In September at River Pleasure, the sky was bright and clear, with gentle breezes.

The climate was pleasantly cool, showing early autumn’s character.

Sheng Xia truly loved this weather. Having been at River Pleasure for just half a month, she had already developed a sense of the four seasons.

This was different from South Reason, where summer occupied two-thirds of the year.

There, winter would arrive overnight, and summer would return just as suddenly.

Spring and autumn left barely a trace.

However, the sun remained equally fierce.

After military training, even Sheng Xia’s supposedly untannable complexion had darkened several shades.

However, she still fared better than her roommates.

River Clear University conducted military training at a dedicated base, and Sheng Xia truly envied Zhang Shu – Sea Peaceful University held their training on campus.

Since River Clear University started earlier by several days, Wang Lianhua had accompanied Sheng Xia for registration, so she and Zhang Shu hadn’t seen each other for a month. Even on his birthday, they could only video chat in their camouflage uniforms.

When military training ended and the school bus just entered the gate, Sheng Xia received Zhang Shu’s call.

“Mm, just arrived at school… mm, still need a while… mm… then probably back to the dorm, need to unpack… no need, I have tomorrow off, I’ll come find you… okay then, let’s meet at the bottom of the dorm building, Building 23, do you know where it is? Mm okay…”

Sheng Xia spoke softly, but in the quiet bus, everyone could hear clearly.

How gentle she was!

This conversation would make not just boys, but even girls weak in the knees.

After half a month of military training, everyone knew Sheng Xia had a boyfriend, as they called and video chatted daily.

Everyone was quite curious about this figure, only knowing he attended neighboring Sea Peaceful and had a nice voice.

Sheng Xia appeared too well-behaved and too beautiful. Though gentle, she seemed somewhat aloof and otherworldly, not like someone who would date in high school.

Who knew what remarkable person had won over the goddess so early?

The Literature College was predominantly female, making male students precious commodities. With a beauty like Sheng Xia already taken, the ladies felt somewhat less pressured.

During training, many male students from other colleges tried to pursue Sheng Xia, and those from her college were quite attentive too.

Though all attempts were unsuccessful.

From Sheng Xia’s phone conversation, it was clear her boyfriend was coming to find her.

He was certainly eager.

Well, with such a beautiful girlfriend, who wouldn’t be anxious to see her?

Sheng Xia stared at her reflection in the darkened phone screen – her hair was barely managed, loosely tied back, her bangs hadn’t been trimmed and were at an awkward length, and she hadn’t even managed to shower on the last day at the training base.

At this moment, calling her disheveled wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

And she had gotten tanned too.

They hadn’t seen each other for a month, and he would be fresh and neat while she looked like this when meeting him.

This was terrible!

The bus entered the parking lot beside the dormitory area, and everyone gathered their things to get off.

Sheng Xia still had many belongings; she didn’t understand how others managed to let go of things – she felt everything was necessary to bring!

So while others had one piece of luggage, a maximum of 26 inches.

Sheng Xia had a 28-inch suitcase, plus a huge travel backpack, the kind hikers use, dull gray, completely mismatched with her style.

It looked like it would crush her.

While waiting by the bus for the driver to retrieve luggage from the side compartment, discussion spread through the crowd.

Whispers rose and fell.

Sheng Xia, wearing the backpack, was too hot and too weighed down to even turn her head.

Suddenly her shoulders lightened-

Before Sheng Xia could react, she saw her roommate beside her making meaningful expressions.

Then someone took her backpack from behind.

This way of taking her bag was too familiar. Sheng Xia’s heart leaped with joy, and she quickly turned around, indeed meeting a pair of deep, familiar eyes.

“How did you find this place?” She was overjoyed, unconsciously stepping forward to grab his shirt front, looking up to ask.

This was her habitual movement, her expression full of smiles.

She forgot about the setting, surrounded by interested gazes.

Her turn had been somewhat forceful, and this grab made the unprepared Zhang Shu stumble back a step.

He steadily held her backpack with one hand while his other hand loosely encircled her waist. Tilting his head slightly to maintain balance, he laughed helplessly, his gaze remaining on her face, “Just rode my bike in and ran into the bus convoy, I followed the exhaust here.”

After a month apart, he seemed to have grown taller, his hair cut into a crew cut for military training, revealing his clean forehead and sharp eyebrows. He had tanned a bit too but appeared vigorous and handsome.

He seemed to have become even more attractive.

They had promised to meet again in September, and today was August 30th.

Neither had broken their promise.

She missed him so much.

The surrounding discussions grew more subtle and intense.

