Chapter 2 Registration
, upon seeing that Su Can had selected a random race, Gu Gaitou's expression turned solemn. Generally speaking, only versatile experts would choose to use a random race; one reason being not letting t...Chapter 2: Reporting In
The city's ancient history is marked by the opening of concessions and the establishment of numerous foreign settlements, creating a bustling cosmopolitan scene. The Shanghai county town, built in the sixteenth century, has undergone tremendous changes since then. Nowadays, when one rides along route number ten through Nanpu District's old city area, it reflects the basic boundaries of the Ming-Qing era Shanghai county.
Nowadays, as this city rapidly expands under the drive for modernization, devouring surrounding mountains and transforming into towering steel-and-concrete structures with transportation serving as its veins, it is divided into several zones.
In the cramped old lanes of the shikumen style neighborhoods, there are students from nearby schools living in rented accommodation outside school grounds, as well as members of the "ant tribe," who have graduated and struggle to survive while dreaming of one day affording a down payment for a home in Xuhui District. They walk through dark alleys covered with mold due to lack of sunlight all year round towards their bright but heavy lives.
Yu Qiuyu once said that Shanghai people's perspective exceeds their adventurous spirit, and they have greater adaptability than pioneering ability. They possess a grand demeanor but lack the magnanimity of a leader; they have a bird’s-eye view of the world yet lack the audacity to traverse it. What restrains them is an employee mentality—sharpness accompanies timidity, unwillingness to fight desperately or take drastic measures, and wisdom remains a plaything in their hands.
Although critiques for revitalization may be sharp in language, they cannot hide the charm of this city destined to become one with unparalleled competitiveness as China's economic center in the future.
Saying that it is overly foreign-oriented now might not be entirely accurate. Even though all-English menus in bars along Zhongshan Road on the Bund may make Chinese people feel somewhat embarrassed, being served a delicious dinner by pretty foreigners or Eurasians is enough to make up for this disappointment.
The indifferent sales staff gazing out of shop windows at passersby in the Bund's brand stores, old buildings in Xujiahui, and neon lights that only allow small figures to pause along the Huangpu River form a bizarre night scene in southeastern part of the city.
From satellite maps, one can see the patchy scenery of this corner of the Earth.
This was before Google Maps existed. In China, Google’s homepage still had Yahoo-like exclamation marks trailing behind it; entering "blog" in a search engine would yield no results. This was 2001—just the beginning of entering the information age, but the era of an explosion of information had yet to arrive.
Thus, Facebook's growth in the U.S. was relatively slow. Although it conquered Ivy League universities, its user base remained at the hundred thousand bottleneck mark. This number represented a good reputation and market share in 60% of American colleges and universities—yet users were still in an experience period and couldn't be considered loyal customers; conquering all of America would require many more millions of users.
Su Cen had yet to fully perfect his magical weapon, which required further refinement. He also needed to compete with opponents across the Atlantic to expand user bases—“The whole world loves Facebook” was this fall's promotional slogan and ultimate goal.
Of course, Su Cen couldn't instantly become someone who could own a luxurious apartment overlooking the entire city on Jinan Road or look upon Oriental Pearl Tower from the riverbank. But he was working hard to make his reborn life well-lived.
This city within an economic circle also houses several top universities that further embellish its cultural atmosphere.
Most freshmen enter with excitement about escaping their black years of high school, hearing countless stories from seniors about the wonderful college life beyond high school: beautiful girls, endless parties, rich club activities and social interactions—seeming like an infinitely bright future.
Years later when they leave for various fields in society, it is only then that they may suddenly awaken to the realization that they were duped by university life, followed by being battered and bruised by life itself. All that remains are cursed youth years.
But reborn Su Xiaocan felt this was exactly what youth should be like—life continues to shine brightly.
Nanjing University is one of the top universities in Shanghai. In a world now screaming "knowledge represents power," a Nanjing University graduate undoubtedly has a convenient pass to social upper echelons.
The starting salary for Nanjing University’s undergraduate graduates is around 2,700 yuan, while master's graduates earn an average of 4,000 yuan and doctoral graduates around 5,000. After two or three years in the workforce as a professional manager, they can command contracts worth hundreds of thousands.
Salary is a person's reliance for survival in society; this wage level exceeds China's current average standard. More importantly, the future development potential represented by this diploma isn't low.
