Chapter 42 Returning to the Capital
◎“Eight or eight hundred years ago, it was just because we slept in the same bed…”◎
Faced with the teasing, Lin Yujing only glanced at Chen Jingshu, and after a long while, she couldn't think of a way to answer, so she simply remained silent.
Fortunately, Yue Jun's phone rang at just the right time. Upon hearing that his grandson would be home in ten minutes, he didn't have time to continue catching up with the two of them and hurriedly grabbed his bag and left.
“Then let’s go back too,” Chen Jingshu said.
Lin Yujing followed behind him down from the fourth floor.
The two walked almost the entire school, and when they left, they made a point of exiting the campus along the main road with the central flagpole.
As Lin Yujing passed by the flagpole, she suddenly turned around and saw the classroom directly opposite the flagpole.
On a winter afternoon, the honey-colored sunlight streamed through the clear, bright windows, reflecting onto the front seats and the blackboard.
In a daze, Lin Yujing felt as if she had returned to seven years ago, to that youthful summer filled only with the cool breeze of a fan and the incessant chirping of cicadas.
She remembers being repeatedly stuck on a math problem a week before the college entrance exam.
That was the most frequently tested question type in previous years, and it was also the last major question.
If she's lucky enough to avoid it, that's fine, but if she does, she'll have to make up for the lost points on the big questions with her grades in all subjects.
No one is absolutely certain of success when facing the college entrance examination.
Lin Yujing understood even more deeply that this moment was like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge; a difference of one point could mean the difference between a thousand people.
She was troubled for many days because of this, and fearing that it would delay Chen Jingshu's review progress, she silently sought a solution.
As a result, I didn't figure out the tricks to the difficult questions, and it also took up time that was used to review other subjects.
Finally, Chen Jingshu noticed that she was unusually depressed and, after repeatedly questioning her, learned the reason.
That evening after self-study, Chen Jingshu pulled her to stay in the classroom and insisted on explaining the solution to that type of problem to her alone.
Lin Yujing sat in the first row, looking up at Chen Jingshu standing in front of the blackboard with chalk in his hand.
The boy wore a blue and white summer school uniform, which smelled faintly of soapberry laundry detergent.
As he raised his arm, blue veins bulged on his wrist and elbow, and the handwriting on the blackboard showing the solution steps was unrestrained and full of youthful exuberance.
"Did you understand?" Chen Jingshu, still holding a piece of chalk in his fingers, strolled off the stage.
Lin Yujing said that she had listened to his explanation very carefully, but she was still very stuck on some mathematical thinking that required her to switch quickly. In the end, she shook her head helplessly and said, "A-Shu, it seems that I will not be able to get the points for this type of question."
Chen Jingshu remained standing in front of her, the tall, handsome young man looking down at her.
If you get close enough, you can even see the tiny beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Let's go home. Let's not waste any more of your time," Lin Yujing said, biting her lower lip. "Maybe I'll be lucky this year and won't encounter this type of question."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jingshu narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned away in silence.
Ignoring what she said next, he silently continued writing rapidly on the other side of the blackboard.
"Jingjing, take a look at these steps to solve the problem. Do you understand them?" Lin Yujing wasn't good at roundabout solutions. He used Olympiad thinking to change the process, discarding the tedious and adopting a more opportunistic approach to solve the problem faster. "It just requires a bit of insight."
Lin Yujing stood up and stood beside him.
Pointing to each of his steps, I repeated them in my own way.
"is that so?"
"right!"
While the iron was hot, Chen Jingshu even changed the format himself and gave her a similar question to practice.
"Teacher Chen, you're really amazing." Lin Yujing felt great after fully grasping the new problem-solving approach.
Chen Jingshu just smiled indulgently, raised his hand and ruffled her hair, "It's only because our Jingjing has a strong ability to understand that she can't understand anything. The less intelligent ones can't understand at all."
"Don't flatter me. The college entrance exam will be the test to see if I have lived up to Teacher Chen's painstaking guidance."
In the following days, although Lin Yujing maintained her practice mindset and touch, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
I both hope that I won't actually encounter the same question type in the college entrance examination, and I also think that it would be good if I did, so that I can prove it to Chen Jingshu.
So, with a mix of trepidation and anticipation, the college entrance examination in mathematics finally arrived as scheduled.
