Chapter 48 – I Suddenly Figured It Out
Lin Yuejiu looked at him, eyes filled with disbelief.
“Didn’t you tell me you couldn’t play the piano?”
Xu Nianshen acted like he didn’t remember a thing.
“Did I say that?”
“You did!”
“When?”
Lin Yuejiu choked. It had been so long ago—how could she possibly recall the exact time?
Huang Weixue’s eyes shifted between the two of them.
“So, you two know each other?”
“Mm, we do.”
“If you knew each other, you should’ve said so earlier. Then I wouldn’t have needed to introduce you. You two get acquainted on your own—I’ve got something else to do.”
And with that, he left.
Lin Yuejiu stepped closer, looking at Xu Nianshen.
“So, you joined the Music Association just so you could play with me?”
A flicker passed through Xu Nianshen’s eyes.
“No. I just happened to get assigned to your group after joining.”
“I see.” Lin Yuejiu didn’t doubt him further.
“Then how exactly did you get in?”
“That teacher just now knows my parents. He’d wanted me to join for a long time.”
“And you suddenly wanted to join?”
“That’s right.”
“Why? Was it because of me?”
Xu Nianshen gave her a strange look. Lin Yuejiu instantly understood his expression—it was practically saying: How can you be so full of yourself?
“…Then tell me, why did you join?”
“I just wanted to. It’s not that complicated.”
“??? The Music Association can just be joined whenever you ‘feel like it’? The way you describe it makes it sound like a vegetable market!”
He changed the subject.
“We still need to practice our piece. Let’s get started.”
“Oh, right. Not much time left—we should practice.” Lin Yuejiu picked up her violin.
“So, which piece are we performing?”
“This one.” Xu Nianshen pointed at the sheet music.
“Alright, let’s begin.”
Soon, the sounds of violin and piano filled the room together.
After playing through once, Lin Yuejiu looked at him differently now, her eyes carrying admiration.
“You play the piano really well. And yet before, you told me you couldn’t play at all.”
Xu Nianshen’s expression didn’t change.
“I never said that.”
“You clearly… Ugh, forget it.” Lin Yuejiu sighed. “Want to go again?”
“Mm.”
They practiced nearly the entire afternoon. By the time they stopped, it was already five in the evening.
“It’s late. You’d better hurry back to school.”
Lin Yuejiu nodded.
“You too, head back soon.”
“Alright.”
Lin Yuejiu left the practice room. He stepped outside just in time to see her walking out with another girl.
Huang Weixue strolled over slowly, following his gaze. He patted Xu Nianshen’s shoulder with a teasing smile.
“So that’s why you suddenly agreed. Turns out you had ulterior motives.”
“I just suddenly figured things out.”
Huang Weixue snorted.
“Come off it. I know you too well. I’ve been asking you to join for years—you refused. Then all of a sudden, just a few days ago, you came to me saying you wanted in? What, do you really think the Music Association is like some open market?”
“I never said that.” Xu Nianshen brushed his hand off.
“Come on, tell your uncle the truth. You like that new girl, don’t you?”
Xu Nianshen corrected him.
“What ‘new girl’? Doesn’t she have a name?”
“Alright, alright.” Huang Weixue conceded. “You like Lin Yuejiu, then?”
Xu Nianshen shot him a glance.
“My parents didn’t tell you? You’re the gossip king—you mean you didn’t pry anything out of them? Your skills must be slipping.”
Catching the mocking tone in his words, Huang Weixue nearly exploded.
“Is that how you talk to your uncle? I’m your elder!”
“And I’m your junior. Shouldn’t an elder go easy on his junior?”
“You brat…”
“Going home for dinner. Bye.”
“Dinner, dinner, dinner! May you eat yourself sick!”
Without even turning back, Xu Nianshen left Huang Weixue fuming behind.
Watching him walk away, Huang Weixue remembered that day—
He had been sitting in his office when the door was suddenly pushed open and Xu Nianshen walked in.
“Well, well, what brings you here today? Something you need from your uncle?”
Xu Nianshen cut straight to the point.
“I want to join the Music Association.”
Huang Weixue nearly choked on the tea he’d just sipped, scrambling for tissues as disbelief filled his voice.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I want to join the Music Association.” Xu Nianshen repeated calmly.
“Didn’t you say no before? I’ve been talking to you about this for years—you always refused. Why the sudden change of heart?”
“Just answer me. Yes or no?”
“Yes, of course I agree. How could I not? Having someone like you join is a huge gain for us. The other old fogeys will be thrilled.” Huang Weixue refilled his cup and blew on the tea slowly. Xu Nianshen hadn’t left yet, so he sipped leisurely.