The university before Su Cen can be described as elegant and refined. Apart from the eye-catching Nanjing University sign on its simple entrance gate, it looks rather unremarkable; it’s hard to imagine that these are the campuses of Rongcheng No.27 Middle School where only 25% of students could reach the admission threshold and Xiahai No.1 High School where less than 10% qualified.
Su Cen arrived in dusty Gao Bei District station after a nearly 15-hour train journey with his father, dragging his large suitcase along.
Walking into the university's Guanghua Avenue bustling with people but not one hurrying about—some ride bicycles while others carry books and stroll; many walk in groups of three or two. The surroundings are filled with catalpa trees whose leaves create dense shade.
The other side sees a group dragging their suitcases into the university, looking well-dressed with good family backgrounds. Among them are two cool girls chatting and observing their new school.
Su Cen's heavy suitcase rolling across the ground attracts attention from passersby.
Just by glancing at Su Cen, one could tell he was a typical distant freshman who had arrived on campus, looking tired and accompanied by parents who were reluctantly parting with their children.
The female student wearing a gauze skirt smiled and said, "Such an adult still needs his parents to accompany him."
"This new student is quite relaxed," commented a male student whose gaze was very observant.
Su Cen's gaze as he looked at the school wasn't filled with surprise, curiosity, or excitement like other students. Instead, it had a lazy feel to it.
This unusual expression might make people think there is something different about this freshman, but the various luxury cars entering the campus one after another easily distracted the attention of the surrounding students.
There were quite a few cars coming onto campus, just like the luxurious vehicles parked outside every day waiting for co-eds.
The young people couldn't help but sigh with envy and say, "My dad drives a Passat. No matter what happens in the future, I can't drive a car that's worse than his! I have to work hard."
And thus, this group accompanied Su Cen as he moved forward clumsily until they reached a fork in the road where they couldn't hear these voices anymore. One of the male students looked around under the wutong tree, still somewhat unused to it.
A student with a literary air said, "If I hadn't seen his face earlier, his back would look very much like that of a friend from high school. Time really flies, doesn't it In a blink of an eye, we're already in college and seeing strangers everywhere."
At this moment, all these male and female students stopped, looking at Su Cen and his father's departing figures with inexplicable melancholy, feeling somewhat downcast. A girl poked the one next to her and smiled, "Hey, you know what His back looks just like my ex-boyfriend. You want me to find out which department he's in or which class he's in The best way to forget a relationship is to start a new one!"
"I'm not that desperate and ready to jump at any man I see! Besides, what about you starting your new college life"
The girl called Ruan Sio said with a sigh of regret, "Sorry, my knight in shining armor hasn't appeared yet. It's not because this freshman isn't good or anything, but his father is accompanying him, and seeing his father makes me think of mine. If I were to be with him in the future, every time I see him I'll remember my father's face, how could I bear that This would be a complete nightmare!"
"Come on, your imagination is too rich," everyone joked around, dispelling some of the melancholy.
They were just like most students entering college now, cherishing their past lives while also having new aspirations, waiting for an extraordinary and exciting university life.
And almost all unique university experiences are ultimately ordinary and plain; few memories can be left behind despite the effort to remember them. Because most people are ordinary, they won't know that the fleeting figure under the French wutong tree was a common person with two lifetimes' worth of soul.
Su Licheng carried a small bag for Su Cen and then took over his suitcase, handing him a card from the package he had been carrying. He pointed to the administrative building and said, "Here, go pay your tuition fees now. Make sure you check the receipt carefully. Go ahead; I'll wait here."
Seeing Su Licheng standing under the scorching sun, Su Cen's heart was inexplicably moved. He pointed to the shade beneath a tree and said, "Dad, it's too sunny over there. Why don't you go stand over there"
Su Licheng shook his head. "It doesn't matter. You hurry up."
Su Cen thought for a moment and came forward to place the luggage under the wutong tree. Su Licheng, having no choice but to step forward, just then an Audi car pulled over. Su Cen happened to move the luggage underneath the tree; this space was originally intended for parking, so the driver honked twice when he couldn't park there. As Su Licheng went to retrieve the luggage, Su Cen stopped him and glanced at the Audi without making any indication to give way.
The driver in the car, who called himself Mo Shanguan and came from a family with logistics businesses, honked twice more. With all spots taken, he had no choice but to reverse back around the lawn and park on another empty patch near the administrative building. Su Cen did not want his father to stand out in the sun waiting for him.
