Chapter 489| Chapter 490| Chapter 491
Chapter 489: School Starts
Grandpa Sheng sniffed the air but only smelled the scent of rich earth, missing the “fragrance of books” his wife kept talking about.
“Yan’er, you must study hard and make sure you get enough rest,” Grandpa Sheng advised gently. Sheng Wanyan listened with patient respect.
Father Sheng was the most deeply moved by the surroundings. As a former university student himself, stepping onto the campus made him feel as though he had traveled back in time to his own youth. While he was reliving his glory days, Mother Sheng was silently marveling at how much the country had progressed.
In truth, Mother Sheng had been torn ever since Sheng Wanyan first proposed her business idea. But after helping Pan Yue register for classes that morning, everything clicked into place.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng were getting up there in years, and with Pan Yue busy at school, navigating a massive city like the Capital on their own would inevitably lead to difficulties. If an emergency arose at home, the elderly couple wouldn’t know what to do. Besides, Pan Yue had a rigorous academic schedule ahead of her, meaning someone needed to look after little Hu Zi and pick him up from daycare. Most importantly, her own precious granddaughter needed proper care.
Her current job back home didn’t pay much anyway, and her daughter was clearly a woman with grand, ambitious plans. If she relocated to the Capital, she could work for her daughter, look after the family elders, manage the grocery store, and keep a watchful eye on little Yi Yi. It was a win-win situation—especially since the offered salary was so high.
Even so, the couple couldn’t bring themselves to throw away Father Sheng’s secure iron rice bowl just yet. After all, his steady income was the family’s ultimate safety net. In the end, they reached a compromise: once this trip was over, Mother Sheng would resign from her position and move to the Capital first. Father Sheng would remain at the steel mill in Chengdu for the time being, ensuring that if Sheng Wanyan’s business ran into trouble, the family would still have a financial backstop.
“I talked it over with your father,” Mother Sheng whispered to her daughter, pulling her aside. “We think it’s best if he keeps his job for now. Once your store is officially up and running and proves to be successful, he can resign and join us.” Worried that Sheng Wanyan might take their caution the wrong way, she quickly added, “It’s not that we don’t believe in your store, Yan’er. We just can’t afford to cut off our only retreat.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled and nodded understandingly. She wasn’t worried; once she successfully brought one parent over, convincing the second would be a breeze. The moment the business began to thrive, Mother Sheng would see its immense potential and would naturally urge Father Sheng to join them in the Capital as soon as possible.
“Whatever you and Dad decide is perfectly fine,” Sheng Wanyan agreed. “But it means you’ll have to live apart for a while.”
Mr. and Mrs. Sheng had spent their entire married lives under the same roof. A sudden, long-distance separation was bound to feel incredibly strange to both of them.
“Your father and I are practically old folks now,” Mother Sheng chuckled, waving off the concern. “We’re not like you young people who need to be glued to each other’s sides every second. Besides, I’m moving to the Capital to enjoy life with my family. Your father is going to be green with envy back home.”
Mother Sheng beamed with pride. She doubted there was another family in their entire hometown blessed with so many university students in the younger generation. Brimming with satisfaction, she was already plotting exactly how she would show off the moment she returned to Chengdu to pack her things. She couldn’t wait to see the looks on the faces of the neighbors in her apartment building—especially the ones who used to whisper that Sheng Wanyan was just a girl who wouldn’t be valued by her elite in-laws. She was going to make sure every single one of them knew just how bright her daughter’s future was.
Sheng Wanyan smiled and shook her head affectionately. Her mother was the type to talk tough but carry a soft heart; she would never admit defeat out loud, but everyone knew she would miss Father Sheng terribly.
After their tour of Peking University concluded, the group headed to a local state-run restaurant for a celebratory dinner. Since Sheng Wanyan had already registered as a day student, she didn’t need to return to campus for the afternoon orientation.
“Come over to our courtyard tonight,” Mother Sheng announced happily. “I’ll cook a grand meal so we can celebrate properly.” She was in an exceptionally generous mood, spending quite a bit of money to secure fresh meat and purchasing a selection of sweet pastries for the two children.
