Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Taste of Love

Lin Feng and Liu Siying were the last pair to appear on stage. Thanks to Liu Siying’s earlier English song, the applause greeted them instantly and never ceased.

Dong Yanyan rested her chin on her hand, watching the two of them gazing deeply into each other’s eyes, hearts entwined on the stage. A faint bitterness rose within her: it seemed she would forever remain a mere spectator in his life, always near enough to touch, yet his gaze would never settle upon her.

“Let me silently give you all my true feelings, everything unspoken. If fate doesn’t require us to stay together forever, then let gentleness be unique. Even if the world is full of countless charms, I remain devoted to you alone. My sincere heart will always wish you well—good people will have good dreams…”

After more than a month, the competition finally concluded. As soon as the results were announced, Liu Siying rushed toward Dong Yanyan, giving her a huge embrace. “I never imagined I could win first place. Thank you!” She clung tightly to her neck, tears of joy streaming down her face as she leaned against her shoulder.

Dong Yanyan wanted to tell her it was just a small contest—rankings were nothing but fleeting clouds. Yet seeing Liu Siying so overwhelmed with emotion, Dong Yanyan herself was unexpectedly moved. She glanced back at her teachers and classmates; at that moment, she truly just wanted to embrace them all.

*

When the event ended and they returned to the classroom, Mr. Chen finally shed his usual poker-faced demeanor. His sharply defined features were lit up with a broad smile as he stood at the podium, beaming at everyone. “Quiet down, everyone. The contest has ended, and I know you’re all excited by the results. I want to commend Liu Siying for winning first place and bringing honor to our class. Lin Feng, meet with the class committee later and use our funds to buy her some prizes as encouragement. Does everyone agree?!”

“Agreed!!” There was nothing to disagree about. The class funds would be spent anyway—this time, they had really made a name for themselves. The gentle lamb had triumphed over the big bad wolf! The classmates cheered and applauded. Mr. Chen added a few more words of encouragement before leaving; the broadcasting class upstairs still needed his guidance. Li Ling had managed to take third place.

The classmates surrounded Liu Siying with excitement for a good while before returning to their seats. Dong Yanyan hopped happily back to her desk, where a huge bouquet of fresh red roses appeared before her eyes. So many, so vivid they almost dazzled her.

“Huh? When did these arrive?” She picked up the bouquet from her desk, took out the card nestled in the middle, and saw handwriting still fresh: Yanyan, I love you. Be my girlfriend. Signed, Ren Jiaxuan.

“So many flowers, and they’re gorgeous.” She beamed with happiness. Back then, Xu Cheng had won her heart with a single rose; now, it had multiplied—ninety-nine times! As she was carefully counting each bloom, the back door of the classroom suddenly slammed open. The back door of the broadcasting class opened too, and the familiar sound of a saxophone echoed in her ears. She turned around to see Ren Jiaxuan standing at the doorway, saxophone in hand, his eyes tenderly fixed on her with the devotion of a prince. “A lifetime together—missing a year, a day, a minute, a second, and it’s no longer a lifetime…” he sang with deep feeling.

Dong Yanyan laughed joyfully. “Two months together—missing a day, a minute, a second, and it’s not two months. Wait for two months, then we’ll see!” She skipped past him, hugging her bouquet back to her dormitory.

So many flowers—she’d need a big vase to keep them. She wondered if her chilly dorm room might freeze them limp.

Ren Jiaxuan stood stunned for two seconds, then turned and chased after her. “Dong Yanyan, come back here!”

The classroom fell silent for a moment. Leng Haoyang jumped onto a desk, pointing at several boys in the class and shouting, “What’s wrong with you guys? If you don’t make a move, both our little ones will be snatched up by the broadcasting class!”

*

Dong Yanyan hadn’t yet reached the stairway when she ran straight into Director Tang, who had just come down from upstairs—right as Ren Jiaxuan caught up behind her.

“Good morning, teacher!” Dong Yanyan instantly switched to a sweet, obedient smile.

“So many flowers—who gave them to you?” Director Tang put on a kindly face, though his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“They’re for making rose jam, teacher! When I finish, I’ll bring you a jar to taste—it’s delicious!” Dong Yanyan replied with innocent sincerity.

Director Tang glanced at her, then at Ren Jiaxuan standing behind, nodded, and walked on.

Dong Yanyan secretly sighed in relief. What was it they said? She must have offended teachers in a past life, and now fate seemed to repeat itself. Even receiving flowers, she’d run into him. She turned and saw Ren Jiaxuan still standing next to her like a frozen statue.

“See? It’s all your fault! Why’d you chase after me? Now the teacher saw—it’s not good at all!” she scolded, hopping with frustration.

“Shut your mouth!” Ren Jiaxuan’s face turned cold as he pointed at her nose threateningly. “I’m warning you—if you dare turn my roses into jam, I’ll chop you up!”

