In September, Heyan enjoyed clear skies and gentle breezes.
The crisp weather was typical of early autumn.
Sheng Xia truly loved this climate. Having only been in Heyan for half a month, she already had a sense of the four seasons.
This was different from Nanli, where two-thirds of the year felt like summer.
Winter and summer arrived overnight, leaving little trace of spring or autumn.
Still, the sun was just as scorching.
After military training, even Sheng Xia—who boasted a complexion that supposedly never tanned—had darkened a few shades.
Though compared to her roommates, she still fared better.
Heyan University conducted its military training at a dedicated base, and Sheng Xia couldn’t help but envy Zhang Shu, whose Haiyan University held theirs on campus.
Since Heyan University started a few days earlier, Sheng Xia had been accompanied by Wang Lianhua for registration. As a result, she and Zhang Shu hadn’t seen each other for a month—even his birthday was celebrated over a video call, both of them in camouflage uniforms.
As the school bus pulled into the campus gates after training, Sheng Xia received a call from Zhang Shu.
"Mhm, just got back to school... Yeah, it’ll still be a while... Mhm... Then I’ll probably head back to the dorm to unpack... No need, I have tomorrow off, I’ll come find you then. Alright, fine, let’s meet at the dorm building instead. Building 23, do you know where that is? Okay..."
Her voice was soft, but in the quiet bus, everyone heard her clearly.
So gentle.
This kind of conversation—few could resist it, whether guys or girls.
After two weeks of training, everyone knew Sheng Xia had a boyfriend. They talked on the phone and video-called every day.
Curiosity about him ran high, though all anyone knew was that he studied at neighboring Haiyan University and had a very pleasant voice.
Sheng Xia seemed too well-behaved, too beautiful. Though gentle, she carried an air of cool detachment, as if untouched by worldly affairs—hardly the type to have dated in high school.
Who on earth had managed to win over the campus goddess so early?
The School of Literature was predominantly female, making male students a rare commodity. With Sheng Xia already taken, the pressure on other girls eased somewhat.
During training, boys from other departments had frequently tried to strike up conversations with her, and even those in her own department were noticeably attentive.
All attempts had failed.
From the sound of her call, it was clear her boyfriend was coming to see her.
How eager.
Well, with such a beautiful girlfriend, who wouldn’t be in a hurry?
Sheng Xia stared at her reflection on the darkened phone screen—her hair was loosely tied back, untamed, her bangs overdue for a trim, stuck in an awkward in-between length. On the last day at the training base, she hadn’t even managed to shower.
Right now, she looked downright disheveled.
And she was tanned.
They hadn’t seen each other in a month. He’d show up fresh and clean, while she’d meet him like this?
What a disaster!
The bus pulled into the parking lot near the dormitory area, and everyone gathered their things to disembark.
Sheng Xia’s luggage was, as always, excessive. She didn’t understand how others managed to travel light—to her, everything seemed essential.
While most carried a single suitcase, at most 26 inches, Sheng Xia had a 28-inch suitcase plus an enormous hiking backpack, the kind trekkers used, dull gray and entirely mismatched with her delicate demeanor.
It looked like it might crush her.
As she waited by the bus for the driver to retrieve her luggage from the storage compartment, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Whispers rose and fell around her.Sheng Xia carried her backpack, the heat and weight making her too lazy to even turn her head.
Suddenly, the weight on her shoulders lightened—
Before she could react, she saw her roommate beside her winking mischievously.
Then, her backpack was lifted from behind.
The way it was taken was all too familiar. A surge of joy rose in Sheng Xia’s heart, and she quickly turned around—only to meet a pair of deep, familiar eyes.
"How did you find me here?" she asked, overjoyed, instinctively stepping forward to grab the front of his shirt as she looked up at him.
It was a habitual gesture, her eyes brimming with laughter.
She forgot the setting—all around them were amused gazes.
Her turn had been a bit too abrupt, and the sudden tug sent the unprepared Zhang Shu stumbling back a step.
One hand firmly held her backpack, while the other hovered lightly around her waist as he tilted his head slightly to regain balance. He chuckled helplessly, his gaze never leaving her face. "I just rode in and ran into the bus convoy. I followed the exhaust fumes here."
A month apart, and he seemed even taller. His hair, cropped short for military training, exposed his smooth forehead and sharp brows. He had tanned a little, but his entire demeanor was vibrant and spirited.
He seemed even more handsome than before.
They had promised to reunite in September—today was August 30th.
Neither of them had broken their word.
She missed him so, so much.
The murmurs around them grew quieter but more frequent.