After the proctor handed out the exam papers, Lin Yujing first turned to the last question.
Upon seeing the question, she covered her lips with her hand, almost screaming.
Because it was almost exactly the same as the problem that Chen Jingshu had created for her that night when he gave her individual instruction.
She didn't even bother to start with the multiple-choice questions; as soon as the exam bell rang, she eagerly wrote down the answer to the last question on her scratch paper.
The joy of her first victory boosted Lin Yujing's confidence throughout the entire exam.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the exam, the proctor asked everyone to stop writing and stand up. She saw Chen Jingshu, who was already standing outside her exam room.
Lin Yujing squeezed through the crowd and ran out quickly. The two smiled at each other and said in unison, "The x-coordinates of the three intersection points of the straight line y=b with the two curves y=f(x) and y=g(x) from left to right form an arithmetic sequence."
Lin Yujing was so excited that she wrapped her arms around his neck and started jumping up and down, "A-Shu, I wrote it correctly!"
Chen Jingshu smiled and put his arm around her waist, letting her jump around while ignoring everyone's stares, and preventing anyone from bumping into her. He also gently praised her, "Our Jingjing is so smart."
"Ah Shu is a great teacher. He'll definitely have no problem getting into the Tsinghua Academy of Fine Arts this time."
"Yes! I will do everything in my power to quietly pull us into my world."
Lin Yujing's eyes welled up with tears, and she belatedly realized that whether she was young or now that she was an adult, Chen Jingshu had always been doing his best to pull her into his world.
When she turned her head again, Chen Jingshu had already walked past her.
Lin Yujing wanted to chase after him, but her feet wouldn't obey her commands, and she couldn't move an inch.
Finally, seeing her walking so slowly, Chen Jingshu stopped, turned around, took her hand, and held it firmly in his palm, half-complaining, "Your love for me grows slowly, and so does your walking. Does holding your hand make you walk faster?"
Lin Yujing sniffed, only looking at the two people's reflections on the ground.
What she longed for was for them to spend more time alone together, so that she could capture every heart-stirring moment with her eyes and heart.
-
When the two returned home, Lin Yujing immediately went downstairs to pack her luggage.
The scent of Chen Jingshu still lingered on her palms, but the fresh fragrance of soapberry laundry detergent from her memory was gone, replaced by a mature and understated ebony and sandalwood aroma.
But she felt that Chen Jingshu was not suitable for this perfume, because from beginning to end, he always seemed to retain a youthful air for her.
That captivating, spirited energy was enough to shake her heart during every weary moment.
After packing her luggage, Lin Yujing noticed the camera that she had placed alone on her dressing table. She got up and went upstairs to the second floor.
Chen Jingshu was cleaning Chen Xuan's bedroom when he saw her arrive. He said, "There are drinks in the fridge, help yourself. Chu Yan will be here soon."
She wasn't in a hurry to return to Beijing, nor did she want Chu Yan to arrive soon.
Because at this moment, it inexplicably felt just like the scene from a few years ago when she was about to carry out her plan to destroy the youth.
The next step is for everything to return to normal, and she and Chen Jingshu will go their separate ways.
"I've come to return your camera." Lin Yujing couldn't stand there any longer, so she remembered the excuse she had prepared before going upstairs.
"It was originally a gift for you, you can take it back," Chen Jingshu said without turning his head.
Lin Yujing touched the tip of her nose. "There are many old photos inside. Don't you want to keep them as souvenirs?"
Chen Jingshu paused for a moment, then said with a smile, "Jingjing, why can't you understand my feelings?"
"What?"
"These are memories that belong to just the two of us. If I want to see them, I only want to see them with you."
Lin Yujing's heart skipped a beat for a few seconds as she spoke frankly and directly. Then, with a selfish motive, she put the camera back in her palm.
"Can I see the bedroom I used to live in?" That day, she tried to push the door open while Chen Jingshu was unconscious, but found it was locked tightly.
Chen Jingshu nodded and took the key from the drawer next to him, giving it to her. "Of course."
Lin Yujing took the whole bunch of keys and opened the door, expecting it to be covered in dust.
But everywhere they looked was clean and tidy, even the windows were wiped clean and bright.
The bed sheets, tables, chairs, bookshelves, and various decorations were exactly the same as the day she left.
It was as if she had never left.