"What kind of nobody is this," grumbled one plump male student in the car.
The driver, Mo Shanguan's father, shook his head and said, "Forget it, we'll just go around."
The Audi drove around the lawn to another empty space. As they got out of the car, Mo Shanguan walked past Su Cen with an air of arrogance and shouted, "Move aside!"
Hearing this, Su Cen said behind him, "This is public area; it's first come, first served." Knowing that he was at a disadvantage, Mo Shanguan snorted coldly and entered the administrative building.
"Dad, wait here. I'll be quick with my procedures."
"Hmm."
Su Licheng watched Su Can's back and was increasingly satisfied with his son's current maturity and懂事.
Tang Wu had come to Shanghai for about three days. Tang's mother Mu Hui, and her father also came to Shanghai. Mu Ji specially took leave to accompany her daughter to register at Nan University and also meet some friends.
During these three days, they hadn't rested once as there were dinners every day. Many people wanted to invite Mu Ji; today he used the excuse of Tang Wu registering to reject an invitation from a classmate working in the traffic bureau who came together with Tang Wu to register at Nan University.
Tang's family’s car was parked in the parking lot, and they strolled around leisurely on campus. Mu Ji felt that his daughter had become much more cheerful since coming to Shanghai.
At these dinners over the past few days, Tang Wu did not keep silent as she usually would in such situations. Even when some middle-aged people asked Tang Wu about her expectations for university life, she nodded and smiled saying "That's great and I'm looking forward to it." This made Tang's father and a couple of friends extremely envious, having borne such a beautiful daughter.
Of course, they didn't know that the two words in Tang Wu's heart, which made her happy, were "freedom."
Although she had been eager to leave Chengdu, after really leaving the city and knowing that this trip to Shanghai was an excuse for her mother to personally send her off to university—her next stage of life—Tang Wu felt a bit reluctant.
Even feeling guilty towards her parents.
In her heart, she wanted to escape from the oppression and restrictions at home. She found it very easy and comfortable to be with Su Can, giving her an unprecedented sense of comfort that was neither oppressive nor heavy.
But now that they were parting ways, truly leaving home, and about to start a romantic life in university, like seeing those couples holding hands on the street or ignoring everyone around them on benches,
suddenly she became anxious and uncertain.
Hadn't she become heartless
Was she too hasty This was already a university, Su Can wasn’t the same as when he was a student at Xihai's Third High School.
In No.27 Middle School, he was very popular and had been able to get into such a good school, gradually revealing his brilliant qualities making her secretly pleased yet worried too. What if other excellent girls discovered his charm
Should she trust everything without caution to Su Can, this boy who has been through junior high and senior high with her and now is attending the same university University represents another stage of life; in a place where it's rumored that couples break up after graduation, can those pure feelings from back then really last
Tang Wu was very rational. She knew so-called eternal love doesn't mean real eternity; there are no promises that could endure forever, just like how nobody can predict ten years into the future. Would she change in university Would Su Can change Could this era's rapid changes make them unable to adapt and become unrecognizable
Tang Wu followed her father directly to the registration desk with his friends. Her mother accompanied them throughout. Tang's father stood outside, fortunately not feeling lonely. In the shade of a tree was an adult man next to a large suitcase and luggage; that case alone could hold about one-and-a-half times more than Tang Wu’s own suitcase. Its gray exterior wasn't as cute as her Disney luggage but it could be determined this child must be a boy.
"Sending your child off Want a cigarette" Tang's father took out a pack of pandas and handed over a stick.
Su Licheng quickly accepted, saying "Thanks. Is your child also registering"
Hearing Su Licheng’s accent, Tang's father switched to Sichuanese, "Oh, fellow villager, nice to meet you."
This instantly made things more amicable; in the Nan University campus where 80-90% of people spoke Mandarin or Shanghai dialect, it was quite rare and special for parents from the same region to bump into each other.
"Hey, you're from" where"
"I just got off a train today, coming from Chengdu."
"What a coincidence! I'm also from Chengdu. But I often travel here for work; what an amazing coincidence. Your child must have good grades then Nan University ranks fifth domestically this year and excels in engineering and social science; children who get into this university are all pretty impressive."
"This is a genuine fellow villager now, take one of mine," Su Licheng was proud of Su Can's achievements and surprised that the person was also from Chengdu, immediately reaching for his cigarettes and offering them forward.
