Producer System: My Girlfriend is a Cellist-Chapter 179 - 148 "Por Una Cabeza

Forced Calm?

Not really...

With this skill, you should give it to Gan Yanyu, why give it to me?!

Don’t you know who needs to be calmer during a competition?!

The skill most suitable for Gan Yanyu ended up in Lin Tian’s hands.

Forced Calm is neither strong nor weak.

Because Lin Tian knew how to use it before.

However, because it’s easily accessible and the use scenarios are quite limited, it’s normally a one-person, in-room activity with a box of tissues right beside them for the best effect.

Even if Lin Tian wanted to use it on stage, morals and the law would probably not permit it.

Men would feel inadequate, and women’s mouths would be watering; no one would be listening properly to the performance.

But having the skill is different, as it doesn’t come with these limitations.

Being able to use it on stage makes this skill very strong.

During the performance, whenever you feel like your emotions are off, you can use it to refresh your state and continue the performance with a more rational attitude.

This is very important.

Playing with someone mentally unstable like Gan Yanyu, it’s easy to let one’s spirit and reason be dragged down; having a Forced Calm is like having a life-saving insurance.

But, this skill shouldn’t be used indiscriminately.

Performing sometimes requires a bit of immersive emotional involvement; if you force calmness during the climax, it might actually ruin the whole piece of music.

The specifics depend on the context.

Lin Tian realized that this mission didn’t assign any additional theme.

But there was a requirement: a 98% satisfaction rate from the live audience.

Judges... count as part of the audience, right?

That means almost all the audience, including the judges, needs to feel satisfied.

That’s tough.

Not to mention music tastes vary from person to person; it’s impossible to satisfy everyone, and the judges at the scene are all from different backgrounds.

There are also people like Tuoba Jianhui who have explicitly stated they don’t like Gan Yanyu.

Lin Tian pondered for a moment.

He must choose a "solid" piece of music that allows Gan Yanyu to showcase her full capability...

And yet, it must not be too "deep," not as esoteric as a Cello Concerto in E minor; it has to ensure that the emotions are accessible to the entire audience.

What to choose...

Lin Tian was in a dilemma.

Essay questions are so much easier; if a specific emotion is requested, finding a piece of music would be simpler.

Without the topic, Lin Tian hesitated even more.

After all, this is a piece to be performed at the Yingqin Cup, a matter of great importance, Lin Tian couldn’t afford to be careless.

Just like if at the Star Cup, Lin Tian could introduce a new piece, one not so extreme in style, the outcome might have been different indeed.

According to the later data analysis by He Zhichen.

At that time, Gan Yanyu was just a little... really just a tad short... of winning the championship.

Although the final verdict barely brought Yanyu back to optimism, the loss of the championship had become a fact, and recalling it still feels both heartbreaking... and helpless...

Wait,

Just a little short?

This feeling...

Lin Tian suddenly had an epiphany.

That’s it!

He quickly scribbled down the name of the piece in his notebook—

"Por Una Cabeza".

This piece is quite interesting.

It was originally composed in 1935 by the Argentine composer Carlos Gardel and the poet Ángel Villoldo.

It’s a very well-known tango, starting as a song and then adapted into pure music countless times.

Its beautiful melody and unique tango rhythm, even in the year 2024, are by no means outdated and continue to be adored by the young crowd.

Just like the fans of Moonlight and Cat like to mention:

Following the pattern of releasing a profound piece after an addictive tune.

The next piece, it’s time for music that pleases the general public.

This piece, it would certainly satisfy them.

...

The next day, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu arranged to record at a café.

"..."

"♫~"

As soon as the melody of the piece sounded.

After trying to play a section, the girl’s face immediately revealed a surprised expression.

"Lin Tian, this new piece you composed is so interesting! What’s its name?"

""Por Una Cabeza"."

Seeing Gan Yanyu’s expression, Lin Tian knew that he had chosen the right piece.

Not only is the melody of this piece interesting, but the story also has a sense of grey humor.

In the earliest version with lyrics, the piece described the life attitude of a gambler.

The gambler likened life to horse racing, where every horse betting was only one step away from winning.

"Por una cabeza," the name means "just short of a step."

The lyrics are filled with irony and self-mockery, showcasing the gambler’s optimistic yet helpless attitude when facing life’s constant "just missing the mark" difficulties.

Actually,

Lin Tian composed this piece to encourage Gan Yanyu.

Be a bit more optimistic; there’s a long road ahead in life.

We missed the Star Cup, but we still have the Yingqin Cup; even if we miss the Yingqin Cup, we are still young.

It is filled with sorrow, passion, nostalgia, irony, and other emotions.

Only by performing it personally can one truly understand the emotions within.

"Let’s give it a try."

Lin Tian moved to the piano,

"There’s even more interesting stuff!"

"..."

After a simple set up of the scene.

The recording equipment was turned on.

After a long time of not recording, Lin Tian felt a bit rusty in front of the camera.

"Ready?"

Lin Tian asked from a distance.

"Yes," nodded Gan Yanyu.

"....."

As the girl pulled the strings.

The beautiful Cello Concerto began, and their duet commenced.

Originally, the piece was supposed to feature the violin’s leading role in the performance, giving the whole piece a very "saucy" feel.

However, in Lin Tian’s adaption to a Cello Concerto version, while retaining some of the "saucy" flavor, the emotions became even richer.

After a beautiful passage ended.

Lin Tian began to play the piano.

With the joining of the piano—

The whole piece, at this moment, reached a climax!

A shift in the key began, with a passionate and stirring melody ringing out!

The piano and Cello Concerto transitioned upwards simultaneously, intertwining together.

At this moment, the entire café, it was as if transformed into a dance hall.

Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu, their hands joined, engaged in a fervent and passionate dance...

During this dance, the two enjoyed the melody together, feeling each other’s heartbeats.

No words are needed, no spoken language required, to know each other’s feelings and thoughts.

All the surroundings, transformed into petals under the gleam of the lights, were stunningly beautiful.

Just that,

When the music ended.

Lin Tian happened to look up and discovered.

The girl he had just been dancing with.

Was now looking up at him, revealing a somewhat troubled expression:

"This piece... is great, but I don’t feel it’s quite right for me."