Chapter 54 – Why Suddenly Act So Coy?
When Lin Rumeng heard the news, she immediately put down her violin and rushed to the hospital.
“Brother, are you alright?”
Seeing his sister panting from hurrying over, Lin Yimo gave a small smile. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”
“How did you suddenly end up in the hospital, brother? What happened?”
“Gastritis. Nothing serious anymore, don’t worry.”
“Did you come to the hospital by yourself?”
Lin Yimo stayed silent.
Mother Lin was pouring him some water as she explained, “Your sister brought him here.”
“Elder sister brought him?” Lin Rumeng was surprised. “So she was the one who called Mom and Dad to come over?”
“Mhm.”
“Then she didn’t stay longer?”
“She left after calling us, only left a note.”
Lin Rumeng took the note from Father Lin, glanced at the handwriting, and chuckled softly. “Looks like sister still cares about brother. Otherwise, why would she leave a note with so many reminders?”
“Probably so.”
“In that case, since brother is inconvenient in the hospital, tomorrow when I go to school I’ll thank sister on your behalf.”
Lin Yimo nodded. “Alright, also take this to her.”
He handed over a finely decorated gift box. Lin Rumeng’s eyes flickered as she casually asked, “Brother, what’s inside? Jewelry?”
“No, just a very simple bracelet.”
“Really? Can I open it and take a look?”
“No!” Lin Yimo blurted out instinctively, then realized he was too abrupt and explained, “It’s for someone else. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to open it.”
“Mhm, you’re right, brother. Then I won’t open it. I’ll let sister see it herself tomorrow.” She smiled brightly, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes—something colder flickered deep within them.
“It’s late. You should head back. You’ve got school tomorrow,” he said, before turning to his parents. “Mom, Dad, you two should go back as well. I’m fine. I can manage on my own.”
Mother Lin nodded. “Alright, I’ll take Rumeng back then. Call us if anything happens.”
“Okay.”
Because Lin Yuejiu hadn’t managed to see Xu Nianshen yesterday, she brooded all night and barely slept. When she got up in the morning, she was exhausted, yawning nonstop.
When Xu Nianshen arrived, their eyes met, but neither spoke. He sat down beside her, still silent.
Xu Nianshen was sulking, unable to let go of yesterday. He hadn’t slept well either. Lin Yuejiu, on the other hand, hadn’t figured out how to explain—her plan from yesterday had completely gone to waste.
Just as she was racking her brain, Lin Rumeng walked in, placed the gift box on Yuejiu’s desk. Propping her chin in her arms, Yuejiu lifted her eyes lazily. “What’s this for?”
Lin Rumeng smiled. “It’s a thank-you gift for you.”
“A thank-you gift? I don’t recall helping you with anything.”
“Not for me, for my brother. Yesterday you helped send my sick brother to the hospital. He’s still hospitalized and can’t come over, so I’m here on his behalf to say thank you. He asked me to bring you this gift.”
Lin Yuejiu glanced down, then pushed the box back. “No need. It’s only natural to help someone in trouble. Even if it wasn’t him lying there, I still would’ve helped. There’s no need for gifts.”
“Really don’t want it?”
“No. Take it back.”
“Alright then. Still, thank you, sister.”
“Mhm.” Yuejiu propped her chin with one hand, responding half-heartedly.
After Lin Rumeng went back to her seat, Chen Qianxi immediately poked Yuejiu’s back with her finger. “Jiujiu, what happened yesterday?”
“Nothing much. I was about to leave when I bumped into Lin Rumeng’s brother. He wasn’t feeling well, so I called 120 and sent him to the hospital.”
“What was wrong with him?”
“I don’t know, anyway he’s fine now.” Lin Yuejiu wasn’t in the mood to explain in detail.
Chen Qianxi nodded and didn’t ask further.
Back at her seat, Lin Rumeng secretly opened the gift box. Inside lay a beautiful bracelet, along with a note: Jiujiu, this is handmade by me. I hope you’ll accept it.
Lin Rumeng picked up the note, stared at it quietly for a while, then crumpled it up and tossed it into the trash.
Xu Nianshen and Lin Yuejiu barely spoke the entire day.
After school, Xu Nianshen picked up his books and left. Lin Yuejiu felt she couldn’t let things drag on like this, so she hurried after him, walking side by side.
Xu Nianshen turned his head to look at her, confusion in his eyes.
“I just… missed Auntie Xu’s cooking, so I’m walking back with you.” Lin Yuejiu lied without so much as a blush.
“Mhm. I’ll tell my mom then.” He pulled out his phone and sent Xu’s mother a message.
Afterward, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and said nothing more.
Lin Yuejiu kept debating how to start. Finally, she bit her lip. “You don’t seem to be in a good mood lately?”
Xu Nianshen paused briefly before answering, “I’m fine.”
“Liar,” she muttered under her breath. “You’re obviously upset.”
“…I’m not angry.”
“Then why have you been ignoring me?” The words slipped out before she could think. Immediately, she regretted it—maybe she shouldn’t have said it like that.
Xu Nianshen’s lashes flickered. “I haven’t been ignoring you.”
“You have. Sure, we don’t usually talk that much, but before, you’d always say something to me before leaving after school. Yesterday you didn’t, and today you didn’t either.” Her voice carried clear complaint, her face full of grievance.
Xu Nianshen opened his mouth but didn’t speak.
“Did I make you mad? If it was my fault, then tell me—I’ll change. Or… I’ll apologize.”
“You didn’t make me mad,” he said, voice tinged with helplessness.
“Then why won’t you talk to me?”
He lifted his gaze. The girl’s brows, usually curved like little crescents, were knit tightly together. Her lips were slightly pouted, her whole demeanor drooping, her face written with grievance.
His eyes grew complicated. How was he supposed to explain? That he was sulking because he’d tripped himself up? That he was gloomy because he didn’t know how to confess?
He pressed his fingers to his brow, suddenly feeling that being human was far too difficult. And the girl in front of him just kept asking nonstop.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“So I was right, wasn’t I? You are angry at me!”
“…”
What on earth was he supposed to say?
Someone save me…
Suddenly, Lin Yuejiu grabbed both his hands. “Come on, Xu Nianshen, just tell me, okay? Aren’t we good friends? If you’ve got worries, you can share them with me—maybe I can help.”
“Xu Nianshen, please? Just tell me, hmm?”
She shook his hands lightly as she spoke, her naturally sweet voice deliberately softened, laced with a hint of coyness. Her lips pursed adorably as her bright eyes locked on his.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. His voice came out a little hoarse: “Why are you suddenly acting all cutesy?”
“Because you won’t tell me,” she retorted, then looked up at him again with those shining eyes. “I’m even acting cute for you now, so won’t you tell me?”
Their gazes tangled in silent standoff. In the end, Xu Nianshen surrendered. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you.”
“I’m ready! Go on!” Lin Yuejiu straightened up expectantly.
“First of all, let me make it clear—I wasn’t mad at you.”
“Mhm, mhm!”
Xu Nianshen frantically searched his mind for an excuse, then cleared his throat. “It’s just… I ran into this math problem recently. I’ve been stuck on it for a long time without a clue. It’s been really frustrating.”
