Chapter 28: The Handsome Prince-Like Young Man

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning a little closer to him. Lin Feng reached out his right hand and gently took her left. In that instant, Dong Yanyan's heart brimmed with sweetness. Lin Feng, heaven brought me back just so I could meet you again. This time, I won’t let anything or anyone take you away from me.

"What are you two up to?" Yang Xiaohai suddenly popped out from behind a rock ahead, startling Dong Yanyan. This guy had always played the role of a jinx, more trouble than help, and she found him endlessly annoying. Yet he and Lin Feng were inseparable, and it was no easy task trying to shake him off.

"Lin Feng, let’s run! Don’t let him catch up!" She gripped Lin Feng’s hand and dashed forward, pulling him along.

*

That afternoon, Dong Yanyan was dragged by Gu Xiaohan to a lecture at the city library. Walking in the crisp, clear autumn air, Dong Yanyan felt as if her youthful heart might just take flight. It was wonderful to be young—you could carry a stylish black backpack, wear a blouse with puffed sleeves, sport a pretty bracelet-watch, slip on brightly colored platform shoes, gloss your lips with a sparkling pink, and stroll down the street singing your favorite songs without a care in the world.

Fifteen years had changed many things, but the scent of books in the library was just as she remembered. After attending the lecture, they got both a reading card and a borrowing card. Arm in arm with their books, they walked briskly out of the library, the very picture of literary young women.

A sleek black Honda sat at the entrance, its polished body shining like a mirror.

"I know this car! It belongs to Ren Jiaxuan from the broadcasting class! Cruising around in this—so cool!" Xiaohan hopped over, using the window as a mirror, spinning in delight with her new wool skirt.

Dong Yanyan, however, was unimpressed. As an online patriot, she had little fondness for anything Japanese-made.

"What’s so great about this little Japanese tin can?" she scoffed, giving the car a contemptuous glance and pulling Gu Xiaohan away.

Just then, the front window rolled down slowly. A handsome, poker-faced young man leaned out, expressionless. "Heading back to school? Get in!"

"It’s Senior Ren! Perfect!" Gu Xiaohan exclaimed, delighted, and immediately slid into the passenger seat.

Dong Yanyan climbed into the back. The leather upholstery was so comfortable she couldn’t help but sigh contentedly, and the sound system was top notch, playing a flowing, melodious piano piece.

"Richard Clayderman?" she guessed offhand. She knew this music by heart—it had been Lulù’s prenatal soundtrack for over half a year, and now just hearing it made her sleepy.

"Yanyan, what did you just say?" Ren Jiaxuan started the car, looking at her in the rearview mirror with relaxed curiosity.

Seeing he was about to make an issue of it, Dong Yanyan smiled sweetly and explained, "Senior, I’m criticizing the car, not the person. Don’t take it personally!"

"You don’t like this little Japanese car, so what do you think is good?" Ren Jiaxuan pressed, still in his teasing mood.

Dong Yanyan frowned in thought, then grinned. "A princely guy like you would look best in a BMW. A Mercedes would do, but honestly, I strongly suggest you get a Red Flag sedan to show your patriotism."

"I might as well drive a Liberation truck then. That’s even more patriotic," Ren Jiaxuan laughed, then turned back to ask, "You like Richard’s music too?"

"It’s alright, but I prefer Su Youpeng’s ‘Backpack’! The youth that drifted through wind and snow, the old backpack shouldering the years, the dreams of youth fading like blossoms—who understands the lonely heart..." Dong Yanyan sang softly, swept up in nostalgia.

Hearing her, the two in front, both avid singers, eagerly joined in.

"Tears and laughter for you, tides of devotion and no regrets, wandering under clouds and moon with only my backpack to keep me company..."

"I also like Wong Ka Kui," Ren Jiaxuan added.

"Me too! Xiaohan, start us off!" Dong Yanyan smiled happily.

"Struggling through years of hesitation, embracing freedom in glorious days..." The three of them sang through Wong Ka Kui's hits, then launched into Jacky Cheung’s "Hungry Wolf Legend."

"Don’t fight me for this one—I have to sing it solo for it to sound right!" Ren Jiaxuan gripped the steering wheel with one hand, swaying to the music, then, after finishing, waved his right hand and shouted passionately, "We’ve had enough wildness—let me give you something tender! How about ‘Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Roses’?"

"Great!" Dong Yanyan and Gu Xiaohan clapped and cheered excitedly. This senior sang beautifully—his rendition of "Backpack" at the welcome party had left countless girls swooning. Even years later, Dong Yanyan could recall his cocky swagger and remember Su Youpeng’s song because of him.

*

"Let the sea breeze blow for five thousand years, every tear a mark of your dignity. Let the tide protect you with me. Never forget my unchanging yellow face..." After a dozen minutes, the car rolled onto campus, and the three of them, still singing "Pearl of the Orient," got out, reluctant to stop.

"Senior, you sing so well, I’m absolutely smitten!" Gu Xiaohan tossed him a playful, coquettish glance. Dong Yanyan pulled her back, linked arms, then looked at Ren Jiaxuan with hearts in her eyes and shrugged, mouthing silently, "Me too!"

A group of boys from the broadcasting class passed by, calling out, "Jiaxuan, taking the duckling sisters for a spin?"

Ren Jiaxuan waved them off carelessly, then turned to Dong Yanyan, whose face was all scrunched up, and couldn’t help laughing. "Little sister, you already know how to flirt at your age? Now every guy in school knows who you are!"

"Senior, you’re too kind! I only sang a couple dolphin notes and ended up being mobbed, becoming infamous overnight. And you gave me the nickname ‘Duckling’—that’s just too much!"

At the mention of dolphin notes, Ren Jiaxuan doubled over with laughter. "Honestly, when you pout, you really do look like a duckling!"

Dong Yanyan couldn’t stand being laughed at any longer. She stomped her foot, grabbed Xiaohan’s arm, and marched toward the dorm. At the entrance, she suddenly remembered—it was this guy who’d pulled her off the windowsill by both legs that day.

"You’re the duck! Don’t let me catch you again or I’ll break your legs!" she yelled in mock anger. Unfortunately, she’d shouted too soon—Ren, who was headed upstairs, heard her, glared, rolled up his sleeves, and charged after her. Quick as lightning, Dong Yanyan slammed the dorm door and locked it tight.