"Oh, there's no point smoking Zhonghua here in Shanghai. You should try the local brand, Panda offering, give it a shot, it's pretty decent."
The two middle-aged men found a common topic to talk about as they lit their cigarettes and exhaled smoke. Su Richen then said, "Among the three famous cigarette brands nationwide—Suzhou, Guiyang, and Yunyan—their flavors are all different. However, this Shanghai brand is new to me; it’s a bit too heavy on the fragrance."
The two men were waiting outside for their sons and wives/daughters to handle the registration procedures. Out of boredom, they chatted about cigarettes and then started asking each other where they worked in Chengdu. Tang Senior introduced himself as being part of the management team at Chengdu Aviation Transport Company. Upon learning that Su Richen was the vice president of Dagong Construction, Tang Senior looked surprised and said, "Your Dagong Construction has been quite turbulent recently."
"After reflecting on it, we must summarize lessons learned to minimize our influence and losses." Since Dagong Construction had suffered significant humiliation this time, the new management team faced immense pressure.
The two then inquired if they knew any mutual acquaintances, bringing together officials within the system with prominent figures outside of it, thereby bridging a closer connection between them.
"Have your wife and daughter enrolled If so, there’s a chance my son will be in the same class. When you all meet up later, being from the same place, you can support each other. During holidays at home, you can visit one another—it's quite good!" Su Richen smiled.
Tang Senior nodded. "That would indeed be great; it’s better to have mutual support." Deep down, he was hesitant due to his protective nature towards Tang Wu, worried about what might happen with this son of Su Richen's...
Su Richen immediately noticed Tang Senior's hesitation and understood from a parent’s perspective. Unlike his own son, Suyan, a girl in an unfamiliar environment inevitably causes worry.
At that moment, Tang Wu and Mu Bi emerged. One of Tang Senior's friends came to greet them; with acquaintances handling matters, they didn’t have to queue up.
Su Richen looked at Tang Wu and Mu Bi, then at Tang Senior, and was genuinely stunned. This round-faced man actually had such a beautiful wife and daughter!
Tang Senior felt a sense of pride; having such a daughter meant he must have excellent genes.
"This is" Mu Bi sounded surprised.
"This is the vice president of Dagong Construction Group, Old Su. Today I’m here to send my son for registration, and we’re老鄉 (hometown acquaintances)," Tang Senior deliberately used "Old Su" rather than stating Su Richen's name, indicating they weren’t close friends.
"Oh, hello. Your Dagong Construction has been quite troublesome recently."
Mu Bi shook hands with Su Richen and maintained a polite smile. Unbeknownst to him, Mu Bi was the bureau chief of the Judicial Bureau. "Yes, now we must focus on internal rectification, unity, and eliminating internal conflicts at the grassroots level."
Seeing that Mu Bi was getting deeper into conversation with Su Richen due to this case, Tang Senior felt inexplicably envious. He seemed ready to leave as he said, "Old Su, I need to take my children to arrange their dorms now; let’s catch up later."
Su Richen inwardly smiled at the phrase "let's catch up later"; they hadn’t even mentioned letting the kids meet each other and look out for one another. However, seeing Mu Bi and Tang Wu together made him understand that Tang Senior surely treated his daughter like a treasure; it was unlikely he would let her get close to someone else’s child.
Su Richen glanced at Tang Wu who gave him a cold smile, making him think she was quite admirable. From the conversation with Tang Wu's mother earlier, it seemed this woman had an extraordinary demeanor—like a great leader; she likely wasn’t just an ordinary figure either. Whether it was her family or herself, they were clearly not on the same path as his son Su Yan.
"Dad," at that moment, a voice rang out under these French sycamore trees.
Su Can had finally finished registering and checking his invoice list in the congested queue. He walked quickly towards where Su Richen and others were standing beneath the trees—his father, a middle-aged couple wearing suits and black dresses respectively, and beside them stood a girl in cotton T-shirt and jeans with her hair tied up.
In everyone’s bewildered gaze, Su Can approached them, his heartbeat accelerating like drumbeats, but inexplicably slowing down.
口，：
I hope I haven’t disappointed you all; I’m quite satisfied with this chapter. The upcoming plot is now fully conceived for a fresh and thrilling story.
Monthly votes, recommendations, thank you for your support!
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