Wen Zhile knew perfectly well that security guards would stop people—she had asked the question deliberately.
Fang Xiuxiu pondered for a moment: “Security guards do stop people. Jingzhou University checks strictly. To enter, you must show your student or staff ID.”
“Is that so.” Wen Zhile’s expression turned crestfallen.
Fang Xiuxiu already felt sorry for her, and seeing this softened her heart even more: “But my younger brother is a student at Jingzhou University. I can have him take you in. You just need to register at the gate.”
Wen Zhile’s eyes lit up instantly: “That’s wonderful.”
She pulled ten yuan from her pocket: “Sister Xiuxiu, this is for you and Brother Fang for your trouble.”
She genuinely wanted to express her gratitude. Given that they might not stay in touch, offering money was the quickest way to show appreciation.
Fang Xiuxiu was startled by her gesture and shoved the money back: “This is too much. Take it back. You don’t need to pay my own brother.”
Her monthly salary was only sixty yuan—ten yuan was five days’ wages. How could this girl be so careless with money?
She wondered how Wen Zhile had developed such habits but didn’t pry, only sternly advising: “Xiao Dai, when you’re out in the world, you should hide your wealth. Ten yuan is a lot. You mustn’t casually give away ten yuan like this in the future.”
Wen Zhile smiled gently: “I understand.”
The siblings helping her get into the university was a crucial step toward reuniting with her family. Five yuan each wasn’t really excessive.
So she insisted on giving the money to Fang Xiuxiu: “Sister Xiuxiu, please take it. I’ll be staying here for seven days and will likely trouble you often.”
“I’ll head back to my room now.”
Fang Xiuxiu sighed, looking at the money stuffed into her pocket: “Alright, I’ll let you know once we’ve set the time!”
Wen Zhile returned to her room and washed her face, sweating from the back-and-forth tussle with Sister Xiuxiu.
After drying her hands, she counted her money.
The change Zhou Jihuai had given her was all spent. Wen Zhile took out a hundred-yuan bill and placed it on the bedside table. Then she fetched hot water, went to the bathroom at the end of the hall, locked the door, and took a quick rinse.
Returning, she took off her clothes, washed them clean, and hung them by the window to dry.
The midday sun was strong—they were nearly dry by the time she woke from her nap.
Just as she finished dressing, Fang Xiuxiu came knocking: “Xiao Dai, my brother’s here. Shall we go now?”
“Coming!”
At 2:30 in the afternoon, Wen Zhile followed Fang Xue into Jingzhou University.
Entering and seeing the familiar scenery made her nose sting with emotion.
In her previous life, she had tested into this university at sixteen and stayed until twenty-three as a faculty member. She spent most of her days here—it was like a second home.
Fang Xue was a Computer Science Department student in his second semester of junior year, tall and slender.
He was shy by nature and quietly introduced the campus to Wen Zhile.
Fang Xiuxiu had to work and didn’t come. Wen Zhile noticed Fang Xue’s discomfort and offered to explore on her own.
After parting ways with him, she headed straight for Houde Building Classroom 205.
In her past life, Wen Zhile often attended her parents’ classes and knew the classroom routes well. Houde Building 205 was where her father frequently taught.
He was a faculty member in the Economics Department and had been promoted to full professor in 1985.
It was class time now. Wen Zhile slipped in through the back door. The classroom was full with no empty seats, so she stood in a corner.
Wen Shuren’s gaze swept over and paused on Wen Zhile’s face.
Noticing his look, Wen Zhile’s eyes instantly reddened.
She quickly lowered her head, but the grievances and tears welled up uncontrollably, making it take a long time for her to compose herself before she could lift her head again.
More than half an hour later, the class bell rang.
Wen Shuren put down the chalk and took a sip of water.
As he drank, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward the young girl standing at the back.
Wen Zhile had already blended in with the girls in the back row, addressing each of them as “sister” and complimenting them on their fair skin and good looks.
Wen Shuren set down his cup, thought for a moment, and stepped down from the podium to approach her.
As he drew closer, he overheard Wen Zhile asking the students about the key points he had taught in the previous class and inquiring which department the course belonged to.
He stopped beside the desks in the back row and asked with a smile, “Little classmate, do you like my class?”
Upon a closer look, the sense of familiarity washed over him even more strongly.
The child’s eyebrows and eyes bore a striking resemblance to his own when he was young.
[Sister, will your father recognize you?]
Wen Zhile suppressed the ache in her heart and silently replied, “I don’t know.”