Only then did Sheng Xia realize the situation. She quickly let go and took half a step back, regaining her composure. "Mm."
"Any more luggage?" Zhang Shu asked.
Sheng Xia turned to look. Her oversized suitcase had been placed at the very back, and the driver was bent over, rummaging under the bus while muttering, "Goodness, miss, this thing’s heavy as heck..."
Zhang Shu went over to help, pulling it out. "It really is heavy. Thanks for your trouble."
The driver waved a hand. "No problem, don’t mention it."
With her backpack slung over one shoulder and the suitcase in one hand, Zhang Shu took her hand with the other. "Are dorms open for visitors?"
Sheng Xia felt a little embarrassed—there were so many people around. "Only up to the building entrance."
Zhang Shu: "Shall we go, then?"
"Ah, okay..." She let herself be led away, only remembering after a few steps that she should say goodbye to the girls she’d roomed with during training. She turned back. "I’m heading off now. See you later."
"Sure, sure! Let’s grab a meal together sometime!"
"Mm!"
Under the dappled shade of the trees, the young man was laden with luggage, one hand pulling a suitcase and the other holding the girl’s hand. The girl walked unburdened, occasionally looking up to speak, her loose ponytail swaying.
They slowly walked away.
From the crowd came a collective sigh.
"No wonder she started dating so early—she’d already picked out a top-tier guy."
"Finally, a beauty paired with someone equally good-looking. Very comforting."
"Damn, no one’s stealing this guy away."
"In our department, he’d easily be the top catch."
"You’re overestimating your department, okay? It’s just a bunch of mediocre guys—no point comparing."
...
By the time they reached the dormitory building, it was noon. Sophomores and juniors had just checked in, and freshmen had just returned from military training. The area was bustling with people dragging suitcases, hurrying about.
"Look, some boyfriends are even going upstairs," Zhang Shu said, tilting his chin toward a couple.
"Should I go ask the dorm auntie?" Sheng Xia made to head for the duty room.
Zhang Shu laughed and pulled her back. "If you ask, she’ll say no. But if you just go in, she won’t stop you. Got it?"Sheng Xia noticed several couples coming and going, and indeed, no one was questioned or stopped.
Seeing her still full of hesitation, Zhang Shu sighed, “We’re in college now, dummy.”
Did she really think the dorm supervisor cared about her?
Sheng Xia’s mindset was still stuck in high school rules.
“Fine, let’s go.” She lowered her head, tugged at his hand, and hurried into the building as if sneaking around.
Zhang Shu couldn’t stop smiling.
She was so adorable—he wanted to kiss her right then and there.
Sheng Xia’s dorm was on the third floor. Outside the window, tall trees swayed lushly in the wind, bathed in bright sunlight—a uniquely beautiful view.
She opened the door and checked inside first, confirming no one was there. She was the earliest to return, and no private feminine items were hanging around. Only then did she leave the door wide open and invite him in.
The scene felt familiar to Zhang Shu.
During the sports festival in their senior year of high school, when entering the control room, she had done the same—making sure it was appropriate before letting him in.
Such thoughtful manners warmed his heart.
Zhang Shu didn’t look around, simply placing her suitcase beside her desk and muttering, “Your school’s dorm conditions aren’t as good as ours.”
Sheng Xia: “...But our cafeteria is better!”
Zhang Shu: “How do you know ours isn’t good?”
Sheng Xia: “...”
Zhang Shu: “We’ll try both and compare.”
Sheng Xia: “How long does it take you to bike here?”
Zhang Shu: “Twenty minutes.”
“Even by bike?”
“It takes me ten minutes just to get out of campus.”
Sheng Xia continued boasting, “Our school has so many cafeterias. If it’s this far, I wonder how often you can come. You probably won’t be able to try them all in four years!”
Zhang Shu: “Got it. Message received.”
Sheng Xia: “...?”
Zhang Shu: “I’ll come often.”
Sheng Xia: “I didn’t say that—you did.”
Zhang Shu: “Fine, I said it. Now, shall we eat?”
Sheng Xia was still disheveled. She glanced down at herself. “I was planning to shower first.”
Zhang Shu leaned casually against her wardrobe. “Should I wait downstairs?”
After a brief hesitation, Sheng Xia said, “Let’s eat first!”
She quickly washed her face, dried it, then took his hand to leave.
Suddenly, he hooked his leg around the door, slamming it shut with a bang .
In the next moment, his arm wrapped around her neck, pulling her close as his scorching lips chased hers in a fervent kiss.
Mmm.
Tender, lingering, intoxicating.
Hearing the sounds of classmates greeting each other in the hallway, Sheng Xia stiffened.
