Chapter 123: Side Story 7 — I Do
When Xu Nianshen and Lin Yuejiu told Xu Father and Xu Mother that they wanted to get married and register their marriage, neither of them were too surprised. Xu Mother just asked, “Son, I don’t oppose your marriage, but may I ask—are you of legal age to get married?”
Xu Nianshen: “……”
Lin Yuejiu: “……”
Ah, they seemed to have forgotten that part.
Seeing Xu Nianshen’s reaction, Xu Mother understood immediately. She sighed. “Son, you’re not of legal age yet. How can you register your marriage?”
Xu Nianshen: “……”
“Based on your age, you’ll have to wait until your senior year in college to get a marriage certificate.”
The light in Xu Nianshen’s eyes flickered and died instantly.
He felt the world had gone dark.
He felt that love no longer existed.
Xu Mother saw his dejected state and sighed gently. “Cheer up, son. Two years will pass by quickly.”
Xu Nianshen: “……”
Lin Yuejiu pressed her lips together, hooked his palm gently, and whispered, “Teacher Xu, don’t worry, the time will pass quickly.”
Xu Nianshen only glanced at her, saying nothing.
In the days that followed, Lin Yuejiu noticed his obvious unhappiness, but there was nothing she could do—he simply wasn’t of legal age.
In the dorm, He Yue, out of curiosity, asked her, “Why hasn’t your boyfriend come to see you recently? Did you two have a fight?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“Really?”
Mao Xin and Wu Lin peeked from under the table.
“We didn’t fight. He’s just been a little preoccupied lately.”
“That scared me! I thought you two had broken up. If you two split, I would never believe in love again!” He Yue patted her chest.
Lin Yuejiu smiled. “We won’t break up.”
“That’s good. But as his girlfriend, you could help him share the burden a little.”
“Share the burden?”
“Men always want a partner who understands them. If you help him with his worries and emotional troubles, he’ll like you even more.”
“So what should I do?”
“First, you need to know what his worries are, then find a way to solve them.”
Lin Yuejiu nodded, seeming to understand. She knew Xu Nianshen’s worry, but she really couldn’t solve it. How could she change his age? She wasn’t a magician, and it would be unnatural to force time.
She sighed lightly, looking at the music book in front of her, and suddenly had an idea. Right! She suggested marriage before because Xu Nianshen felt insecure. The key wasn’t the marriage itself—it was his lack of security. If he didn’t feel secure, she could just give him that sense of security.
Lin Yuejiu smiled. She really was clever.
“Teacher Xu, are you free this Saturday?”
“Yes, why?”
“Let’s go on a date.”
“Alright.”
Seeing his agreement, Lin Yuejiu breathed a sigh of relief and began her plan.
On Saturday, Xu Nianshen looked at the music association in front of him, falling silent.
Lin Yuejiu didn’t seem to notice. “Let’s go in,” she said.
Xu Nianshen raised an eyebrow, pointing at the building. “Are you sure this counts as a date?”
“Yes, any problem?” Lin Yuejiu blinked.
“Are you sure we’re here on a date and not just to practice a piece?” Xu Nianshen held his forehead helplessly.
“Of course it’s a date! Teacher Xu, just trust me and let’s go in.”
Lin Yuejiu pushed Xu Nianshen inside. Along the way, many people greeted them.
“You’re really diligent. Even on a Saturday when advanced students are off, you come to practice? Impressive.”
Xu Nianshen: “……You really believe we came to practice?”
Lin Yuejiu led him to the practice room where they had first rehearsed a duet. Once inside, she closed the door, picked up her violin, and smiled at him. “Teacher Xu, don’t blink, okay?”
As soon as she spoke, her hands began to move along the strings, and a beautiful melody slowly filled the entire room.
Xu Nianshen watched her, a smile gradually forming in his eyes.
Although she hadn’t said it, he already knew—the piece was for him. It was composed especially for him, and he recognized it immediately.
The practice room’s soundproofing was decent, but they were both well-known, and since it was a holiday for advanced students, word quickly spread. Soon, more and more people gathered outside, pressing against the door to listen. Normally, listening to Lin Yuejiu play a piece in person required buying a ticket, and tickets cost money!
Inside, neither of them noticed the growing crowd outside.
Huang Weixue, passing by, saw the gathering and became curious. “What are you all doing?”
“Shh—” everyone shushed him, making a gesture for him to be quiet.
Huang Weixue suddenly felt a strange urge to pee.
“What’s wrong?”
“Lin Yuejiu and Xu Nianshen are inside.”
Huang Weixue perked up. “They’re playing a duet?”
“No, Lin Yuejiu is playing the violin solo, Xu Nianshen is listening.”
“Really? Which piece?”
“Not sure, maybe a new one?”
Some people gasped. “Could she have composed it herself?”
Others followed with excitement, “Really? Could it be true?”
“Very possible,” someone said. “She has composed before, so this could totally be a new piece.”
Huang Weixue got excited. “Make way, let me listen closely.”
The crowd parted, letting him press against the door to listen.
When the piece ended, Lin Yuejiu looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “How was it?”
Xu Nianshen nodded, smiling and applauding. “Beautiful.”
Lin Yuejiu smiled, put down her violin, and ran into his arms. He had already opened his arms as she ran to him, catching her steadily and holding her close.
She looked up at him in his embrace. “Do you know who this piece is for?”
Xu Nianshen nodded. “Yes.”
“How did you know?” Lin Yuejiu asked knowingly.
He smiled. “I could tell.”
“You really are clever, Teacher Xu,” Lin Yuejiu praised without hesitation.
“Why did you suddenly compose a piece for me?” he asked, looking down at her.
