Chapter 1: The Bright University (1/2)

September 1, 2020, was the day schools across the country began the new term. From kindergartens to universities, every campus bustled with teachers, students, and parents checking in. The new students were like little fish fry in clear water, waiting for the day they would complete their studies and leap through the dragon gate.2

Jiangzhu University in Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province, was a private undergraduate university built in 2005, now with a history of fifteen years. The weather that day was clear and not too hot, and the Class of 2020 freshmen arrived in batches to register, an endless tide of people like wave after wave of dense, fresh, green chives sprouting anew. The school's student volunteers, wearing red vests, rode electric tricycles loaded with students' luggage.

The current university president, Dong Lixin, and his secretary stood on the balcony of the president's office, looking down from above, admiring the scene like surveying mountains and rivers as they watched the tides of students below. The secretary, quick to read the room, immediately said, "President Dong, look—just as you suggested, we lowered the admission score line by 10 points, and sure enough, we have more students than last year."

"Mm, good. But we should also recruit a few more students through the social enrollment channel."

"Social enrollment? President, actually I thought of someone—my niece. She took the college entrance exam this year, but she fell ill partway through and only completed two sessions, so her score was just over 200. What if we lower the tuition a bit and let her come study here?"

"How are her grades otherwise?"

"Her grades are very good. On a mock exam with a full score of 750, she got over 560."

"Mm, that works. Let her in as soon as possible."

"Yes, President."

Meanwhile, the university's clubs were busy recruiting new members. Upperclassmen from previous years had set up recruitment banners for their own clubs along the paths freshmen were bound to pass, and some were even handing out flyers. In front of a banner for a club called the Misty Rain Poetry Society, the Class of 2019 club president, Tang Haoyang, and several members were recruiting new students. When they noticed someone pause in front of their banner, they eagerly went up to introduce themselves. Club member Zheng Huiwen, who was rather quiet, saw a dazed but cute-looking freshman girl carrying bags of luggage, big and small, curiously looking at the banner. She walked over and gently asked, "Hello there, pretty girl, want me to help you with your luggage?"

The freshman instinctively declined politely, "It's fine, I can manage. Thank you."

Zheng Huiwen said generously, "Don't worry about it, I like helping people."

As she spoke, she took the large bundle of bedding off the freshman's back and slung it over her own shoulder. Freed of that weight, the girl's back involuntarily straightened. Just as the two were about to walk off, a voice called out behind them, "Wait a moment." Tang Haoyang came forward too, took the luggage from the freshman's hands, and handed her a flyer, saying, "Let me help you carry this. Hey there, freshman, interested in checking out our Misty Rain Poetry Society? I'm the club president, Tang Haoyang. Our club is full of people who love Chinese classical poetry. No matter which dynasty or school of poetry you like, you're welcome to come discuss and share with us. By the way, which poet do you like?"

"I like Bai Juyi," the freshman said without hesitation. "'One glance, and the heart breaks; best to leave and not look back.' His works are easy to understand, yet powerfully moving—you can feel his emotions the moment you read them."

"You're talking about 'Farewell at Nanpu.' That's one of Bai Juyi's lesser-known poems—later generations don't even know how old he was when he wrote it, or who it was written for. For you to know such an obscure poem shows you're truly devoted to Bai Letian." Tang Haoyang said.

Zheng Huiwen asked, "Hey, what's your name?"

"I'm Mu Ningxiang—Mu as in Mu Nianci, Ning as in Ningxia, Xiang as in perfume."

"Mm, I'm Zheng Huiwen. Let's exchange contact info later. Our club activity room is on the third floor of the College Students Innovation Park. You're welcome to come by anytime."

"Sure, I definitely will."

The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed toward the girls' dormitory. Along the way there were many more club recruitment banners—this was always the busiest time for the school's Club Management Department. This year, the head of the Club Management Department at Jiangzhu University was a student named Ren Jie, from the Class of 2018. He was tall and slender, with a handsome, striking appearance. His hair was thick and jet-black, styled simply and naturally. He had a pair of deep, clear, lively eyes, and eyebrows shaped like sword brows, or perhaps like elegant feathered brows—slightly thin, with tails that didn't rise too high, giving him a look both cool and gentle. He had a high nose bridge and thin lips; if you got within twenty centimeters of him, you could see the faint shadow of stubble on his chin. He dressed very plainly—just a dark navy short-sleeved shirt and a pair of light-colored jeans, with a pair of old sneakers of some unidentifiable brand. And yet, despite this, people passing by would still let their gaze linger on him for a second or two longer. Natural beauty needs no deliberate adornment—this held true for men as well. Standing before everyone in his most ordinary appearance, he already outshone many who dyed and permed their hair, wore outlandish clothes, or deliberately tried to look cool.

Ren Jie was a student skilled at careful observation. In a glance, he spotted a girl by the roadside who was clearly a new student—she wasn't carrying much luggage, just a bag on her back and a suitcase she was dragging along, looking around curiously as she walked. She had fair skin and an oval face, was about one meter sixty-five in height, rather slender in build, and wore simple, plain clothes. Her ponytail had gone limp, with loose strands of hair sticking to her sweat-dampened forehead and neck, giving her a travel-worn appearance. Ren Jie deliberately moved closer to get a better look at her features. For some reason, he kept feeling that this girl looked familiar, as if he'd seen her somewhere before. He wanted to follow her, but a call of "Department Head" from a fellow student immediately interrupted his train of thought.

"Department Head Ren," the student said, "There's a math major who suggested starting a new club to research and discuss advanced mathematics. They're waiting for you in the club management office right now."

"Alright, keep an eye on things here for me."

"No problem, Department Head."

Ren Jie turned and headed toward the faculty office building, disappearing into the flow of students coming and going.