The next morning, sunlight streamed through the train window and fell on Long Aotian’s body.
Blinking his eyes groggily, he took a deep breath and ruffled his hair. "Not sleeping in my own bed really is uncomfortable," he muttered.
Sitting up, he glanced at the girl still fast asleep on the opposite bunk.
Long Aotian’s lips twitched, and suddenly, he felt his cheeks grow hot with embarrassment.
The girl lay on her side, facing him, her eyes peacefully closed, her breathing soft and steady. She looked so serene in her slumber that she didn’t even stir when the small blanket began slipping off her shoulder.
Shaking his head, Long Aotian reached over and pulled the blanket back up over her before standing and heading toward the corridor.
The connecting area between the train cars had a restroom. Long Aotian used the toilet and splashed some water on his face before returning to his bunk.
Perhaps his footsteps were too loud.
The moment he sat back down, Hu Yuying on the opposite bunk slowly opened her eyes, though it was clear she was still exhausted. In a sleepy, childlike voice, she murmured, "Brother Long..."
Rubbing her eyes, she tried to force herself awake, but her drowsy expression only made her seem even softer and more adorable.
She ran her fingers through her tousled long hair, her sluggish mind still trying to process what she should do next. That fleeting moment of innocent confusion made it impossible not to want to pull her into his arms and tease her mercilessly.
Long Aotian cleared his throat, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt. He averted his gaze awkwardly. "Sleep a little longer. I’ll wake you when we arrive."
Hu Yuying nodded vaguely. She knew Long Aotian as well as he knew her—that brief flicker of guilt on his face hadn’t escaped her notice.
But right now, she was just too tired.
She had stayed up far too late the night before, and at six in the morning, her head was still foggy with sleep.
She had no idea why Brother Long was acting so guilty, but with a soft murmur, she lay back down and drifted off again.
Hu Yuying had always wanted to appear strong in front of Long Aotian, but today, in her half-asleep daze, she had unwittingly melted his heart.
Silly, dazed, adorably clueless—with those big, watery eyes that made her look so pure and innocent—she was just… too cute.
Long Aotian pulled his gaze away and sat cross-legged on his bunk. There were still over three hours left before they reached Capital Station.
In her sleep, Hu Yuying felt something tickling her nose. She instinctively swatted at it.
But the tickling persisted.
Blinking her eyes open, she saw Long Aotian standing over her, watching her with an amused expression.
"Brother Long~" Her voice was soft and husky from sleep.
"Get up and freshen up. We’re almost there."
At his words, Hu Yuying jolted awake. She hadn’t forgotten—today was the day they were reporting to University A.
She quickly rubbed her eyes and sat up on the cramped bunk.
"Got it, Brother Long," she said obediently before grabbing her bag from under the pillow, retrieving her toiletries, and heading to the restroom.
By the time she returned, she looked much more refreshed.
Water droplets trailed down her fair cheeks, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
"Eat something light. Once we arrive, I’ll treat you to breakfast in Capital City."
"Mhm," Hu Yuying nodded cheerfully. Whatever he said, she would follow without question.
Just then, her phone buzzed twice.
Pulling it out, she said, "Brother Long, it’s Li Qingxue."
She turned the screen toward him. "She says she’s coming to pick us up."
"At least Li Qingxue genuinely considers you a friend. You two should help each other out at school."
"University is like a miniature society—having good friends will benefit you in the long run."
Hu Yuying giggled. "Mhm, I know, Brother Long. I’ve already grown a thicker skin. I won’t blush just from talking to people anymore."
The mention of this made Long Aotian’s eyes flicker. It must have been those words Hu Yuying whispered to him before bed last night that led to… that dream.
The real Hu Yuying had indeed become bolder, but the Hu Yuying in his dream had taken shamelessness to a whole new level...
Even if it was just his imagination, Long Aotian wasn’t above shifting the blame.
Hu Yuying, meanwhile, was busy typing on her phone, her warm, carefree smile radiating comfort.
Soon, she held the phone out to Long Aotian again. "Brother Long, look—this is University A’s campus!"
The screen displayed photos Li Qingxue had sent: the university gates, the pathways, the buildings—even banks, hospitals, and a produce market.
Long Aotian, the country bumpkin, was stunned. He had always imagined University A as a solemn place of learning, but instead, it looked like a self-contained city.
There were sand volleyball courts, archery ranges, track fields—even a roller-skating rink.
Just from the photos alone, it was obvious how massive the campus was. It could easily rival a small town.
This is a university? It’s nothing like what I imagined!" Long Aotian had never attended university, so his impressions were shaped entirely by TV dramas.
But Li Qingxue’s photos had completely shattered his preconceptions.
Now, he couldn’t help but feel excited about his own university life.
Both University A and University T were in Haidian District. If they were in the same area, surely they wouldn’t be too different.
Lost in anticipation, the train soon arrived at its final stop—Capital City.
Long Aotian slung his backpack over his shoulder, grabbed both his and Hu Yuying’s suitcases, and followed the crowd out.
The moment he stepped off the train, every cell in his body trembled with excitement.
Hu Yuying beside him was just as exhilarated.
"Stay close," he said before leading her through the station with their luggage.
Experiencing Capital City firsthand, Long Aotian could only describe it as vast and magnificent.
Capital Station alone was eight times the size of Haiwan Station.
The streets were packed—cars streamed past one after another.
Bustling. The surrounding buildings weren’t particularly tall, but the city pulsed with life.
"Is this the city we’ll be living in for the next four years?"
Just as he marvelled—
"Long Aotian! Hu Yuying!"
A clear, bell-like voice rang out. It was Li Qingxue.
Every time they saw her, her vibrant energy was infectious—forever spirited, as if untouched by sorrow or age. She was, without a doubt, the most radiant presence of all.