Chapter Ten: First Steps into University

As evening approached, the sun slipped gently toward the west, painting the sky with crimson clouds. Summer days always seemed so long, and by now Liu Fan had returned to Liu Family Village. As soon as he entered, he called out loudly, “Godmother, Yatou, I’m back!”

Perhaps she heard his voice, for Liu Yuting ran out from inside the house. Seeing it was Liu Fan, her heart filled with joy, but she quickly put on a stern face and said, “Hmph! Brother Fan, why are you only coming back now? Mom made a whole table of dishes waiting for you to eat, look at the time! The food’s almost cold and you finally showed up.” She was even more annoyed because Liu Fan hadn’t taken her out to play today.

“Ah ha! Yatou, look what I’ve brought back for you. Guess what this is?” Liu Fan knew she would give him a hard time once he got home, so he had come prepared. He shook the bundles in his hands before her.

Sure enough, when Liu Yuting saw the brand logos on the packages, she rushed over and snatched them from him, exclaiming in disbelief, “Ah! An LV handbag! Wow, Chanel perfume! And the iPo-4S phone I’ve always wanted! Brother Fan, are these all for me?”

“Heh, can’t you see these are all for women? I don’t need them. Besides, you’re my god-sister—if I don’t give them to you, who would I give them to?” Seeing Liu Yuting so happy made Liu Fan happy too, and he replied with a smile.

“Really! Haha… Hmph, let’s see who dares call me a country bumpkin now. Thank you, Brother Fan, here’s your reward!” As she finished speaking, she caught Liu Fan off guard and planted a kiss on his cheek. All he heard was a soft “mm” by his ear, and he stood there stunned as if struck by lightning, unconsciously touching the spot where her lips left a damp imprint, grinning foolishly, not even noticing when Liu Yuting went back inside.

“Fan, why aren’t you coming in to eat? What are you standing there grinning for?” Lin Guifang had just finished reheating the food in the kitchen and saw Liu Fan still lingering at the door, so she called out to him.

“Uh! Ah, Godmother, what did you just say? Heh, I was a bit distracted just now.” Liu Fan snapped out of his reverie and saw Lin Guifang speaking to him, but he hadn’t really heard her, so he scratched his head and asked.

“Fan, are you tired from the journey? Come in and eat, and rest early tonight.” Lin Guifang noticed his absent-mindedness and spoke with concern.

“No worries, Godmother, I’ll be fine after a short rest. Let’s go eat.” Liu Fan’s mind was still in turmoil, and he answered distractedly.

The three sat down to eat—a meal immersed in silence, with one face full of questions and two young hearts on the cusp of awakening feelings. No one spoke. Lin Guifang noticed the pile of packaging bags beside them and asked Liu Yuting, “Tingting, what’s with all those bags? Who bought all that stuff?”

“Ah! Mom, Brother Fan bought them, he said they’re for you and me.” Clearly, Liu Yuting had surrendered to Liu Fan’s sweet gestures, and she answered happily, her face aglow.

“Fan, you’re always spoiling Tingting, buying so many things. You need to save money for college; don’t do this again, keep more for yourself. Why are you always so generous?” Though she spoke with reproach, Lin Guifang’s heart was filled with warmth.

“It’s alright, Godmother. You’re my family now, so it’s only right to be good to you. I’ll earn more money in the future, and when you’re old, I’ll take care of you.” Seeing that Lin Guifang wasn’t really angry, Liu Fan smiled as he spoke.

“Silly child, just hearing you say that is enough for me.” Lin Guifang’s eyes grew moist, and she quickly wiped them before speaking to Liu Fan with gentle affection.

“Mom, Mom, I will too! I’ll earn lots and lots of money to care for you when you’re old!” Liu Yuting chimed in, excitedly shouting.

“Good, good, looks like our Tingting has grown up.” Lin Guifang smiled, gratified by her daughter’s words.

“Oh, right, Godmother, this time I went out with friends for a medicinal herb business. I got lucky and found a wild ginseng, sold it for a good sum. Here’s fifty thousand yuan to help with household expenses.” Liu Fan set down his bowl, took out the money from his backpack and placed it before Lin Guifang.

Seeing so much money, Lin Guifang felt uneasy, fearing Liu Fan had done something illegal, but hearing it was from selling herbs, she relaxed and said happily, “Fan, we don’t lack anything at home, you need money for college. Take it back, your thoughtfulness is enough.”

Liu Fan didn’t dare give more, knowing Lin Guifang would worry. Even fifty thousand made her suspicious, so how could he give more? He knew she probably wouldn’t accept it, so he said, “Godmother, I’ve kept plenty for myself, enough for college. We’re a family now, this money is just for household needs. Unless you don’t accept me as part of the family—then I’ll take it back right now.” He feigned a stern face.

