professional group as an exception, there is only one possibility.
Her dream is the same as Gan Yanyu's - the Longqin Cup.
She doesn't care about the other trophies.
This guy was the runner-up two years ago.
In the past two years, we have achieved a lot of results.
It seems that the championship of this year's Yingqin Cup is really inevitable.
"I didn't expect to meet in the Star Cup. I thought we would face off in the Parrot Cup."
Gan Yanyu's tone was a little frustrated.
".You have to cheer up!"
Seeing Gan Yanyu's aura declining, Lin Tian pressed her shoulders and shook her hard.
In the 18-year-old professional group, Gan Yanyu is clearly the monster in the eyes of others.
As a result, now that I’m here, my aura fades when I see someone a little bit more awesome.
It really makes me not know how to comfort her.
"Today, let's not think about anything. We just need to go on stage and perform. After the performance, we can go home and have a good meal! Do you hear me?"
Lin Tian instructed seriously.
Music competitions are good.
No matter how strong your opponent is, you two will play your own parts.
It's not a face-to-face game like in sports competitions, boxing matches, or chess.
It's her business to be awesome.
We just need to play our own piano well.
"Um."
Gan Yanyu nodded.
The taxi stopped in front of the venue.
As soon as you get off the car, you are greeted by the bustling hustle and bustle.
It was only nine o'clock on a Sunday morning, but there were unexpectedly many people.
After seeing Gan Yanyu and Lin Tian coming over, the crowd watching in the distance suddenly became excited.
Some of the female college students opened their arms and shouted excitedly:
"Gan Yanyu, the goddess sister is here!!"
“It’s a real person!”
“So beautiful, so beautiful!”
“It’s so elegant!!”
Fortunately, there were security guards on site to maintain order and separate the crowd from the contestants' passage.
But Gan Yanyu couldn't stand the shouting. Her face turned red and she quickened her pace amid the cheers.
Seeing this scene, the crowd became even more excited: "Ahhh, she's even cuter when she's shy!"
“.”
Gan Yanyu ran faster.
It was not until we entered the venue that the noise around us quieted down.
Lin Tian finally understood why Gan Yanyu said she couldn't stand it anymore.
Not to mention Gan Yanyu, even Lin Tian himself felt the pain in his eardrums from being shouted at.
Fortunately, his current identity is just "Gan Yanyu's low-key piano accompaniment."
If the identity of "Moonlight and Cat" is exposed one day, I will probably have to indulge in this addiction in real life.
It’s scary just thinking about it.
Led by the staff, the two entered a lounge.
It's different from a soul concert where each musician has a single room.
It is a competition after all, and the contestants come from all ages and are far more numerous than the musicians in a concert.
This is a hall, about the size of two classrooms.
Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu entered the lounge for the youth and professional groups.
As soon as I came in, I heard the same loud noise.
In front of me, staff, makeup artists, and agents came and went.
The performers who were about to participate in the competition were adjusting their appearance in front of their respective makeup mirrors, and some had even started practicing the piano.
These chaotic sounds merged together.
A mess.
The feeling of oppression and tension suddenly spread throughout the entire lounge.
Gan Yanyu also found an empty seat and sat down, putting the cello aside.
"Teacher Gan Yanyu!"
Just then, a voice rang out.
They both turned their heads.
A woman in a black dress and short hair walked towards me with a happy smile.
She had a delicate smile on her face and wore silver earrings, and looked like she was also a contestant.
"I wanted to meet you during the preliminary round, but I didn't find the time. Now I finally have the chance, haha!"
The girl said with a smile.
"Hello."
Gan Yanyu nodded politely and calmly, and said,
"Teacher Bai Xi."
Is this Bai Xi? Lin Tian looked at the girl's long legs under her black skirt in confusion. Yes, she is indeed fair.
But it doesn't feel as good as Gan Yanyu.
Gan Yanyu's legs should be longer.
“.”
"The last time we met was probably two years ago, right? You were still in the youth group at that time, and I've been following you ever since. I never thought that we would be able to compete on the same stage this year."
Bai Xi leaned against the dressing table and smiled warmly.
She is clearly the age of a female college student, probably because she stopped going to school after graduating from high school.
I always feel a little bit...sexy.
This black long skirt looks very elegant on Gan Yanyu.
There always seems to be a sense of vulgarity in Bai Xi.
If Lin Tian hadn't just talked about this person with Gan Yanyu, Lin Tian would really have thought that Gan Yanyu was very familiar with this person.
What a social idiot.
"Teacher Gan Yanyu!"
At this moment, a middle-aged woman waved at Gan Yanyu not far away, "You haven't put on makeup yet, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"If you don't mind, I'll do your makeup. Please come over here."
"I'll excuse myself first."
Gan Yanyu stood up and said to Bai Xi.
"Oh ok, go ahead! We'll talk later!"
Bai Xi's eyes curved, and he smiled and waved.
Watched Gan Yanyu leave.
Lin Tian was about to follow, but Bai Xi's voice rang out beside him: "You are Lin Tian, right?"
(End of this chapter)