Chapter 45 – Seeing a Handsome Senior Up Close
The students groaned in unison.
Huang Weixue brought the girls back to the third-floor classroom.
“You’ll start your classes here. I have something else to take care of, but another teacher will explain things to you later.”
“Alright, teacher. Goodbye.”
Lin Yuejiu turned to Li Shule. “Let’s go.”
“Mm.”
The large classroom was fairly crowded—after all, the Association recruited from more than just one school.
They chose seats near the front. Since no one really knew each other, the room was fairly quiet.
Before long, a teacher entered and stepped onto the podium.
“Hello, students. I’m the music instructor responsible for you this term. My surname is Zhang. Since you all come from different schools and don’t know each other yet, the first step will be introductions.”
Whispers immediately spread across the classroom.
“Introductions again? Why is it always introductions first?!”
“Oh no, I’m socially anxious—what do I do?”
“Same here, I’m already terrified.”
“My hands are shaking from nerves.”
Teacher Zhang scanned the room.
“Who wants to start? Or should I just call on people one by one?”
No one spoke.
His gaze landed on the front row—on Lin Yuejiu and Li Shule.
“You two, why don’t you start?”
Li Shule gasped. “Jiujiu, he picked us!”
Lin Yuejiu calmed her. “It’s fine, I’ll go first.”
“Okay.”
Lin Yuejiu stood, bowed to everyone, and said,
“Hello, my name is Lin Yuejiu. I’m a second-year high school student.”
Teacher Zhang checked his roster.
“Lin Yuejiu, instrument: violin. Competition score: level nine.”
The class immediately erupted.
“Wow, she’s incredible.”
“I think I just saw the future goddess of the violin.”
“She’s already one! Level nine is insanely rare.”
Teacher Zhang asked, “How long have you been studying violin?”
“Eleven years.”
His surprise was obvious.
“Eleven years? By rights, you should already be quite famous in the music world. Why join the Association?”
“Even though I’ve practiced for eleven years, I haven’t really entered any competitions.”
“Ah, I see. That’s a pity. Alright, you may sit down.”
“Next.”
Li Shule went up.
“Hello everyone, my name is Li Shule. I’m also a second-year student.”
Teacher Zhang checked again.
“Li Shule, violin. Competition score: level eight.”
“Next.”
One by one, the students went up and introduced themselves.
When it was done, Teacher Zhang said,
“Alright, now that we all know each other, let me explain. Since you’re all still in high school, we won’t push you too hard. Classes will be every Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In your third year of high school, you’ll only come on Saturdays during the first semester, and won’t come at all in the second semester so you can focus on exams. You can continue once you enter university. Is that clear?”
“Clear!”
“Good. Then let’s begin today’s lesson.”
After class, Li Shule sighed in relief.
Lin Yuejiu glanced at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I just felt… that atmosphere.”
“What atmosphere?”
“You know… the academic one.”
Lin Yuejiu chuckled. “Are you getting nervous?”
“A little.”
“It’s fine. When soldiers come, we block them; when floods come, we build walls.”
“Mm! I’ll learn alongside you, Jiujiu.”
The two left the classroom together, planning to look around.
“Hello, juniors.”
They stopped and turned. A senior stood there.
“Hello, senior. Did you need something?”
“Yes. It’s my task to show new students around—except for the fourth and fifth floors. I just happened to see you two.”
Lin Yuejiu looked at Li Shule, who nodded.
“Then… we’ll trouble you, senior.”
“No trouble at all. Come with me!”
What he said was true—other seniors were also arriving to guide new members.
This particular senior led them through the lower floors, explaining the Association’s history and some of its major events along the way.
After the tour, the two of them thanked him:
“Thank you, senior.”
The senior scratched his head. “It’s nothing, nothing, just what I should do.”
After saying goodbye, the two went back to the classroom. Teacher Zhang came over again with the list in his hand.
“Even though you’re all first-level students, you still need to be assigned to classes. But don’t worry, it’s not based on competition scores. It’s all random. I’ll read the assignments now, so listen carefully for your names.”
“Okay, teacher.”
“Li Shule, Violin Class 2.”
“Huang Yu, Violin Class 3.”
“….”
Li Shule nervously grabbed Lin Yuejiu’s hand. “Jiujiu, I’m so scared we won’t be in the same class.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Lin Yuejiu, Violin Class 2.”