“Well, alright, I’ll keep it for you, and use it when you marry. Eat up, the food’s getting cold.” As he expected, Lin Guifang relented, and Liu Fan could only bury himself in his meal.

The three finished their dinner in high spirits and soon went off to rest, ending the day.

Thanks to Liu Fan’s sweet gifts, the next day Liu Yuting didn’t ask him to go shopping, much to his relief. It showed just how dreadful shopping with women could be—if even immortals found it exhausting, how could mere mortals bear it?

At 2:30 p.m. on August 28, 2012, Liu Fan finally boarded the high-speed train to Fudan University, accompanied of course by Lin Guifang and her daughter. The journey from Hangzhou to Shanghai by high-speed rail took just over thirty minutes. As Liu Fan dozed, the train’s broadcast sounded: “Dear passengers, we have arrived at Shanghai Railway Station. Please collect your belongings and prepare to disembark.” The announcement repeated three times.

Liu Fan got off the train, followed the crowd out of the station, and took a taxi to Fudan University. In fact, most colleges sent their own shuttle buses to pick up new freshmen at the station, but Liu Fan didn’t know that.

Fudan University was founded in 1905, first named Fudan Public School. In 1917, it was renamed Fudan University, offering courses in humanities, sciences, business, as well as preparatory and secondary school sections. After the national restructuring of higher education in 1952, it gradually developed into a comprehensive research university, encompassing humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, technological sciences, and management sciences. On April 27, 2000, Shanghai Medical University merged with Fudan University, forming the new Fudan University with a broader range of disciplines and even greater comprehensive strength.

At that moment, a yellow taxi stopped at the university gate, and a young man stepped out. He wore a gray-and-white tracksuit of indeterminate brand, likely from a street stall, and carried a blue backpack. He looked more like a tourist than a student. His jade-like face, bright star-like eyes, and faint smile drew attention as he glanced ahead, occasionally shaking his head. Passersby stopped and stared, their expressions varied—girls swooned, boys envied and resented.

This young man, of course, was Liu Fan himself. Upon seeing the university gate, he shook his head in mild disappointment, thinking, “Is this really a university? The gate’s not even as grand as my high school’s. I hope I didn’t go to the wrong place.” Though surprised, this suited Liu Fan’s preference for modesty—real talent didn’t need an ostentatious gate like the Arc de Triomphe; such extravagance without cultural depth was the hallmark of nouveau riche.

He strode quickly through the gates, and at the central platform ahead stood a statue of Chairman Mao, hands clasped behind his back, head held high, gazing into the distance with solemn dignity. Liu Fan was struck by a sense of reverence, bowed deeply, and entered the campus.

As he wandered deeper into the grounds, Liu Fan’s satisfaction with the surroundings grew. The campus was filled with buildings, shaded by lush trees, rugged rocks, babbling streams, and flourishing flowers and shrubs. The architecture harmonized with the greenery, refined and delicate, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere—a perfect fusion of Jiangnan gardens and modernity, captivating Liu Fan.

“Excuse me, could you tell me where freshmen register?” Unknowingly, Liu Fan had wandered far before realizing he hadn’t yet checked in. He approached a passing female student and asked. She didn’t respond immediately, so Liu Fan repeated, “Excuse me, where is the registration office for new students?”

“Ah! Oh, you just keep walking along this road, you’ll see the teaching buildings. There are lots of people there now, that’s where registration is.” The student blushed as she pointed the way, thinking, “Wow, he’s so handsome! If I could be his girlfriend, everyone would be jealous!”

“Thank you,” Liu Fan replied, brushing his nose lightly with his hand before quickly walking away. There was nothing to be done—being handsome was its own curse.

When Liu Fan reached the teaching building, he found it packed with people. Long lines stretched at several registration points, many parents among the crowd. Liu Fan couldn’t help but marvel, “There really are a lot of people in China.” Who knew how long he’d have to wait, so he began scheming.

“Wow, everyone look! A beautiful girl is streaking!” Liu Fan, amplifying his voice with his immortal power, shouted from outside the crowd.

Sure enough, many of the young men and curious onlookers rushed over, only to see a three-year-old girl playing in the dirt, relieving herself nearby. Realizing they’d been fooled, the crowd let out a collective groan, while Liu Fan quickly slipped to the front of the registration desk.

“Sister, I’m here to register.” Liu Fan pulled out his admission letter and money, placing them on the desk before a beautiful senior, addressing her politely. The senior was still distracted by the commotion, scanning the crowd, not hearing Liu Fan’s words.

Liu Fan frowned. What was with the girls today, acting as if he didn’t exist? He waved his hand in front of the senior’s face and said, “Sister, what are you looking at? I’m here to register—can you help me with the procedures?”

This time, the senior snapped back to reality. But when she saw Liu Fan’s jade-like face, delicate features, and star-bright eyes, she froze as if struck by lightning, unable to respond to him for a moment.