Chapter 2 The Dreadlocks Guy
Before Ruan Yu could answer, her phone also rang.
Compared to the lively ringtone of the boy earlier, hers was much more monotonous. She pulled out her phone and glanced at the caller ID—it was her roommate Jian Xiangxiang.
"Hello," she answered.
"Ruan Ruan, the anniversary celebration is about to start. When are you coming?"
Why was everyone reminding her about the anniversary?
Ruan Yu instinctively looked toward the door, but the boy had already left at some point.
"I'll be there soon."
"Okay, I'll save you a seat."
Ruan Yu hung up but showed no immediate intention of leaving.
She opened the Tongue Twister Collection in her hand, flipped back to the page about the red carp, and started reciting from the beginning again. She wasn’t in any hurry to join the excitement, nor was she worried about missing anything new. She knew that the so-called anniversary celebration would be no different from last semester’s welcome assembly—it would inevitably start with impassioned speeches from school administrators, followed by rounds of applause, and then the same old performances of singing, dancing, and skits—boring and unoriginal.
Going would be a waste of time, but not going wasn’t an option either.
This time, Ruan Yu finally recited it flawlessly without a single mistake. She let out a slight sigh of relief and was about to start again when her phone vibrated in her pocket.
It was Jian Xiangxiang again—this time with a text reminder.
She wrote: "There’s going to be a good show later. You’ll regret it if you don’t come."
A good show?
Ruan Yu couldn’t imagine what kind of "good show" there could be at the anniversary celebration, but she still put away her book, left the rooftop, and headed toward the school auditorium.
By her estimate, it was about time to go anyway—the class monitor would be taking attendance later. Their class monitor, with her big, doll-like eyes, was always watching Ruan Yu like a hawk, waiting to catch her slipping up.
The school auditorium was located at the easternmost end of the campus. Like the school itself, it had a sixty-year history. The grand hall, with its red beams and gray brick tiles, exuded a rustic yet elegant and solemn style.
"Whoa—"
As soon as Ruan Yu reached the entrance, she was nearly knocked back by the deafening roar from inside. Instinctively covering her ears, she froze at the doorway, hesitant to step in.
What kind of guest had they invited to hype up the crowd like this?
During the few seconds Ruan Yu hesitated outside, an upbeat English song started playing in the auditorium—a dynamic and powerful melody. She wasn’t particularly sensitive to music, but it sounded familiar. It wasn’t until the intro finished that she realized—it was the ringtone of the boy she had met on the rooftop earlier.
"Ah!"
"Wow!"
The girls in the auditorium screamed wildly along with the music.
Bracing against the noise, Ruan Yu hurried inside. She found her class’s seating area in the front row and, weaving through the frenzied crowd, took her seat next to Jian Xiangxiang.
Jian Xiangxiang glanced at her, then excitedly grabbed her arm and shook it, trying to share her exhilaration.
"Ruan Ruan! You came just in time! You made it for the opening street dance performance—you’d have missed out big time if you didn’t! Look, look, they’re coming out! They’re coming out!"
Ruan Yu pulled her arm free and turned her gaze to the stage.
The curtains slowly parted, revealing five boys dressed in red, all wearing masks. Yet, for some reason, she immediately recognized the one in the center.
It was him.
The dreadlocks guy.
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