“What is it? Still need something from your uncle?”
“You manage the records, right? You should have files on everyone in the Music Association?”
“Yes, why?”
“Show me Zhang Ruilun’s file.”
“What do you want with his file? He’s not some celebrity.”
“Can you let me see it?”
“Come on, I can’t just hand out someone else’s personal information.”
“Then you look at it, and I’ll just ask a few questions.”
“Fine.” He pulled out the file and opened it.
“What do you want to know?”
“How old is he this year?”
“Twenty.”
“Married or single? Girlfriend?”
“Single. No girlfriend.”
“What type of girls does he like?”
“…That’s a private matter. There’s no way that would be in the file.”
“Alright. Thanks, Uncle.” Xu Nianshen turned to leave.
“Hey, wait. You haven’t told me why you’re asking.”
“No reason.”
“No reason, yet you came here just for this?” Something clicked in Huang Weixue’s mind. His gaze turned suspicious.
“Don’t tell me you joined the Music Association because of him? That you… like him?”
Xu Nianshen could immediately tell where his thoughts had gone wrong. He pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation.
“My orientation is perfectly normal. I don’t like men. Don’t overthink it.”
“Then why—”
“There are just some things I need to figure out. Don’t worry about it. Anyway, thanks, Uncle. I’ll get going.”
The memory ended.
Back in the present, Huang Weixue rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he watched where Xu Nianshen had disappeared.
He remembered Zhang Ruilun was a violin teacher in Class 2. Right—that was also Lin Yuejiu’s class.
Xu Nianshen liked Lin Yuejiu. Zhang Ruilun was her teacher…
Suddenly, Huang Weixue understood. A sly, knowing smile spread across his face.
So that’s how it is.
In the evening, Xu Nianshen sent her a message saying that his mother had invited her over for dinner.
Lin Yuejiu replied with an okay.
That night, at the Xu residence—
“Jiujiu, you’re here? Come in, sit down.”
The Xu brothers, who were setting the table, immediately waved her over when they saw Lin Yuejiu arrive. Xu Chi deliberately arranged for her to sit beside Xu Nianshen, but Lin Yuejiu didn’t notice at all.
At dinner, Xu Father, Xu Mother, and Xu Chi sat on one side, while Xu Nianshen and Lin Yuejiu sat across from them.
“Jiujiu, how do you feel about being at the Music Association?”
“It’s pretty good.”
“As long as you’re adjusting well. So, what do you usually do at the association every day—practice the violin or something else?”
“I’ve been practicing a piece lately.”
“A solo piece? Are you preparing for a competition?”
“Yes, the teacher wants me to participate in a competition. It’s a duet.”
“A duet? Violin with who? Who are you playing with?”
Lin Yuejiu blinked. “You all don’t know?”
Xu Mother, Xu Father, and Xu Chi: “… What should we know?”
“It’s a violin and piano duet. I’m playing with Xu Nianshen.”
The three others: “……”
“You just said—who?”
“Xu Nianshen.” She turned her head to look at him beside her. “You didn’t tell your family?”
Xu Nianshen’s expression didn’t change. “I forgot.”
The three of them: “……”
Forgot? More like he never intended to tell us at all.
Lin Yuejiu nodded in understanding.
After dinner, Lin Yuejiu politely thanked the family. Xu Chi had the driver send her home.
Once she left, Xu Chi placed a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder, giving him a meaningful look. “Not bad, huh? Already taking the initiative. When did you join the Music Association?”
“Today.”
Xu Chi clicked his tongue. “Your speed is downright impressive.”
Xu Mother glanced at her son. “You went to your uncle, didn’t you?”
“Mm.”
“The duet piece—you asked your uncle to arrange it?”
“No, it just so happens that the competition this time is for duets.”
“Alright, then practice hard and don’t cause trouble for Jiujiu,” Xu Mother instructed.
“……You know my skill level. Do you really think I’d hold her back?”
“Do I know your skill level?”
“……”
Confirmed: definitely his biological mother.
——
On Sunday, Xu Nianshen and Lin Yuejiu were, as usual, practicing in the rehearsal room.
By noon, the two stopped and prepared to go eat.
Li Shule had already finished class and was waiting outside the practice room. Lin Yuejiu took her hand, then turned back to Xu Nianshen. “Would you mind if she joins us for lunch?”
Xu Nianshen’s gaze briefly lingered on their clasped hands before shifting away. “No problem. Let’s go.”
The Music Association didn’t provide breakfast or lunch, so students usually went out to eat. The three found a nearby restaurant and sat down together. Lin Yuejiu and Li Shule sat side by side, while Xu Nianshen sat opposite them.
