Chapter 33: No Such Intention for Now
Lin Yuejiu spread her hands. “Alright then.”
The students quickly returned to school. When they got off the bus, they received many envious glances.
Everything went back to normal life.
In the evening, Lin Rumeng returned home. During dinner, Mother Lin asked if she had had fun.
Lin Rumeng thought for a moment before replying, “Yesterday, when we were playing a game, I happened to get paired with my sister. She chose ‘truth,’ and the question was whether she regretted leaving the Lin family.”
Lin Yimo paused.
Mother Lin continued asking, “And then? What did your sister say?”
“Sis said… she doesn’t regret it.”
Lin Yimo lowered his eyes to stare at the rice in his bowl, suddenly losing his appetite.
Mother Lin, unwilling to accept it, asked, “She really said that?”
“Mm. Sis said she used to regret it before, but now she doesn’t.”
Mother Lin fell silent.
After raising her for so many years, she actually doesn’t regret leaving?
Lin Rumeng felt she had spoken out of turn—why did she have to bring up such an awkward topic?
She quickly added, “Yesterday, I lost a game too. I played the violin, and sis even praised the piece I played.”
“Really?” Mother Lin was a little surprised, because she knew her biological daughter’s level. Normally, she was lazy, prone to whining, and she thought she wouldn’t put in the effort to practice seriously.
“Your sister said the piece you played was nice?”
Lin Rumeng nodded.
Mother Lin felt a flicker of happiness. She knew Lin Yuejiu’s skill—many insiders had praised her before. If Yuejiu praised Mengmeng, it meant Mengmeng must have improved a lot.
“Here, Mengmeng, eat more.” Mother Lin picked some food for her.
“Mm-mm, thanks, Mom!”
The next day, everyone attended class as usual, though they were still chatting about yesterday’s events.
When the homeroom teacher came in, everyone quieted down.
“I have an announcement,” the teacher said. “Recently, members of the Music Association will be coming to our school. They’re planning to recruit students with musical talent to study with them. They’ll be hosting a competition where each participant will perform their own piece. If you catch the attention of the association members, you can study under them—and there are many famous masters in the association.”
The classroom instantly buzzed with excitement. Chen Qianxi poked Lin Yuejiu’s back with her finger. Yuejiu turned and asked, “What is it?”
“You play the violin, right? You could totally go! You could even study with a bunch of great masters.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Chen Qianxi frowned. “You’re… not planning to go?”
Lin Yuejiu shook her head. “I don’t have that intention.”
“Why?! Your violin playing is amazing! So many people have praised you.”
“Right now, I just want to focus on my studies.”
“You mean getting back to first or second place? That’s not hard for you. You could totally go.”
Lin Yuejiu pressed her lips together. “I’ll think about it.”
“Alright, I’m just passing on the news. If you want more details, come to my office after class. Okay, let’s start the lesson.”
Everyone settled down and listened quietly.
The period passed quickly. After class, Lan Qingqing ran over to Lin Rumeng’s desk.
“Mengmeng, you should totally go for this. You played so well yesterday.”
Lin Rumeng smiled modestly. “I’m considering it, but I’ll need to discuss it with my parents first.”
She suddenly remembered something and stood up to ask Lin Yuejiu, “Sister, are you going to participate? Do you want to join the Music Association?”
Before Lin Yuejiu could speak, Chen Qianxi couldn’t hold back. “What’s it to you? Just mind your own business. Why are you always poking your nose into everything?”
Lin Rumeng pouted. “I just wanted to ask Sis personally, why are you being so fierce?”
Lin Yuejiu stopped Chen Qianxi and looked at Lin Rumeng. “If you’re asking whether I want to join, what are you planning?”
Lin Rumeng put on an innocent smile. “Nothing much. If you’re participating, we could prepare our pieces together and practice together.”
Chen Qianxi stepped in front of Lin Yuejiu, her rejection obvious. “No need. Our Jiujiu doesn’t have that intention for now.”
Lin Rumeng looked a little disappointed. “Alright then. Sis, I’ll get going.”
After the two left, the classroom erupted into chatter, and everyone started asking questions.
“Goddess, why aren’t you joining the competition? Your violin playing is so beautiful—why not go?”
“Yeah, I love listening to you play! Why wouldn’t you participate?”
“And you’ve been learning violin since you were little, right? This is such a great opportunity—why pass it up?”
Facing all these questions, Lin Yuejiu smiled lightly. “Thank you for your praise, everyone. Right now, for personal reasons, I haven’t decided whether to go.”
“What kind of reason? Are you feeling unwell? You should see a doctor if you are.”
“No, it’s just… I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
“I see… that’s a pity.”
Lin Yuejiu gave another small smile. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine, Goddess. You don’t need to apologize—you didn’t do anything wrong.”
The class bell rang, and everyone returned to their seats to continue the lesson.
The day passed quickly. Lin Rumeng went home early, put away her things, and then asked the driver to take her to violin training.
Mother Lin was surprised, and when she returned, she asked, “Mengmeng, what’s going on today? Why are you so eager to go to training? Usually you drag your feet forever.”
“Oh, Mom, I can have ambition too, you know.”
Mother Lin humored her with a smile. “Yes, yes. Now tell me—what exactly made our Mengmeng so motivated?”
“Our teacher said that soon, members of the Music Association will be coming to our school to host a competition, and then they’ll recruit suitable students into the association.”
“The Music Association?”
“Yup.”
Father Lin had heard of the Music Association—many masters were part of it. If Lin Rumeng could get in, it would be a huge boost to her future.
“Mengmeng, the Music Association is a great place. You must work hard to get in, understand?”
“I know, Dad.”
Lin Yimo suddenly spoke up. “Does your sister plan to compete?”
Lin Rumeng was startled for a moment before answering, “No. Sis said she doesn’t want to join for now.”
The others were surprised. “She’s not entering the competition?”
“That’s right. She said she hasn’t decided yet, but judging by her expression, it seems like she doesn’t plan to go.”
Lin Yimo asked in a low voice, “Did she say why?”
Lin Rumeng shook her head. “No. And her friend even told me not to meddle in her business.”
Lin Yimo fell silent after that, and Father and Mother Lin quickly changed the subject.
In the days that followed, Lin Rumeng was extremely diligent and hardworking. As soon as she got home from school, she went straight to practice the violin, not even going shopping with Lan Qingqing. Mother Lin felt relieved—her daughter was growing up.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuejiu was still focused on her studies. Her life revolved entirely around four places: the classroom, the dormitory, the cafeteria, and the library.
