The campus gates loomed over the crowd like silent sentinels, shadows stretching across the sea of freshmen dragging suitcases, clutching folders, and trying not to look completely lost.
Gu Yi stood among them. One backpack. One modest suitcase. Nothing flashy, nothing to stand out. Just another face in a sea of beginnings.
He watched as upperclassmen shouted directions, waved people along, and pointed toward dorms and orientation spots.
"Move along! Don't block the entrance!" one senior yelled, voice tight from repetition.
Gu Yi adjusted his grip on his suitcase and stepped forward. This was it. University.
A place people said would change your life. He wasn't sure about that.
What he was sure of: this place came with a cost. His parents had sacrificed quietly for him to be here, and he wouldn't waste it.
Just focus on your studies. Don't mess this up.
He inhaled. "Yeah… I'll make it worth it," he muttered under his breath.
Orientation Day
The dorm smelled faintly of detergent and unfamiliar air. Two roommates were already there, one loud, one louder.
"Bro, I'm telling you, university is where life starts," the loud one said, tossing his bag onto the bed. "No parents, no rules, no curfew—this is freedom!"
Gu Yi placed his suitcase down carefully. "Freedom still costs money," he muttered.
The room went quiet for a beat.
"Damn, you're serious, huh?" the loud one said, laughing. "I'm Chen Hao. This is Liu Wen."
"Gu Yi," he said simply.
"Good. Listen, freshman welcome gathering tonight," Chen Hao continued, grinning. "Restaurant off-campus. Seniors are hosting."
"Food… drinks… alcohol," Liu Wen added casually.
Gu Yi frowned. "I don't really—"
"Come on," Chen Hao interrupted. "First night. Tradition. Can't skip."
Gu Yi hesitated. But he wanted to experience this once. "Alright," he said.
Chen Hao's grin widened. "That's what I'm talking about."
Night — Off-Campus Restaurant
The restaurant was already loud, the smell of grilled meat, alcohol, and excitement filling the air. Music thumped in the background, a mix of pop and electronic beats.
Groups of students laughed and clinked glasses. Seniors moved with confidence, pouring drinks and setting the tone.
And then Gu Yi saw her.
Sitting apart from the chaos, calm, poised, a glass in her hand, eyes scanning the room like she was above it all.
Shui Mingyun.
Effortless beauty. Her presence alone made the noise feel… muted.
Chen Hao leaned over. "See her? Third-year, finance. Rich family. Top-tier beauty."
Gu Yi looked away quickly. "Not my world," he muttered.
"Yeah, yeah," Chen Hao laughed. "Keep telling yourself that."
The Drinks Start Flowing
Chen Hao shoved a glass toward him. "Just one," he said.
The first sip burned. The second went down easier. By the third, the room tilted slightly, laughter and music blurring together.
Across the room, Shui Mingyun's glass was set in front of her. A senior with a mischievous smirk had placed it there. She lifted it, took a small sip—and immediately felt… off.
Her vision blurred. Something wasn't right.
"…What is this…?" she muttered.
Nearby, a young man, expensive watch, careless smile, watched her. Smiling, confident.
Gu Yi's Moment
He rubbed his temple. "I… need air," he muttered.
"Already?" Chen Hao laughed. "Lightweight!"
Gu Yi didn't answer. He stood, unsteady. The room tilted a little more.
Near the exit, two people collided in the doorway, almost losing balance.
"Are you okay?" Gu Yi asked, spotting her grasping the wall.
"I… need to leave," she said quietly.
"Dorms are far," she added.
"…Hotel?" he suggested.
She nodded without hesitation. "…Okay."
And just like that, two people, strangers in their own worlds, stepped into the night together. Unaware that a single choice would change their lives forever.