Chapter 52 — Lifting a Rock Only to Drop It on His Own Foot
Lin Yuejiu: “……”
Xu Nianshen: “……”
The two of them exchanged a glance. Honestly… it did kind of look that way.
Lin Yuejiu quickly shook her head, ptooey! How could she even think that?!
“Teacher, this is a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding? Where? You two look exactly like a couple.”
“You said it yourself—it only looks like it. But we’re not.”
“Then what’s all this…”
“This? This is just how we normally interact.”
“…Really?”
“Of course. We grew up together—we’re childhood friends. Helping each other out a little, supporting each other, that’s nothing unusual.”
“I see… that does make some sense.”
Lin Yuejiu pressed on, “Besides, Teacher, just look at us. Do we give off that kind of dating atmosphere?”
The homeroom teacher lifted her eyes to study the two. One had an indifferent, cold expression; the other looked wide-eyed and innocent. The more she looked, the less they resembled… a couple.
“…You’re right,” the teacher finally said. “I misunderstood you. Sorry about that. Go on back to class now, don’t let me hold up your studies.”
“Okay, thank you, Teacher. We’ll head back then.”
Xu Nianshen had barely spoken the whole time.
Once outside, Lin Yuejiu closed the office door and patted her chest. “That scared me to death! Luckily I reacted fast enough to explain, or else Teacher would’ve really thought we were dating.”
Xu Nianshen’s gaze darkened. “You sounded almost… relieved. Are you that afraid of people misunderstanding?”
“Me, I don’t really mind. The important thing is you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You told me before, didn’t you? You don’t like having too much attention on you, and you definitely don’t like being caught up in rumors or gossip.”
Xu Nianshen opened his mouth. But what I meant was other people. Not you. You’re different.
In the end, he didn’t say it.
Seeing him hesitate, Lin Yuejiu tilted her head. “Hm? What is it? You were going to say something?”
“…Nothing.” He turned his head away. “I just didn’t realize you remembered what I said so clearly.”
“Of course I do. It’s something you dislike. You don’t often tell me personal things, so when you do, I make sure to remember.”
“…Mn.”
Xu Nianshen thought of that old saying: hoisted with one’s own petard—lifting a rock only to drop it on one’s own foot.
He quickened his pace back to the classroom.
Lin Yuejiu blinked at his sudden speed-up. “??? What’s with him?”
After that, Xu Nianshen hardly spoke. Lin Yuejiu thought he must have run into some tricky question—he just kept staring blankly at his workbook.
At first she wanted to peek and help out. But then she realized, if Xu Nianshen couldn’t solve a problem, there was no way she could. So she gave up.
But Xu Nianshen wasn’t stuck on a question at all. He was stuck on himself—boxed in by his own words. Truly, lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot, with no way to explain.
That noon, after lunch, Lin Yuejiu returned to the classroom to find Xu Nianshen already there.
“You’re back so soon today?” she asked.
“Mn. I ate faster.”
Lin Yuejiu sat for a while, then stood up to leave.
Xu Nianshen noticed. “Where are you going?”
She turned back. “Out. To the bookstore, to pick up a few things.”
“I’ll go with you.”
As soon as the two of them left together, the classroom exploded.
“Holy crap, did you guys see that?!”
“Of course we did! The moment he heard she was leaving, he panicked and rushed to follow her!”
“Exactly! Like he was afraid she’d vanish!”
“Nianshen-Yuejiu is too sweet. I ship it so hard!”
Chen Qianxi unconsciously straightened her back with pride. That’s my officially certified CP—of course it’s shippable!
Walking side by side, Lin Yuejiu and Xu Nianshen left the school and strolled down the street.
Suddenly, a group of people came toward them. One pointed straight at them, confirmed their faces, and hurried over.
Before they could react, microphones were already thrust toward them.
“Excuse me, I’m an entertainment reporter. May I ask—are you Lin Yuejiu and Xu Nianshen?”
Lin Yuejiu answered cautiously. “What is it you need?”
“Here’s the thing—we recently saw you two trending online. We’d like to do a short interview.”
Xu Nianshen immediately pulled her behind him. “Sorry, but we don’t accept interviews. Please leave.”
“Even if not a full interview, could we at least ask a few questions?”
“I’ll look at the questions first before deciding whether to answer.”
“All right. Online rumors say you two are dating—truth or false?”
“False.” Lin Yuejiu answered instantly.
The reporters looked to Xu Nianshen. He gave a curt, “Mn.”
“But you look so much like a couple. Then may I ask—what is your relationship? More than friends, not yet lovers?”
Lin Yuejiu stepped out from behind him. “Reporters, please don’t make random guesses. We’re very good friends, that’s all. We’ve known each other for eleven years, but we’re not in a romantic relationship. I hope you’ll report this truthfully.”
The reporters got their answer, nodded, and dispersed.
Watching them leave, Lin Yuejiu sighed in relief. “Didn’t expect reporters to show up… good thing we explained clearly.”
Xu Nianshen gave a quiet “Mn.” “Weren’t you going to the bookstore? Let’s go.”
“Mm.”
After buying her things, they returned to school together. For some reason—maybe it was just her imagination—Lin Yuejiu felt Xu Nianshen was angry. Angry at her. But she couldn’t figure out why.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. Finally, she asked, “Are you mad at me?”
“No. Not mad.”
“Then… why aren’t you talking to me?”
“I am talking. We don’t usually chat that much anyway.”
That reply left Lin Yuejiu speechless. He was right. Normally, they didn’t say much to each other—a glance was enough. Still, something felt off. Maybe it was a woman’s intuition, but she was sure Xu Nianshen was angry.
The bell rang. Lin Yuejiu sighed and turned her attention back to class. I’ll think about it after school.
As for Xu Nianshen—he didn’t even know if he was angry or not. He was a little angry, because Lin Yuejiu had said they weren’t a couple, just close friends. Hearing that stung.
But she wasn’t wrong. At this stage, they were just friends. He hadn’t confessed, and she had no idea about his feelings.
What he really felt was exhaustion. First, he’d already tripped over his own words before. Now this…
He wasn’t mad at her. He was mad at himself.
All your fault. Running your mouth like that. Now how are you supposed to confess?
The smooth-sailing Xu Nianshen, who’d had everything come easily for over ten years, finally found himself… frustrated.
