Chapter 94: [Embracing the Moon V]

Lin Jiayu felt a bit down about being forced to meet his family. Lu Ji’s move was too much for her to handle. He had already told his family and friends that he was pursuing her, which was like announcing to the world: I’m chasing Lin Jiayu.

His question, “Shall we give it a try?” was just a formality; he was serious.

The reason Lin Jiayu wanted him to chase her was because she feared his so-called “try” would just be a trial. If they found out they weren’t suitable halfway through and he backed out, what would she do? She’d rather not have tried at all.

But now, Lu Ji had caught her off guard.

Future... mother-in-law?

If the future mother-in-law wanted her signed books, how could she refuse?

Lin Jiayu lay on the bed like a corpse, then suddenly sprang up, furiously typing a message to Lu Ji: “Lu Ji, you tricked me!!!”

Lu Ji had just parked his car and was about to go upstairs when he glanced down at his phone, too lazy to type, and sent a voice message instead: “Lin Jiayu, how dare you say you didn’t trick me? You were the first one to trick me.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

She sent a knife emoji.

Wasn’t he implying she was manipulative and experienced?

Lu Ji chuckled: “You don’t need to be nervous. My mom and grandpa are just anxious. No pressure.”

Lu Ji: “As for the signed books, you can give them to me later. I’ll cover for you. Sleep early.”

He sent two voice messages in a row.

Lin Jiayu listened with her head down, her heartbeat gradually accelerating. Her mood suddenly soared with joy. This was what it felt like to be pursued by someone she liked in her youth? This was what it felt like to be chased by her idol? She impulsively sent a voice message: “Lu Ji, I want to drink.”

To celebrate.

The elevator doors slowly closed, cutting off Lu Ji’s signal. By the time he heard the voice message, the elevator had already started moving up. He paused and asked her: “Are you sure?”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Never mind. If she went out now, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to control herself.

Lin Jiayu instantly changed her mind: “Not going anymore.”

She added another sentence: “Goodnight [moon].”

Every time Lu Ji saw her send the [moon] emoji, his heart softened. He thought of the book Embracing the Moon and wondered why Lin Jiayu had chosen such a title. When would she really give him a hug?

He smiled slightly, feeling relaxed and happy.

After being criticized by netizens online and gossiped about by subordinates, his heart had been covered with a layer of dust. He had felt repressed and upset, though not because of the past, but simply inexplicably unhappy, as if nothing could make him happy.

For a long time, he felt unmotivated to do anything—working out, watching movies, sleeping, working, socializing, occasional dinners… everything was routine. If it weren’t for Lin Jiayu, his life would have been stagnant.

Two words summarized it: boring.

The next morning, Lin Jiayu woke up with dark circles under her eyes. She carefully applied makeup to cover them before grabbing her bag and heading downstairs.

Lu Ji’s car was parked where it had been last night. She looked around to ensure no one noticed her before opening the door and getting in. Seeing her act like a thief, Lu Ji frowned and turned his head: “Am I not presentable?”

“Not exactly...” Lin Jiayu explained indifferently, “I’m afraid the neighbors will see and tell my parents. They might make me bring you home for dinner tonight.”

“That’s not impossible,” Lu Ji casually replied.

“...”

Lin Jiayu muttered, turning her head: “I never realized how thick-skinned you are.”

Lu Ji chuckled: “It’s probably because I have an idol aura in your heart.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Shameless. Who said he... was her idol?

“My idol is this!”

Lin Jiayu flipped through a picture of Zhong Qi, the male lead from Our Time , and showed it to him.

Lu Ji glanced down, then looked at her: “This younger brother seems to be only 21 years old. Lin Jiayu, you’re six years older than him.”

“Don’t you know? These days, young wolves and puppies are popular.”

“I didn’t know.” Lu Ji drove the car out, casually repeating something she had said earlier: “Lin Jiayu, don’t forget you were the god of our First High. Many girls secretly liked you, and I was just one of them.” He paused, reminding her: “I remember I was your idol.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Oh my god, how could this person have such thick skin!

Lin Jiayu immediately said: “Not anymore.”

Lu Ji sneered lightly: “Is that so? Then when will you write a book for your new idol?”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Her face flushed red, and she blurted out in frustration: “Alright, alright, you’re my idol. Happy now?”

Lu Ji won and chuckled.

Lin Jiayu turned to look at him. The sunlight shone through the car window, making his features warm and radiant. His smile was cheerful, resembling the youthful version of himself from back then. She felt a wave of nostalgia, her heart racing uncontrollably.

They shared breakfast together, and Lu Ji dropped her off at First High.

In the evening, he came to the set to eat boxed meals with her and then took her home again.

This back-and-forth continued until mid-October, and everyone knew that the damned second male lead from Waiting for Stars was pursuing Lin Jiayu.

