The September sun filtered through the treetops, casting dappled light on the bluestone path. The air carried a faint, sweet scent of osmanthus blossoms.
Hai Cheng University enjoyed a prestigious reputation both domestically and internationally, ranking among the top five universities in the country. Its towering academic buildings and modern library stood as testaments to the institution’s scholarly atmosphere.
Today marked the start of the new semester for first-year students. The usually tranquil campus paths now echoed with the rolling “rumble-rumble” of countless suitcases and the excited, curious chatter of freshmen stepping onto university grounds for the first time.
Along the campus walkways, flanked by lush, verdant trees, bursts of cheerful laughter and conversation could be heard intermittently.
When Wen Zhi was filling out her university applications, she had hesitated between choosing the prestigious Capital University and Hai Cheng University.
As a student with exceptional talent in dance, she had already won numerous awards at the municipal, provincial, and national levels during her middle and high school years. Coupled with her solid academic performance, she had no reason to worry about getting into her desired university.
However, both her parents strongly urged her to choose Hai Cheng University, citing one simple reason: it was close to home.
Wen Zhi: “…”
Well, it wasn’t as if she was absolutely set on Capital University anyway.
The Wen family were all natives of Hai City.
Hai City, this dazzling pearl of the East, with its uniquely advantageous geographical position, had become an economic hub for the nation and even the globe. Here, skyscrapers stood in dense rows, headquarters of international corporations were clustered together, financial giants gathered, and a commercial atmosphere permeated every corner.
And so, on the first day of September, accompanied by her parents, Wen Zhi arrived at Hai Cheng University to register.
The young woman’s raven-black, lustrous hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders. A few stray strands playfully brushed against her cheeks, which she gently tucked behind her ears.
This simple action fully revealed her already strikingly beautiful face, captivating the attention of those around her.
Her skin was as fair as snow, smooth and delicate like fine mutton-fat jade, so translucent it seemed as if a gentle pinch might bring forth a dewy moisture.
The weather was somewhat muggy, so she wore a simple white spaghetti-strap dress that perfectly accentuated her already graceful figure. Her exposed arms were as white and flawless as jade.
“Sis, why is your school so big?!” Sitting atop a suitcase being pushed by their father, Wen Yan complained indignantly.
Why was his kindergarten so tiny…
The three-year-old boy wore denim overall shorts. His large, round eyes, fluttering eyelashes, and chubby, soft cheeks gave him an utterly adorable appearance that made people want to give him a playful nibble.
He seemed even more excited about this new school term than his sister was. At this moment, a light sheen of sweat glistened on his fair, tender forehead. His cheeks were flushed a rosy pink from his agitation.
Hearing his disgruntled tone, Wen Zhi chuckled lightly and reached out to pinch his cheek. “You little squirt, even if your kindergarten were bigger, you wouldn’t be able to dash around much anyway.”
“Sis! I’ll grow up! I’m just short for now!” Wen Yan felt wounded by her words.
Wen Zhi’s gaze slowly traveled from the little boy’s sulky face down to his stubby, wriggling legs. She didn’t say anything.
But the unspoken meaning written plainly on her face dealt a heavy blow to little Wen Yan.
Following his sister’s line of sight, he looked down at his own legs. He lowered his head, silent, as if deep in thought.
Then, with a pout of grievance, she quite convincingly crossed her little arms and let out a disdainful snort.
“Alright, alright, Zhi Zhi, stop teasing your brother,” Mom Fang Han chimed in as the peacemaker, affectionately pinching her daughter’s cheek.
“Little troublemaker,” she said softly to Wen Zhi, her tone full of indulgence.
Wen Zhi welcomed her brother Wen Yan during her first year of high school. According to her mom, they hadn’t planned on having a second child after she was born. However, this little one had somehow managed to sneak into Fang Han’s belly during one unexpected moment.
Holding the mindset of “since I’m already pregnant, I might as well give birth,” Fang Han cautiously brought up the matter with Wen Zhi, mainly worried that her daughter might not accept a new member joining the family.
When Wen Zhi heard the news, she wasn’t opposed to the arrival of a younger brother or sister. Instead, she was concerned about her mom, who was already 38 at the time—almost considered an older mother—and worried that her body might not handle it well.
Fortunately, the pregnancy went smoothly, and during Wen Zhi’s summer vacation in her first year of high school, she welcomed her one and only younger brother, Wen Yan.
“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Shouldn’t you cherish the time you have with me? After all, once I start university, I won’t be coming home as often,” Wen Zhi crouched down, cupping her brother’s little face as she playfully teased him.
“Don’t miss me too much.”
Hmm, she even added that quite seriously.
At first, the little rascal Wen Yan hadn’t fully grasped the situation, but after Wen Zhi’s words, his lips slowly began to tremble, and tears welled up in his eyes, as if they were about to overflow at any moment.
His little nose wrinkled, and his small mouth pressed tightly together, as if he were trying hard to hold back his sobs.
“Oh, alright, alright, I was just teasing you. How could I not come home to see our little baby, right?” The joke had gone too far, making this little master cry.
After all, he was just a three-year-old kid—better not upset him.
Wen Zhi quickly lifted him from the suitcase and into her arms, soothing him gently.
Wen Yan nestled against his sister, his chubby little arms tightly wrapped around Wen Zhi’s neck. He tilted his head to rest on her shoulder, letting out a few sniffles without saying a word, only tightening his grip around her neck a little more.
In truth, Wen Zhi had a very close bond with her brother. When she was the only child in the family, she often felt the house was too quiet and lonely. Having a younger brother brought her more joy than her parents felt about having a son.
Moreover, the first word little Wen Yan spoke wasn’t “Dad” or “Mom”—it was “Sister.”
That day, Wen Zhi, then in her second year of high school, had just been picked up from school by the driver on a Friday and arrived home. As soon as the door opened, she saw Wen Yan’s chubby little figure, grinning widely as he wobbled toward her. The moment this little ball of flesh threw himself against Wen Zhi’s legs, he suddenly said, “Sister,” which thrilled Wen Zhi beyond words!
At the time, Fang Han had complained indignantly about her son, “I’ve been teaching you to say ‘Mom’ every day, and what do you do? You hold it in and don’t say it, only remembering ‘Sister’!”
This little rascal!
Seeing that the little one seemed intent on clinging to Wen Zhi and not letting go, Dad Wen Bing, as the head of the household, quickly pulled his son off his daughter and into his own arms.
Wen Yan, who had been suddenly picked up, seemed to kick his legs in protest. However, after his father slapped his chubby little bottom, he instantly fell silent.
He behaved himself.