Chapter 119: The Slender Waist of Master Shen

The shops lining the street were all brightly lit. Dong Yanyan eagerly pulled Ren Jiaxuan from one boutique to another, unable to let go of anything she saw. Girls had no resistance to those beautiful plush toys and exquisite little trinkets. The desire for beauty was universal, and those quaint, cute, or quirky items always found a market, which was why their prices tended to be a bit high.

Ren Jiaxuan was happy to accompany her, though one thing puzzled him.

“Yanyan, why do you only look and never buy? If we go back empty-handed, someone will end up unloved,” he asked casually.

Dong Yanyan paused, looking at his youthful, smiling face, feeling a slight pang in her heart. Back when she was with Xu Cheng, they seldom bought anything while shopping. Even if she liked something, it took her a long time to finally decide to buy it. Just now, she instinctively thought it was enough to just look, no need to spend money, and momentarily forgot that the person beside her had changed. Probably Xu Cheng wasn’t in the mood to shop tonight either; he never liked it much. Yet back then, no matter how far the road, he would accompany her.

“It’s okay. If you don’t like these, let’s look at something else,” Ren Jiaxuan said gently, noticing her slightly downcast expression.

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat first, okay?” Dong Yanyan pointed outside with a smile. “The whole street out there is filled with snacks. I can already smell the aromas.”

“So the little one’s hungry! Then let’s eat first!” Ren Jiaxuan laughed.

Chicken wings, meat skewers, stinky tofu, stir-fried noodles, pancake wraps, milk skin, egg tarts—they eagerly wandered from one end of the street to the other. In the end, each held a skewer of candied hawthorn, their hands intertwined as they strolled along the bustling road.

“This is delicious,” Ren Jiaxuan said, holding up his candied fruit with satisfaction. “I think we’re eating pretty scientifically. We’ve tasted sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—but the candied fruit is the best.”

“I just like this atmosphere. It’s so lively,” Dong Yanyan said happily, watching couples pass by. When they reached the milk tea shop, she stopped.

“Is this yours?” Ren Jiaxuan smiled.

Dong Yanyan nodded. “Let’s go. Perfect for dessert after the meal.”

Because it was Christmas Eve, the small milk tea shop was packed. Dong Yanyan led Ren Jiaxuan to a window seat. The table was small, and the seats were swings entwined with green vines. The view was perfect, overlooking the street outside. Soon, a waitress dressed in a pink maid outfit brought over two steaming cups of pearl milk tea, along with doughnuts sprinkled with golden candies and a small fruit cake. On top of the cake were two white chocolate figures kissing face to face. Beside the cake lay a vibrant red rose.

“Handsome, this is for you. Merry Christmas,” Dong Yanyan said, picking up the rose and smiling at Ren Jiaxuan.

Ren Jiaxuan politely stood to accept it, pressing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand with a low laugh. “Thank you, beautiful little one. I’m truly surprised.”

“I reserved this spot yesterday. Not bad, right?” Dong Yanyan said leisurely, sitting on the swing. Fortunately, many businesses hadn’t yet embraced the reservation system, so she easily paid a deposit at noon the day before to secure the spot.

Ren Jiaxuan was initially surprised, then smiled happily. “You reserved this yesterday? Why were you so distracted just now? So you were planning to surprise me.”

Dong Yanyan wrapped her cold hands from outside around the warm cup, feeling the heat spread into her palms. She smiled with eyes curved. “On such a cold day, milk tea is the warmest. I like holding it in my hands like this—so thoughtful and cozy, then sipping the sweetness.”

Ren Jiaxuan put down his milk tea and covered her hands with his own, smiling gently. “Yanyan, you’re my milk tea. I want to hold you in my hands every moment, carefully and tenderly, never letting you get hurt again.”

Dong Yanyan blushed and lowered her head slightly. This was exactly what she wanted to hear. She hadn’t expected him to be so perceptive, even guessing the slogan from Jay Chou’s commercial. But it seemed that being so earnest made her nervous—too sickeningly sweet!

Ren Jiaxuan said nothing more, simply holding her hands and looking at her quietly. The two usually so lively were now perfectly in sync in silence. The scene was so beautiful it felt it could last forever.

* * *

Snowflakes drifted outside the car window, while inside it was warm as spring. The two sat side by side, holding hands, quietly listening to Faye Wong’s album.

“This song only Faye Wong could sing with such ethereal grace. Her voice is simply heavenly,” Dong Yanyan murmured, memories flooding back to the days she listened to music with Xiao Han. It was because of Xiao Han that she had fallen for Faye Wong. No matter how Faye Wong might change in the future, it could never ruin those early feelings—the two girls hugging a tape recorder and listening quietly, marks left by the passage of time.

