(Second update, asking for recommendation tickets and favorites!)——————————————————————————Seated in the taxi, Xiao Yi let out a sigh of relief.
Due to his personality and his special experiences over the years, he had grown to prefer blending into the crowd like a fish in water, just an ordinary boy no one paid much attention to. He had an instinctive aversion to being in the spotlight, where everyone flocked around like stars crowding the moon.
If Chen Jianguo had taken him to Z University, or even if Liu Yuan had, he was certain it would draw a lot of attention. People like the school leaders, for instance. That was something he really hoped wouldn't happen.
He was heading to Z University now, not entirely sure why, but he believed that the old man, who always had a hidden agenda behind every word, wouldn't send him there without a reason. Before figuring out exactly why, he thought it was best to keep a low profile as much as possible.
"Sir, where can I take you?"
The taxi driver cruised slowly forward, and seeing that Xiao Yi had been silent, spoke up to ask.
Xiao Yi pulled out a simple, antiquated-looking Nokia phone that was barely legible, checked the time, hesitated with a wavering expression, then finally looked up and said, "To Z University, please."
It was almost noon, so by the time he would reach Z University, classes should have ended, but Xiao Yi decided to head to the campus first. After all, he didn't have any luggage, just an easy-to-carry cloth bag. If classes were over and he couldn't report in, he could just stroll around the campus to get acquainted and then report when the school offices reopened in the afternoon.
"Oh, okay."
The driver nodded, noticed that Xiao Yi didn't seem too keen on chatting, and was content to drive quietly, focusing on the steering wheel as the car headed towards Z University.
Just as Chen Jianguo had mentioned before, when Xiao Yi arrived at Z University, it was just past twelve, and the school's last class had ended; all the administrative units were closed.
Xiao Yi stood in front of the school gates, looking up at Z University's gate tower, feeling an ancient and profound atmosphere hitting him squarely in the face.
As he watched the youthful, slightly immature faces coming in and out of the school entrance, a faint smile involuntarily appeared on Xiao Yi's face. He would be one of them from now on, and perhaps among those unfamiliar faces would be his future classmates.
Feeling the curious and surprised glances coming from around him, Xiao Yi set aside his indescribable complex emotions and stepped forward into the school.
As one of the nation's top universities, Z University boasted not only academic achievements but also ranked fifth in the country's top fifty most beautiful campuses, with first-rate facilities and landscaping.
Spacious, bright modern buildings intermingled with ancient pavilions and terraces looping around in a picturesque manner. The garden architecture of Xuanwu Country blended flawlessly with Western-style structures, leaving an unforgettable impression on visitors.
Even disregarding its academic prestige, as a scenic spot alone it was worth visiting.
The simple and solemn auditorium, the lotus pond filled with fragrance...
Walking on Z University's campus paths, feeling the beauty of Z University and the unique tranquility of a university campus, Xiao Yi couldn't help but silently commend himself for the wise choice of coming to Z University. Although he had often heard from the old man that he had been found near Z University, and the institution's reputation was well-known to him, this was his first actual visit. His previous attempts to come here were always thwarted for various reasons.
Lost in the beautiful scenery of the campus pathways and the unique ambiance of the school, Xiao Yi suddenly felt a powerful force rushing towards him from ahead. A slight frown appeared on his brows, and he instinctively moved to sidestep. Although he had been captivated by the campus surroundings, he had not fully relaxed his vigilance.
But just as he was about to step aside, he hesitated and then stood his ground again. A tree was next to him, and if he moved, the person would likely collide with it. More importantly, he sensed that the person rushing at him wasn't doing so deliberately—like a pickpocket or a thief—he heard the disorderly heartbeat and breathing.
"Bang!"
As soon as he resumed his position, he heard a bang, and a soft body crashed straight into him.
"That's great, thank you for your help on the train! My name is Chen Qingqing, a sophomore at the Law School. How about you?"
Wang Qingqing didn't catch the calculations in Xiao Yi's words, and hearing his agreement, she cheerfully and openly extended her fair hand toward him.
"Xiao Yi, freshman, Mathematics Department."
Xiao Yi's face wore a slight smile as he reached out and lightly touched hands with Chen Qingqing. Having listened to Wang Qingqing's introduction, he felt a sense of realization; the young girl was a law student, which explained her strong sense of justice on the train. Usually, law students, under the daily influence of professors emphasizing the righteousness of the law, tend to have an excess of justice and are brimming with enthusiasm. However, after a few years of graduation, working, and struggling in society, the passion and lofty aspirations of most of them vanish without a trace, turning them into legal professionals like the man in the suit—preserving and adhering to their law school ideals was as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn.