Chapter 15: “You’re Welcome Anytime”
Xu Nianshen didn’t speak, which meant he agreed with her.
“Nianshen, when you have time, keep an eye on Jiujiu, alright?”
He nodded. “I know.”
Madam Xu thought for a moment. “If you’re free this weekend, bring Jiujiu back for a meal.”
Xu Nianshen looked at her. “She might not come.”
“I know, but give it a try.”
“Alright.”
“Oh, by the way, do you think we should move?”
“??? Move? Move where? Why move? You’re not comfortable living here?”
“No, it’s just… that Lin Rumeng girl keeps calling you ‘Brother Nianshen’ every time she opens her mouth. I keep feeling she has bad intentions. I’m afraid she’ll keep coming to bother us in the future, so I was thinking of moving. What do you think?”
Looking at his mother’s utterly serious face, Xu Nianshen was speechless. “….”
“As long as you’re happy. But I suggest talking to Dad about it first.”
“That makes sense.” Madam Xu rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I’ll go find him now to discuss it.”
“….”
*
Dorm 219.
Chen Qianxi looked at Lin Yuejiu doing homework. She wanted to say something, but didn’t know how to start. Finally, she spoke: “Jiujiu, are you okay?”
Lin Yuejiu looked up and smiled. “What could be wrong with me? I’m fine.”
Chen Qianxi wanted to ask about Madam Lin, but was afraid of touching a sore spot.
“Jiujiu, you…”
“If you want to ask, just ask. It must be uncomfortable holding it in.”
Chen Qianxi froze for a second, then smiled and carefully asked, “Did your grades drop this time because of that? Because of Aunt Lin?”
Lin Yuejiu’s pen paused for a moment. “Half and half.”
It was because of Lin Yimo, not Madam Lin.
Chen Qianxi’s heart ached again. She suddenly hugged Lin Yuejiu tightly. Lin Yuejiu was startled by the sudden movement, then smiled. “What’s wrong?”
A muffled voice came from Chen Qianxi: “Jiujiu, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have Aunt Lin. From now on, I’m your family!”
Lin Yuejiu’s gaze lowered slightly, emotions swirling in her eyes. After a moment, the corners of her lips curved into a smile as she replied, “Okay.”
*
The next day, at his mother’s request, Xu Nianshen went to invite Lin Yuejiu.
“You want me to come to your house?” Lin Yuejiu pointed to herself in surprise.
Xu Nianshen hummed in confirmation.
“Why?”
He didn’t answer.
Lin Yuejiu seemed to understand something and chuckled softly. “No need.”
Seeing her forced smile, he explained, “My mom’s not inviting you out of pity. It’s because she cares about you. You know, she’s watched you grow up since you were little.”
“I know.”
“Then?”
A smile lingered on Lin Yuejiu’s face. “I’m just not quite used to it yet.”
Xu Nianshen smiled as well. “I already told my mom you wouldn’t come, but she didn’t believe me and insisted I ask.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Well, now you can go tell her.”
She turned to leave, but Xu Nianshen caught her. She stopped and turned back. “What is it?”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
Lin Yuejiu’s lips slowly curved into a smile. “Alright.”
At noon, Xu Nianshen, as usual, went home for lunch and reported the situation to his mother.
Meanwhile, Chen Qianxi linked arms with Lin Yuejiu as they left the cafeteria. Lin Rumeng, who was about to head home, saw the two of them together and stopped in her tracks.
Lan Qingqing saw that she hadn’t left and asked, “Mengmeng, what’s wrong? Weren’t you going home to eat?”
Lin Rumeng, still watching the direction the two had gone, asked, “Does my sister eat in the cafeteria every day now?”
She nodded. “Yeah,” she said, her eyes carrying a mocking glint. “Her fake heiress identity is already exposed, and she’s got no money, so of course she can only eat in the cafeteria. Who would cook for her now?”
Lin Rumeng nodded and started walking toward the cafeteria.
Lan Qingqing called out, “Hey, where are you going? Aren’t you going home to eat?”
“I’m just going to have a look.”
Lin Yuejiu and Chen Qianxi had just picked their food, trays in hand, and found a seat. Around them, people were still casting strange looks and whispering.
Chen Qianxi looked at her worriedly, but Lin Yuejiu seemed to have anticipated her concern. She smiled lightly. “I don’t care what they say. It’s fine.”
Seeing her so indifferent, Chen Qianxi swallowed back what she was going to say.
“Sister.”
By now, Chen Qianxi knew that voice very well—it was still fresh in her memory, and it almost made her gag. She muttered under her breath, “Why is she everywhere? Like a haunting ghost… At this time of day, why isn’t she eating at home? What’s a rich young miss doing in the cafeteria? I really don’t get how her mind works.”
Lin Yuejiu didn’t look up, focused on eating.
“Sister.” Lin Rumeng walked up to stand in front of her with a smile, calling her again.
Lin Yuejiu didn’t respond.
“Sister?” she called once more.
Finally, Lin Yuejiu looked up at her. “I remember saying this before—I’m not your sister. We have no blood relation.”
Lin Rumeng smiled. “So what? Even if we’re not related by blood, you still stayed with Mom and Dad for a while in my place. Calling you ‘sister’ is only right.”
The cafeteria buzzed with gossip.
“Hey, who’s that?”
“You don’t know? That’s the real Lin family daughter, Lin Rumeng. I heard her mom personally brought her here on her first day.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Well, this is going to be interesting—both the real and fake heiresses in one place.”
“Feels like we’re about to see a show.”
“Did you hear what the real heiress just called her?”
“What?”
“She just called the fake heiress ‘sister’!”
“??? But they’re not family, no blood relation. Why call her sister?”
“The real heiress said it’s because the fake heiress lived with her parents for a while, so calling her ‘sister’ is only proper.”
“I mean… that makes sense, but the fake one said she’s not her sister.”
“Sounds kind of ungrateful, doesn’t it?”
“The real heiress was just being polite, calling her ‘sister.’ No need to react like that.”
“But Lin Yuejiu didn’t say anything nasty though…”
Lin Rumeng listened to all this chatter, smiling without saying a word.
Chen Qianxi, on the other hand, was fuming. If she were any stronger, she’d probably have snapped her chopsticks in two.
Lin Yuejiu glanced up at her visitor. “Did you come here for something?”
“Nothing really. I just noticed you’ve been eating in the cafeteria a lot lately, so I thought maybe you could come home with me today and have dinner with Mom and Dad.”
“They’re not my mom and dad. There’s no need to eat with them.”
“But…” Lin Rumeng bit her lip. “Mom and Dad seem to miss you. Last time I told them your grades had dropped, they were so surprised.”
Lin Yuejiu lowered her eyes.
Of course they were surprised—because in front of them, she had always kept her grades high, never dropping. Even if she slipped a little, she never told them. She didn’t want to disappoint them.
“No need. I’m not anyone to them, so there’s no point in going.”
“But… you’re my sister.” Lin Rumeng looked at her with a pitiful expression.
At that moment, Lan Qingqing jumped in, pointing at Lin Yuejiu. “You should be grateful! It’s already generous enough that Mengmeng is willing to take you back to the Lin family. If she didn’t let you come, you probably wouldn’t even be able to step through the Lin family’s door. And here you are putting on airs—who do you think you’re impressing?”
