Chapter 32: Absolutely Cannot Let the Real One Find Out
Lin Yuejiu lifted her gaze to meet hers, her expression carrying a hint of a smile that wasn’t quite a smile: “That wasn’t something I volunteered to do.”
Lin Rumeng had originally wanted to bring up the scene where she cried afterward, but when she heard those words, she swallowed her retort back down.
Someone couldn’t help asking: “Goddess Lin, you really don’t regret it? Not long ago… you seemed to be having a hard time. At that time, you must’ve missed your family the most, right?”
Lin Yuejiu lowered her eyes briefly before raising them again. “At first, yes, I did miss them a little… but later, I didn’t anymore.”
“Why? Did you… figure things out?”
Lin Yuejiu showed a relieved smile. “Yes, I figured it out. They don’t belong to me.”
Everyone nodded in understanding.
“Come on, come on, next turn,” someone said, smoothing over the atmosphere.
When it came to Xu Nianshen’s turn to roll, he happened to get a six. A few people booed and teased.
“I’ll choose truth,” Xu Nianshen said.
Lan Qingqing cleared her throat a few times. “Let me think… okay, I’ll ask: Study-God Xu, what type of girl do you like?”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Xu Nianshen—even the principal and the homeroom teacher. They were also curious about what kind of girl such a top student would like.
Chen Qianxi silently chanted in her heart: It has to be Jiujiu’s type. Definitely Jiujiu’s type!
Xu Nianshen looked at them and replied, “No matter the type—if I like her, that’s enough.”
Everyone who had been full of anticipation: “…”
It was like he had answered, and yet hadn’t answered at all.
Sir, that was basically saying nothing.
Chen Qianxi felt a bit disappointed, but then thought—what if he actually does like Jiujiu and said that deliberately to confuse everyone?
Yes, that must be it!
She nodded to herself again, convinced she was right.
Soon it was Lin Rumeng’s turn. She rolled and got a six. Smiling, she said, “Since everyone so far has chosen Truth or Dare, I’ll show you all some of my talent instead.”
Someone clapped politely.
Lin Rumeng took out her violin, explaining a bit shyly, “I’ve been practicing a lot recently, so I carry my violin with me all the time.”
“No problem, go ahead.”
“Mm.”
Lin Rumeng set her posture and began playing.
Everyone listened quietly.
This was a piece she had been practicing for quite some time. Ever since the last time there had been a comparison between her and someone else, she had been working hard at it.
When the piece ended, everyone applauded. Lin Rumeng bowed and asked Lin Yuejiu, “Sister, how was my playing?”
Lin Yuejiu smiled politely. “Quite good.”
Lin Rumeng immediately felt proud.
Chen Qianxi leaned close and whispered in Lin Yuejiu’s ear, “You were just being modest with her just now, right?”
Lin Yuejiu’s lips curved. “And how would you know?”
“Hah, I can tell just by listening—she’s nowhere near as good as you.”
The outdoor cooking had everyone in high spirits, and afterward they split up for free time.
Chen Qianxi dragged Lin Yuejiu to take pictures in various spots. They went to many places, and when she noticed Lin Yuejiu looked a bit tired, Chen Qianxi said she would keep going by herself and told her to take a break.
Lin Yuejiu didn’t say anything and turned to walk elsewhere. Before she knew it, she came to a slope. Looking up, she saw Xu Nianshen sitting there, gazing at something above. She started up the slope toward him.
Xu Nianshen felt someone sit down beside him. He turned his head briefly to glance at her, then looked away.
“What are you looking at?” Lin Yuejiu asked.
“Just looking around.”
She followed his gaze. Down below, a group from their class was playing a game of “Eagle Catches Chicks,” forming a long line of “chicks.”
Lin Yuejiu couldn’t help but laugh. “How old are they, and they’re still playing that?”
The corner of Xu Nianshen’s mouth lifted. “They still have the heart of a child.”
Lin Yuejiu pulled her legs in, wrapping her arms around her knees, then rested her head sideways on her arms to watch him. “Xu Nianshen, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you join in on lively activities.”
He turned his head slightly. She was leaning her head to look at him, the breeze brushing her hair back to reveal a fair, flawless cheek. Her eyes were fixed on him, bright and clear.
His gaze wavered for a moment before he looked forward again.
“I think those activities are too noisy.”
“Then why did you come today?”
“Once in a while is fine. It’s nice to experience a bit of the world’s warmth.”
As he spoke, the sound of laughter drifted up from the field below.
Lin Yuejiu lifted her head, her eyes curving in a smile. “It is pretty warm and lively.”
Xu Nianshen leaned back slightly, bracing his hands against the grass. “When you said earlier that you’d figured things out — was that really the truth, or just something to comfort yourself?”
Her brows arched slightly. “What? You don’t believe me?”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “I wouldn’t dare not believe you.”
“It’s the truth. I’ve figured it out,” Lin Yuejiu said, propping her chin on her hand. “I realized there’s a saying that’s spot-on: if something isn’t yours, it never will be. And if it is yours, you won’t lose it. If it isn’t yours, you’ll never have it.”
“You only just realized that? All those books you’ve read…”
Hearing his teasing tone, Lin Yuejiu shot him a mock glare, smiling.
Xu Nianshen lowered his eyes and smiled too.
The two of them, in the same blue-and-white school uniform — the boy leaning back on his hands in the grass, the girl hugging one knee and resting her head on her other hand as she smiled at him, and he lowering his eyes in return.
Not far away, Chen Qianxi was so excited her hands trembled. She even smacked her own hand to calm herself before quickly capturing the beautiful moment with her camera.
When the principal called everyone back, they still felt reluctant to leave and took more group photos as keepsakes.
On the way back, Lin Yuejiu sat with Chen Qianxi again.
Chen Qianxi opened her photo album, grinning like a fool at the shots she’d taken.
“What are you laughing at? Your drool’s about to come out.”
Chen Qianxi jerked in surprise, quickly closing her phone. She instinctively touched her mouth and, finding nothing there, gave Lin Yuejiu a mock glare.
Lin Yuejiu smiled in apology, then asked, “What were you looking at just now? Laughing so happily — like some lovestruck fool.”
“You’re the lovestruck fool!” Chen Qianxi lightly tapped her arm. “I was just looking at a photo I took, and it’s so beautiful I couldn’t help admiring it.”
“You’re getting lovestruck over your own picture?”
“Yeah! I couldn’t help thinking: Ah, what a perfect photo! What a beautiful scene!” She even gestured grandly, like a passionate orator.
Inside, Chen Qianxi was nodding fiercely — yes, the Xu–Yuejiu photos were perfect! The Xu–Yuejiu scene was beautiful!
“Can I see it?”
Chen Qianxi immediately hugged her phone protectively. “No way. This is top secret — only for my eyes.”
She absolutely must not let the people involved find out!
