Chapter 117: Side Story 1 – “Consider It Your Betrothal Gift”
Regarding why Lin Yuejiu had come, Xu Nianshen didn’t ask—and didn’t want to. The moment he saw her, nothing else mattered.
The host, Zheng Wei, announced, “Congratulations to contestant Xu Nianshen for winning this competition!”
Thunderous applause filled the hall. Xu Nianshen held Lin Yuejiu’s hand as he received the trophy from the host, placing it into her hands. The host looked puzzled, and Lin Yuejiu smiled, “His is mine.”
The host immediately understood and smiled at the two of them.
After the competition, Xu Nianshen bought a plane ticket to leave. He first went to the hotel to pack, while Lin Yuejiu waited by his side.
Remembering the ten plane tickets, she asked, “Did you come to see me every month?”
Xu Nianshen didn’t even look up. “Yes.”
“And what did you see?”
“I saw boys confessing to you.”
Lin Yuejiu widened her eyes. “You saw all that, and you still asked me?”
Xu Nianshen finished packing and turned to her, a smile in his eyes. “Seeing isn’t always believing. I wanted you to tell me yourself.”
“Xu Laoshi, you’re really full of mischief,” Lin Yuejiu said, unable to hide a small complaint.
Xu Nianshen raised an eyebrow, looking at her calmly. “That’s it?”
“Hmph.” Lin Yuejiu turned her head, snorting lightly, ignoring him.
Xu Nianshen laughed, lifted her from the seat, and pulled her into his arms so she could lean against him. He cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to meet his eyes. “All my mischief is for you alone. When have I ever used it on anyone else?”
Lin Yuejiu glanced at him. “So I should thank you?”
“Words aren’t enough. I want some real thanks.”
“Xu Laoshi, no funny business!”
Xu Nianshen smiled. “Will you give it?”
Lin Yuejiu snorted lightly but slightly tilted her face upward.
Xu Nianshen leaned down and kissed her, lingering with passion.
He stopped just in time and let her go.
Both were slightly out of breath. He looked at her face—fair, flushed, lips slightly red and alluring. His Adam’s apple moved, and he shifted his gaze away, taking her hand. “Let’s go, to the airport.”
On the plane, they sat by the window. Lin Yuejiu hugged Xu Nianshen’s waist, resting her head on his chest. “Xu Laoshi, this time I’m not flying alone.”
“Mm.” Xu Nianshen kissed her forehead. “You’re here.”
Arriving at the Xu residence, Xu’s parents were slightly shocked to see Lin Yuejiu holding his hand. “What… is going on? Jiu Jiu, you said you were going out… you didn’t go to find him, did you?”
“Yes.”
Xu’s parents’ expressions immediately changed. Xu Nianshen glanced at them, understanding their look: Our son’s impressive—he even made his wife take the initiative to come find him!
Xu Nianshen: “…”
“We’re running toward each other, after all.”
Back in the room, Xu Nianshen sat on the chair at the desk, and Lin Yuejiu instinctively climbed onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“How did you see what was in my notebook?”
Xu Nianshen knew Lin Yuejiu well—even though he told her she could touch anything freely, she would never do so casually.
“One time, I came in and saw that some papers on the desk had been blown to the floor. When I picked them up and put them back, I noticed a corner sticking out. Out of curiosity, I flipped through it… and then I saw everything.”
Recalling this, Lin Yuejiu remembered the card and asked, “What does that scholarship written on your card for me mean?”
Xu Nianshen glanced at her. “You want to know?”
Lin Yuejiu nodded. Judging by his expression, she understood his intention. She kissed him first, and only then did Xu Nianshen explain, “Back on the rooftop… didn’t I tell you I couldn’t give you anything at the time?”
“Mm. And after that?”
“After that, I thought of my scholarship. It’s completely mine, so I decided to give you all the scholarships I’d earned since I was little.”
He hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her shoulder. “This is the only thing I can give you—it’s what I earned myself.”
“At the same time, consider it my betrothal gift to marry you,” he murmured, his deep voice falling over her ear.
Lin Yuejiu’s ears flushed. “We’re still so young… and you’re already thinking about marrying me?”
Xu Nianshen smiled. “They say you should marry early.”
Lin Yuejiu tilted her head. “Who says that? I’ve never heard it before.”
“I do. Marry early, earn enough for your wife… otherwise, how can you marry her? Right?” His eyes shone with amusement as he asked her.
Lin Yuejiu huffed proudly. “It’s you getting married, not me! I’m in no rush to wed.”
Xu Nianshen’s lips curved, and he leaned toward her ear, lowering his voice deliberately, his warm breath brushing against it. “But what if I want to marry you as soon as possible?”
Lin Yuejiu’s ears reddened even more, and she shifted her head away. “Then you’ll just have to wait. Let’s see when I want to marry you… and whether your sincerity is enough.”
“Have you not already seen my sincerity? I handed over all the scholarships I’ve earned since childhood to you. I even perform for money for you. Xu Shen himself has descended to the mortal world.”
Lin Yuejiu laughed at his last comment, wanting to turn and speak to him, but he didn’t pull back. His lips hovered near hers, and she instinctively dodged, glaring at him, then bit his lips in annoyance.
Xu Nianshen hissed playfully, “Ouch! Quickly check if it’s broken!”
Lin Yuejiu didn’t believe him and called out his true thought. “You just want me to check, so you can take advantage of me being close for a kiss, right?”
Xu Nianshen looked completely innocent. “You said that yourself. I didn’t say a thing.”
Lin Yuejiu snorted. “Keep pretending. Don’t I know you by now? You’ve basically become a little pervert.”
In a flash, Xu Nianshen pressed a quick kiss to her lips and whispered, “All nature is driven by desire.”
Afterward, Xu Nianshen had more competitions, and Lin Yuejiu insisted on going with him. Xu Nianshen couldn’t refuse and let her come along.
In the past, Lin Yuejiu played violin on stage while Xu Nianshen watched from the audience. Now, Xu Nianshen performed on stage, and Lin Yuejiu watched from below.
Watching the young man who had worked so hard to earn enough to marry her, Lin Yuejiu’s heart melted completely. How could she not want to be with him? From the moment she saw him, she already had her answer.
Because she couldn’t find anyone better than him.
He would always be the best for her—without question.
