Chapter 63: My Ningning

 "JinYan-ge, what do you like?" 

Lin JinYan was understandably startled by Su Ning's question. Though he intuitively understood that Su Ning didn't mean anything special by it, Lin JinYan still answered truthfully.

"You," Lin JinYan said softly but audibly.

"Pfft. You silly. Is there anything you'd like to have? As a graduation present," Su Ning clarified with a soft chuckle.

"En," Lin JinYan said with a nod after pretending to think for a bit.

"What is it?" Su Ning asked, turning her body slightly towards Lin JinYan who sat beside her on the bed.

"My NingNing," he said with an affectionate smile while gently placing one hand on Su Ning's cheek.

Lin JinYan watched as the curious expression was quickly replaced with a deadpan look.

"Yahh. Come on. Be serious," Su Ning said with a tinge of annoyance.

"But I am serious," Lin JinYan replied in an even tone. 

Su Ning, who had been lying on the bed, proceeded to prop herself up to a sitting position, causing Lin JinYan's hand to fall from her face. This sudden loss of physical intimacy left Lin JinYan feeling bereft and he quickly turned his head away to fix his expression in front of Su Ning. 'Ah what to do? I want to keep her with me. Always.'

"Your graduation gift has to be something you can carry," Su Ning spoke slowly, gesturing with her hands.

"Hmm...then I chose my NingNing," Lin JinYan answered cheekily.

"... It has to be something small that you can hold in your hands," she responded with a frown.

"Hmm...then I chose a miniature NingNing. I'll put her in my pocket and bring her everywhere with me," Lin JinYan replied with a huge grin, his hazel eyes twinkling.

"... Nevermind. Wu liao." Su Ning finally gave up and made a move to get off the bed. 'I'll just figure out what to tell Qing Mei later.'

Author's Note: Wu liao means boring/not amusing. Like when someone is making jokes you don't find funny you can say wu liao. （っ＾▿＾）

"Hahaha Don't be angry. I like everything you give me," Lin JinYan said with a chuckle. He hugged Su Ning from behind to prevent her from leaving and rested his chin on her shoulder. Then, he raised his right arm to show Su Ning the navy leather double woven bracelet she'd gifted him.

"But is there something you particularly want? Maybe something you can bring to the UK?" Su Ning insisted. She made no move to remove Lin JinYan's arms around her as she's already used to his affectionate touches. 

"Ahhh… handmade socks," Lin JinYan thought quietly for a moment, inhaling the familiar floral scent of the girl in his arms before making his decision. 

"Alright! See, that wasn't so hard!" Su Ning patted Lin JinYan's head as a reward and prepared to leave the bed. However, she barely moved an inch before she was pulled back into his sturdy chest. "Ayah! JinYan-ge! Let go," Su Ning cried out in surprise.

'How come Lin JinYan is so strong? He didn't seem like the type to work out regularly like Gu YuChen.'

"One more minute, NingNing. Okay?" he childishly pleaded. 

"Ah. You are like a kid, seriously." she responded but ended up letting the boy hold her for another minute.

"Okay silly goose, times up. I'll go out and check if Auntie Wang needs any help preparing dinner," Su Ning stood up and patted Lin JinYan's head one more time before leaving the room. 

Author's Note: Auntie is Wang is the housekeeper cum cook that Secretary Mu hired for Lin JinYan when he invited himself to live at Su Ning's apartment. 

Lin JinYan looked down at his hands that had become devoid of warmth after Su Ning left. 

'I have much more to go. I need to grow up more,' he thought, clenching his hands into fists. 

'I need to make it so NingNing can't leave me.'

...

In fact, ever since Lin JinYan had given up the position of heir apparent, he had been composing music under the pen name, The Woodman. In the past 2 years, he has written the music and lyrics for 25 hit songs, majority of which have gone to top the charts for weeks on end. As someone already with an extensive background in classical music, Lin JinYan was able to swiftly learn the trends in pop culture. Of course, as a prodigy Lin JinYan it was as natural as breathing to delve into pop, ballad, and R&B. Though he had initially gotten into composing to familiarize himself with the music industry before his debut and to impress Su Ning by building his own wealth, he had surprisingly come to enjoy honing his craft. 

By all means, Lin JinYan was still independently wealthy and part of the top 1 % of high society despite withdrawing his intention to succeed XIIN Entertainment. He already had numerous investments and properties under his name gifted by his maternal and paternal grandparents. However, he felt that actively doing work to earn money as Su Ning does with her tutoring job would make her feel closer to him. 

It turns out, Lin JinYan had been right. Su Ning loved listening to his music. With this common interest, Su Ning had begun to feel even more comfortable with Lin JinYan. He had even gotten Su Ning to record the demo version of several songs.

.....

Meanwhile in the kitchen, the kind hearted Su Ning sends a text to her friend Qing Mei.

[NingNing_Star]: MeiMei, JinYan-ge wants a pair of handmade socks.

[NingNing_Star]: (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ

[MeiMei_#1]: Thank you, NingNing. ❤(ˆ‿ˆԅ)