Chapter 7: Fantasies of Starting College

Shiquan, this small county town, was built right along the Han River, so even walking on the road, one could smell the river breeze.

Yang Tianxing had intended to stroll along the river embankment before heading to his grandmother's house, but then he thought better of it; if he arrived late, his own mother would surely give him another earful, so he decided against it.

"I'm here, I'm back!"

Yang Tianxing, as boisterous as ever, pushed open the wooden door and entered the small farmhouse courtyard; there were quite a few people in the yard.

His eldest uncle's family and second uncle's family were both there; he took a look and greeted them one by one.

His eldest aunt handed Yang Tianxing a slice of watermelon enthusiastically: "The brand-new college student has arrived?"

"What?"

Yang Tianxing asked, puzzled: "Are there worn-out college students?"

Gao Meilan walked over and handed Yang Tianxing a few tissues: "Wipe the sweat off your forehead first. Your eldest cousin is in his fourth year of internship this year; since you've just started college, what else would you be if not a brand-new college student?"

Only then did Yang Tianxing remember he had an eldest cousin who was studying computer science at Fudan University and, in his previous life, seemed to have reached the P8 level at some major tech firm.

He had originally wanted to ask a few more questions, but seeing the look on his second aunt's face, he didn't press further; after all, among the three children in his grandfather and grandmother's family, everyone had been admitted to college except for the children of his second aunt.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead casually and began to eat the watermelon in large bites, not caring at all when the juice dripped onto his clothes.

After finishing, he let out a burp and asked: "Where is Grandma?"

"In the kitchen cooking."

Yang Tianxing nodded; finding it a bit hot, he grabbed a straw hat and plopped it on his head, not caring whether it was clean or dirty.

The kitchen was filled with smoke, and an old woman whose hair had not yet turned completely white was working nimbly by the stove.

"Grandma."

Yang Tianxing called out: "What good food are you making?"

The old woman looked back and saw her eldest grandson; she beamed and said: "Steaming some pork with rice flour for you. Hurry up and go to the main room to sit by the electric fan; it's all smoky and hot in here."

The old woman, feeling sorry for her grandson, kept shooing him out.

Yang Tianxing waved his hand and squatted by the stove: "It's fine, I'll help tend the fire."

Seeing she couldn't persuade him, she had to let Yang Tianxing tinker by the stove; when it was nearly done, he too couldn't stand the smoke and retreated to the main room in a disheveled state.

Seeing Yang Tianxing's face blackened by the smoke, Gao Meilan fetched a basin of clear water, feeling sorry for him: "Wash your face. You don't even know how to tend a fire, why go over and cause trouble? If you singe your hair or eyebrows, you'll be the one crying."

When they started eating, there were many people, so it was quite lively; the topic basically revolved around Yang Tianxing, who was about to start college. He actually didn't want to bring it up himself, and didn't even show any longing for college life, firstly because he had already experienced it, and secondly because the relationship between his second aunt and Gao Meilan was not very good.

But there was no help for it; the adults at the table wouldn't let it rest, so he could only passively respond to a few sentences.

His grandfather saw it all; he was a teacher by profession, and Yang Tianxing had always shown a sense of wildness and sophistication in his actions since childhood. Now, he even possessed a broad-mindedness that didn't belong to his age, and combined with his outgoing personality, it wouldn't be difficult for him to have a bright future.

After the meal, his grandmother prepared to secretly slip Yang Tianxing some money; this was standard procedure, as Yang Tianxing received money every time he visited his grandmother's house.

This time he refused, and firmly stated he wouldn't take it; his grandmother was a bit unhappy, but had to let it go.

On the way back driving, Yang Tianxing was still wondering if he would run into that Hong Kong woman named Zhao Qingxun who was driving the sports car at noon again.

"I reckon she must be twenty-four or twenty-five."

Yang Tianxing thought to himself.

…………

After staying at home for a few more days, Yang Tianxing finally boarded the bus to Chang'an; Shao Ziyang naturally took the same bus as Yang Tianxing.

"Little Yang, why didn't you bring any luggage?"

Shao Ziyang looked at Yang Tianxing, who was smoking beside the bus; he only had a backpack on.

Yang Tianxing glanced at Shao Ziyang, who was laden with big and small bags: "The school will provide bedding and such; don't you read the notices?"

"What about clothes then?"

"I'll have my mom mail them over."

Shao Ziyang was stunned for a moment; he hadn't realized such a strategy existed.

