Before He Tiantian left Capital City, Teacher Guo had helped her complete the application and other related procedures.
By winter break, He Tiantian would be able to attend Capital University’s winter camp.
Without any unexpected events, He Tiantian would be admitted to Capital University ahead of time without taking the entrance exam, which people often referred to as "guaranteed admission."
At five in the afternoon, the plane arrived at Provincial City International Airport.
"Little girl, where are you headed?" the taxi driver asked enthusiastically.
He Tiantian hesitated—
Reason told her she should head directly to the long-distance bus station and catch the night bus back to the County.
If all went smoothly, she could make it back to her dorm room before lights-out.
That way, when she woke up on Monday, she could continue her life as a second-year high school student.
"To Triumph New City!"
He Tiantian heard herself say the address that had been lingering in her mind in a low voice.
"Alright, young lady, fasten your seatbelt, okay!"
The driver instructed as he set the navigation, started the car, and reminded He Tiantian not to forget her seatbelt.
"Okay, thank you, Master!" He Tiantian responded, fastening her seatbelt while her eyes watched the streets flashing by outside.
As they drove from the suburbs into the city, the tranquil vastness outside the window transformed into a brilliantly lit urban landscape.
Dazzling lights, red and green, reflected on He Tiantian’s fair face, but she didn’t pay much attention, her thoughts still churning.
"... just give each other another chance."
He Tiantian thought to herself, using these words to settle her turbulent emotions.
"Young lady, we’ve arrived at Triumph New City! Should I stop here on the roadside or take you inside the community?"
The taxi slowed to a stop by the roadside near a high-end community.
"Ah?" He Tiantian was taken aback, then quickly said, "Just here is fine, thank you, Master!"
He Tiantian politely thanked him, then paid the fare indicated on the receipt.
He Tiantian, carrying a backpack, briskly got out of the cab.
She had only brought two sets of clothes and toiletries for her trip to Capital City, and nothing more.
Together with a laptop and charger, a single backpack was enough.
Getting out of the car, standing tens of meters from the community’s main gate, He Tiantian hesitated—
Should she just go in?
Or should she first make a call to "him"?
She knew their contact information, workplace, and exact address.
When her aunt left, to completely break away from her, she had detailed some people’s information to her.
He Tiantian said she didn’t care, but she still remembered it in her heart.
Now here she was, in Provincial City, standing outside the gate, yet she felt inexplicably timid.
"Mom, today’s Japanese food was fantastic, that thick-cut salmon was the best..."
"Mm, this new Japanese restaurant is really good. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth the money!"
"If you both enjoy it, that’s great. It was recommended by a new colleague at our office. I’ll ask him later to find more places in Provincial City that are good for eating and having fun, and I’ll take you two there!"
"Thank you, Dad! Long live, Dad!"
The voices of a family of three approached from a distance.
He Tiantian showed no strong reaction upon hearing the boy and woman’s voices.
Because she didn’t know them, and their manner and content of conversation were just that of ordinary people.
But the moment that man’s voice rose, He Tiantian’s heart raced.
She had called him before, had heard his voice with her own ears.
He Tiantian wanted to look back, but at that moment, the cool-headed, decisive character from the novels became timid and hesitant.
"Excuse me, young lady!"
He Tiantian didn’t have the courage to turn around, but she still briefly intersected with the family stepping inside.
"Ah?" He Tiantian glanced up, unwittingly turning towards the voice and came face-to-face with a middle-aged woman in her forties.
"You’re blocking the way, young lady!"
The middle-aged woman appeared to be in a great mood; even being obstructed didn’t seem to bother her much. Instead, she smiled patiently and reminded her.
"Oh, oh, sorry!" He Tiantian apologized instinctively.
She was youthful and beautiful, exuding a unique aura that made her look different from ordinary high school girls.
The middle-aged woman and the boy next to her, even the middle-aged man on the outer edge, couldn’t help but give her a few extra glances.