Chapter 61 – You… have a girl you like?
Xu Nianshen asked her back, “Do you want to witness a miracle?”
Lin Yuejiu laughed, “Of course.”
“Alright,” the corner of his lips curled upward, “Teacher Xu will show you a miracle.”
Twenty minutes later, Lin Yuejiu leaned back in her chair, her voice full of despair.
“Teacher Xu, I don’t want to witness any miracles anymore. Let’s just stop here.”
Xu Nianshen’s dark eyes looked at her, amusement flickering in them. “That’s not what you said earlier.”
Lin Yuejiu rolled her eyes. “How was I supposed to know competition problems would be this hard? They’re totally different from normal math questions. They’re not suitable for me at all. Maybe I should just go back and beg the teacher for mercy instead.”
“Already giving up before we’ve even begun?”
“Teacher Xu, why don’t you go ahead on your own? Don’t worry about me—I’ll be here cheering you on!”
As she said that, she even made a little cheerleader fist-pumping gesture.
Xu Nianshen just looked at her quietly.
Lin Yuejiu silently pulled her hands back. “…Fine, let’s continue.”
He leaned down and started explaining again.
Lin Yuejiu felt miserable, but she still forced herself to listen carefully.
—
After more than ten minutes, Xu Heng knocked on Xu Nianshen’s door with a fruit plate in hand. “You two should take a break. Auntie cut some fruit for you—it’s all your favorites.”
The moment Lin Yuejiu heard her, her previously gloomy eyes lit up like stars. “Thank you, Auntie!”
She bolted to the door, took the fruit plate, and immediately forked a strawberry into her mouth. Then she turned to Xu Nianshen. “Teacher Xu, want some?”
Xu Nianshen sighed and walked toward her.
Lin Yuejiu instantly picked up a piece of his favorite cantaloupe and held it to his lips, grinning. “Teacher Xu, you’ve worked hard.”
His gaze shifted slightly, lingering on the fork she was holding, before he silently bit into the cantaloupe she offered.
From the doorway, Xu Heng’s eyes sparkled at the sight. Yes, just like that—more intimate little interactions. That’s how it should be.
Catching sight of her at the door, Lin Yuejiu asked, “Auntie, do you want some too?”
Xu Heng snapped out of her daze. “No, no, Auntie doesn’t need any. I won’t disturb you two. Just remember to finish the fruit!”
“Okay, Auntie.”
Xu Heng even thoughtfully closed the door on her way out.
“Teacher Xu, let’s not rush back to the problems. Auntie told us to finish the fruit, right? We can’t waste it.”
She popped another strawberry into her mouth with a cheeky smile.
“Mhm.” Xu Nianshen gave a helpless little hum.
When they were done eating, Lin Yuejiu quickly said, “I’ll take the empty plate downstairs.”
Before he could react, she was already gone.
Xu Nianshen leaned against the desk, shaking his head helplessly.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuejiu thought to herself as she went downstairs: Any second of delay I can steal is worth it.
Her steps were so light that Xu’s father and mother, sitting in the living room, didn’t even hear her. Just then, Xu Jing walked in through the door.
“Mom, how’s the progress?”
Lin Yuejiu instinctively slowed her steps.
“What progress?” Xu Heng turned her head.
Xu Jing plopped onto the sofa. “Obviously I mean my little brother’s love life.”
Lin Yuejiu froze mid-step.
Xu Nianshen’s love life…?
“Oh, that,” Xu Heng said. “Seems like there’s a little progress.”
“For real?!” Xu Jing’s eyes lit up. “Did they kiss?”
Xu Heng shot him an exasperated look. “What nonsense are you imagining?”
Xu Nian rubbed his nose. “Well, true. With my little brother’s personality, we can’t expect any big moves from him.”
“You know it too? And you still asked about kissing?”
“Then what did you mean by ‘a little progress’?”
“Oh, that… it’s just that he can act without giving anything away.” Xu’s mother raised her brows at him.
Xu Nian immediately understood, a knowing smile appearing on his face. “Oh, got it. That does count as progress.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Sigh, the only thing is… who knows when he’ll actually confess. I’m still waiting for their kids.”
Xu’s mother chuckled. “They haven’t even confessed yet, haven’t even brought the girl home, and you’re already dreaming about their children? Keep dreaming.”
Xu Nian grinned sheepishly. “Just kidding, Mom. Forget the kids—I’ll settle for a confession.”
—
On the staircase, Lin Yuejiu stood frozen, clutching the empty fruit plate.
Xu Nianshen… already has someone he likes?
Who? He… has someone he likes…
She stood there for a long time before finally snapping back to herself. Deliberately making her footsteps audible, she walked into the living room.
The three sitting on the sofa looked up. Xu Nian smiled at her. “Jiujiu, what are you doing here? Don’t tell me your school has more news again?”
“Mm.” She returned their smiles. “Our teacher recommended us for a math competition, so I came to him for help.”
“I see. Good luck then—your brother’s rooting for you.”
“Got it.”
Lin Yuejiu put the fruit plate into the kitchen. When she came back out, she twisted her fingers against her clothes a little nervously. “Uncle, Auntie…”
“Yes? What is it?”
“When I came down earlier, I think I heard you mention something about a confession? Who’s confessing to who?” She smiled lightly. “Uncle, are you going to confess to Auntie?”
Xu’s mother glanced sideways at her husband and laughed. “He? Romantic? As if.”
“Then who? Brother Xu Nian?” Lin Yuejiu asked casually.
Xu Nian waved his hand. “Not me, it’s my brother.”
Lin Yuejiu’s eyelashes trembled. “Nianshen? He’s going to confess? He… has someone he likes?”
“That’s right.”
“Who’s the girl? Uncle, Auntie, can you tell me?”
“Well…” Xu Nian looked troubled. “I’m afraid we can’t.”
Xu’s mother asked her, “Why does Jiujiu want to know?”
“If I knew, I could give him advice.” She gave an awkward smile. “After all, I’m also a girl, about the same age. I could help him, right?”
Mother and son exchanged a glance. “So that’s how you’re thinking of it?”
“Of course. Nianshen grew up with me. I’ve always thought of him as a friend. If a friend needs help, how could I not?” She lifted the corners of her lips, smiling as she spoke.
“You’re not wrong. If you really want to know, you could just ask him yourself. Maybe he’ll tell you.”
Lin Yuejiu smiled politely. “Alright then, I’ll head up first.”
Once her figure disappeared up the stairs, Xu Nian shook his head and sighed. “Looks like his road to winning his wife will be a long one.”
—
At the bedroom door, Lin Yuejiu clenched her fist so tightly that her nails dug into her palm, leaving faint pain behind. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.
Xu Nianshen turned his head at the sound. “Took you that long just to return a fruit plate? I was thinking about how to explain the problem in a way you’d understand. Come here.”
He beckoned her over, and Lin Yuejiu obediently sat down.
As he explained, she realized he was right—she actually understood after he finished.
Her finger brushed lightly over her pen. In a soft voice, she asked, “…Xu Nianshen.”
He gave a low hum in response.
“You… have someone you like, don’t you?”
His hand, mid-turning a page, paused—then continued as if nothing had happened. His voice was calm, steady. “Who told you that?”
“When I went down with the fruit plate, I overheard Brother Xu Nian and Auntie talking… and I asked. They said you…” Her eyes lowered. “…you have a girl you like.”