Li Shule was so happy she gave Lin Yuejiu a bear hug, almost knocking her over.
Teacher Zhang glanced over, a helpless smile in his eyes.
Lin Yuejiu was also a bit helpless, patting her friend’s back.
After the roll call was finished, he said, “Alright, that’s everyone. Now go to your assigned classrooms. The names are posted on the doors.”
Li Shule pulled her by the hand, grinning ear to ear. “Let’s go!”
They were the first to find their classroom. Before entering, they knocked politely.
On the podium stood a man in casual clothes, one hand resting on the desk. His features were sharp, his face well-defined. A pair of silver-rimmed glasses rested on his nose, giving him a gentle and refined air.
At the sound of the knock, his gaze swept over. “Come in.”
After checking with Li Shule, Lin Yuejiu chose the front row, right in the middle.
Li Shule leaned close and whispered, “This teacher is really handsome.”
Lin Yuejiu gave her a teasing look. “Is this your type?”
Li Shule’s face turned red as she lowered her voice. “What nonsense are you talking about?!”
A mischievous smile tugged at Lin Yuejiu’s lips. “Then why are you blushing?”
“This is just the first time I’ve ever seen such a handsome guy up close. I feel a little nervous.”
Lin Yuejiu chuckled softly.
“Jiujiu, aren’t you nervous?”
“What’s there to be nervous about?”
“Because he’s so close! Usually when I see handsome guys, it’s from far away. But now, just by looking up, I can see the sharp line of his jaw. Look at that face—it’s so good-looking…”
Li Shule muttered on to herself in a small voice, while Lin Yuejiu’s thoughts drifted away.
June 28th, a Saturday.
Lin Yuejiu arrived at the Xu household and knocked on the door.
Aunt Xu opened it, and upon seeing her, quickly smiled and welcomed her in.
“Aunt Xu, where’s Xu Nianshen?”
“He’s upstairs in his room.”
“Can I go up?”
Catching sight of the practice book in her hand, Aunt Xu nodded. “Go on.”
Lin Yuejiu went upstairs, stopping in front of his room. She knocked lightly. The door wasn’t locked. She pushed it open a crack and peeked inside.
“Nianshen? I’m coming in, okay?”
No response.
She stepped in quietly, only to find the boy slumped over his desk by the window, fast asleep.
Bending down slightly, she saw him sleeping soundly, eyes closed, pen still in hand, one arm pressing against his open workbook.
A smile tugged at her lips. Just as she was about to play a little trick, she saw his eyelashes tremble faintly. Her hand froze mid-air.
After a moment, when his lashes stilled again, she sighed in relief and reached out a finger, gently touching the tip of his eyelashes.
Mm, a little ticklish.
Her gaze roamed across his face. How can a boy’s skin be this fair? Almost as pale as mine.
Her eyes returned to his lashes. They were long, thick, and dark. She couldn’t resist touching them again. Still no reaction.
She pulled her hand back, then her gaze moved upward to his hair. The soft strands fell loosely over his forehead, swaying slightly in the air. The golden sunlight spilled onto his hair, making it look even softer.
Her fingers itched. She reached out and pinched a small tuft at the very top of his head. Yes, it really was soft.
She didn’t dare touch too much, afraid of waking him, so her finger brushed lightly. This time, she accidentally brushed his forehead. Shocked as if she’d been zapped, she quickly pulled her hand back. But the boy still didn’t stir. Patting her chest, she let out a breath.
Wait… his forehead just now, it felt… so smooth.
Unable to resist, she poked it again. Smooth indeed.
So Lin Yuejiu, finger extended, went back and forth—tapping his lashes, then his hair, then his forehead—completely absorbed in her little game.
“Jiujiu? Jiujiu?”
Snapped back to the present, Lin Yuejiu blinked. “What is it?”
“What were you thinking about just now? You looked totally spaced out.”
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I was asking, doesn’t being so close to a handsome guy make you nervous?” Before Lin Yuejiu could answer, Li Shule added, “Oh, wait, your desk mate is Study-God Xu. Study-God Xu is so handsome, no wonder you’re used to it.”
Lin Yuejiu just smiled.
June 28th, Saturday.
The girl leaned over, her face just inches away from the boy’s. With her fingertip, she playfully poked his lashes, then his hair, then his forehead, utterly engrossed in her game.
She never noticed the boy, still “asleep” on the desk, the corners of his lips curving upward ever so slightly.
