Chapter 99: Finally Home
After that birthday, whenever Lin Yuejiu video-called Xu Nianshen, she would always remind him not to do anything foolish, not to act like he did on her birthday.
Xu Nianshen agreed to everything.
Only those close to Lin Yuejiu knew about her birthday. Xu Father, Xu Mother, and Xu Zhi all sent her messages along with generous red envelopes. Chen Qianxi also sent her blessings—not exactly at midnight, but early in the morning right after waking up. She even recorded a video, sending her birthday wishes along with a song she sang for Lin Yuejiu.
Lin Yimo also messaged her that day, but since she had been accompanying Xu Nianshen to sleep, she only saw it the next morning.
Once the holiday was over, Lin Yuejiu threw herself back into studying and violin practice. When it was time to study, she focused completely on her books. When it was time to practice, she pushed herself to the limit. She even took the initiative to sign up for major competitions, aiming to win prizes and grow her reputation.
She wanted to speed things up—she longed to see Xu Nianshen again, to be with him every day.
Everyone was absorbed in their own lives, working hard to make the most of every minute, moving steadily toward the future they desired.
When you are fully immersed in something, time passes quickly. In the blink of an eye, the college entrance exam was right around the corner.
Lin Yuejiu was packing her luggage to return home. Li Jing stood nearby, face full of reluctance. Each time Lin Yuejiu placed something into her suitcase, Li Jing would take it back out, over and over, until Lin Yuejiu couldn’t help but laugh.
“Jingjing.”
Li Jing pouted, “Jiujiu, I don’t want you to leave. Even though we haven’t known each other for long and might not meet again in the future, I still can’t bear to part with you.”
Lin Yuejiu hugged her with a smile. “I’ll come back to visit you when I have the chance.”
Li Jing’s voice was pitiful, “I won’t have such a pretty roommate anymore.”
Lin Yuejiu kissed her on the cheek.
“Alright, hurry up and go,” Li Jing urged.
Lin Yuejiu wasn’t sure whether to laugh or sigh, so she quickened her pace. Once everything was packed, the two of them took a photo together as a keepsake. At the dorm entrance, Li Jing waved.
“Next time you come, remember to bring your boyfriend! You two have to come together!”
Pulling her suitcase, Lin Yuejiu waved back with a smile. “Okay.”
At the front gate, Teacher Wu and some association leaders were waiting. One of them patted her shoulder. “We hope to see an even better you in the future.”
“I will,” she replied.
“You’re a senior student now. You might even become a teacher directly,” one leader teased.
Teacher Wu chimed in, “That’s right, you’re very popular now, practically in demand everywhere.”
Lin Yuejiu laughed. “Teachers, don’t tease me. I still have a long way to go.”
After a few more words, the leaders urged them to head to the airport quickly.
On the way, Teacher Wu asked, “When you get back, make sure you rest well. You’ll be arriving late. Where are you staying?”
Lin Yuejiu thought about it. The school gates would be closed by then, and the Xu family would be asleep too. “I’ll stay in a hotel first. I’ll figure it out after the college entrance exam.”
“Alright, there’s a hotel near the association. If it’s inconvenient, just call me and I’ll take you to the exam center.”
“Okay.”
Teacher Wu handed her some documents. “Your admission ticket and other exam materials are here. The school already arranged for me to collect them and keep them safe. Make sure you don’t lose them.”
“I understand.”
After more than ten hours, the plane finally landed. The moment Lin Yuejiu set foot back on home soil, her body and mind relaxed. At last, she was home.
Leaving the airport, Teacher Wu accompanied her to the hotel. Before leaving, he reminded her, “Before you go to sleep, keep your ID, admission ticket, and exam materials ready, alright?”
“I understand.”
“It’s late, get some rest.”
“Okay.”
The next morning, Lin Yuejiu woke up early. As soon as she turned on her phone, she saw a message from Xu’s father and mother.
[Jiujui, are you back? Do you need us to pick you up after the exam?]
[No need, thank you Auntie. I’m staying at the association these two days for the exam. After it’s over, I’ll go back. Otherwise, it’ll be too much trouble.]
[Alright then, we’ll wait for you to come home after the exam.]
[Okay.]
Chen Qianxi: [Jiujui, are you back?]
Lin Yuejiu: [Yes, I’m back. I’m at the association for now. I’ll go see you after the exam.]
Chen Qianxi: [Good. By the way, which exam site are you at? Is it the same as mine?]
Lin Yuejiu: [Which one are you at?]
Chen Qianxi told her the details.
Lin Yuejiu: [Not the same. With so many people, the chance of us being at the same test site is really small.]
Chen Qianxi: [Alright then, we’ll meet after the exams.]
Lin Yuejiu: [Okay.]
Chen Qianxi: [Good luck! I hope we both get into our dream universities!]
Lin Yuejiu: [Yes!]
Lin Yimo also sent her a short message wishing her good luck on the college entrance exam, and she replied with a quick “thank you.”
The homeroom teacher sent a message in the class group chat, encouraging everyone to do their best. He also noticed her return and even privately reminded her to stay calm during the exam. She replied that she would.
Suddenly, another message popped up. Teacher Xu: [Read the questions carefully. If you have time, check your answers again. Don’t get careless.]
Lin Yuejiu: [That’s exactly what I wanted to say to you.]
After checking her things and making sure she had everything she needed, she left her room.
Although Teacher Wu had said to call him if she needed anything, he still felt uneasy and personally drove over. After all, she was the student he had chosen. Seeing her come down, he said, “Come on, I’ll take you.”
“Thank you, Teacher Wu.”
When they arrived at the exam site, students hadn’t been allowed inside yet. Most were waiting outside. After she got out of the car, she thanked him again.
“No need to be polite with me. Do your best. I have confidence in you—good luck.”
She smiled. “I will.”
When the time came, students were allowed in. One after another, they filed through. At the entrance, the invigilators carefully scanned each student from head to toe, even emptying their pockets before letting them in. Once inside, everyone waited quietly for the exam to start.
When the test papers were handed out, Lin Yuejiu first skimmed through the whole paper, got a general idea, and then started writing.
By the end of the day, everyone was exhausted. When the exam ended, students poured out, talking about the questions. Some went home, others were picked up by school buses.
Back at the hotel, Lin Yuejiu didn’t dwell on the subjects of the day. Instead, she focused on preparing for the next day’s test.
In the class group chat, some were discussing the exam, and someone even tagged her and Xu Nianshen.
Class monitor: [Finish one subject, forget one subject. Everyone, focus on tomorrow’s.]
Everyone agreed, and the chat went quiet.
The second day, exams continued.
And when the voice said, “The exam is over, candidates stop writing immediately,” many students felt a wave of indescribable emotion rise in their hearts. Their high school years had officially come to an end—never to return.
