The Sea Queen of 1985

During the break between classes, Chen Mingzhen asked, “What are your plans for the future?”

Ye Ling didn’t hide his intentions. “After I graduate from university, I’ll work at the grassroots level, serving the people.”

“Huh?” Chen Mingzhen was taken aback. “Do you know how much grassroots civil servants make? If we study abroad and get jobs at Fortune 500 companies, we could make more in one year than a local public servant makes in their entire life.”

“And after you make all that money?” Ye Ling asked.

Chen Mingzhen blinked. “We can buy a house, travel, live a life of freedom… It’s much more interesting than a boring grassroots job.”

Ye Ling just smiled. He already had a house.

As for traveling, he’d be going to local communities a lot in the future. He figured that would be plenty of “traveling.”

As for money, his brother and sister-in-law had told him he’d never have to worry about it for the rest of his life.

‘In that case, why shouldn’t I strive for my own ideals?’

He wanted to be a true practitioner of the ideal “to study for the rise of China.”

“Your ideas are wonderful, but they aren’t mine,” Ye Ling replied. “Chen Mingzhen, I am deeply grateful for your affection. I can only wish you peace and happiness, a bright future, and a life full of fun and hope.”

With that, Ye Ling took the still-sealed love letter from his backpack and handed it back to Chen Mingzhen.

Chen Mingzhen froze. “Are you rejecting me because I plan to go abroad in the future?”

Ye Ling gave a light chuckle. “This is exactly what I was talking about—we should get to know each other before deciding whether or not to date. It’s clear that we can be friends and classmates, but not a couple.”

Chen Mingzhen’s face fell. “Ye Ling, why are you so old-fashioned? What if you were good to me, loved me… maybe I wouldn’t go abroad?”

Ye Ling shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that. I can see that everything you mentioned is something you desperately want. Even if you gave it up for love, you’d end up regretting not sticking to your own dreams when life eventually settles down.”

“When that time comes, all that will be left is resentment and regret, and that wouldn’t be good for either of us. So, to ensure you have no regrets later, you don’t need to compromise.”

When the bell rang for class, Ye Ling went back to listening attentively to the lecture.

Chen Mingzhen couldn’t stop thinking about what Ye Ling had said, and she didn’t absorb a single thing during the entire class.

It wasn’t until the professor dismissed the class and the other students began packing their things that Chen Mingzhen realized class was over.

Ye Ling’s expression was calm. “Goodbye, Chen. Don’t save a seat for me next time. Even if you do, I won’t sit here.”

Only after they had walked out of the classroom did Wang Dahai finally ask, “Ye Ling, how did your chat with Chen Xiaohua go?”

Ye Ling replied, “I’ve already returned the letter to Chen Mingzhen. From now on, we’re just regular classmates. Don’t spread any rumors.”

Xie Yun was confused. “Why? You two seem so perfect for each other!”

Ye Ling chuckled lightly. “We have different values and different pursuits. As the saying goes, ‘Those with different paths cannot make plans together.’ That single phrase fits my view on relationships.”

“What a shame,” Wang Dahai sighed. “Ye Ling, what kind of partner are you looking for?”

Ye Ling thought for a moment, then answered, “A life partner who shares the same ideals—a revolutionary comrade!”

“This…” Xie Yun’s head was spinning. “Even dating has to be… so high-class now? Suddenly, I feel like I’m not worthy!”

Wang Dahai scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly. “Yeah, I guess my level of awareness isn’t high enough either. I’m not worthy.”

From that day on, Ye Ling became known among the male students as an unreachable flower on a high peak. He had bid farewell to “low-brow pastimes” and was steadily working toward his ideals.

This version of Ye Ling also made many of the female students who had been attracted to his looks give up and retreat.

But this was a good thing. At least Ye Ling had much more peace and quiet, and more time to devote to his studies.

When Han Xiaorui heard about Ye Ling’s “philosophy on love” from Wang Liwen, she doubled over with laughter.

When Ye Feng got home from work, he saw Han Xiaorui laughing so hard she was nearly in tears. “What’s so funny?”

“A female classmate confessed to Ye Ling, and his response was…” Han Xiaorui laughed heartily. “How is he ever going to find a girlfriend acting like that? Aunt Wang called me and told me to keep an eye out for potential partners for him. I think it’ll be really hard for Ye Ling to find someone on his own.”

Ye Feng was exasperated. “You’re laughing to the point of tears over something like that? I never knew you had such a low bar for humor.”

“You don’t think it’s funny?” Han Xiaorui retorted. “He’s so young, but he acts like a veteran official. I always feel like he’s just pretending to be a grown-up.”

Ye Feng dismissed her comment. “He is a grown-up. The reason he rejected her is simply because he didn’t like her. If he ever meets a girl who makes his heart race, he’ll be more proactive than anyone.”

“Really?” Han Xiaorui was skeptical.

Ye Feng nodded. “I’m a man; I understand men. And I’m Ye Ling’s older brother, so I understand him too. He may seem mature and composed, but he’s really the stoic type who keeps everything bottled up. He could have a thousand thoughts and feelings in his heart and never say a word.”

“As for what Aunt Wang told you, about keeping an eye out for him… just listen and let it go. Don’t go trying to play matchmaker. If there’s no spark, it doesn’t matter how great her background is or how beautiful she is. It’s useless. I was the same way back in the day!”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui immediately perked up. “Oh? So you had a lot of admirers in the past? Or did a lot of people try to set you up?”

Ye Feng said smugly, “Of course. Your husband is quite the catch. Back when I was in the army, a lot of the female doctors on base had a secret crush on me. After I was discharged and started working, some of the older ladies were always trying to set me up on dates. Then, after my maternal grandfather came back to invest, my grandma and aunt started introducing people to me too.”

Seeing how pleased with himself Ye Feng was, Han Xiaorui got jealous and gave his arm a pinch. “You seem pretty proud of being so popular, huh?”

Seeing her reaction, Ye Feng quickly explained, “That’s what I was about to get to! Of all the people I was introduced to back then, some were prettier than you, and some were more talented, but I didn’t feel anything for any of them. After one meeting, I had no desire to see them a second time.”

“I couldn’t even remember what they looked like. In short, there was just no spark. But the first time I saw you, it was different. I memorized your face instantly; you left a deep impression on me.”

“During my busy workday, whenever I took a smoke break, my mind would always wander to you. Later, we started interacting more because of other things and got to know each other better. To be honest, there were many situations where I didn’t need to show up in person, but I did anyway, just for the chance to see you and spend more time with you.”

“When my heart started racing whenever I saw you, when your smile made me happy, and when I missed you terribly when you weren’t around, I knew I had fallen in love with you. Even though you had two children at the time and the elders had their reservations, I felt I could accept it all.”

“After all that, I have just one thing to say: A man will only take action for the woman he truly likes. Otherwise, he’ll just be going through the motions.”

Han Xiaorui was stunned. She looked at Ye Feng’s handsome face and said, “I never knew I had a love expert right here next to me!”