“Sister, I’m starting at the nursery tomorrow,” Hu Zi whispered proudly.
He and Yi Yi were currently squatting in a sunny corner of the courtyard, happily munching on their pastries. The two toddlers were huddled close, murmuring to each other in total secrecy.
“Cousin, Yi Yi is going to learn dancing tomorrow,” the little girl chirped back.
“Huh? You’re not coming to the nursery with me?” Hu Zi’s face fell. He had been secretly planning to hold his little sister’s hand as they marched into the daycare center, fully intending to show her off to every kid in the building.
Yi Yi shook her round little head. Her curiosity about classical dance had been completely sparked; she had absolutely no interest in a rowdy nursery.
“In that case, I want to learn dancing too!” Hu Zi declared. The moment he heard his cousin was doing something different, he bolted across the yard to find Sheng Wanze, announcing with utmost toddler gravity, “Dad, I want to be a dancer too!”
Sheng Wanze felt a prominent vein throb against his forehead. A son of a military man demanding to learn classical dance right in front of him? Was the boy tired of living?
“No, you don’t,” Sheng Wanze stated flatly.
Hu Zi’s bottom lip immediately pouted. If his little sister was allowed to go, why couldn’t he? “I want to go with Yi Yi!” he whined, wrapping his arms tightly around his father’s leg to launch into a full-blown tantrum.
Without a word, Sheng Wanze reached down, grabbed the collar of his son’s jacket, and hoisted him into the air like a puppy. “Haha… since you carry such a profound passion for the art of dance, let’s have your mother give you a proper stretch to loosen up those muscles.”
Sheng Wanze unceremoniously handed the boy over to Pan Yue so he could experience the true reality of flexibility training. Within seconds, Hu Zi was sprinting frantically around the courtyard to escape his mother, his dreams of dancing completely shattered.
“Ouch, ouch, it hurts!” he wailed as Pan Yue gently caught his arms.
“Stretching is a fundamental, everyday part of dancing, sweetheart,” Pan Yue explained patiently, her tone perfectly sweet and gentle like an exemplary mother.
“I don’t want to dance anymore! I hate dancing!”
The courtyard echoed with Hu Zi’s dramatic wails. Meanwhile, Yi Yi stood safely tucked behind the kitchen door, nibbling on her pastry as she watched her aunt systematically dismantle her cousin’s resolve. Auntie is bullying her son. What a magnificent show, she thought to herself.
The household was a chaotic mess of laughter and teasing. In fact, Hu Zi’s loud protests had terrified little Yi Yi so much that she spent the rest of the evening secretly wanting to back out of her own dance classes. If she hadn’t already promised Aunt Hu that she would meet her at the campus gates the following morning, the little girl would have likely gone on strike.
The next morning, Sheng Wanyan woke up early to prepare for her historic first day. It was only a brisk, ten-minute bicycle ride from their courtyard to Peking University.
Gu Tingxiao had already prepared a nutritious breakfast. After consuming a boiled egg, a warm bowl of millet porridge, and a fresh glass of milk, Yi Yi patted her full belly, completely satisfied.
“Wife, do you have your notebooks? Did you forget anything?” Gu Tingxiao hovered anxiously by the door. As it was her first official day of university lectures, he was noticeably more high-strung than she was, terrified she might leave an essential supply behind.
“I have everything perfectly ready,” Sheng Wanyan laughed, lifting her bag. She was carrying a chic, beige canvas tote she had sewn herself, beautifully accented with two embroidered plum blossoms.
“Quick, we need to hurry or we’ll be late!” she called out, checking the wall clock. It was already seven in the morning. Her lectures commenced at eight, and she was scheduled to meet Aunt Hu at the Peking University gates by precisely seven-twenty.
The little family hurried out into the crisp morning air. Gu Tingxiao took the driver’s seat of the bicycle while Sheng Wanyan settled onto the rear rack, holding little Yi Yi securely in her arms. Sheng Wanyan had specially dressed the toddler in a miniature tracksuit and flexible sneakers to ensure she would be comfortable during her movement lessons.