Ren Jiaxuan smiled gently, seeing her so happy. “Xiao Han, you like Faye Wong’s songs.”

Dong Yanyan nodded blissfully. “Yes, I really like them. Thank you.”

“I think your voice right now is the real heaven-sent sound. I often imagine holding your hand on nights like this, embracing you until dawn,” Ren Jiaxuan said tenderly, gazing at her with boundless affection.

His voice was so beautiful, but—

“In this little Japanese car, embracing until dawn? That won’t do. We can’t stay out all night!” Dong Yanyan scolded.

“I realize buying this car was a mistake!” Ren Jiaxuan sighed heavily, furrowing his brow. “Yanyan, do you really like me?”

“Why ask that? I’ll get shy,” Dong Yanyan lowered her eyes, feigning coyness.

“Then come here and hug me,” Ren Jiaxuan said, pinching her cheek with a smile.

Dong Yanyan smiled sweetly, opening her arms to throw herself into his embrace. Surprised but delighted, Ren Jiaxuan caught her. His sweater smelled warm and comforting, making her heart flutter. Just as she was about to pull away, he tightened his arms, enclosing her firmly. “Yanyan, let me hold you a little longer,” he whispered, his face close to hers.

Such intimate contact sent a sudden thrill through Dong Yanyan’s heart, a slight dizziness. Love rushed in fiercely, surreal yet tangible.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning against him and laughing softly. “Shen Lang, your waist is so slim.”

Ren Jiaxuan blushed and then smiled. “I’d rather loosen my belt than regret it—wasn’t it you who wore me down?”

Dong Yanyan was about to retort, but his fingers gently pressed against her lips. “Good girl, you’re most beautiful when you don’t talk.”

Dong Yanyan considered this and thought he had a point. Such a harmonious, beautiful moment shouldn’t be broken.

The harmony continued until Ren Jiaxuan escorted her back to the dorm. Everyone else was asleep except Leng Yue, who was waiting quietly. Seeing them, she quickly gestured for silence to avoid waking others.

“I’ll head up first,” Ren Jiaxuan whispered, giving Dong Yanyan a gentle hug. “I bought you a gift and left it on your bed. Open it tomorrow morning.”

A Christmas gift too? Dong Yanyan was both surprised and delighted as she ran back to her room and climbed into bed. She found a beautifully wrapped box on her bed. Holding it, she turned it over and over but couldn’t guess what was inside—the wrapping was too thorough.

“Old Five and Old Eight didn’t come back with you?” Leng Yue asked.

Dong Yanyan realized Sweet Sweet wasn’t with them. “We weren’t together. She probably went to eat, sing, and watch movies with He Jingxuan and the others.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Lights out is almost here. Why aren’t they back yet? I’ll call Jiaxuan.”

After a long ring, Ren Jiaxuan answered and laughed when he heard her voice. “Yanyan, missing me already? Should I come down and bring you back? I’m the only one in my dorm—feeling lonely.”

“What? They’re not back either? When will they be back?” Dong Yanyan asked.

“They probably won’t come back tonight. Old Six’s uncle just opened a hotel, and they’re over there partying. They’ll be up all night,” Ren Jiaxuan said with a smile.

“That won’t do. Sweet Sweet’s not back yet. Can you call He Jingxuan and have him bring her back? We’re worried,” Dong Yanyan said anxiously.

Ren Jiaxuan flatly refused. “Calling now would just spoil their fun. Besides, Sweet Sweet might not want to come back.”

“Even if she doesn’t want to, she has to! It’s so late! A young girl shouldn’t be out all night,” Dong Yanyan protested, hopping on the spot. “If you won’t call, give me his number. I’ll call him!”

“Yanyan, look at the time. The phone booths outside are all closed. Where would you make the call? But I can take you to find her. When she comes back, you stay with me—I want to try out the luxury suite there,” Ren Jiaxuan said jokingly.

Dong Yanyan suddenly remembered that the school phones couldn’t dial external numbers. Without a cell phone, it was really inconvenient.

“You’re the worst. I guess I’ll just wait then,” Dong Yanyan said, playfully scolding him.

At that moment, footsteps and voices came from the door. She watched as Sweet Sweet and He Jingxuan embraced and kissed goodbye right at the entrance, as if no one else was around.

Leng Yue pretended not to see and only closed the door after He Jingxuan left.

“Sweet Sweet’s back! You should go to bed early. Good night!” Dong Yanyan happily hung up the phone, then couldn’t help but scold Sweet Sweet. “Why did you come back so late?”