After finishing the hearty lunch, Lin Beixing helped Mrs. Lu give the entire house a thorough cleaning.
Mrs. Lu deliberately left Lu Yu’s belongings untouched.
She explained that whenever she used to tidy his room, Lu Yu would complain about missing things. So now, she only cleaned—carefully returning every item to its exact spot.
Unable to help, Lin Beixing stood silently by the bed, watching the room grow cleaner.
After sweeping every corner, sealing the leftovers in plastic wrap, and reminding “Lu Yu” to reheat them later, the tirelessly busy Mrs. Lu finally paused.
She hadn’t stopped since arriving. Only when it was time to leave did she set down her tools and sip a glass of water.
“Two o’clock already. Mom’s got to catch the high-speed train.”
Wiping her hands, she hastily packed her bag.
She’d arrived arms full of gifts; now she left with only a shrunken backpack.
Lin Beixing took it all in. A quiet ripple stirred in her chest, but no words came.
She rose to see Mrs. Lu out.
“No need to walk me. Sun’s too harsh. Mom’ll take the bus—it’s quick.”
Mrs. Lu waved, unwilling to let her son step outside.
Lin Beixing stayed at the door, silent.
To perfectly play Lu Yu, she dared not speak freely or act out of turn. Even while Mrs. Lu bustled about, she had to pretend to casually game on her phone.
She never explained the textbooks on the desk. Mrs. Lu never asked.
“Go back inside.”
Mrs. Lu held the iron gate, nudging it slightly inward.
“…Mom, travel safely. Take care of yourself.”
Lin Beixing gazed softly at her.
“You too—less late nights. Sleep well. Avoid frozen food.”
As if fearing she’d annoy him, she kept it brief.
Shouldering her simple backpack, Mrs. Lu reached the stairwell and glanced back.
Lin Beixing remained still. Mrs. Lu’s voice, light and lingering, drifted down the hall:
“…Come home when you can.”
Each time Lin Beixing met that tender, careful gaze, something deep within trembled.
She rubbed her tingling nose, gave a slow nod, and murmured a barely audible “Mm.”
Hearing her son’s reply, Mrs. Lu smiled and descended the stairs.
Only when her figure vanished did Lin Beixing close the door.
She hurried to the bed and collapsed onto it.
Mrs. Lu’s cooking had been delicious—Lin Beixing had wanted to praise her more, to see that mother’s joyful face.
But fearing it wouldn’t fit Lu Yu’s *persona*, she stayed silent.
This was a kind of maternal love utterly foreign to her: warm, unrestrained, overflowing.
Honestly… she envied Lu Yu.
“Mmph…”
She buried her face in the freshly changed quilt, wiping away tears. It took a while to steady her breath.
Come to think of it…
Her phone had vibrated earlier.
Pulling it from her pocket, she saw two messages.
One from Lu Yu’s deskmate: *“Wanna do a sweet duo session?”*
Lin Beixing knew it meant gaming—but she lingered on the word *sweet* before closing the chat.
Following Lu Yu’s request, she left him on read.
Tapping her WeChat avatar—a cute pink rabbit—she checked the other thread.
Messages from “Little North Star” flashed urgently:
*Lin Beixing.*
*Where are you???*
*Reply!!!*
A chill crept up Lin Beixing’s spine.
She knew what awaited Lu Yu that afternoon.
The piano lesson was a trial—for him, and for her.
Yet strangely, she felt calm.
As if braced for any outcome… or maybe this slacker’s body had rubbed off on her.
*Yu: What’s wrong? (cat tilting head.jpg)*
*Little North Star: I’m dying.*
*Yu: Nonsense…*
*Little North Star: Seriously. That terrifying woman couldn’t stand my playing, scolded me, then stormed into the restroom. Ten minutes and still no sign… I think she’s rage-dead.*
Lin Beixing stared at the screen, fingers frozen.
*His mom will find out.*
Fear flickered in her chest.
*Yu: Try slower. Play cleanly first, then speed up… Can you even read the sheet music?*
That last line hit hardest.
She suddenly felt awful.
Sheet music wasn’t learned overnight. Even with a teacher, it took her over a month. For Lu Yu—zero musical background—it was impossible.
Yet his reply surprised her:
*Little North Star: I get bits of it. But I can’t match notes to keys.*
*He can already read it?!*
Disbelief washed over her.
Remembering the crumpled awards stacked like trash in his drawer, her pulse quickened.
Her slightly trembling fingers typed:
*Yu: Ask Teacher Gao for a simpler piece. Some scores repeat—you only need a few anchor notes.*
She kept it clear. Hoping he’d understand.
*Typing…*
Silence.
*Oh no.*
Teacher Gao must be back.
Lin Beixing paced the bed, heart pounding.
If his mom discovered his skills were *regressing*… she’d be crushed.
Lin Beixing hated disappointing anyone—especially those who loved her, who believed in her.
But…
She rubbed her dry eyes.
*Was this right?*
Lu Yu, the grade’s worst student… yet his mother never showed disappointment.
*“Mom supports your choices.”*
*“Mom only wants you happy.”*
Lin Beixing had always obeyed her own strict mother. Never rebelled.
She didn’t know what happened after disappointment.
That unknown fear had always held her back.
But now… facing the coming storm, she felt a quiet, unexpected curiosity.
*What if I find out?*
