CHAPTER 651: CHAPTER 415: THE LONELY FORERUNNER_2

"We must win, we have to win, even if we’ve realized our own powerlessness, even if we know we might not be able to win this competition, still, in the depths of despair, we must pick up the bow and continue to play."

"And when the moment of truth arrives, elder, did you regret it?"

Lin Tian said calmly, though his heart was already a stormy sea.

Constantly emphasizing the responsibilities he bears.

Imagining classical music standing tall at the pinnacle of the world once more.

When truly standing on the stage of the world competition, there is no way back.

Numerous eyes had long placed Gan Hua on the fire to roast.

In that place, losing the competition.

For sixteen years, no longer playing the cello.

Was it really because of "losing the competition and the collapse of the mindset"?

If from the beginning, it was known that it was a contest that couldn’t be won?

Standing in the Golden Hall, a place musicians dream of, at the moment of performing classical music, feeling the cold stares from the judges, the silence from the audience.

The answer was probably already there in your heart?

"....."

If all of this holds true.

The alleged doping incident... whether true or false, seems no longer important.

No matter whether Elder Gan was truly doped or not.

Nothing could change, that bottle of "world-changing medicine" was never more than a pseudo-topic.

It wasn’t because of that bottle of "medicine" that the world changed.

But because,

The world is about to change,

Countless people still holding onto hope, refusing to admit they’ve lost everything, need such a "medicine" to console their heartbreak like withered leaves.

....

All of this was Lin Tian’s conjecture.

After chatting with Gao Zhenyang, his heart held some vague questions.

And by the riverbank, after running into that fan, Lin Tian gradually confirmed his inner conjecture.

If all of this were true, then the so-called weight shouldn’t too heavily burden Gan Yanyu... Or else, it would surely recur...

"I don’t regret it."

Gan Hua’s voice stunned Lin Tian.

"I never regretted participating in that year’s Keller Cup."

When Gan Hua said this, Gan Yanyu, who happened to pass by, heard it, and for a moment, the young girl froze on the spot.

"Lin Tian, there’s one thing you didn’t get wrong."

Gan Hua raised his head, a hint of bitterness on his face,

"I am indeed deeply trapped in bondage....."

"But it’s not merely the responsibility of the dream, it’s not just as simple as a dream....."

Not just a dream?

Lin Tian was puzzled, weren’t they once a group of musicians defying the currents for dreams? That’s why there were so many stories.

Suddenly,

Lin Tian was surprised to see.

The old man in front of him raised his wrinkled hands and covered his face.

"Fang Ziqing, Zhao Jianli, Li Shangwen."

"Guo Yong, Chen Jian Country, Yu Xiangqian..."

"Wait, wait a moment."

Lin Tian was somewhat at a loss, "Sir, what are you talking about? Who are these people?"

"Old friends who once played with me."

"From the orchestra?"

Lin Tian was stunned.

Gan Hua didn’t explain, he just muttered the names to himself all over again.

Then, releasing his hands, he turned to look at Lin Tian,

"Some were my opponents, some were my comrades."

Gan Hua paused, speaking calmly,

"Only I am left."

.....

Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu were simultaneously stunned.

The old man raised his head, gazing at the night sky.

The stars scattered, with the sound of the evening breeze rustling through the leaves in his ears.

Memories, wound up like a clock.

...

...

That year, the International Music Association was just preparing to amend the competition format.

In his forties, Gan Hua, already loaded with honors, felt a deep sense of crisis for the first time in Tuoba Jianhui’s orchestra, along with his comrades.

For everyone, classical music was not just a lifelong passion they kept but also their livelihood.

Some musicians have played classical music all their lives, now being asked to change styles; they simply can’t compete with the young. Their music no longer appeals to the younger audience, gradually becoming marginal on stage.

In those times, being a folk musician was an occupation that barely got by.

To uphold their beloved classical music and also protect their livelihood.

The group crowdfunded their lifelong savings to start a world tour.

Wherever they reached, they tried their best to perform, expanding the influence of classical music, but to little effect, and some people kept leaving the orchestra.

.....

"I’m sorry!! Old Gan, my entire savings are right here, if this continues, I’ll be completely drained! I really can’t hold on!"

.....

"Leader, I have a wife and child, my family has found me a job as a middle school music teacher, I can disregard myself, but not my family... I’m sorry! I have to leave!"

....

"A newspaper is willing to take me in, Old Gan... sob... sorry... I really want to keep playing... but, I can’t.... sob... please carry my share and keep going....."

....

"I didn’t become a musician the world remembers... Old Gan, I trust you; you definitely can... you can carry our hopes to the highest peak... I’m begging you... Please....."

...

Finally, one day

At the age of 54, Gan Hua eventually stopped and found Tuoba Jianhui.

"I want to leave the orchestra."

Tuoba Jianhui was surprised, "You too...."

"The tour is meaningless, we cannot change a thing."

Gan Hua said calmly,

"I want to participate in the Keller Cup, and win with classical music."

"But you have to start from the city-level competitions, and currently the oldest in the league is no more than 35... you can’t compete with the young ones now."

"This is my last chance."

Gan Hua interrupted Tuoba Jianhui, saying.

"Let this old body of mine burn one last time."

.....

In a year’s time.

Gan Hua won the Starlight Cup Champion, Yingqin Cup Champion, Dragon Violin Cup Champion, representing Tian Chao at the Keller Cup.

At the departure ceremony heading to Vienna.

Everyone gathered.

Old friends who once performed on stage with Gan Hua, some wore company uniforms, some formal suits with potbellies, completely devoid of the musician’s aura, reeking of a worker’s flavor.

Gan Hua toasted each one at the table, eyes brimming with joy.

It was then Gan Hua suddenly realized, his once close friend, cellist Guo Yong was nowhere to be found.

Gan Hua only knew that after leaving, he returned to his hometown to work at the local TV station as a small employee and never heard from him again.

After nearly inquiring around, he learned.

Guo Yong had passed away two years ago, succumbed to late-stage liver cancer, the family never disclosed it, only performed a modest burial in the hometown.

Gan Hua was stunned for a long time.

The cellist who once drew the most beautiful chords, more knowledgeable about classical music structure than himself, loved talking endlessly about it, Guo Yong.

Finally, leaving the world unnoticed in such a manner, with no one aware.

At that moment,

Gan Hua began to ponder.

——What do I have left without the cello?

He felt, his body was bound by numerous bandages; every step forward was terribly difficult.

During the remaining time of the banquet,

The echoes in Gan Hua’s ears were:

"Go on for me."

"Please take my share..."

...

...

Gan Hua gazed at the night sky, memories of 16 years ago now fading like those stars into the sky, and who knows when they might appear again.

Yet, they still shimmer, shimmering somewhere in this sea of stars.

"Actually, I can’t quite distinguish, whether these bandages wrapping around me are pressure or are they motivation for me to keep moving forward... I just keep moving."

Gan Hua lowered his head, looking at Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu before him,

"But they won’t disappear because you can’t discern, they are always there... you will eventually notice them."

"It’s up to you how to view them."