After the college entrance examination results came out, time seemed to hit the accelerator, and in the blink of an eye, it was already mid-August.
Jing University started its semester relatively early. During this time, Shu Qingqing had been busy helping Lu Yu prepare his back-to-school supplies.
Since he was going to live on campus, everything from bedding and clothes to toothpaste and toilet paper added up. Surprisingly, it filled four large suitcases.
The day before their departure, Shu Qingqing double-checked everything and finally lined the suitcases up in the living room.
Lu Xun curiously circled the suitcases. Why are there so many boxes? Is Mommy going on a business trip?
Shu Qingqing replied, No, these are the things your brother needs for living at school.
Lu Xun found the phrase living at school somewhat familiar but couldn't quite place it, so he asked, What does living at school mean?
Shu Qingqing: It means eating, sleeping, and studying inside the school.
Lu Xun asked again, Mommy, I sleep at kindergarten too. Why don't I have big suitcases?
Shu Qingqing pinched his cheek. You only sleep at kindergarten at noon. Your brother will sleep at school both at noon and at night from now on.
Lu Xun froze for a moment. Brother won't come home to sleep at night?
Shu Qingqing: That's right.
Lu Xun burst into tears. Why won't brother come home to sleep at night!
Hearing the crying, Lu Yu ran out.
Lu Xun immediately threw himself at him and hugged his legs. Brother, I don't want you to live at school. Can you come home to sleep at night, please?
Lu Yu wiped away his tears. I won't be at school all the time. I'll come home on the weekends.
Lu Xun cried and shook his head. No, no, boohoo, I want to see brother every day.
Shu Qingqing also felt a bit sentimental for a moment. She turned to look at Lu Bochuan. How about we buy an apartment near Jing University? Otherwise, Lu Yu will be so lonely all by himself.
Lu Bochuan: Qingqing, our home is only a forty-minute drive from Jing University. Lu Yu can come back whenever he wants. Besides, it's best to live on campus during the first semester of freshman year. That way, he can quickly adapt to the new environment and it'll be easier for him to get along with his classmates.
That's true. Living on campus in college is quite a wonderful experience. Shu Qingqing instantly put away her sentimentality.
Meanwhile, Lu Yu promised to come back every week, which finally coaxed Lu Xun into stopping his tears.
Two days later, the freshmen of Jing University officially registered.
That day, Shu Qingqing deliberately woke up early, applied a subtle no-makeup makeup look, tied her hair into twin braids, and wore a T-shirt paired with overalls.
How do I look? Don't I look like a college freshman? Shu Qingqing twirled in front of Lu Bochuan.
Lu Bochuan raised his hand and gently tugged one of her braids. Mhm, very much so. As he spoke, he leaned down to kiss her.
Shu Qingqing pushed him away. No, this lipstick smudges really easily. You'll ruin it if you kiss me now. Wait until we get back.
Lu Bochuan: ...
After breakfast, the family of four set off for the university.
The school gate was bustling with a continuous stream of people, and joyous faces could be seen everywhere.
Shu Qingqing pulled Lu Yu and Lu Xun aside and instructed, Later, don't call me Mom for a while.
Lu Xun: Why, Mommy?
Lu Yu was also confused.
Well, I mainly want to see if anyone will mistake me for a freshman. If they do, it means my face still holds up really well, haha. Shu Qingqing then turned to instruct Lu Bochuan, Don't give it away either. You just... you just act like my older brother.
Lu Bochuan nodded faintly. Sure, then call me brother first.
Shu Qingqing's ears turned red. She swatted him and whispered, The kids are right here.
Lu Bochuan rubbed her earlobe. Then tonight.
Shu Qingqing swiftly turned her head away. Let's go, let's go, Lu Yu, hurry up and find your college.
Jing University was full of student guides. The group quickly found Lu Yu's college. After completing the registration, they were led to the dormitories by a student.
Shu Qingqing had previously seen posts about Jing University's dorms online. Some were newly renovated, while others were quite old. Fortunately, the dorm Lu Yu was assigned to wasn't bad. It was a four-person room with loft beds and desks underneath.
The parents of the other boys in Lu Yu's dorm were very enthusiastic and stuffed them with lots of local specialties. Shu Qingqing also gave them gifts in return.
After setting up the dorm, the family of four strolled around the campus.
It was Lu Xun's first time on a university campus, and he was curious about everything.
Shu Qingqing remembered his failing grades in the original book and couldn't help but lightly kick his bottom. Lu Xun, do you like your brother's school?
I like it, Lu Xun nodded.
Shu Qingqing: Then you should study hard in the future and go to the same university as your brother, okay?
Lu Xun recalled how, for a while, his brother never had time to play with him because he was always studying. He frowned. Can I go to the same university as my brother without studying hard?
Shu Qingqing: ...
Shu Qingqing: That is absolutely impossible.
Lu Xun scratched his head. Then I just won't go. Brother comes home every week anyway.
Shu Qingqing: ... So Lu Xun was already exposing his slacker nature at such a young age.
The mid-August weather was unbearably hot. After walking around for a while, Shu Qingqing couldn't take it anymore. Lu Bochuan, let's find a place to sit for a bit.
Lu Bochuan nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a boy suddenly walked over.
Hello, senior. Could you tell me how to get to the library?
Shu Qingqing instantly lit up. You called me senior?
The boy hesitated. Are you not a senior? Are you a freshman too?
No, I'm not, hahaha. Shu Qingqing was so caught up in her excitement that she completely forgot what he had asked.
Lu Bochuan had no choice but to point the way for the boy.
Lu Bochuan, you memorized the roads this quickly? Right after Shu Qingqing said that, she suddenly realized. Silly me, I almost forgot. You graduated from Jing University too.
After walking a little further, they happened to see a cafeteria, so the family of four went inside.
The cool air conditioning hit her face, and Shu Qingqing finally felt alive again.
It was already eleven o'clock. Many students and parents were coming in to eat, and Lu Xun was hungry too, so Shu Qingqing ordered a few rice bowls.
While they were eating, a young man and woman walked by next to them.
The girl's shoelace was untied, and she wiggled her foot at the boy.
The boy immediately squatted down and tied her shoelace for her.
Watching the whole interaction, Shu Qingqing couldn't help but sigh, Campus romance is so pure and beautiful.
Saying that, she poked Lu Bochuan. Tell me, if I time-traveled to your college days and became your classmate, would we have gotten together?
Before Lu Bochuan could speak, Shu Qingqing suddenly became dejected. Probably not. Weren't you the campus heartthrob back then? With so many girls chasing you, you must have been spoiled for choice. You wouldn't have even noticed me.
Lu Bochuan smiled, raised his hand, and held hers. We would have gotten together. If you traveled back to my college days, I would have recognized you immediately. And then I would have confessed to you.
As soon as he finished speaking, someone suddenly walked over. Hello, I saw that your family of four looks so happy. Can I take a picture of you?
Shu Qingqing: Of course.
The family of four looked neatly into the camera lens.
Happiness was frozen in this very moment.
