Chapter 112: The Drunkard’s Intent Lies Beyond the Wine

She felt a sense of bewilderment, recalling the heartache she had suffered when Lin Feng and Yang Lili first appeared before her, hand in hand. She thought of how she had once stood silently at the doorway, watching Song Mingcheng, during that bittersweet moment when they had reunited after a long separation.

Suddenly, a wave of pain washed over her.

In this absurd world, where even life and time felt like mere illusions, only the feelings within one's heart remained real. Her vision blurred slightly; she wiped her eyes and let out a sigh.

*

When Liu Siying came to find Dong Yanyan, she was lost in thought, absentmindedly toying with the necklace around her neck.

"I've been looking for you everywhere! It's already time to go; why are you still here?" Liu Siying asked with a smile, draping her arm over Dong Yanyan’s.

Dong Yanyan was slightly surprised. She had barely spoken to her lately, so why had she come? She looked up at the wall clock; it was nearly four o'clock.

"It’s closing time. Everyone, please return your books to their proper places. Those who have borrowed books, please hurry over here to register," Dong Yanyan said, beginning to tidy up her things.

At her words, the few students buried in their books looked up and checked their watches.

"Oh! It’s almost past dinner time! Gotta run and grab some food!" someone exclaimed. Everyone suddenly realized the time and scattered in an instant like birds and beasts.

Dong Yanyan shook her head helplessly, did a final check of the library, then turned off the lights and locked the door.

"Yanyan, a new night market has opened over on Third Street. I heard it’s really lively. Let’s go check it out," Liu Siying said, clutching her hand with a smile.

Dong Yanyan gave a noncommittal smile. "Why would I want to go to a night market in the middle of winter? I’m not going out there to freeze."

"They have more than just snacks; they have antiques and secondhand goods, too. Don't you like those old, vintage things?" Liu Siying persisted.

Her words piqued Dong Yanyan’s interest. She did love items with a sense of history and texture, though it was mostly out of simple curiosity—she couldn't tell the real from the fake to save her life. Besides, she really wasn't in the mood to go wandering about today.

Seeing her cold and indifferent expression, Liu Siying looked disappointed. "I guess I’ll have to go by myself, then."

Seeing her disappointment, Dong Yanyan felt a twinge of guilt. Besides, it wasn't safe for a girl to wander a night market alone.

She smiled. "It’s no fun going alone. Let me head back to the dorm to change, and we can go together."

Liu Siying’s eyes lit up, and she smiled sweetly. "Yanyan, you’re the best! Hurry up, I’ll wait for you at the entrance!"

Back at the dorm, Dong Yanyan changed into a V-neck sweater. After a moment's thought, she put on the necklace. It looked quite pretty in the mirror. She forced a small smile at her reflection, put on her down jacket, grabbed her bag, and headed out. At the door, she ran into Liu Ying and the others returning with their dinner.

"Fifth sister, where are you going?" Liu Ying asked casually.

"Going out for a stroll," Dong Yanyan replied with a smile.

Xin Ran looked unhappy. She set her lunch pail on the table and asked, "So you aren't eating? I even brought food back for you!"

"I knew you were the best to me! I'll eat it when I get back tonight!" Dong Yanyan said, affectionately patting her head before running out.

Liu Siying was waiting impatiently outside. As soon as Dong Yanyan appeared, she grabbed her and started running. Dong Yanyan couldn't figure out what she was in such a hurry for.

*

In Room 510, Li Zhe finished changing his clothes and styling his hair. He sprayed on some cologne and checked the mirror—he looked incredibly sharp. Looking radiant and ready to go, he tapped on Ren Jiaxuan’s bed before leaving. "Jiaxuan, come with us."

"Not in the mood. You go ahead," Ren Jiaxuan said, distracted by his book.

Li Zhe gave a knowing, suggestive smile. "Come on, 'fess up—is there a date with a beauty waiting for you?"

Ren Jiaxuan glanced at him, flicked his shirt, and chuckled. "Sounds like it's *you* who has a date. Don't dress so lightly, or you'll freeze to death before you even manage to get a girl."

"Get lost!" Li Zhe laughed and playfully punched his arm before opening the door and leaving.

*

Once women start shopping, they forget all their troubles. Dong Yanyan walked along with a skewer of meat in her left hand and a skewer of dried tofu in her right, eating with great relish. It was a pity she couldn't find her favorite chicken wings or fish balls; in this era, the variety of snacks wasn't as vast. Perhaps when school started next year, she could open a barbecue stall—chicken wings, fish balls, duck necks, and big meat skewers would surely sell well. Add some spicy tripe, and there’d be no worry about making money.

Liu Siying stopped in front of a stall selling vintage jewelry. Dong Yanyan helped her pick out several bracelets, and Liu Siying played with them, looking absolutely enchanted.

"This one and this one are both so pretty. Which one do you think I should choose?" Liu Siying asked, turning to her with a smile.

Dong Yanyan suddenly thought she was being a bit of an idiot—why show so much obvious love for the items? How were they supposed to bargain?

She said casually, "I think they’re average. A bracelet of this material is worth eight yuan at most."

The vendor was displeased. "Young lady, these are agate beads! I’m not overcharging you because I can see you’re students. Twenty is the lowest I can go. Take it or leave it!"

