Ding-dong～
The WeChat notification sound made Candy, Mo Jingchun's younger sister in his arms, groggily open her eyes. Mo Jingchun gently patted Candy's chest with his right hand. The little one squinted a few times and fell back asleep.
Only then did Mo Jingchun slowly take his phone out of his jeans pocket to check the WeChat message.
"Are you almost there?"
"Yeah, yeah, I am, teacher."
"Only one more stop to go."
"Okay. You will see our school's sign at the station exit. I'll wait beside it for you."
At the top of the WeChat chat interface was the note Mo Jingchun had written: "Mentor."
After Mo Jingchun proactively communicated with the school last time, he received a call from Jing City the next day.
When he answered the call, Mo Jingchun learned that the caller was his university mentor for four years. That was the day Mo Jingchun learned the 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 take his sister to school.
A few days ago, the mentor asked on WeChat about Mo Jingchun's arrival schedule and train number. Without much thought, Mo Jingchun shared the details. It wasn't until yesterday when the mentor suddenly told him she'd meet him at the station that he realized why she'd asked about the time and train number a few days before.
"Yeah, okay."
Shortly after 5 p.m., the speed of the high-speed train gradually slowed down. Outside the window, tall buildings appeared, and many people started packing their luggage, making the entire carriage a bit 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, Mo Jingchun wasn't in a hurry since the announcement for the end station hadn't been made yet, indicating there was still some distance to go.
Mo Jingchun felt this train ticket purchase was worth it as the restroom came with a baby care table, which he hadn't expected at all.
Having not traveled by bullet train in years, he was surprised by how much it had changed.
"All done."
After changing Candy's diaper, Mo Jingchun patted her little bottom. The little one immediately stretched out her arms, wanting Mo Jingchun to hold her.
When he returned to his seat, he saw that his seatmate was gone. Looking around, Mo Jingchun noticed him standing in the middle aisle by the train door, holding a black leather bag.
Mo Jingchun just took note of it without thinking much. Although they'd sat together for over six hours, they'd only exchanged a few words.
As for that annoying "aunt," she had gotten off the train at some earlier station.
"Passengers, the train is about to arrive at the terminus, Jing City Station. Please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark."
On the escalator, Mo Jingchun held Candy, using his left hand to grip his short-sleeved shirt for support, while his right hand pulled a suitcase and folded stroller.
Several times, someone seemed to want to help Mo Jingchun from behind but, for some reason, didn't follow through.
Seeing the surging crowd, Mo Jingchun's heart rate quickened. He had traveled out of the province only a handful of times, each time being accompanied, but now he had to rely on himself.
Then, Mo Jingchun followed the crowd forward.
Once stepping out of the high-speed train station, the hot wave hit Mo Jingchun, giving him the first impression of this city: hot. The second impression was the dry air.
Moreover, Mo Jingchun noted that over half the people exiting the station were young individuals dragging suitcases.
Yet, Mo Jingchun soon realized it wasn't as easy as he thought to find the person holding the Jing University sign.
Indeed, outside the high-speed train station exit, a host of signs bearing various school names awaited. Coupled with schools welcoming new arrivals just out of the station, the square outside the exit was close to forming a human wall.
"Some unspeakable vulnerabilities slip away during lonely nights～"
The cell phone in his jeans pocket rang with an incoming call, accompanied by vibrations.
After pulling his suitcase to the side, Mo Jingchun had a free hand to grab his phone.
As expected, it was the mentor calling.
"Hello, teacher."
"Where are you? Haven't you come out yet?"
"Teacher, I just exited the station."
"Walk a few more steps to the right when you exit. There are too many people today."
"Yeah, sure, teacher."
After ending the call, Mo Jingchun walked right as the mentor instructed. After about twenty meters, he finally saw the Jing University sign, and right beside it was the Shuimu University sign.
Scanning around with his eyes, those familiar university names huddled together.
In the crowd was a youthful individual holding an adorable baby in one arm, dragging a suitcase with the other. No matter where he went, he stood out. As he walked directly toward the Jing University new student reception area, Li Na instinctively knew it was her student, Mo Jingchun.
When Li Na first saw Mo Jingchun's name on the data from the academic affairs office, a poem came to her mind—"Washed by the Stream: Who thinks of the west wind alone tonight?"
Who thinks of the west wind alone tonight?
The sparse window closes on rustling yellow leaves.
Deep in thought about the past, standing amid the sunset.
Don't wake the heavy sleeper of spring with wine,
Bet on books that lead to the fragrance of steeped tea.
Back then, we only thought it was ordinary.
Mo Jingchun eyed the young woman in sportswear coming his way from the Jing University reception area, her white sneakers, and her long, black hair catching his eye.
"Mo Jingchun?"
"Uh, yes." Hearing his name, Mo Jingchun was first surprised but quickly responded.
"Hello, teacher."
Li Na smiled and nodded, then her gaze shifted from Mo Jingchun to the little one facing away from her in his arms.
Noticing the mentor's gaze, Mo Jingchun said, "This is my sister. Her nickname is Candy."
The little one, sensitive to sound, seemed curious about whom her brother was talking to, struggling to turn around.
Candy's big eyes curiously fixated on Li Na, who smiled at her, prompting Candy to quickly bury her head in Mo Jingchun's chest.
"Haha, she's just too cute."
"These big eyes are really beautiful."
Li Na played with Candy like a child for quite a while, leaving Mo Jingchun standing there awkwardly smiling.
"Come on, I'll take you to the dorm first. Registration for new students starts tomorrow." Saying this, Li Na took the lead, pulling Mo Jingchun's suitcase ahead.
A few minutes later, Mo Jingchun exclaimed, "Teacher, you even drove here."
The car was a red sedan, but Mo Jingchun couldn't recognize the make. It seemed he hadn't seen it before, or at least didn't recall it.