Lin Yuejiu thought for a moment. “I know you haven’t been in a good mood lately. I can’t solve this issue for you directly, so I thought I could make you happy in another way—give you a sense of security.”
A slow smile spread across Xu Nianshen’s eyes. “You knew again?”
Lin Yuejiu proudly hummed, “Of course I knew. We’re in sync, aren’t we? Otherwise, how would you know I wrote this piece for you?”
“Mm.”
“So, are you happy now? Feeling secure?”
Xu Nianshen gazed at her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Yes. Very happy, very secure.”
Lin Yuejiu smiled. “As long as you’re happy.”
They looked at each other quietly, slowly moving closer, when suddenly voices came from the door crack. Both of them turned to look.
“Why is it so quiet in there?”
“Did something happen?”
“Did they jump out the window?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Do they have a psychological problem or something? Why jump?”
“Then why is it so quiet?”
“Just push the door and see.”
“You go first, teacher.”
“Fine, I’ll go.”
The door was quietly pushed open a crack. The view was too narrow to see anything, so it was opened wider. This time Huang Weixue saw them: the couple embraced closely, Xu Nianshen’s eyes cold and serious.
Huang Weixue: “……”
Something seemed to have happened.
He regretted being the first to open the door; these little rascals had trapped him!
“Teacher Huang, what did you see? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Soon, people crowded in. The door fully opened, and the group met the couple’s gaze.
Then they all pointed at Huang Weixue: “It’s his fault!”
Huang Weixue: “……”
It seemed it was time to punish someone.
Afterward, the music association had major news: Senior Lin Yuejiu wrote a song out of love, only for Senior Xu Nianshen. The love story was so moving it made everyone emotional.
Lin Yuejiu had worried that he might be upset again, but unexpectedly, he looked genuinely happy, visibly so.
On Sunday evening, they returned home. After dinner, everyone chatted for a long time, and then Lin Yuejiu went to her room to read. Suddenly, the door opened; Xu Nianshen stood in the doorway, backlit by the evening light.
“Why aren’t you coming in?” she asked, putting down her book.
“I have something for you. Close your eyes first.”
Lin Yuejiu obediently closed her eyes. In the quiet room, she heard his footsteps approaching.
Something cold suddenly slipped over her fingers. Her heart raced, blood surging.
“Open your eyes.”
Lin Yuejiu opened her eyes sharply. Xu Nianshen was kneeling on one knee, holding her hand, placing a kiss on the sparkling diamond ring, his expression solemn.
She could hear her own heartbeat racing. “When did you—?”
“A long time ago.”
“How did you know my size?”
“Holding your hand every day—how could I not know?” Xu Nianshen smiled.
Lin Yuejiu smiled too, looking at him, speaking each word carefully: “I am willing to marry Xu Nianshen.”
Xu Nianshen rose and pulled her into a tight embrace.
No grand ceremony, no flowers, no crowd or applause—just the two of them.
That was enough.
On Monday, the school was abuzz with news: Second-year music student Lin Yuejiu wore a ring and was about to be married.
Her roommates all questioned her, and she just smiled, showing the ring: “That’s it. I have a fiancé now.”
Chen Qianxi shook her shoulders in disbelief. Lin Yuejiu only smiled.
Chen Qianxi asked, astonished, “So you and Xu Shen are getting married?”
Lin Yuejiu smiled without speaking.
Many had been waiting for this news for a long time. By senior year, the couple had still not married, so people stopped worrying too much.
Finally, Xu Nianshen’s birthday arrived. They registered their marriage. Holding the small red booklet, Xu Nianshen’s smile could not be hidden. Outside the registry office, he pulled her into his arms, tightly embracing her, saying with satisfaction: “You’re finally mine.”
Lin Yuejiu also hugged him, laughing: “You’re finally mine too.”
Passersby smiled knowingly at the happy couple—today, they were the happiest people in the world.
After registering, they began preparations for the wedding. Xu Nianshen became busy, and the couple moved into the apartment they had bought. He returned home exhausted every day. Lin Yuejiu worried for him, saying she wanted to help, but Xu Nianshen refused, holding her close: “It’s okay. You just give ideas. I’ll handle the rest.”
Lin Yuejiu gave up, but still massaged him every night.
The wedding was scheduled for spring when the weather warmed.
Lin Yuejiu, sensitive to temperature, would be cold in winter and hot in summer. Xu Nianshen feared a heavy gown in summer would make her uncomfortable, and winter would be too cold, so spring was perfect.
At the wedding, Chen Qianxi was her bridesmaid, and Du Zhuo was the best man for Xu Nianshen.
Chen Qianxi kept glancing nervously at Lin Yuejiu. “Aren’t you nervous?”
“No. I’m about to marry the man I love. I’m not nervous at all.”
Sunlight shone on her, her smile angelic.
Chen Qianxi calmed down, smiling as she held Lin Yuejiu’s hands. “I’m really happy to see this today. You’re marrying the man you love. You’ll be happy forever.”
“Mm,” Lin Yuejiu nodded with a smile.
The ceremony began. Lin Yuejiu walked alone with her bouquet, slowly approaching him.
She stopped in front of him and extended her hand. “Xu Nianshen, I give myself to you.”
He took her hand solemnly. “Good.”
The priest began reading the vows. They looked at each other, listening quietly.
Xu Nianshen spoke each word carefully: “I do.”
I will marry Lin Yuejiu, be her husband.
Lin Yuejiu looked at Xu Nianshen, speaking each word clearly: “I do.”
I will marry Xu Nianshen, be his wife.
They exchanged rings.
“Now, the groom may kiss the bride!”
Amid blessings, they kissed, their passionate love enveloping them.
In a daze, Lin Yuejiu heard his voice, clear and resolute, filled with all his strength:
“—I love you.”
—The End—