Dong Yanyan smiled to herself: the wholesale price for this stuff at Heishui Road was three-fifty. Did he think she’d never sold them before? Eight yuan was generous!

"Eight yuan, take it or leave it!" Dong Yanyan pulled on Liu Siying’s hand to leave, but Liu Siying hesitated.

Dong Yanyan had no choice but to let her keep browsing. Right behind this stall was Le Tou, the karaoke bar where she and Jiaxuan had sung together. Just as she was feeling nostalgic, she heard Liu Siying’s surprised and delighted voice: "Sister Lin, what a coincidence! To run into you here!"

Dong Yanyan turned to look. It was a group of seniors from the Student Union. Lin Mei and Zhong Ling were walking arm-in-arm, followed by Zhou Zheng, Li Zhe, Qiu Dong, and Wang Yunpeng, each holding a girl’s hand. Only Lin Feng was alone.

Li Zhe was very surprised to see Dong Yanyan. "Yanyan, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be—" He stopped halfway, looking thoughtful.

Dong Yanyan glanced at Zhao Jing, who was leaning against him. It was no surprise that they had hooked up; Li Zhe was a sentimental playboy who changed girlfriends faster than he changed clothes. Fortunately, he never caused trouble at school, was always sweet and attentive to his girlfriends, and—most importantly—was generous with his money. Just for that, it was inevitable that Zhao Jing would latch onto him.

She knew what Zhao Jing was like. After graduation, Zhao Jing had joined the same company as Xu Cheng and had hooked up with one wealthy man after another. According to Leng Haoyang, she had a different car picking her up every day. She had spent ten years living that way until it was common knowledge throughout the company. No one expected that at thirty, she would end up with a married man, quickly kick out his wife and mistress, and successfully take her place. She had ended her nomadic life of rolling from one man's arms to another, making the most of her beautiful skin.

Dong Yanyan had been genuinely shocked when she first heard the news. Later, she came to two conclusions: first, the key to marrying well isn't character, but being a beauty—not every man has the moral fortitude of Zhuge Liang; second, men are fickle creatures, and it’s better to rely on yourself than to pin your happiness on a man.

"What are you thinking about, Yanyan? We’re just here to have fun; come on in with us," Li Zhe said with a warm smile.

"No, thanks. I’m going to stroll a bit more," Dong Yanyan said dismissively.

"Yanyan, Li is being so kind, it wouldn't be right if we didn't go," Liu Siying said, shaking her arm with a smile.

Dong Yanyan curled her lip in disdain. No wonder she had been hanging around this area for so long; she had been waiting for them!

"Let’s go! What’s there to see in this freezing weather? Don't catch a cold," Li Zhe said, putting his arm around her shoulders in a way that brooked no argument.

The vendor, seeing them about to leave, asked anxiously, "Young lady, you’ve been picking through these for so long, you’re not buying?"

"I’ll take this one!" Liu Siying grabbed a bracelet, pulled twenty yuan from her pocket, handed it to him, and turned to link her arm with Lin Mei’s.

Lin Mei looked at the bracelet and smiled slightly. "You like this one?" There was a hint of disdain in her tone.

"I thought it looked pretty, so I bought it," Liu Siying said with a sweet smile.

Yang Lili followed Dong Yanyan and quietly tugged at her hand, laughing softly, "Being used by others again?"

Li Zhe turned back and gave them a knowing smile.

Dong Yanyan glared at him. If he hadn't decided to play the hero, she wouldn't have been used like that.

*

The group laughed and entered the KTV. The waiter led them to a private room, ordered draft beer and a fruit platter, and began clamoring for the microphone. Dong Yanyan found a corner to sit in, took off her down jacket, draped it over the sofa, and ate silently. When the fruit platter in front of her was nearly gone, she started on the others; everyone else was too busy singing to notice.

While the others were engrossed in their songs, Li Zhe slipped out to the front desk to make a call. When he returned to the room, he saw Dong Yanyan still eating distractedly.

"I called Jiaxuan. He’ll be here in a moment," he said, sitting down beside her with a smile.

Dong Yanyan smiled indifferently. "Whether he comes or not, what does that have to do with me?"

"Yanyan, that necklace of yours is quite pretty," Li Zhe said, looking at the necklace around her neck with a meaningful smile.

Dong Yanyan glared at him coldly. "Where are you looking?"

"Yanyan, I really love your arrogant streak. How about you be my little sister? If you acknowledge me as your brother, I guarantee you can walk sideways through Guangxiao—I’m not bragging," Li Zhe laughed.

Dong Yanyan frowned slightly. Although it was nothing unusual between classmates, the "big brother, little sister" dynamic felt a bit cheesy.

"Li Zhe, she doesn't even want to pay any attention to you," Zhou Zheng said, leaning against the sofa with a playful smirk.

Lin Mei and Zhong Ling laughed from the side. "Yanyan, if you don't agree, you’re really not giving Li Zhe any face."

Dong Yanyan looked at Li Zhe. Such a handsome brother—it would be a pity for him to lose face.

She smiled and nodded. "Fine. I don't need to walk sideways through Guangxiao. You just need to guarantee that I can walk sideways in front of Jiaxuan from now on."