Wu Haoyu's POV
As soon as I heard this girl who had helped my sister was called Song Yanyan, I knew I had to get some private time with her. I couldn't believe the very girl I had spotted around school a few times was actually the one I'd been searching for. As I observed her sitting there, chatting animatedly with Ling, my mind drifted back to the fact that her father had gotten her her own apartment. What could be the reason behind that? I knew better than to pry too soon - it would raise unwanted suspicions.
But now that we had met, things would become easier for Grandpa Huang Jiang and me. I ate my meal slowly, watching as Song Yanyan picked at a small salad portion. Yes, she was overweight, but there was an undeniable magnetism about her that demanded my full attention for reasons I couldn't quite place. I found myself wanting to capture her likeness discreetly, but it would be too obvious with her keen senses. With that feisty, sassy attitude, she would no doubt confront me right then and there.
"Well, Wu Ling, I believe we still have afternoon classes we can't miss," Song Yanyan stated matter-of-factly.
Ling frowned. "I wish I didn't have to go to school."
A melodious chuckle escaped Song Yanyan's lips. "And be a pampered trust fund baby, depending on your stuffy big brother? That sounds terribly boring."
"I want to be a model," Ling declared with a toss of her silken locks.
I could practically see the analytical gaze sizing up my sister's potential in that cutthroat industry. "You've certainly got the body and legs for it, I'll give you that. And of course, the same cute face as your stiff older brother here."
A traitorous flush crept up my neck at her words. Had I really just blushed like some green schoolboy because she called me...cute? Shaking my head firmly, I took a sip of water to regain my composure.
"You know how vicious fans can get with celebrities who don't even finish high school or get a degree," Song Yanyan continued, undeterred. "Girl, you need to at least get into college first. Do a program in drama or the arts while you pursue your dream."
I had to admit, her pragmatic advice impressed me. Clearly, this brash young woman wasn't solely obsessed with money and status. "Miss Song is right, Ling. You need a solid education to be seen as a good role model once you're famous."
Song Yanyan nodded emphatically. "Exactly! So let's buckle down and try to focus on school for these last two months of high school. Then it's off to college - maybe it'll be way more fun there than high school."
"College is certainly better than high school," I agreed, watching the gears turn behind my sister's eyes as she processed this counsel.
Ling had always loathed academics, but if Song Yanyan could motivate her to apply herself, I would gladly pay the feisty girl far more than 50,000 yuan. She would have accomplished what even Grandpa and I had failed to do.
After a pensive pause, Ling spoke up. "Okay, let's go back and finish this dreadful thing called high school."
Song Yanyan high-fived her enthusiastically. "That's my girl!"
Clearing my throat, I seized the opportunity. "If you can get into a good college program, Ling, I'll get you a sports car."
Her eyes went comically wide. "Really, Brother? You'll do that for me?"
With a solemn nod, I replied, "You'll only be allowed to race it under very careful, controlled conditions at first. But yes, it's yours if you commit to your education."
"You're into racing?" Song Yanyan asked, an intrigued lilt to her tone.
"Yes, he races too!" Ling gushed. "If he chose that as a professional career, he'd be super famous."
Song Yanyan swiveled those arresting eyes my way, a spark of challenge flickering in their molten depths. "Well, in that case, we should race sometime, Wu Haoyu."
I arched one brow skeptically. "You race?"
"Hell yeah, I do!" she declared with zero hesitation.
For some reason I couldn't fathom, the words slipped out. "Okay."
Ling's excitement was palpable. "Ooh, can I come too? Please, Brother?"
With a resigned sigh, I nodded in acquiescence, knowing there was no deterring her.
The two young women immediately launched into an animated conversation about their favorite sports cars and racing experiences. I leaned back, content to listen intently as Song Yanyan surprised me again and again with her impressive automotive knowledge and passion for the thrill of high-speed driving.
Eventually, Song Yanyan stood, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from her shapely curves. "Time to head back, I suppose."
Ling rose as well, almost...eager? "Yes, let's tackle this school thing!"
A beatific smile curved Song Yanyan's full lips. "Now you're talking like a real lady. You know men don't like girls who aren't educated and accomplished."
I tensed imperceptibly, my heart stammering in my chest as Ling stated, clear as day, "I don't like men."
We all knew about her sexual orientation back home, of course. But Grandpa had expressly cautioned her against being so open about it, insisting she keep that side of herself private until she was older. As the words hung in the air, I found myself holding my breath, terrified of how this brash young woman might react. Some people could be shockingly judgmental about such matters.
To my immense relief and respect, Song Yanyan didn't so much as blink. "Oh really? You're into girls...fascinating. I could tell..." A impish grin played about her lips. "Well, do tell me more!"
Ling gaped for a moment before finding her voice. "Well, only you and my family know about me."
"Then I'm honored you shared that with me," Song Yanyan replied warmly. "Now come on, let's get going. I'll even help you find a fine girlfriend - not some gold-digging skank only after your family's wealth, you know. Just because you're a lesbian doesn't mean you can't have babies too."
The sudden light in Ling's eyes, the way her entire being seemed to bloom with joy at having found someone so accepting and supportive, warmed something in my calloused heart. This Song Yanyan was shaping up to be full of surprises.
As we made our way back to the car, I walked closely behind the curvaceous young woman, drinking in her lithe movements. Then, I must have slipped on something, because the next thing I knew, I was stumbling, nearly crashing right into Song Yanyan's back. She whirled with those incredible reflexes, steadying me with two work-roughened hands on my biceps.
"I know I'm attractive and all, but don't go falling for me just yet, handsome," she teased, eyes sparkling with mischief.
I scowled at her shameless flirting, though I could feel the heat rushing to my face as I extricated myself from her grip. As the girls piled into the car, I hung back for a breath, using the moment to surreptitiously pluck a few stray strands of silken hair from her sweater.
Neither of them so much as said goodbye or thanked me as I dropped them back off at the gates. Typical inconsiderate, self-absorbed socialites.
As soon as the car pulled away, I opened my cupped palm, examining the few precious chocolate tresses I'd procured. "To the nearest lab," I instructed my driver curtly.
Once there, I sealed the strands carefully in a sterile container and placed a call to Grandpa Huang Jiang.
"Yes?" His gravelly voice answered on the first ring, eager yet wary.
"Get a driver to take you to the nearest lab immediately. I have hair samples that need testing."
A pregnant pause, then, "You got her hair?"
"Yes. It's a long story, but suffice it to say, we may finally know the truth about this Song Yanyan girl and whether she's truly the child of your long-lost daughter."
"I'm on my way," Huang Jiang stated, his voice suddenly thick with barely restrained hope and trepidation.
Grandpa Huang Jiang arrived not long after, his usual implacable visage etched with rare lines of worry and longing. We exchanged terse nods but remained silent, both too consumed by our swirling thoughts.