“What am I supposed to tell him then? Should I say the flowers are from you and show him your card? He’d chop me up instead!” Dong Yanyan retorted.

Ren Jiaxuan thought about it and laughed. “So, what are you going to do? Are you really making rose jam? That’s cruel!”

“Of course not. At least tonight, I’ll sleep cuddling them,” Dong Yanyan answered sweetly. “Honestly, I think it’s better to enjoy something thoroughly and then savor it, rather than just look and never taste.”

Ren Jiaxuan tugged at the corner of his mouth and swallowed nervously.

Dong Yanyan continued to tempt him, “Rose jam really is delicious—fragrant and sweet, just like the taste of love. Don’t you want to know the sweetness of love, tasted right in your mouth?”

Jiaxuan leaned close, eyes fixed on her lips, laughing softly, “I’d rather taste the sweetness of you in my mouth.”

“Forget it! I’m not your girlfriend yet! I’m leaving!” Dong Yanyan quickly stepped back, declared righteously, spun around, and marched downstairs in high spirits.

Back in the dorm, she searched for a vase large enough for the roses, but couldn’t find one. She ended up using her usual water bucket, filling it with water and arranging the roses on her desk.

That evening, when her roommates returned, they all exclaimed how beautiful the roses were.

“Ren Jiaxuan is so romantic, Sister Five—you must be so happy!” Xiao Han said, her face full of envy.

“Exactly, you owe us a treat!” Yu Xia and Leng Yue joined in the teasing.

“Why should I treat you? Tian Tian never treated us when she got flowers. Besides, nothing’s settled yet—I don’t have to agree just because someone gave me flowers,” Dong Yanyan laughed. “I still need to observe whether he’s really as fickle as they say.”

“No need to doubt—it’s true he doesn’t have a girlfriend right now. But if you keep him waiting, that might change,” Tian Tian said, hugging her shoulder with a smile. “Sister Five, don’t drag it out too long!”

“A restless man is hard to handle,” Dong Yanyan smiled noncommittally. If he couldn’t wait even two months, then he wasn’t that serious. If they did get together, heartbreak would be inevitable. She’d rather not pursue a doomed love; she didn’t have the time or emotion to waste—those were things you could never get back.

*

On Sunday morning, after delivering newspapers, Dong Yanyan returned to the dorm to find everyone else still asleep. She climbed into her bunk for a sweet nap. Deep in sleep, she faintly heard someone below calling, “Yanyan, your phone!”

She stretched an arm from under the covers and took the receiver. Ren Jiaxuan’s familiar voice came through, “Still not up yet?”

“Congratulations, you’re quick to answer!” Dong Yanyan grumbled sleepily. “What do you want?”

“Get up right now—I’m taking you out for fun!” Ren Jiaxuan laughed.

“No! I haven’t slept enough!” Dong Yanyan hung up and burrowed back under the quilt. After freezing outside all morning, she finally felt warm and wasn’t about to suffer again.

Xinran replaced the receiver and sat on the lower bunk reading. Dong Yanyan turned over, hugging her quilt, and drifted back into dreams—only to be woken by the sound of arguing.

Irritated, she pulled aside the curtain and saw Xinran at the door, quarreling with Ren Jiaxuan.

“She’s sleeping. I won’t let you in, and that’s that!”

“Fine, I won’t come in. But get her out here!” Ren Jiaxuan retorted, annoyed.

“No way, she’s sleeping!” Xinran refused flatly.

“It’s morning! Can’t people sleep?” Dong Yanyan poked her head out from the curtain, impatient.

Ren Jiaxuan spotted her awake and laughed helplessly. “Morning? It’s already ten-thirty! If you don’t get up, you’ll sleep the whole day away!”

“Mind your own business!” Dong Yanyan muttered, dropped the curtain, and prepared to sleep again.

Seeing Xinran about to close the door, Ren Jiaxuan seized his chance, dashed inside, pulled aside Dong Yanyan’s curtain, jumped onto the upper bunk, and grabbed her head, frowning, “Who says you can’t go out with me just because you’re not my girlfriend? If you keep arguing, I’ll stop chasing you—then let’s see how you enjoy being pursued!”

“Oh, I’m so terrified!” Dong Yanyan tilted her head and shot him an annoyed glance. “Fine, where are we going today?”

“Get up, get dressed—I’m taking you roller skating.” Ren Jiaxuan patted her head, smiling.

Dong Yanyan pushed him away and sat up, hugging her quilt. “Alright, but don’t you think climbing into someone’s bed without permission is rude? Get out! I need to change!”

“You’re wearing a sweater—what’s there to see? Wait, why do you sleep in a sweater?” Ren Jiaxuan asked, curious.