Chapter 036: Give Me the Duration of a Song

The term 'dandy sons' once referred to the offspring of officials, landlords, or other families of wealth and influence who spent their days indulging in food, drink, and pleasure, neglecting any serious pursuits. Both 'dandy sons' and 'playboys' denote young men from affluent families who are lavishly dressed and live only for enjoyment. The former emphasizes their ignorance of labor and focus solely on pleasure, while the latter highlights their idleness and neglect of proper affairs. In essence, these are derogatory terms, used to describe those privileged youths who prefer comfort and leisure over diligence.

However, as society continues to change and people's values shift, such 'dandy sons' have gradually become objects of envy and jealousy. Especially among the youth, many secretly admire them. Of course, there are also ranks among these dandy sons, generally tied to their family's wealth, power, and influence.

According to these rankings, Zhang Hongkai, who had just insulted Lin Yu, was from a family of moderate means, making him a minor figure among the dandy sons. He was the sort who, in university, liked to gather a clique, bully the weak, and fear the strong—arrogant, lustful, and a touch reckless, a true portrait of such people.

Thus, when Lin Yu suggested they step outside to talk, Zhang Hongkai flashed a wicked grin and loudly announced, so all in the shop could hear, "Wife, give me the length of one song!" His voice drowned out the gentle strains of the 'Meteor Garden' theme song, "At First Sight," playing from the speakers.

The boys and girls picking out jewelry couldn't help but chuckle, finding the line amusing. Some of the boys quietly committed it to memory, thinking they'd use it themselves someday.

Zhang Hongkai was feeling quite pleased with himself. The girl before him was Lin Ran, a beauty and the belle of Bincheng University's English department, whom he had yet to win over.

"Mm," Lin Ran replied with a forced smile, her eyes hollow. She deeply disliked the way Zhang Hongkai called her 'wife', but he was someone she dared not offend. She lacked the courage to resist. Otherwise...

"Come on, you little brat! Let's go for a walk. Let’s see if you’re a mule or a horse," Zhang Hongkai, seeing Lin Yu’s mocking, dismissive smile, scowled and barked out another insult.

"Alright, let's go sing a song outside," Lin Yu replied with a laugh. He then cast a reassuring glance at Qi Yue, who was watching him anxiously, and followed Zhang Hongkai out of the Flower Pavilion, one after the other.

Just then, "At First Sight" finished playing, and the speakers began to play the next 'Meteor Garden' theme song, "Meteor Rain."

Everyone in the shop watched the two walk out, both brimming with confidence, and almost simultaneously felt sorry for Lin Yu. After all, he was a high school student, facing a university student; their aura simply didn’t compare.

Only Qi Yue quietly moved to the sales counter beside Wang Xiaole, the shop assistant, examining the half-packed white snake-bone bracelet. Then, she gazed arrogantly at the bewildered Lin Ran and teased, "Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and call an ambulance… Your boyfriend looks like he's in danger..."

Lin Ran was stunned by the sudden comment. At Bincheng University, Zhang Hongkai was someone no one dared provoke.

"Could it be that the boy who just went out is actually very formidable? He doesn’t look it..." Lin Ran wondered, but couldn't help explaining, "Zhang Hongkai isn’t my boyfriend. Besides, he’s the captain of Bincheng University's baseball club, and his family is wealthy. I think you should inform your parents, little sister."

"There's no need. I have confidence in my man. Listen, 'Meteor Rain' is already at the lines: 'The rain and clouds are gradually parting, casting a warm light, I want to share the tears in your eyes and accompany you to see meteor rain fall upon this earth, let your tears fall on my shoulder.' It’ll be over soon," Qi Yue said with a playful smile, fiddling with the bracelet.

"I think you should worry about yourself, little sister. With your beauty, when Zhang Hongkai comes back, he might get ideas about you. He’s very domineering and unreasonable..." Lin Ran looked worriedly at Qi Yue, whose purity and loveliness surpassed her own. She knew Zhang Hongkai’s character all too well.

"Oh? Judging by your expression, you don’t like Zhang Hongkai? Did he force you into this relationship?" Qi Yue noticed something from Lin Ran's demeanor.

"It's nothing—whatever it is, you can’t help," Lin Ran sighed, wanting to say more but stopping herself.

"So it’s true," Qi Yue murmured, then smiled lightly, "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."

Watching Qi Yue’s confident manner, Wang Xiaole, the shop assistant, maintained a neutral facade but secretly scoffed, "Show-off."

"You don’t understand. His family is very rich. He’s well-connected at Bincheng University, knows plenty of influential young men. His strength is astonishing, not something you kids can comprehend," Lin Ran said, shaking her head in resignation as she looked at Qi Yue, whose figure was well-developed but whose face still had a hint of youthful innocence.

Meanwhile, Zhang Hongkai, eager for action, followed Lin Yu out of the shop, ready to make his move.

But Lin Yu smiled and shook his head, glanced at a quiet street corner, and said, "Let’s go over there, away from the crowd, so we don’t disturb the business."

"Go on. You just want to use me as a stepping stone to show off. Over there, who the hell will see?" Zhang Hongkai cursed.

"Is that so!" Lin Yu replied softly, his eyes flashing with a murderous gleam.

Tonight, Zhang Hongkai had insulted his mother twice—something Lin Yu could never tolerate.

The next moment, just as Zhang Hongkai was basking in his own bravado, Lin Yu suddenly kicked out, swift and forceful, aiming straight for Zhang Hongkai’s shin.

Still as a maiden, swift as a rabbit—this had always been Lin Yu’s fighting style.

"Damn! He’s a real fighter!" The kick struck, and Zhang Hongkai’s heart sank. But there was no room for regret now; helpless, he raised his arms, crossing them before his face to block the blow.

Though he was the captain of the baseball team and quite strong, Zhang Hongkai had never trained in combat sports. He was no match for Lin Yu. As the saying goes, you can tell a master by his first move, and Lin Yu’s kick instilled utter fear in him—he feared he might lose face completely.

Struggling to block the kick, Zhang Hongkai staggered back two or three steps, his arms numb from the impact. Sensing things were going badly, he quickly pleaded, shouting, "Bro! No, big brother! My family runs the Kaiyue Hotel chain, we have some clout. How about we stop fighting and become friends?"

He said this to placate Lin Yu, planning to rally his buddies later and reclaim his dignity.

Hearing this, Lin Yu gave a cold laugh and replied, "Friends? Save those words for the doctors and nurses."

With that, Lin Yu’s right leg lashed out again, aiming another kick at Zhang Hongkai’s head.

His speed was astonishing. Zhang Hongkai, realizing where the attack was coming, tried to prepare but couldn’t dodge in time, forced to block with his arms once more, hatred for Lin Yu burning in his heart.

But Lin Yu’s right leg didn’t strike Zhang Hongkai’s arms. Instead, he lifted it higher and brought it down in a chopping blow.

"Ugh!" With a muffled groan, Zhang Hongkai, his tall and sturdy frame over one meter eighty, crashed heavily to the ground.

Simple, brutal, effective—the phrase once used to describe the rogue-mage-priest combination in World of Warcraft arenas now fit Lin Yu perfectly.