“Remember to drop off her lunch at midday,” Sheng Wanyan reminded her husband as they coasted down the lane. “And don’t forget to pack her milk powder and a fresh apple for her afternoon snack.”
“I’ve memorized the entire schedule, wife,” Gu Tingxiao reassured her.
“You can keep the bicycle with you for the afternoon,” she added. “I can easily walk back to the courtyard once my morning lectures conclude.” She worried he would find himself stranded without transport if he left the bicycle with her.
“Alright. I’ll be waiting to pick you up at noon.”
Gu Tingxiao pedaled hard, pushing through the early commuter traffic and arriving at the main gates of Peking University with minutes to spare before seven-twenty.
Aunt Hu was just stepping through the campus arches on her way to the Peking Dance Academy when she spotted the familiar family of three.
“Xiao Gu! Yan’er!” she called out brightly.
“Good morning, Aunt Hu,” they greeted in unison.
Aunt Hu’s face lit up with pure joy at the sight of them, her eyes crinkling with extra delight when she noted Yi Yi’s adorable, sporty black tracksuit. She stepped forward, kneeling slightly to greet the toddler.
“Did you eat a proper breakfast, little Yi Yi? Are you feeling cold in this morning air?”
“Grandma Hu!” Yi Yi chirped sweetly, offering a radiant toddler smile. “My belly is completely full, and I’m not cold at all!”
Chapter 490: The First Day of School
Yi Yi was wearing a thick cotton jacket over her sportswear, with a warm base layer underneath, so she didn’t feel the morning chill at all.
“Good, good,” Aunt Hu said, her heart completely melting at the little girl’s good behavior. She took her hand gently. “Then Grandma Hu will take you to class now, okay?”
“Mmh~”
“I’m sorry to trouble you, Aunt Hu,” Sheng Wanyan said, a classic trace of parental anxiety creeping into her voice. “If there’s anything she doesn’t do well, please just let us know.”
She didn’t want Yi Yi to suffer at such a tender age, but since the little girl genuinely wanted to learn and such a world-class teacher was available, she didn’t want her to miss the opportunity.
“Don’t worry, she’s a wonderful girl,” Aunt Hu replied, lovingly patting Yi Yi’s cheek.
Just then, realizing she was about to be separated from her mother, Yi Yi’s eyes pooled with sudden fear.
“Let Tingxiao walk with you both to the Academy,” Sheng Wanyan suggested smoothly, picking up on her daughter’s hesitation. Since Gu Tingxiao was on leave for the next two months anyway, it was only natural for him to invest some time and accompany Yi Yi to the Peking Dance Academy for her first few days until she adjusted.
“Mommy~” Yi Yi whimpered, running back to grip Sheng Wanyan’s hand, her eyes rimmed with red.
“Didn’t Mommy talk to you about this last night?” Sheng Wanyan knelt down, comforting her gently. “Mommy has to study hard at her school, and Yi Yi has to study hard at hers. The moment class is over, Mommy will come pick you up.”
“Really?” Yi Yi asked, her voice trembling. She had never been separated from Sheng Wanyan before and was deeply dependent on her. Even with all the mental preparation, the reality of the separation was hard to accept.
“Of course. When has Mommy ever lied to you?”
Yi Yi thought about it for a moment and realized her mother really never lied to her, which made her feel a bit better.
“Your little rabbit will keep you company,” Sheng Wanyan added, adjusting the plush toy in her arms.
Yi Yi clutched the stuffed rabbit tightly. She was incredibly attached to it and took it everywhere, constantly holding it close to catch its familiar, comforting scent. The doll’s fur had grown a bit stiff from countless washings, but she could never bear to part with it.
“Pinky swear?” Yi Yi held out a chubby little finger, blinking back her tears.
“Pinky swear. A promise for a hundred years,” Sheng Wanyan said, interlocking their fingers and kissing her cheek. After a few more moments of close cuddling, Yi Yi finally felt secure enough to turn and walk away with Aunt Hu and Gu Tingxiao.