At this time, the bus ride from Jinzhou to Chang'an took about four hours; after the two sat on the bus, Shao Ziyang rubbed his hands in excitement.

"I don't know what college is like; I'm really quite excited. I'll learn my major well and find a good job, and if I can find a girlfriend to date for four years and get married after graduation, that would be truly perfect."

Yang Tianxing sneered quietly; he didn't want to interrupt his childhood friend's beautiful fantasy.

Perhaps most people hold the same idea before starting college, thinking they will surely be able to study hard for four years, and perhaps with a high probability find a good girl to have a sweet romance with, finally reaping a happy life.

But the reality is that many people will fall at the hurdle of studying, and in the end, might just be scrambling to pass; not failing a course would be a stroke of luck. As for finding a girlfriend, that is even more a matter of individual fate.

Seeing Yang Tianxing didn't speak, Shao Ziyang nudged him: "Little Yang, do you know which university Tan Zhizhi is at?"

"Don't know, I didn't ask."

Yang Tianxing waved his hand: "Didn't sleep well last night, don't bother me, I'm going to sleep for a bit."

Shao Ziyang seemed not to have heard him and persisted: "Chang'an Jiaotong University, not far from your school."

Seeing Yang Tianxing really turn to the side and close his eyes to sleep, Shao Ziyang curled his lips and began to fantasize about his college life in his head.

The bus swayed left and right, and Yang Tianxing soon fell asleep; when he woke up, it was because the attendant notified the passengers to use the restroom at the service area.

Yang Tianxing patted Shao Ziyang, whose head was bobbing beside him: "I'm going to smoke a cigarette, are you coming?"

"Okay."

Shao Ziyang stood up groggily and walked toward the door.

The two stood at the entrance of the restroom, and Yang Tianxing lit a cigarette and began to enjoy it leisurely; suddenly, Shao Ziyang seemed to see something and choked on the smoke, coughing continuously.

"Cough, cough."

Shao Ziyang pointed not far away: "Little Yang, Tan Zhizhi..."

"Huh?"

Yang Tianxing turned his head to look; a handsome middle-aged man with a tall, upright figure and meticulously combed hair was standing by a car, smiling as he watched his daughter, who was drinking water and resting.

Tan Zhizhi was still sweet and pretty, with an exquisite oval face, a playful ponytail, eyes that curved like crescent moons when she smiled, and lips coated in light lipstick that reflected alluring light under the sun; the dimples on both sides of her cheeks made her look spirited and full of confidence.

She had long since noticed Yang Tianxing peeking over here, but when Yang Tianxing's gaze shifted over, she lifted her chin and tossed her head, leaving Yang Tianxing with nothing but a high ponytail swaying from side to side.

Yang Tianxing thought that it was better to avoid trouble than to invite it, thinking he would finish his cigarette and get on the bus quickly, but Bureau Chief Tan had already noticed his daughter's unusual behavior and looked over.

"Sigh."

Yang Tianxing let out a soft sigh; since Bureau Chief Tan had already seen him, a greeting was unavoidable, as the two families were acquainted after all, and both sets of parents worked within the Jinzhou civil service.

"Uncle Tan, taking Little Zhizhi to school?"

Tan Qingwu nodded: "Do your parents not have time to take you?"

"I didn't ask them to, it's not far anyway."

Tan Qingwu was just about to say that he could also take his own car, but was interrupted by the attendant's voice.

Yang Tianxing hurriedly greeted Tan Qingwu and his daughter: "Uncle Tan, Little Zhizhi, we're heading off now, Uncle Tan, travel safely."

After Yang Tianxing and the others got on the bus, Old Tan also started his vehicle and followed behind the coach: "Daughter, Yang Tianxing's school isn't far from yours, you were classmates in high school, and both families know each other, so if you have any trouble, you can ask him for help."

"This kid Yang Tianxing, although he hasn't followed many rules since he was little, he's still decent when it comes to his conduct and character."

"Hmph."

Tan Zhizhi pouted: "I don't want to ask him for help."

Tan Qingwu wanted to say something more but was interrupted by Tan Zhizhi: "Oh, Dad, just drive properly."

"That jerk!"

Tan Zhizhi felt aggrieved thinking of Yang Tianxing's attitude after being rejected, her nose stinging as she thought: "If I asked him for help, he'd definitely refuse me now, right?"

Tan Qingwu stealthily observed his daughter's expression, which was exactly the same as it had been after she finished that last phone call, and he sighed inwardly; nine times out of ten, both instances had something to do with Yang Tianxing.