I only went to school in the morning, and now I'm going home for lunch as usual.
She stood in the room, her throat felt like it was choked, and she couldn't utter another word.
Suddenly, Chen Jingshu hugged her from behind, nodded gently, and pressed his lips to her neck.
His hot breath sprayed through her hair, as if he were about to place a kiss that would leave a lasting mark on her.
“Jingjing, I’ve kept our past safe and sound,” Chen Jingshu said.
Suddenly, Lin Yujing felt her heart was about to be burned out, just then Chu Yan's voice came from downstairs.
It gave her a conscious call before she succumbed to despair.
Lin Yujing quickly broke free from his embrace and said calmly, "Let's go."
As she was about to leave, she remembered the key in her hand and handed it back to Chen Jingshu, saying, "Here's the key back."
Seeing her attitude, Chen Jingshu just sighed softly and rubbed her head helplessly, "This was originally your key, now it's back to its rightful owner. Next time you come home, don't stay on the first floor."
A ripple flickered in Lin Yujing's eyes, and then she watched as Chen Jingshu simply walked past her and began to move the luggage with Chu Yan.
-
When she saw Chu Yan again, she took the initiative to go up to him and wish him a Happy New Year.
Chu Yan seemed to still be holding his breath, completely ignoring her as if she were air, taking the suitcase and turning away without looking back.
Finally, Chen Jingshu patted Chu Yan on the shoulder and said, "Why are you throwing a tantrum at her?"
Chu Yan, however, remained indignant and said sarcastically, "I'm not afraid to argue with her; she's a great artist now..."
Chen Jingshu clicked his tongue, interrupting him, "Alright, I used to hope you could look after her for me."
Chu Yan reluctantly looked at her and said perfunctorily, "Happy New Year."
Lin Yujing knew that Chu Yan's anger towards her stemmed entirely from Chen Jingshu.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together.
They both possessed the sincere and honest nature of young men, which is why they have remained steadfast in considering each other their closest friends since childhood.
He was a brother with a deeper bond than she was with him, which was why Chu Yan always protected Chen Jingshu.
Because he loves her so much, Chu Yan is willing to take care of her out of brotherly affection.
She was willing to endure Chu Yan's cold looks and ridicule because of Chu Yan's kindness towards Chen Jingshu.
"Red envelope." Lin Yujing quickly reached into her pocket and handed Chu Yan the New Year's money Yue Jun had given her that day.
To everyone's surprise, Chu Yan glanced at it and then turned away arrogantly, saying, "I can't accept that."
Lin Yujing glanced at Chen Jingshu subconsciously, thinking that she really lived up to his words: In this vast world, her only skill was bullying him.
Lin Yujing smiled awkwardly, placed the red envelope in the driver's seat, and quickly got into the car.
As they prepared to depart, Chen Jingshu, who had been sitting in the passenger seat, somehow moved to the back.
Chu Yan turned around, displeased, and said, "Do you think I'm your driver?"
Chen Jingshu quickly took out the red envelope Yue Jun had given him from his pocket and stuffed it into Chu Yan's arms, saying, "Happy New Year, baby."
Chu Yan sneered, his voice filled with resentment, "I really owe you two something."
Chen Jingshu only turned on his phone on the way back to Beijing.
The screen immediately popped up with a barrage of missed call notifications and various media inquiry text messages.
He replied to one of them, and the phone rang within five minutes.
Chen Jingshu answered the call, and Guai Ze called out, "Grandpa, I'm already on my way back to Beijing. I'll come back to the old house to see you later."
Lin Yujing watched as Chen Jingshu's face gradually darkened, and even his brows furrowed. She didn't know what they were saying over there, but she could see that his brows were furrowed.
"You and Dad can announce the news of the annulment of the engagement at your discretion. I have no objection."
"But the Jiang family is really ruthless. They directly announced that they were severing ties with their daughter without showing any mercy."
"After Lao Jiang woke up, he contacted me. He will be returning to China as early as the day after tomorrow, and he will also be in charge of arranging Miss Jiang's funeral."
"Grandpa, don't worry, I will participate and won't give the powerful families anything to talk about."
Perhaps sensing her intense gaze, Chen Jingshu glanced at her and turned his head, then switched hands to answer the phone while holding her hand with the other.