Zhang Shu noticed, interlacing their fingers and kissing her even deeper before finally letting go.
“I missed you so much.”
His voice was barely a whisper.
Her lips damp, Sheng Xia looked up with a smile. “Come on, let’s go eat!”
Zhang Shu pinched her flushed cheeks, then opened the door.
After military training, there was a day off to rest before the official semester began.
September 1st—opening ceremony.
Early in the morning, Sheng Xia requested leave, citing heatstroke and dizziness. It wasn’t the most convincing excuse—someone from Nanli claiming to suffer heatstroke in Heyan? Unbelievable.
But the advisor approved it anyway, since Sheng Xia didn’t seem like the type to lie. Maybe she just had an unusual constitution.
Sheng Xia felt guilty—she was lying.
She was currently speeding toward Heyan University on her newly bought electric scooter.
Blame the overlapping schedules of the opening ceremonies.
Heyan University Gymnasium.
With her ticket in hand, Sheng Xia entered the inner seating area and took her assigned spot.Strangely, she was surrounded entirely by middle-aged people, making her stand out conspicuously.
An aunt nearby leaned over and asked, "Are you a student or family member?"
Family member?
Sheng Xia was puzzled. "I'm a student."
The aunt reminded her, "Students aren’t in this section. This is the family viewing area. Students have their own college formations—didn’t you go?"
Sheng Xia was mortified. "I’m a student at Heqing University..."
How awkward!
The aunt raised her eyebrows in surprise and joked, "So, are you here to crash the party?"
Sheng Xia had no response to that. She could only pull out her ticket and feign confusion. "Huh? My friend gave me this ticket, so it should be correct, right?"
The aunt leaned in to look. "Hmm, it is correct."
The ceremony soon began.
Such events always followed a similar format—one leader finished speaking, and another took the stage. But compared to the speeches by high school administrators, the content here was a hundred times more engaging.
The elderly professors spoke earnestly and eloquently, eliciting enthusiastic responses from the audience.
"Next, we invite the student representative to speak."
Sheng Xia’s heart leaped as her gaze followed the tall, poised figure. A smile of anticipation and pride unconsciously tugged at her lips.
Zhang Shu adjusted the microphone height, his sharp eyes sweeping across the crowd. "Good morning, teachers and fellow students. I’m Zhang Shu, from the School of Information Science and Technology..."
Sheng Xia had long maintained that Zhang Shu was born for public speaking.
No grandstanding, no impassioned gestures—just a steady, compelling delivery that inspired trust, even reverence.
Before this, Sheng Xia had never seen his flag-raising speeches or witnessed him leading the oath at the hundred-day pledge rally.
It had always been a regret of hers.
But today.
He stood at the center of the stadium.
At the heart of the nation’s top university.
Amid the country’s most elite students.
Articulating his thoughts, sharing his vision.
He shone brilliantly.
This speech was entirely his own work—Sheng Xia hadn’t even seen the draft.
Compared to the eloquent old professors, his words were simpler but deeply relatable and warm.
The aunt beside Sheng Xia noticed her reaction and asked, "Is the speaker your friend?"
Sheng Xia nodded. "Yes, he’s my boyfriend."
As he neared the end, Zhang Shu paused briefly, his gaze cutting through the crowd to land on the family viewing area.
A faint smile.
"At seventeen, someone told me that since we’re in this world, we should leave a mark. If we’re ordinary, at least be good people; if we excel, be useful to our country and the world. Back then, I thought that becoming someone with integrity, self-direction, a sense of duty to my homeland, and a global perspective would make my youth worthwhile. Standing here today, having transitioned from adolescence to young adulthood, I still hold that belief. I hope to walk alongside all of you, bearing responsibility with both feet on the ground, chasing dreams with diligence and perseverance."
"Time flies for the idle, but sings for the driven. Cherish every day at Haiyan University, every moment of your youth. Let’s strive together, classmates!"
"That concludes my speech. Thank you."
Colorful flags fluttered, and thunderous applause erupted.
Fireworks bloomed in clusters, and white doves circled the blue sky.
Zhang Shu descended the stage with ease. Before taking his seat, he tilted his head toward the family viewing area with a grin.
Sheng Xia’s eyes brimmed with admiration and pride.
That was her boy.
With the wind at his back and fire in his gaze.Just like the first time we met, he walked towards me carrying a soda can, the purple dusk glowing behind him...
Youth in splendid attire, like raging flames amidst blooming flowers.
Time flows relentlessly, yet Sheng Xia remains in this mortal world.
—Main Story End—
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