Chapter 024: In the Name of Youth

In truth, by drawing Hu Bin into this formalized contest, Lin Yu had already achieved half his aim. In doing so, he had successfully shifted everyone's attention from their examination results to this one-off competition.

While the two of them exchanged words and barbs, Liang Jing, the grand hall manager of the Splendor Hotel, had directed several servers to bring out more than a dozen dishes. Once everything was served, perhaps because Xia Ling was a frequent guest, she greeted her before quietly taking her leave.

When all outsiders had departed, Hu Bin resumed the previous topic, saying, "Lin Yu, you decide—what shall we compete in?"

Facing Hu Bin's imposing presence, Lin Yu smiled slightly and gestured toward Vice Mayor Yang Xiong. "My father told me that Uncle Yang was once the president of his high school’s student council and was skilled in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I think it’s most appropriate and fair to have Uncle Yang set the topic. What do you say?"

"Fine. That’s as it should be. But since it’s a competition, shouldn’t there be a prize?" Hu Bin challenged.

"I have no objections. Whatever you’d like, just say it," Lin Yu replied with a casual shrug.

"Haha! You two are nominating Uncle Yang as the judge. Then let the prize also come from Uncle Yang," Yang Xiong laughed heartily, took off his Omega watch, and tossed it onto the table. In a tone that brooked no refusal, he declared, "This Omega watch was bought by your aunt from the duty-free shop at the Swiss airport in the year 2000. It cost 888 dollars. I’ve worn it for two years, and it’s as good as new. Now, it will serve as the prize for you two."

After he finished speaking, Hu Bin showed no reaction, clearly unimpressed by a watch priced at 888 dollars. Growing up in luxury, money held little allure for him.

Lin Yu, on the other hand, shook his head at once. "Uncle Yang, the actual value of this watch exceeds twenty thousand yuan—it’s too valuable for me to accept. How about this: if I win, you can give me a piece of your calligraphy or painting instead. My father says your slender-gold script has the elegance of Emperor Huizong of Song."

At this, Hu Bin snorted disdainfully and muttered under his breath, "The current exchange rate is one dollar to 7.326 yuan."

At that moment, Yang Zhilin, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "888 dollars does equal 7,326 yuan. But with taxes and other fees, the value of the watch really is over twenty thousand. If you bought this Omega at a domestic watch or luxury shop, the price would be around thirty thousand."

"Alright, enough. Let's not argue, kids. I’m going to set the topic now," Yang Xiong said, raising his voice.

He announced, "Belinsky said: 'Youth comes only once in a lifetime, and it is the most vigorous and beautiful period.' The great writer Goethe said: 'What you do today, do not put off until tomorrow; what you do yourself, do not leave for others.' If you wish to achieve great things, you must begin in your youth. Therefore, the topic I give you is ‘youth.’ Each of you will compose an essay on this theme during the course of this meal. The judges shall be us six adults, who will vote to decide the winner."

At this, he looked to his daughter. "Linlin, you should join as well. How about it?"

"Alright, I was just thinking the same," Yang Zhilin replied with a confident smile.

"I’ll go buy paper and pens," Lin Yu said, standing up to leave.

"Come, let me propose a toast to everyone first. Let's eat while the dishes are hot," Lin Tiancheng lifted his glass, rallying the group to enjoy their meal.

When Lin Yu returned with several black carbon pens and some notebooks, the group was enjoying themselves immensely.

It had to be said: the Hong Kong chef at Splendor Hotel was indeed renowned for a reason. The clams, mussels, shrimp, and crab he prepared—stir-fried with chili, oyster sauce, and fermented black beans, then steamed with scallions and ginger—were transformed as if by magic into rare delicacies. His Cantonese desserts were also authentically sweet but not cloying, and exceptionally delicious.

After passing the pens and notebooks to Yang Zhilin and Hu Bin, Lin Yu indulged in the feast while contemplating his essay on youth.

After several rounds of toasts and a variety of dishes, Yang Xiong clapped his hands with a smile. "Well, we’re all satisfied now. Kids, are you ready to hand in your work?"

"I finished long ago," Hu Bin announced, the first to speak, and handed over his notebook.

Yang Xiong shook his head with a gentle smile. "No need to give it to me—read it out loud for everyone to hear."

"Alright." Hu Bin agreed, then began reading confidently, "My essay is called ‘No Regrets in Youth.’ In the radiant fringe of sunlight, we are golden grains cast by the sun, scattering, leaping—so passionate and exuberant; in the endless dim of night, we are a faint beam of moonlight, sorrowful and lonely, so clear and profound… Sipping gently, reciting softly—no regrets in youth!"

"Not bad! I didn’t expect our little Bin to be such a talent," Yang Xiong praised, then turned to Yang Zhilin. "Linlin, what about yours?"

"I wrote a very short essay titled ‘Youth, Do Not Hurry.’"

Yang Zhilin, always fond of literature, composed herself and began reading with feeling: "Youth is not time, for time fades, yet youth leaves its fragrance; youth is not a rosy face, for blossoms wither, yet youth is resilient; youth is not tender knees, for weakness falters, yet youth is steadfast. In youth, we have loved, we have hurt, we have cried, we have laughed—the source of life is ennobled and elevated here..."

Her tone shifted: "At dusk, snowflakes begin to fall, sorrow blooming across the hills; farewells on unfamiliar roads, I don’t want to grow up, I don’t want youth to end. But youth must pass, and we must grow up. Faced with time's relentless flood, I only wish to sing softly: Do not let life slip idly by. Youth, do not hurry."

"Wow, Linlin is truly gifted—not for nothing is she the top liberal arts student in her grade. Her command of language rivals that of the celebrated Xi Murong, and her elegance is on par with the urbane Zhang Ailing," Hu Bin’s mother, Wang Yue’e, praised her at once.

"Truly impressive! Brimming with literary spirit," echoed Wang Chunhua.

Yang Zhilin’s mother, Xia Ling, nodded in satisfaction, pride gleaming in her eyes. She felt her daughter’s work clearly outshone Hu Bin’s "No Regrets in Youth."

"Youth, do not hurry—there’s a gentle poise and confidence to those words," Lin Yu murmured. In his new life, he was moved by the simplicity and power of that phrase.

"Xiao Yu, why don’t you read yours as well," Yang Xiong’s deep voice interrupted Lin Yu’s reverie as he was still savoring the emotion brought by ‘Youth, Do Not Hurry.’

"Oh, I’ve finished too," Lin Yu replied with a smile. "But I didn’t write an essay—I wrote a song, titled ‘Who Decides My Youth?’ Youth—who did I first meet, and who decides its course? Perhaps fate is already set among the countless souls. At this crossroads of youth, I dedicate this song to all parents and children present."

With that, Lin Yu cleared his throat, lifted his head, and sang in a slightly husky voice:

"It’s you who protected me, afraid I’d be hurt.
It’s you who taught me how to be a person.
Don’t call me rebellious or reckless.
I am me, not your reflection.
Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do.
Don’t mind if I listen or not.
All parents in the world are to be pitied.
Love me, but don’t make decisions for me.
Don’t ask if I’m awake or not.
Don’t care if I win or lose.
Let me decide for myself.
Let me choose on my own.
I decide for myself.
My youth—I am the one in charge."