Still, she looked back every few steps, making Sheng Wanyan look like the heartless one leaving her behind.
“Go on inside to your classroom, wife,” Gu Tingxiao said, lingering back for a second to smooth down her jacket and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll walk her to the Academy and stay until she settles in before I head home.”
“Alright. Just make sure you tell her when you’re leaving,” Sheng Wanyan reminded him. “Don’t just slip away, or she’ll think we abandoned her.”
“I know.”
Gu Tingxiao glanced around at the passing students, noticing how the eyes of several male classmates lit up when they saw Sheng Wanyan, only to cloud over with disappointment when they noticed him beside her. A victorious smile touched his lips.
Sheng Wanyan, entirely preoccupied with worrying about her daughter, missed her husband’s subtle possessiveness completely.
Walking onto the campus, she found her classroom under the curious gazes of her peers. The moment she stepped through the door, a quiet hush fell over the room. Several people actually gasped; her striking, elegant appearance was simply impossible to ignore. My goodness, did a fairy just enroll in our class?
“Over here! Wanyan, over here!”
Wei Lili waved enthusiastically from a desk near the center. She had arrived early just to save a seat for her. Sheng Wanyan smiled and walked over, sitting down with her seven roommates.
“Wanyan, your bag is absolutely beautiful,” Wei Lili whispered immediately, staring at the cross-body canvas tote. It was a refreshing change from the standard army-green bags everyone else carried.
“Thanks. I made it myself.”
“Seriously? Your craftsmanship is incredible!” Wei Lili gasped. She couldn’t believe how dexterous her roommate was. Looking closer at Sheng Wanyan, she couldn’t help but marvel at her rosy, flawless complexion and high-quality things. It was clear her husband doted on her completely.
“It’s quite simple, really. If you like it, I can make one for you when I have some free time,” Sheng Wanyan offered.
“Oh, no, no, I couldn’t trouble you like that,” Wei Lili said politely, though her eyes remained glued to the bag, filled with clear admiration.
Sheng Wanyan kept the request in mind. After all, they barely knew each other, yet Wei Lili had been enthusiastic and sincere enough to save her a seat. She truly liked this bright young girl.
Sensing the offer, the other roommates looked over with eager expectation, though they were too embarrassed to ask. Fabric was highly precious these days, and a university student’s time was limited.
Whispers began to ripple through the surrounding desks. “Is that girl really in our class?”
“Yes! That’s Sheng Wanyan—the top scorer of the entire Bing City region and third in the nation!”
“Are you serious? The Sheng Wanyan?”
“It’s definitely her. I confirmed it with the girls in her dorm yesterday.”
“My god, she looks so young…”
“We have a literal national top scholar sitting right next to us. Suddenly I feel like an absolute fraud even though I managed to get into the Capital University.”
A classmate nearby overhearing this laughed softly. “Hey, do you dare say that outside the school gates?”
“Definitely not,” the student mumbled, quickly shutting up.
A moment later, the classroom doors opened, and Professor Zhao walked in. The room instantly erupted into excited murmurs.
“Good morning, Professor!” the students called out, sitting up straight.
Choosing a Russian major meant they were deeply passionate about the field, and they all knew the legendary status of the man standing before them. Professor Zhao was a monumental role model. Looking out at the sea of eager, passionate faces, Old Zhao felt a deep sense of professional pride.
“Please, take your seats, everyone,” he said, gesturing for them to settle. “Hello, everyone. I am your homeroom advisor and your primary Russian instructor, Zhao Yanliang.”
The room burst into a thunderous round of applause, the students’ faces glowing with an unmatched drive to learn.
“Since today is our very first day, let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves,” Professor Zhao announced with a warm smile. Though it was his first time acting as a standard homeroom advisor, his decades as the Minister of Foreign Affairs meant he navigated human dynamics effortlessly. “We’ll start with the front row and move back.”
The student at the very first desk stood up proudly. “Hello, everyone! My name is Liu Xing. I’m twenty-five years old, I’m from Hai City, and I am currently unmarried!”