Sometimes, Lin Jiayu overheard some of the younger girls on set gossiping about her and Lu Ji. Even Tang Dingding and Tang Xin were curious and gossiped. The sister-in-law relationship between these two was excellent. Tang Dingding asked: “Do you feel pressured? His... reputation isn’t good.”

Lin Jiayu thought for a moment: “No, his bad reputation... most of it is because of my book and this movie.”

Tang Xin laughed: “So, are you going to take responsibility for him?”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

Thinking about it, that made sense...

Lu Ji had said that being with her, chatting, or even sitting in silence, made him feel relaxed.

She could make him relax and be real.

Therefore, in a way, Lin Jiayu was special to Lu Ji.

One weekend, Lu Ji visited the set again. Lin Jiayu noticed the crew members constantly glancing at him. Hearing some of the usual gossip, she teased Lu Ji: “Look, I’m not afraid of rumors, and I...”

She suddenly realized she almost said “and I’m still with you.”

Almost... slipped out.

Lu Ji raised an eyebrow: “And what? Go on.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

She kicked him: “Help me pick up my pen. It just fell.”

Lu Ji bent down, picked up the pen, and placed it in her palm. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered: “So, when can we be together? My mom keeps nagging me, and my grandpa wants me to bring you home for dinner. He thinks I don’t tell the story well and wants to hear it from you.”

Lin Jiayu: “...”

He was too close, his lips almost touching her ear. Lin Jiayu couldn’t help but blush as his warm breath tickled her ear.

She rubbed her ear nervously and softly said: “Talk properly. Don’t get so close.”

Lu Ji chuckled and sat back, lounging lazily with his legs crossed.

Lin Jiayu actually loved him like this. She turned to look at him and counted the days... only half a month had passed. She originally wanted to wait a month. It felt so long. She wanted to start dating, to date Lu Ji, to know...

She stared at his slightly upturned lips, wondering what it would feel like to kiss Lu Ji.

As an author who had written countless kissing and bedroom scenes... the feeling of kissing her idol, in her words, was...

“Lin Jiayu.”

Lu Ji suddenly called her name.

Interrupting Lin Jiayu’s daydream.

She gasped: “Ah, what?”

Lu Ji asked: “What do your parents call you?”

Lin Jiayu blinked: “A nickname?”

Lu Ji nodded: “Mm.”

Lin Jiayu looked at him and pursed her lips: “They call me Jia Jia or Xiao Yu.”

“So, what do you want me to call you?” Lu Ji leaned back in his chair, tilting his head to look at her.

Ahead, the director and actors were discussing the scene. Tonight, they would shoot the starry lights scene. Lin Jiayu glanced over and then turned back to him: “Just call me by my name. I’m used to it, and you should be too.”

It didn’t matter what he called her; it was just a title.

Lu Ji smiled: “Alright.”

That evening, when the scene began filming, Lin Jiayu stood behind the monitor with the director. This scene was difficult to shoot and had already taken three nights. As Lin Jiayu watched, she turned her head to look at Lu Ji, who was leaning against a chair smoking in the distance.

Lu Ji lowered his head, holding a cigarette in one hand and looking at his phone with the other, appearing relaxed.

He knew they were shooting this scene tonight but wasn’t paying attention.

After a while.

He stood up and disappeared somewhere.

Lin Jiayu watched the “damned second male lead” on the monitor. The actor playing the second male lead wasn’t as handsome as Lu Ji, but the male lead, Zhong Qi, was truly handsome. However, the actors’ performances were good. As Lin Jiayu watched, she suddenly felt a pang of sympathy.

Back then, Lu Ji was alone too. He had his struggles and pain. Even if he made mistakes, she couldn’t completely blame him.

No one had it easy.

Lin Jiayu found Lu Ji in the corridor outside the restroom of a nearby teaching building.

Lu Ji was on the phone. He had finished smoking and tossed the cigarette butt into the trash.

Turning his head, he saw Lin Jiayu.

He hung up the phone and was about to speak when Lin Jiayu walked up to him and suddenly hugged him tightly.

He was startled, his heart skipping a beat as he looked down at her.

Lin Jiayu held him tightly, speaking on her own: “I’ve thought about it for a long time. I always felt I was a bit biased back then. I cared about Jiang Tu and sided with him because we grew up together... And, he really had no choice. He made mistakes, but your mistakes were bigger.”

Lu Ji: “...”

Lin Jiayu buried her face in his chest, hugging him tightly. Her voice was muffled: “Even so, I should have given you some comfort back then.”

Or, a hug.

Lu Ji suddenly understood why that book was called Embracing the Moon .

His heart gradually softened. He reached out and hugged her, smiling: “It’s not too late now.”

Lin Jiayu was a bit nervous, but her heart was screaming wildly: Ahhhhh, I hugged him!!!!!!