Lin Yujing immediately tried to dodge, but Chen Jingshu held her tighter and tighter.
It was as if she might leave him at any moment.
After struggling to the very end, Lin Yujing finally couldn't bear to drain his last emotional support from the increasingly painful topic.
She reluctantly opened her palm, letting him caress her for a while, before slipping his fingers between hers to intertwine with his.
The phone call lasted until the three of them arrived in Beijing before hanging up. Chen Jingshu seemed to have lost his spirit, and he tilted his head and collapsed into her arms.
"Jingjing, let me lie down for a while."
Lin Yujing bit her lip, only thinking that he still had to go back to the Chen family's old house, and said, "Just drop me off at the nearby subway station."
Chen Jingshu was still lying on her lap, his back, which was usually very straight, was now slightly hunched. "It won't take much time."
"You've gone through so much trouble traveling back and forth." She was mainly worried about Chen Jingshu. After all that traveling, having to deal with all the elders in the Chen family must have been exhausting.
"Jingjing, if you stay by my side, there's no reason for you to go through any more trouble." His voice was full of fatigue, and even the strength in his grip on her hand had lessened.
Chu Yan chimed in, "His heart isn't feeling well right now, so don't argue with him."
"I was worried you'd get too tired driving," Lin Yujing said gently.
"With your words, I'm content, brother." Chu Yan smiled with relief.
The black, modified G-Wagon sped along and finally entered the Ditang Apartment of the Academy of Fine Arts at Tsinghua University.
On New Year's Day, the school buildings, both teaching buildings and dormitories, were pitch black, and the streets were deserted.
Chen Jingshu looked at the dormitory building where even the streetlights were not on, and insisted on carrying her suitcase to the dormitory before he felt at ease.
"You guys go back now, you don't need to see me off anymore."
“Jingjing, just the old building alone makes me worry about taking care of you for the rest of my life.”
The memories of the old building are like another scar deeply etched in their hearts.
Lin Yujing finally stopped arguing with Chen Jingshu and followed him into the dormitory building.
The dormitory corridors were dark and quiet during the New Year period, and your voice would echo.
She pushed the hallway light switch twice, but there was no response. She thought the dormitory supervisor had turned off the power to the hallway.
It wasn't until she opened the dormitory door and reached for the light switch that she discovered the power was cut off to the entire Ditang Apartment building.
Lin Yujing recalled that in previous years, she had to sign an agreement with the dormitory manager in advance to report staying on campus during holidays. This year, she and Qi Woxue both planned to leave Beijing for the Spring Festival, so they did not apply to leave the power switch on.
As Chen Jingshu strolled to the bathroom, he said, "Jingjing, not only is the power out, but the water is also cut off. This place is completely uninhabitable."
Lin Yujing scratched her head, annoyed that she had only focused on coming back and forgot to deal with the school's miscellaneous matters first. "I can stay in the art studio for the night and then try to contact the dormitory supervisor to turn on the power tomorrow."
Chen Jingshu closed the bathroom door and took her suitcase. "It's the New Year, the dorm supervisor will only annoy you to death. Before school starts, you can stay in my courtyard house in Wanxiang."
Lin Yujing immediately recalled how people used to describe his courtyard house as "so precious that no one is allowed to visit."
Her first visit was met with widespread acclaim throughout the city.
Now that it's the New Year, and with the changes in the marriage agreement between the Chen and Jiang families, she's afraid she'll cause another uproar.
"I think I'll pass..." she said softly.
Chen Jingshu was unaware of her inner thoughts and simply said, "I'm definitely going to be overwhelmed by family matters lately. I won't be able to go to the North Fourth Ring Road to see you every day like before."
"..."
"Jingjing, I can only feel at peace if you stay with me."
Lin Yujing pondered for a moment and replied, "Your courtyard house is usually empty, and during the New Year... I'm afraid it really will just be you and me... If word gets out, it will definitely have a bad impact..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jingshu suddenly burst out laughing. He put his arm around her shoulder and led her outside, teasingly saying, "If you give in and move in, it won't be a no-man's-land anymore. In terms of impact, it'll keep my heart... uneasy... restless..."
"Besides, we've been in the same bed for ages..."
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 23:44:35 on October 3, 2023 and 23:47:40 on October 4, 2023!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Little Monster (20 bottles); De-lovely (6 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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