He emphasized the last two words with hilarious intensity. The classroom erupted into chuckles, and several female classmates lowered their heads with shy blushes.
Watching the innocent, earnest reactions of the students of this era, Sheng Wanyan smiled to herself, finding the entire scene thoroughly delightful.
Chapter 491: Officially Started College Life
That was it? A simple introduction made them blush?
Were people really this innocent?
Sheng Wanyan glanced at her roommates sitting next to her. They all had their heads lowered, their faces flushed bright red. She couldn’t understand what had just happened.
“He’s being way too straightforward,” Wei Lili whispered to her. Sheng Wanyan found her shy, sheltered reaction highly amusing.
“You’ve never been in a relationship before, have you?”
Hearing Sheng Wanyan’s question, Wei Lili’s blush deepened, and she shook her head. She was only eighteen and had spent her entire life focused on her studies. Her original plan had been simple: graduate from high school, find a stable job in Hai City to stay close to her parents, and then slowly look for a partner to marry.
But the moment she finished high school, the college entrance examinations were reinstated. She took the test, passed, and was whisked away to the capital. Wei Lili had never experienced romance; her parents protected her fiercely, leaving her incredibly naive when it came to men.
“No… I have three older brothers and five male cousins. My brothers would never let me find a boyfriend this early anyway.”
Sheng Wanyan’s eyes widened slightly, and she looked Wei Lili up and down. If she hadn’t been able to see that the girl was firmly grounded in the reality of this era, she would have suspected Wei Lili was the cherished heroine of a romance novel.
“You have that many brothers?”
“Yes! I’m the only daughter in the entire family, so absolutely everyone dotes on me.” Wei Lili smiled proudly. She felt incredibly fortunate to have been born into a household with such a massive ratio of boys to girls.
Historically, her grandmother had been deeply partial to sons, a fact known to the entire village. But by the time her own generation arrived, with a seemingly endless stream of grandsons filling the house, the old matriarch grew so thoroughly exhausted by the boys that she completely lost her bias against girls.
As a result, Wei Lili was raised like a pampered princess. Even the elders who traditionally disliked girls couldn’t help but cherish her after being stuck raising nothing but rowdy boys for decades.
“That’s amazing,” Liang Fanghua chimed in, having overheard their conversation. “With that many brothers watching your back, who would ever dare bully you?”
Sheng Wanyan nodded in total agreement. It really was an enviable position. Rare things were always precious, and Wei Lili was the ultimate rarity in her family.
“Right? I think so too!” Wei Lili beamed, her confidence radiating as she looked at them.
“Class, it’s time for the next row to introduce themselves,” Professor Zhao announced.
Hearing this, Liang Fanghua immediately stood up to take her turn.
“Hello, everyone! My name is Liang Fanghua. I’m twenty-one years old, and I’m from the north.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Wei Lili. I’m eighteen years old, and I’m from Hai City.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Sheng Wanyan. I’m twenty-five years old, and I’m from Chengdu.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Gu Shumin. I’m twenty years old, and I’m from the Capital.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Li Juhua. I’m twenty-six years old, and I’m from Datonshan in Jiangcheng.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Liu Na. I’m twenty-five years old, and I’m from Kunshan Village in Shancheng.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Zheng Lingling. I’m twenty years old, and I’m from Guangzhou.”
“Hello, everyone! My name is Lin Meili. I’m nineteen years old, and I’m from Shenzhen.”
As the introductions continued, Sheng Wanyan officially memorized the ages and hometowns of her seven roommates.
There were fifty-one students in their class. Fortunately for them, the university hadn’t organized military training this year, which felt like a massive stroke of luck.
“Alright, now that we’ve finished introductions, will the male students please head over to the Academic Affairs Office to help carry our new textbooks back?” Professor Zhao directed. “The female students will stay behind to clean the classroom.”
Since the university had only recently resumed operations, many administrative systems were still imperfect. A lot of the daily maintenance fell upon the students themselves.
“Understood!”
With everyone working together, the women made quick work of the classroom, sweeping the floor and wiping down the desks just as the men returned to distribute the heavy textbooks.
