Ding-dong~
The WeChat notification sound made the little girl, Candy, in Mo Jingchun's arms drowsily open her eyes. Mo Jingchun gently patted Candy's chest with his right hand, and the little one squinted a few more times before falling back asleep.
Only then did Mo Jingchun slowly take the phone out of the pocket of his jeans to check the WeChat message.
"Almost there, right?"
"Yes, yes, teacher."
"It's just one more stop."
"Alright. You'll see our school's sign at the exit. I'll wait for you there."
At the top of the WeChat chat interface was the note Mo Jingchun had written: "Mentor."
Ever since Mo Jingchun proactively communicated with the school last time, he received a phone call from Jing City the very next day.
When he answered the call, Mo Jingchun realized that it was his mentor from his four years at university. It was also that day that Mo Jingchun learned his mentor's name, Li Na, and they added each other on WeChat.
It was the mentor's call that gave Mo Jingchun the courage to attend school with his little sister.
A few days ago, the mentor had asked about Mo Jingchun's schedule and train information through WeChat. Without much thought, Mo Jingchun shared it directly with the mentor. Until yesterday, when the mentor suddenly said she would pick him up at the station, did Mo Jingchun realize why she'd asked about the schedule and train details in the first place.
"Yes, sure."
Just after five in the afternoon, the speed of the high-speed train gradually slowed down. Outside the window, there were more tall buildings, and many people were already getting up to pack their luggage. The entire car became somewhat restless.
In the restroom, Mo Jingchun was changing his sister's diaper. Even though he couldn't see outside, he could feel the train slowing down. However, he wasn't in a hurry, as there was still some time before the final stop, indicated by the lack of an announcement.
Mo Jingchun felt that this ticket purchase was extremely worthwhile. He never expected there to be an infant care station in the restroom.
It's been years since he's taken a train, and the changes are indeed significant.
"All done."
After changing Candy's diaper, Mo Jingchun patted her little bottom, and the little one reached out wanting to be held.
Upon returning to his seat, Mo Jingchun noticed that the young man seated next to him was gone. Looking around, Mo Jingchun saw him standing in the middle aisle by the door, holding a black leather bag.
Mo Jingchun paid little mind to it, not taking it to heart, even though they had shared the journey for over six hours, having exchanged only a few words.
As for that annoying "aunt," who knows at which stop she'd already left the train?
"Passengers, the train is soon arriving at the final stop, Jing City Station. Please ensure you have all your belongings as you prepare to disembark."
On the escalator, Mo Jingchun held Candy, using his left hand to grip the short-sleeve shirt for support, while his right hand dragged a suitcase and the folded stroller.
Several people behind Mo Jingchun seemed ready to offer help, but for some reason, refrained from doing so.
Observing the bustling crowd, Mo Jingchun's heart rate quickened. With limited experiences of traveling beyond the province, each time accompanied, now Mo Jingchun found himself relying solely on himself.
And so... Mo Jingchun followed the crowd forward.
Just stepping out of the high-speed rail station, a wave of heat washed over him, giving Mo Jingchun his first impression of the city: hot. The second was that the air felt very dry.
Mo Jingchun noticed that over half of the people leaving the station were young people pulling suitcases.
But soon, he realized what he thought would be easy—finding the person holding the Jing University sign—was not so simple.
Outside the high-speed rail station, a uniform sea of signs with university names was evident. Coupled with various schools picking up new students just out of the station, the square outside almost formed a wall of people.
"A certain fragile feeling slips away on lonely nights~"
The phone in Mo Jingchun's jeans pocket rang alongside the vibrations.
After moving his suitcase to the side, Mo Jingchun finally had a free hand to take out his phone.
As expected, it was the mentor calling.
"Hello, teacher."
"Where are you? Haven't come out yet?"
"Teacher, I just came out of the station."
"Head to the right after exiting. It's really crowded today."
"Yes, okay, teacher."
Hanging up the phone, Mo Jingchun followed the mentor's instructions, walking to the right for about twenty meters until he finally saw the Jing University sign, and right beside it was the Shuimu University sign.
Quickly glancing around, he saw those famously familiar universities grouped together.
In the crowd, a still immature student with one hand holding a cute baby and the other dragging a suitcase stood out conspicuously. Heading straight toward the Jing University freshman reception, Li Na immediately identified him as her student, Mo Jingchun.
Mo Jingchun, Mo Jingchun—the first time Li Na saw this name in the administrative office's records, it made her think of a poem: ""
Who recalls the west wind, standing alone in the chill?
Sparse yellow leaves block the view from one window still.
Reflecting on past things, in the twilight, I stand.
With wine, do not disturb spring's heavy slumber,
Gambling books dissipating the fragrant tea's lover.
At the time, it felt so ordinary and bland.
Mo Jingchun observed the young woman, a beautiful sight, walking over from the Jing University reception area toward him. Dressed in sportswear with white sneakers and flowing black hair, she indeed caught one's eye.
"Mo Jingchun?"
"Ah? Yes." Hearing his name called, Mo Jingchun was momentarily stunned, quickly reacting.
"Hello, teacher."
Li Na nodded with a smile, then shifted her gaze from Mo Jingchun to the little one facing away in his arms.
Noticing the mentor's gaze, Mo Jingchun said, "This is my little sister, her nickname is Candy."
Children are always sensitive to voices. The little one, seemingly curious about who her brother was speaking with, squirmed to turn around.
Candy's big eyes curiously stared at Li Na, who smiled back, causing Candy to quickly bury her head back into Mo Jingchun's arms.
"Haha, she's just too adorable."
"And those big eyes, they're truly beautiful."
Li Na engaged with Candy playfully for quite a while, leaving Mo Jingchun standing there awkwardly smiling.
"Let's go, I'll take you to your dorm. New student registration doesn't start until tomorrow." Saying this, Li Na took Mo Jingchun's suitcase and led the way.
A few minutes later, Mo Jingchun was surprised, saying, "Teacher, you came by car too."
The car was a small red sedan, but Mo Jingchun couldn't recognize the logo, having no recollection of seeing it before.
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