Chapter 116: Years Deep, Months Long
Xu’s father, mother, and Xu Nianshen all showed astonished expressions. Lin Yuejiu lowered her head and smiled, reaching out to take it. “Alright then.”
Winter break quickly ended, and the new semester began.
The second semester was somewhat easier than the first, though there were still tasks to handle every day. When Xu Nianshen and Lin Yuejiu were busy, they didn’t disturb each other, but when they had free time, they would meet up. Sometimes Lin Yuejiu would ask him about math problems, though most of the time they spent doing other things together.
After Chen Qianxi and Du Zhuo got together, they didn’t spend as much time together as Lin Yuejiu and Xu Nianshen. Chen Qianxi would often come to Lin Yuejiu to complain about Du Zhuo’s shortcomings. Lin Yuejiu would quietly listen, glance at the time, and before long, Du Zhuo would bring something she liked to make up for it. Chen Qianxi would then reluctantly accept, and the two would reconcile as usual.
Another semester passed quickly, bringing summer vacation. Lin Yuejiu hadn’t even started planning where to go yet when Xu Nianshen told her he would be participating in a competition.
“A competition? What competition?”
“A piano competition.”
Lin Yuejiu froze for a moment. “When did you sign up for a piano competition? You’ve been practicing piano all along?”
“Yes.”
“Is this something you want to do yourself?”
“Yes.”
Lin Yuejiu pursed her lips. “Alright then. If this is what you want, I’ll support you.”
She reached out, hugging him for comfort. “Go for it, Xu Laoshi. I believe in you.”
“Okay, I’ll see you when I get back.”
Xu Nianshen left for the competition that afternoon.
Before leaving, he told her she could stay in his room and use anything she wanted. After all, there were no secrets between them.
Xu’s parents knew Lin Yuejiu was staying in his room and didn’t stop it—in fact, they welcomed it and helped her move her things, resulting in Lin Yuejiu’s clothes taking up space in Xu Nianshen’s wardrobe.
Lin Yuejiu even sent him pictures. Xu Nianshen received the message right after getting off the plane and couldn’t help but smile.
Xu Laoshi: “I’ve been wanting to see this scene for a long time.”
Xu Nianshen: “Hehe, I’m great, right? I know what you’re thinking.”
Xu Laoshi: “Yes, really great (thumbs up).”
The organizer called his name: “Nianshen, come over quickly.”
“Understood.” Xu Nianshen put away his phone and moved forward.
When Chen Qianxi saw Lin Yuejiu alone while chatting, she asked, “Where’s Xu Shen? You two are usually always together. Why are you alone today?”
“Is he at a competition?”
“A piano competition?”
Lin Yuejiu said, “Hmm?” and looked up at her. “You knew?”
“Of course. Xu Shen has always entered competitions, and he’s performed at quite a few evening events too.”
Lin Yuejiu frowned. “Why didn’t I know about this?”
Chen Qianxi looked puzzled. “Xu Shen didn’t tell you?”
Lin Yuejiu shook her head. “He never mentioned the competition.”
Chen Qianxi made an “Ah” sound, wondering if she had accidentally let something slip.
“When did he start competing?”
“Intermittently since senior year.”
“Since senior year?”
“Yes, the year you were doing your exchange program.”
Lin Yuejiu lowered her eyes. Why didn’t he tell her? Then she reminded herself that everyone has their own matters, and he didn’t have to tell her everything. Still… she felt a little uneasy.
Seeing her mood shift, Chen Qianxi stayed silent, letting her think quietly.
Eventually, seeing that Lin Yuejiu wasn’t going to linger, Chen Qianxi suggested going home, and Lin Yuejiu nodded.
At dinner, Lin Yuejiu asked, “Uncle, Aunt, did Xu Nianshen start piano competitions in senior year?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Lin Yuejiu clenched her chopsticks slightly. “Do you know why he started competing? Was it for fun?”
“It seems so. Every time there’s a piano competition, he pays special attention.”
“I see.”
After dinner, Lin Yuejiu went back to Xu Nianshen’s room. Opening the door, she saw some papers had been blown onto the floor. She closed the door, walked over, bent down, and picked them up. As she was putting them back, something at the bottom of the notebook caught her eye. Xu Nianshen had said he didn’t mind her looking through his things. She opened the first page of the notebook.
There was a card with something attached to it. She flipped it over.
Scholarship.
A scholarship? Was this Xu Nianshen’s scholarship?
