Lin Mei said, "You've liked Yue Kai since you were little, but you can't force feelings in a relationship, understand?"
"I understand," Lin Jingchu nodded.
At this moment, Xing Zheng asked again, "Have you told her?"
Lin Jingchu shook his head. He had wanted to say something yesterday, but the words always got stuck in his throat.
Jiang Yue Kai had always treated him like a brother. If he confessed, their relationship might become distant in an instant.
"Are you going to keep it all bottled up?" Xing Zheng rarely lectured Lin Jingchu. "Clarify things, don't sulk by yourself."
A father knows his son best. Xing Zheng knew Lin Jingchu's personality from childhood. Although his son wasn't as wild as he was in his youth, his tendency to hide things in his heart and his poor expressiveness were indeed inherited from him. This could easily lead to detours in relationships.
Therefore, Xing Zheng hoped he could learn to express himself. Whether he succeeded or not was secondary; at least Jiang Yue Kai should know his feelings. Otherwise, Jiang Yue Kai would continue to see him only as a brother.
Lin Jingchu carefully considered Xing Zheng's words, then asked Lin Mei, "Mom, what do you think?"
Lin Mei naturally hoped Lin Jingchu would be brave enough to express himself, but she couldn't be sure if he could handle the consequences. "If Yue Kai rejects you, have you thought about what you'll do?"
Lin Jingchu shook his head. He hadn't thought about what to do, but he was certain that even if Jiang Yue Kai rejected him, his feelings for her wouldn't change.
"Although your godmother and I often joke about your arranged marriage with Yue Kai, Yue Kai has the freedom to choose. None of us can force her. I think you understand this better than I do," Lin Mei said to Lin Jingchu. "Love means respecting every choice she makes. As long as you understand this principle, that's good."
Lin Jingchu replied with an "Mm," "I understand."
After being called home by Lin Mei and Xing Zheng for a talk that day, Lin Jingchu had been looking for a suitable opportunity to confess his feelings to Jiang Yue Kai. However, in the meantime, he had a math competition to participate in.
Lin Jingchu had shown his talent in mathematics from a very young age. Lin Mei had also invested considerable effort in cultivating it. Before entering university, Lin Jingchu had already won numerous championships. Consequently, upon his university admission, he received an invitation from the mathematics club.
For over a year, Lin Jingchu had been a prominent figure in the club, consistently securing first place in several competitions. He met Xu Yiran at the club.
This competition was to be held in Kyoto, and Xu Yiran was also participating. The group from the club bought high-speed train tickets from Nanjiang to Kyoto.
Although Lin Jingchu had lived in a privileged environment since childhood, he wasn't pretentious. He participated in club activities without seeking special treatment, adhering to the same standards as everyone else.
Xu Yiran had been eagerly anticipating competing with Lin Jingchu this time. She was well-liked in the club, so she easily swapped seats with the person next to Lin Jingchu. That senior noticed her interest in Lin Jingchu and quietly encouraged her, which further motivated Xu Yiran.
"What a coincidence, our seats are next to each other," Xu Yiran said, sitting down beside Lin Jingchu and greeting him.
Lin Jingchu nodded in acknowledgment, polite yet distant. His emotional intelligence wasn't so low that he couldn't perceive Xu Yiran's interest in him. However, Xu Yiran hadn't directly expressed it. Since she didn't say anything, he couldn't outright reject her, so he maintained an appropriate distance.
Xu Yiran was a person of good judgment. She could tell that Lin Jingchu was being very courteous to her. Their conversations were all related to the competition, which made it difficult for Lin Jingchu not to respond.
As a result, the scene, when viewed by others, appeared as if Lin Jingchu and Xu Yiran were having a pleasant conversation. Some people in the club even started to tease them, "Jingchu, you and Ranran are chatting quite happily."
The tone was quite ambiguous, but the words weren't overly offensive.
A few who enjoyed teasing even directly said, "It looks like our club is going to have another couple. Why doesn't the president just become a matchmaker!"
Xu Yiran didn't deny the teasing and even blushed, which made it seem even more real.
Everyone was joking, but Lin Jingchu took it seriously. After the teasing subsided, he spoke up, "Xu Yiran and I aren't very familiar with each other. Don't say things like that."
No one had expected Lin Jingchu to deny it. Xu Yiran, who was feeling shy, suddenly froze.
Lin Jingchu was usually a man of few words, possessing an aura and a sense of authority. This was the first time he had seriously clarified everyone's jokes. After he spoke, no one else teased them about it.
The most awkward person was Xu Yiran. After everyone quieted down, Xu Yiran asked Lin Jingchu, "Are you angry?"
"No," Lin Jingchu replied. "I just don't want people to misunderstand, which could cause trouble for both of us."
When Xu Yiran heard Lin Jingchu say "cause trouble for both of us," she instinctively felt he was considering her feelings. "It's okay with me. Everyone is just joking."
"It is for me," Lin Jingchu said. "I don't want the person I like to misunderstand."
Xu Yiran was stunned again. Did Lin Jingchu just say he liked someone...?
He already liked someone?
Xu Yiran was consumed by curiosity and desperately wanted to ask him who it was, but she couldn't.
Lin Jingchu would certainly not tell her; it was his private matter. As he said, they weren't very familiar with each other, and inquiring about such things would only make her seem impolite.
However, for some time afterward, this question lingered in Xu Yiran's mind.
It was late autumn, and the temperature in Kyoto was much lower than in Nanjiang. The leaves on the roadside had already turned golden yellow. The autumn in the north had a touch of bleakness, yet the scenery was also beautiful. Lin Jingchu and the club members stayed in a budget hotel. Looking out the window, they could see the two rows of trees along the road, which were very beautiful.
Jiang Yue Kai loved admiring autumn scenery. Lin Jingchu took a few photos and sent them to Jiang Yue Kai.
He often chatted with Jiang Yue Kai on WeChat, and she was always happy to talk to him. Soon, a reply came, [So beautiful, are you out playing?]
Lin Jingchu replied, [In Kyoto, participating in a competition.]
Jiang Yue Kai: [Kyoto's autumn is truly beautiful. Good luck with the competition, hehe (*^▽^*)]
Looking at the cute emoji, Lin Jingchu immediately pictured her smiling like that in his mind, and the corners of his lips curved upward.
Lin Jingchu asked, [What snacks would you like? I'll bring some back for you.]
When Jiang Yue Kai saw this message, she even wondered if Lin Jingchu had installed a surveillance device on her.
Just now, when he mentioned he was in Kyoto, her first thought was of all the delicious food in Kyoto...
Jiang Yue Kai loved sweets, and Kyoto's traditional pastries were her favorite. Whenever Lan Lan or Liang Yufeng traveled for business, they would bring her a large batch.
Jiang Yue Kai was initially too embarrassed to trouble Lin Jingchu, but since he asked, she didn't hold back.
Jiang Yue Kai listed several pastries she wanted. Lin Jingchu said, [Okay, I'll be back on the weekend and will bring them to you then.]
Jiang Yue Kai said, [You're the best, Jingchu ge.]