Sheng Xia finally became aware, quickly releasing her hand and stepping half a step back, regaining her dignified manner: “Mm.”

“Any more luggage?” Zhang Shu asked.

Sheng Xia turned back to look. Her suitcase was so large it was placed furthest inside, and the driver was bending down to reach under the bus, muttering: “Oh my, young lady, yours is quite heavy…”

Zhang Shu went to help, lifting it out, politely saying: “Indeed not light, thank you for your trouble.”

The driver waved his hand: “No problem, don’t mention it.”

Zhang Shu hung her backpack on one shoulder, pulled the suitcase with one hand, and held her hand with the other, asking: “Are visitors allowed in the dorm?”

Sheng Xia felt a bit embarrassed with so many people around, “Only to the bottom of the building.”

Zhang Shu: “Shall we go then?”

“Ah, okay…” She was led by him, walking two steps before remembering to say goodbye to her military training dormmates, so she turned back, “I’m leaving first, goodbye.”

“Okay okay, let’s have a meal together another time!”

“Mm!”

Under the dappled tree shadows, the young man was loaded with luggage while holding the girl’s hand. The girl walked freely, occasionally looking up to speak, her loose ponytail swaying back and forth.

They slowly walked away.

From the crowd came sighs.

“Indeed, dating so early was because she had already secured a premium stock.”

“Finally, not a case of beauty paired with the beast, very satisfying.”

“Impressive, that corner is truly impossible for anyone to steal.”

“In our college, he’d be the campus heartthrob.”

“You think too highly of your college OK? Just a few odd ducks, nothing worth comparing.”

…

At the dormitory building’s entrance, it was noon. That day, sophomores and juniors had just reported in, freshmen had just returned from military training, and everywhere were people hurriedly pulling luggage.

“Look, others have boyfriends escorting them up too.” Zhang Shu nodded toward something.

“Should I go ask the dorm aunt?” Sheng Xia was about to head to the duty room.

Zhang Shu pulled her back, amused, “If you ask they definitely won’t allow it, if you just go they definitely won’t stop you, understand?”

Sheng Xia observed several couples coming and going, indeed no one asked or stopped them.

Zhang Shu saw her still hesitant and sighed: “You’re in university now, silly.”

Did she think the dorm aunt cared about managing her?

Sheng Xia was still in her high school-managed mindset.

“Then let’s go.” She lowered her head, pulling him quickly into the building, like a thief.

The smile never left Zhang Shu’s face.

So adorable, wanted to tease her right there.

Sheng Xia’s dorm was on the third floor, outside the window thick trees swayed in the wind, the sunlight was intense, and the view was excellent.

Sheng Xia opened the door and looked around first, confirming no one was in the dorm. She was the earliest to return, and there weren’t any private female items hanging up, only then did she open the door wide to welcome him in.

Zhang Shu found this scene familiar.

That year in senior three during the sports meet, when entering the dispatch room she was also like this, checking if it was convenient for him to enter before letting him in.

Such detailed manners made one feel comfortable.

Zhang Shu didn’t look around, just put the suitcase beside her desk, muttering: “Your school’s accommodation isn’t as good as ours.”

Sheng Xia: “…Our cafeteria food is delicious!”

Zhang Shu: “How do you know our cafeteria isn’t good?”

Sheng Xia: …

Zhang Shu: “Later we’ll try both sides and compare.”

Sheng Xia: “How long did it take you to bike here?”

Zhang Shu: “Twenty minutes.”

“Even biking takes this long?”

“It took me ten minutes just to get out of campus.”

Sheng Xia continued to boast: “Our school has many cafeterias, being so far away, wonder how often you can come, might not even try them all in four years?”

Zhang Shu: “Okay, I get it, received the hint.”

Sheng Xia: …?

Zhang Shu: “Need to come often.”

Sheng Xia: “I didn’t say that, you said it yourself.”

Zhang Shu: “Okay, I said it. Shall we go eat now?”

Sheng Xia was completely disheveled, she looked herself up and down, “I was planning to shower first.”

Zhang Shu good-naturedly leaned against her wardrobe, “Then I’ll wait downstairs?”

Sheng Xia hesitated for a few seconds, “Let’s eat first!”

Saying this, she washed her face, dried it, and prepared to leave holding his hand.

He suddenly hooked his long leg, and the dorm door “bang” closed.

Then her neck was caught and pulled towards him, hot lips passionately pursued a kiss.

Mmm.

Entangled, sticky sweet.

Hearing fellow students greeting each other in the corridor outside, Sheng Xia’s whole body tensed.