“Next, we need to elect our class leaders: the monitor, deputy monitor, league secretary, and the study committee representatives for each subject,” Professor Zhao explained, looking out at the rows of students. “Anyone interested in running may raise their hand. It’s open to everyone.”
Sheng Wanyan didn’t look up, completely uninterested in running for any position. To her, student politics was a thankless, exhausting job. She despised unnecessary drama and simply didn’t have the spare time to manage a classroom.
While he was speaking, Professor Zhao’s gaze drifted over to her corner. Seeing her sit there completely detached from the process, the old man’s beard practically bristled with silent irritation.
Why on earth isn’t Comrade Sheng Wanyan raising her hand?! This is a spectacular opportunity! Serving as a class leader sharpens your diplomatic and communication skills—it’s the vital first step toward a career in foreign affairs! To master a foreign language, you must be confident and engage with others constantly!
Despite his pointed looks, Sheng Wanyan remained entirely unmoved. In the end, Professor Zhao could only conclude the elections with a huff of suppressed frustration.
By the time he left, the student leadership had been decided. The class monitor position went to Liu Xing, the enthusiastic male student who had taken care to mention he was unmarried.
Sheng Wanyan’s dormitory actually managed to secure a leadership spot as well; Wei Lili was elected as the class study committee member. She had won the role fair and square through a competitive speech and an anonymous vote, a victory she richly deserved.
At midday, the moment Sheng Wanyan stepped through the university gates, she spotted Gu Tingxiao waiting for her, standing patiently beside his bicycle.
“Wife.”
Gu Tingxiao smoothly took the heavy stack of textbooks from her arms, settled them onto the bike, and guided her onto the rear rack to take her home for lunch and a rest.
“How did it go with Yi Yi?” Sheng Wanyan asked immediately, her mind having been plagued with worry all morning, terrified her daughter wouldn’t adjust to the new environment.
“Wife, you really shouldn’t underestimate our daughter.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Sheng Wanyan knew little Yi Yi had adapted flawlessly. “She actually likes it?”
“She loves it,” Gu Tingxiao replied, a trace of playful helplessness in his voice. “The moment I dropped her and Aunt Hu off at the Peking Dance Academy and we walked into the studio, her eyes lit up watching the older students practice. In a split second, any lingering sadness about leaving your side vanished completely. She was consumed by curiosity.”
He chuckled softly. “I was terrified she would panic or feel out of place, so I sat outside the classroom door for over an hour monitoring her. In the end, the little rascal didn’t even remember she had a father waiting for her. She was having the time of her life, even eagerly copying Aunt Hu’s instructions to stretch her back. When it was finally time to leave, she marched around the studio holding hands with all her new older brothers and sisters, seriously saying goodbye to every single one of them.”
“I’m heading back out to pick her up in a few minutes so she can have her lunch, and then I’ll drop her back off for the afternoon session,” he added. Yi Yi still required her afternoon nap, otherwise she wouldn’t possess the stamina to move around later.
Hearing that her daughter was genuinely enjoying herself brought a profound wave of relief to Sheng Wanyan’s heart. She never wanted to force a rigid curriculum onto her child; it was a beautiful thing that Yi Yi was discovering her own passions.
“Alright, go ahead and bring her home, then escort her back this afternoon.”
“Focus entirely on your studies, wife. Leave the little one to me.” Gu Tingxiao took absolute charge of Yi Yi’s routine. From delivering her meals to handling the drop-offs, he proved to be exceptionally responsible.
With Gu Tingxiao lifting the domestic burden from her shoulders, Sheng Wanyan fully immersed herself in her university studies. The initial academic pace was incredibly demanding; the professors acted as though they wanted to cram a lifetime of knowledge into the students’ heads all at once. Every student was driving themselves to the brink, no one daring to slack off amidst the fierce academic competition.
Amidst her heavy lectures, Sheng Wanyan made sure to utilize Gu Tingxiao’s remaining time in the Capital, tasking him with supervising the construction team to fully renovate their other two courtyards according to her custom blueprints.
