Chapter 22: My Dear Concubine, You May Boldly Return
Besides, at the last cultural performance, hadn’t Jiujiu also played the piano? Did she learn that in her spare time while studying the violin? She had never mentioned it to them before. Last time, her former tutor even said she was very filial — working so hard at violin because she didn’t want to disappoint them.
How come the same thing turns out so differently with Mengmeng?
Jiujiu… is she doing well lately?
Over the weekend, at his mother’s orders, Xu Nianshen once again extended an invitation to Lin Yuejiu.
Looking at his helpless, speechless expression, she almost laughed, “Auntie is really persistent, huh?”
“No idea. My mom is oddly insistent about you — she absolutely wants to invite you to our house for a meal.”
Lin Yuejiu smiled. “Then I’ll go.”
Xu Nianshen raised his brows at her. “You sure you mean that seriously, no regrets later?”
“Seriously.” Lin Yuejiu nodded. “Since Auntie invited me so warmly, I should go.”
Auntie Xu treated her very well, and she didn’t want to let her kindness go to waste.
“Alright, then let’s head there together after school.”
“Okay.”
Before school let out, Chen Qianxi invited Lin Yuejiu to watch a movie with her, but Lin Yuejiu shook her head and declined, saying she had plans.
“Plans? What plans? Personal business?”
Since she had nothing to hide, Lin Yuejiu said directly, “I’m going to Xu Nianshen’s house after school.”
Chen Qianxi: “Oh, you’re going to his place.”
“…”
“What?!”
A loud, sudden exclamation rang out in the classroom. Everyone fell silent and turned to look in their direction.
Lin Yuejiu had no idea why she reacted so dramatically, blinking in confusion.
Chen Qianxi also realized she had overreacted and quickly gave an apologetic smile to the people around them. Gradually, everyone’s gazes moved away.
“What’s wrong with you?” Lin Yuejiu tugged at her sleeve.
“Wait, you’re going to Study-God Xu’s house?”
“Yeah, what about it?” Lin Yuejiu was completely unbothered.
Chen Qianxi gave her a “you’re hopeless” look. “You’re a girl, going to a boy’s house alone? What if something happens between you two?!”
Only then did Lin Yuejiu realize her friend’s imagination had run wild. She found it funny and tapped Chen Qianxi’s forehead with her pen.
Chen Qianxi clutched her forehead, baffled. “What was that for?”
“What exactly goes on in that head of yours all day? It’s Xu Nianshen’s mom who invited me. Back when I was living with the Lin family, I often visited his place. His mom worries about me being alone and asked me over for dinner.”
“Ohhh…” Chen Qianxi’s face turned awkward. “I thought Study-God Xu himself had invited you for… something else.”
Lin Yuejiu lightly tapped her forehead again. “What are you thinking? Is Xu Nianshen that kind of person?”
Chen Qianxi glanced over. Xu Nianshen was sitting at his desk, exuding an unapproachable air.
“Yeah, guess not. He doesn’t look like it.”
“Exactly.” Lin Yuejiu pinched her friend’s nose. “So drop those crooked thoughts.”
“Alright, fine. You go then — it’s good to have people who care about you.”
“Mhm. What about your movie?”
“No problem. I’ll ask someone else, or I’ll just watch alone. It’s not far from school — I’ll head straight back to the dorm after.”
“Alright.”
“What about you? You’re not staying over at Study-God Xu’s place, are you?”
“Ah, I’ll probably come back. If I don’t, I’ll definitely let you know.”
“There must be a guest room at Auntie Xu’s house, right?”
Seeing her worried expression, Lin Yuejiu couldn’t help but laugh, “Don’t worry, of course there is.”
“Alright then, my beloved consort, go boldly on your journey. I will watch over our palace.”
Watching her pretend so seriously, Lin Yuejiu’s eyes brimmed with amusement, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After school, Xu Nianshen waited for her to finish the last question before walking out side by side with her.
Knowing he might distract her, Xu Nianshen had told the driver to come later, and suggested to Lin Yuejiu that she could do a few more math problems before leaving.
When they reached the school gate, the driver was already waiting. They got in the car together.
As the car passed by the Lin family’s house, Lin Yuejiu couldn’t help glancing out the window. The house was brightly lit. She quickly pulled her gaze back.
Silently, Xu Nianshen rolled the window up, blocking out the view outside.
When they arrived at the Xu family’s home, they got out of the car. Xu’s mother was already waiting at the door. The moment she saw Lin Yuejiu, she pulled her into a warm hug.
“Aiyo, my Jiujiu, you finally came. I’ve been waiting for you for so long. Auntie looks forward to your visit every single day.”
Feeling the warmth of her embrace and the unreserved care in her words, Lin Yuejiu felt a wave of warmth spread through her heart. She smiled, “Auntie Xu, see? I’m here now.”
“Mm, good, that’s good. Come, hurry inside, it’s cold out here.”
Xu Nianshen followed slowly behind the two of them.
Once inside, Xu’s mother told her to sit wherever she liked and make herself at home, then went to the kitchen.
Just as Lin Yuejiu took a step forward, she noticed another person.
The man was dressed in casual clothes, reading a magazine with his legs crossed. His profile was sharp and well-defined. When he heard the sound of the door opening, he looked up, revealing deep eyes, and his gaze softened into a smile when it landed on her.
Before Lin Yuejiu could react, Xu Nianshen, who was beside her, spoke first, “Brother.”
Lin Yuejiu immediately looked at him, her eyes asking: Brother? This is your brother? Didn’t you say your brother was ugly?
Xu Nianshen looked back at her: Not ugly?
Lin Yuejiu’s eyes widened: Where is he ugly? He’s handsome.
While the two were exchanging glances, the man had already risen from the sofa and walked over, stopping in front of her with a smile, “You’re Jiujiu, right?”
“You know me?” Lin Yuejiu pointed to herself.
“Of course,” the man smiled, “My mother often talks about you. Let me introduce myself—I’m Xu Nian, Xu Nianshen’s older brother.”
Lin Yuejiu nodded and shook his hand, “I’m Lin Yuejiu.”
“You don’t need to use formalities with me. I’m not much older than you two. You can just call me Brother, or Brother Xu Nian if you like.”
“Alright, Brother Xu Nian.”
Xu Nian responded, “Don’t just stand there—come sit down and have some fruit.”
“Okay.”
Lin Yuejiu obediently sat down. Xu Nian handed her a plate of fruit he had already cut.
Xu Nianshen also sat down, giving him a look, “Why are you back?”
Xu Nian raised an eyebrow, “What? I can’t come back to my own home?”
“Aren’t you busy?”
“Even I have to rest sometimes—work and rest in balance.”
Lin Yuejiu quietly listened to the brothers’ conversation, but her eyes kept drifting toward Xu Nian.
Noticing this, Xu Nian asked, “What is it? Jiujiu, do you have something to ask me?”
Since he brought it up, Lin Yuejiu nodded, “Your name is just one character different from his.”
Xu Nian smiled, “When I was born, it was right around the New Year, so they named me Xu Nian.”
She asked, “And Xu Nianshen?”
“Him? My mom happened to come across the phrase ‘nian shen yue jiu’ (deep years, long months), so based on my name, she added the character ‘Shen’ to his.”
Lin Yuejiu nodded in understanding.
Xu Nianshen reached over to take a piece of fruit from the plate in her lap and casually asked, “Why don’t you ask me?”