Her eyes scanned further. At the very bottom of the first page was written: Scholarship prepared for Jiu Jiu.
Lin Yuejiu paused. A scholarship prepared for her? What did this mean?
She continued flipping through the notebook.
One page stood out. She went straight to that page and froze.
It was plane tickets, direct to the UK. Not just one, but about ten tickets.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked them up, examining them one by one.
The first ticket was for August 30th. She had gone with Teacher Wu on August 29th, and the very next day he bought this ticket?
The second ticket was for September 19th.
The third was October 19th.
The fourth was November 19th.
The fifth was December 19th.
…
In total, there were ten tickets. Except for the one in January, all the others were on the 19th of each month—the day of her birthday.
He didn’t buy a ticket for the month she had already arrived.
Lin Yuejiu’s breathing grew heavy. She slowly lowered her eyes to the notebook. The familiar handwriting stared back at her, ink black on paper:
“A day without seeing you, I think of you wildly.”
The cool summer evening breeze blew through the window, sending shivers across Lin Yuejiu’s body. Occasional crisp birdcalls drifted in from outside.
——
In the living room, Xu Nianshen was working overtime at the company. Xu’s father sat on the sofa reading a newspaper, Xu’s mother watching TV. Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed. Both looked up to see Lin Yuejiu dragging a small suitcase, rushing out.
Xu’s mother froze. “Jiu Jiu, it’s so late—where are you going?”
Lin Yuejiu didn’t respond. “Uncle, Aunt, I have something to do and will be out for a few days.”
“Going out? Where to?”
By then, she had already left the Xu residence.
Her mind still hazy, she had already bought the last flight ticket.
Once on the plane, Lin Yuejiu looked out at the sky. She was traveling alone, just as he had once boarded alone.
She closed her eyes.
Soon came the day of Xu Nianshen’s competition. The organizer explained the rules: “This competition is different from the others. You’ll be randomly paired with a violinist for a duet. Let’s see how you lead them.”
Xu Nianshen nodded.
He was the last group to perform. Sitting backstage, he noticed that the earlier participants didn’t score very high, and his heart felt slightly tense. If he won this competition, the scholarship prepared for Jiu Jiu could be even bigger—he could give her more.
Soon it was their turn. He straightened his collar and walked onto the stage.
Host: “Let’s see who will be performing with him. Please welcome her to the stage!”
Xu Nianshen glanced to the side.
The girl wore a pale dress, walking slowly toward the stage in the applause, bathed in light.
At that moment, Xu Nianshen was stunned.
Step by step, she approached him, stopping a few paces away, then turned to face the audience.
Host: “Wonderful! The partner is here—a very beautiful fairy. Enough talking, let’s start the performance.”
The girl didn’t glance at Xu Nianshen. She went to her position, lifted her violin, and Xu Nianshen snapped out of his trance to take his place.
The stage lights dimmed, leaving only two spotlights on them. Just like their first performance together, their music harmonized perfectly, more seamlessly than ever before. The audience was enraptured.
When the piece ended, silence lingered for a moment before thunderous applause erupted.
Both bowed in unison.
Finally, Xu Nianshen found the chance to speak to her. “How did you get here?”
Lin Yuejiu raised her brow. “What? Only you are allowed to come find me? Not me coming to you?”
Xu Nianshen was momentarily stunned, then smiled. “It’s not my birthday today.”
Lin Yuejiu ignored him, lifting her chin. “So what if it’s not your birthday? I still came.”
Xu Nianshen chuckled.
She smiled back at him, her eyes reflecting countless stars. Her voice was soft: “You shouldn’t be the only one running toward me. That’s too lonely. Xu Nianshen, I’m coming to you too.”
Xu Nianshen’s heart trembled as he met her gaze.
“Not just today. From now on, I will always run toward you.”
“Not just Xu Nianshen, but Yuejiu too. Only together are we complete—Years Deep, Months Long.”
She tilted her head and smiled: “Isn’t that right?”
On stage, the host continued speaking, the judges whispered, and the audience cheered. None of it reached him. Only her voice mattered. Only her silhouette was clear.
She asked again: “Isn’t that right?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
Years Deep, Months Long—they are inseparable. They are one whole. Only completeness is true Years Deep, Months Long.
Xu Nianshen cannot be without Lin Yuejiu, and Lin Yuejiu cannot be without Xu Nianshen.
Love isn’t about passion or longing—it’s about time. Years Deep, Months Long become part of life. You have become part of my life.
You are my Years Deep, Months Long.
—End of story—