Zhang Shu noticed, caught her hand intertwining their fingers tightly, and kissed her more deeply for a while before letting go.

“I missed you to death.”

He said extremely quietly.

Sheng Xia’s lips were moist, she looked up smiling, “Let’s go let’s go eat!”

Zhang Shu pinched her blushing cheeks and opened the door.

After military training there would be one day off, to rest before formally starting school.

September 1st, opening ceremony.

Early in the morning, Sheng Xia had already asked for leave, the reason being heatstroke, and dizzy. Although this excuse wasn’t great – a person from South Reason saying they got heatstroke in River Pleasure, even ghosts wouldn’t believe it.

But the counselor still approved the leave, because Sheng Xia didn’t seem like a student who would lie, perhaps her constitution was truly different from others.

Sheng Xia felt ashamed because she had lied.

She was riding her newly bought electric scooter, rushing towards Sea Peaceful University.

Who made the opening ceremonies clash times?

Sea Peaceful University gymnasium.

Sheng Xia entered the inner court with her ticket and sat in the designated seat.

Strangely, she was surrounded by middle-aged people, making her particularly eye-catching.

A nearby auntie leaned over to ask: “Are you a student or family member?”

Family member?

Sheng Xia doubtfully: “I’m a student.”

The auntie reminded: “Students aren’t in this section, this is the family observation area, students have your college formations, didn’t you go?”

Sheng Xia embarrassed: “I’m a River Clear University student…”

So awkward!

That auntie raised her eyebrows in surprise, and joked: “Are you here to challenge then?”

Sheng Xia couldn’t respond to this, could only take out her ticket and pretend to question: “Eh? My friend gave me this ticket, it should be correct right?”

The auntie leaned over to look: “Yes indeed, no mistake.”

The ceremony quickly began.

The form of large meetings was always similar, this leader finishing speaking, that leader taking the stage. But compared to high school leaders’ speeches, the content quality and listenability were a hundred times stronger.

The old professors spoke sincerely with literary grace, and the audience below was also enthusiastically responsive.

“Next please welcome the student representative speech.”

Sheng Xia’s heart lifted with it, her gaze following that straight figure, her mouth unconsciously carrying anticipatory and proud curves.

Zhang Shu adjusted the microphone height, his sharp gaze sweeping across the venue: “Teachers and students good morning, I am Zhang Shu, from the School of Information Science and Technology…”

Sheng Xia had said very early on, Zhang Shu was suited for speeches.

No grand theories, no raising arms and shouting, he just spoke steadily, making people feel trustworthy, even submissive.

Previously, Sheng Xia hadn’t seen his flag-raising ceremony speech, nor could she see him lead the hundred-day oath.

This had always been her regret.

But today.

He stood in the center of the gymnasium.

Stood in the center of the nation’s highest institution of learning.

Stood in the center of the nation’s most elite students.

Stating his thoughts, and spreading his views.

He shone brilliantly.

This speech was completely prepared by himself, Sheng Xia hadn’t even seen it.

Compared to the professors’ literary grace, his content seemed much more common but had enough relatability and approachability.

The auntie beside Sheng Xia saw her reaction and asked: “Is the speaker your friend?”

Sheng Xia nodded: “Mm, he’s my boyfriend.”

Speaking to the end, Zhang Shu paused slightly, his gaze penetrating through rows of figures, landing on the family observation area.

A slight smile.

“When I was 17, someone told me, coming to this world, one should leave traces. If mediocre, at least be a good person; if outstanding, be useful to the country, useful to the world. At that time I thought, of becoming a person of sound character, independent development, patriotic sentiment, and world vision, that would not waste youth. Standing here today, from youth to becoming a young adult, I still have this thought, hope to shoulder responsibility with everyone, keep my feet on the ground, use my dreams as horses, do good, and achieve good.”

“Time flies for those who waste it, years are like songs for those with ambition. Cherish every day at Sea Peaceful University, cherish every moment of youth, let’s work hard together, fellow students!”

“My speech is finished, thank you everyone.”

Colored flags flew, applause thundered.

Fireworks bloomed in clusters, white doves circled in the blue sky.

Zhang Shu walked down the stage composedly, before sitting in his seat, he tilted his head with a smile towards the family observation area.

Sheng Xia’s expression was full of approval and pride.

That was her youth.

Wind on his shoulders, light in his eyes.

Just like the first meeting, he walked towards her holding a can of soda, behind him was purple-red twilight…

Fine clothes and spirited horses, blazing flames, and abundant flowers.

Time does not stay, the human world’s midsummer.

— Main Story Conclusion —