DF Chapter 5
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Her thoughts seemed to waver for a moment, and then she drifted into the most peaceful dream, feeling relaxed and content.
Suddenly, she saw Yan Ge at sixteen, much taller than he had been at twelve. He was wearing a blue-black velvet coat with dark red cord ties and ivory-colored toggles—delicate and beautiful. (She was surprised she remembered such details.)
In the southern city of Shen City, the dense trees were everywhere; at night in winter, the streetlights filtered through the shadows of the branches, casting a golden glow on his jet-black short hair.
Even his long eyelashes caught the golden hue, casting deep shadows beneath his eyes. (She didn’t remember this moment being so beautiful in her memory.)
He walked quietly, while she hummed a song and followed by his side. Together, they passed through the peaceful, shadowy night, with a sense of unspoken intimacy.
Out of nowhere, she asked, “Yan Ge, are you stronger than a woodpecker?”
He turned his head slightly, looking down at her, his eyes silently asking: What do you mean?
“Just what it sounds like.”
“…” He wasn’t interested.
She ran ahead of him, blocking his path. After a brief pause, he stopped. “What are you doing?”
“I’m giving you a chance to prove you’re better than a woodpecker.”
He didn’t understand but didn’t ask either, silently watching her.
She stretched up on her tiptoes, lifting her face close to his lips. “You can pretend my face is a tree.”
“…”
Her legs were starting to ache as she tried her hardest not to wobble.
Under the streetlamp, her soft, radiant face was so close to his nose and lips, her skin delicate, almost transparent. She didn’t blush at all and urged him playfully, “Hey, woodpecker, hurry up!”
Yan Ge’s face began to heat up, a light flush rising inch by inch. “Zhen Yi, don’t you feel embarrassed?”
Back then, he had blushed—completely flustered.
Zhen Yi was lost in that distant memory when she suddenly heard a faint sound. Someone had closed the door. Her thoughts jolted again.
Snapping back to reality, she found herself standing alone in the hallway, with no sign of Yan Ge. He had slipped away, leaving her behind.
Jerk! Zhen Yi felt like biting something.
She quickly opened the safety door and ran after Yan Ge, shouting loudly on purpose, “You damn hypnotist, you used me and ran!”
Passersby gave her curious looks, but Yan Ge didn’t react at all, not even turning his head, acting like he didn’t know her.
Zhen Yi grabbed his arm. “I’m talking to you!” Yan Ge stopped, glancing at her hand gripping his arm. “Oh, did I take advantage of you?”
“How could you just leave me there?”
“I timed it. Ten seconds.” He started walking again.
“You’re a psychiatrist?” Zhen Yi huffed. “Physician, heal thyself.”
Yan Ge didn’t answer, showing no sign of appreciating her joke.
Zhen Yi pouted. “Figures, suits your emotionally numb personality.”
“Mm, lawyer—suits your meddlesome nature.” he muttered nonchalantly.
Zhen Yi froze mid-step. How did he know she was a lawyer? Was it because the Lin Ziyi case had drawn too much attention?
He got on the escalator without another word, leaving her behind. Zhen Yi rolled her eyes. He really hadn’t changed at all!
Turning to leave, Zhen Yi’s mind lingered on what Yan Ge had said: meddlesome. She zoned out slightly, wondering, if she hadn’t meddled, what would have happened to them?
…
She remembered, back when they were still teenagers, about twelve years ago. Yan Ge, at twelve or thirteen, was already pale and handsome. Maybe that’s why he also looked easy to bully.
The first time she met him was by the roadside after school. It had been a while since the school day had ended, and the tree-lined road was quiet. He stood alone at the bus stop, catching the attention of some thugs from the neighboring high school.
They demanded money from him. He didn’t respond, just quietly watching them.
The gang of thugs took his silence as a challenge, thinking he was looking down on them. They were about to teach him a lesson when Zhen Yi, who happened to be walking by, saw the injustice. The middle school girl whipped out a baseball bat from her bag and quickly sent the high schoolers running with yelps and screams.
“Hmph, trying to bully a student from our school? You’re asking for it!” Zhen Yi shouted at their retreating backs, then turned to him. “Why aren’t you wearing your uniform? If you only pin your school badge to your bag, the dean will pull your ear. My ears get yanked all the time…”
“Oh my God!” She turned around and saw the boy in the white shirt and thin tie, and her eyes widened. Her words flew out of her head as she immediately started teasing him. “Oh my God, how are you so good-looking?”
The slanting sunset filtered through the trees, landing on his long lashes; his eyes were deep but emotionless. He didn’t even say thank you.
“You’re so pretty. Do you know that? No wonder people try to rob you when you’re walking around looking like this.” She was very casual and chatty, chirping like the birds in the treetops above them. “If it were me, I’d rob you for your looks!”
He still didn’t say a word. Under the glow of the sunset, his face was pale and beautiful, almost translucent.
Maybe it was because of the bright sunset, but she thought his face had turned red. Feeling a bit sorry for him, she tried to ease the tension. “Don’t be shy. I was just kidding. Haha, I’m part of the Appearance Appreciation Club, so I tend to get a bit excited.”
This time, he seemed to consider her words. His long lashes lowered for a moment, then he looked at her again, his eyes as beautiful as obsidian beads.
His voice was clear, carrying a hint of confusion. “Appearance Club? Are you a child laborer, working so young?”
Zhen Yi froze for a second, thinking he was joking too, and burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re funny. What’s your name? Want to be my boyfriend?” He didn’t panic or get flustered. Calmly, he replied, “My name is Yan Ge, and I don’t need a girlfriend right now.”
“Why not?”
Instead of answering, he asked, “Do you have money?”
“What for?”
“I think you need money to take the bus.”