usatvline Chapter 11 First Arrival at Shanghai University
Chapter 11 First Arrival at Shanghai University
After a bumpy six-hour journey on the high-speed train, Luo Li finally arrived in Shanghai.
As soon as I stepped out of the station, the vibrant atmosphere of prosperity enveloped me. Skyscrapers stood like giants, piercing the clouds, their glass curtain walls shimmering dazzlingly in the sunlight, like countless sparkling diamonds embedded within. Huge electronic screens atop the buildings constantly switched between dazzling advertisements, the images vibrant and captivating.
The streets were bustling with traffic, cars weaving through the crowds like a never-ending tide, luxury vehicles interspersed among them, showcasing the city's opulence. The constant honking of horns created a unique urban symphony. Shops lining both sides of the street were dazzling, their exquisite windows displaying a variety of high-end fashion items, from international designer clothing to limited-edition jewelry, all attracting the attention of passersby.
Pedestrians hurried along the street, dressed in fashionable clothes—some in sharp suits, others in trendy, individualistic outfits. Young office workers, coffee in hand, made business calls as they walked. Tourists, meanwhile, looked around excitedly, their cameras constantly snapping photos of the charming city.
As night falls, neon lights illuminate the city, transforming Shanghai's nightscape into a dreamlike wonderland. Bars and restaurants are bustling with activity, their lively laughter and vibrant music filling the streets. Along the Bund, the Huangpu River shimmers under the lights, while the Oriental Pearl Tower on the opposite bank shines like a jewel, a testament to Shanghai's boundless prosperity.
After searching around the vicinity of Shanghai University with her suitcase, Luo Li finally chose a hotel to stay in. The hotel lobby was spacious and bright, with marble floors that gleamed like mirrors. Luo Li quickly completed the check-in procedures at the front desk and headed to her room.
After entering the room, she quickly made herself some instant noodles, hastily tackling her hunger. At that moment, she felt completely drained, every cell in her body screaming with exhaustion. She collapsed onto the bed, the soft mattress seeming to magically envelop her.
Without even changing her clothes, she slowly closed her eyes. In her half-awake state, her mind drifted to plans for tomorrow, thinking about exploring the surroundings and getting a feel for her environment. After all, this would be where she would be settling down for the next three years. She seemed to see herself walking on the Shanghai University campus, feeling the rich academic atmosphere; she saw the street food stalls, emitting enticing aromas; she saw the unfamiliar yet soon-to-be-familiar streets and alleys, full of endless possibilities. Gradually, her breathing became even, and she drifted completely into sleep.
On the last day of August, sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, casting golden rays onto Luo Li's desk. Luo Li sat at her desk, her fingers lightly resting on the mouse. Taking a deep breath, with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, she slowly opened the music platform.
Her eyes were glued to the screen, and she muttered to herself, "I wonder how 'Backpack' is doing on the Rising Stars list." She scrolled the mouse wheel gently, and the page gradually unfolded. When she saw the words "Backpack," Luo Li's eyes lit up instantly.
After more than half a month of development, the song, like a dazzling star, stood out on the newcomer chart and firmly occupied the number one position. Luo Li's lips unconsciously curled up, her heart filled with excitement and joy: "That's amazing, it really did it!" She hurriedly checked the download count of "Backpack," and the eye-catching number caught her eye—980 million downloads.
Luo Li couldn't help but reach out and gently cover her mouth, her eyes sparkling with surprise. She thought to herself, "It's about to reach 1000 million times, it's incredible." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on the number, as if trying to push it to break through 1000 million faster with her gaze.
The next day, the morning sunlight streamed through the hotel window. Luo Li packed her luggage early and checked out. Dragging her suitcase, she slowly walked towards Shanghai University.
The campus of Shanghai University was filled with a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The registration office was located beside the main road of the campus, surrounded by shady trees, where birds chirped as if welcoming the new students. Colorful flags fluttered in the breeze, and signs were placed on the ground, creating a bustling scene of students and parents coming and going.
Luo Li arrived at the registration area and saw a tall, handsome senior standing there. He stood tall and straight, like a poplar tree, wearing a clean and neat white shirt with the cuffs neatly rolled up, revealing his tanned and muscular arms. He had short, neat hair, bright and gentle eyes, and a warm smile on his face.
When the senior student saw Luo Li dragging her suitcase, he quickly went up to her with a bright smile and said, "Hello, junior, welcome to Shanghai University. I'm in charge of welcoming new students. My name is Lin Yu." As he spoke, he naturally reached out and took Luo Li's suitcase, his movements very gentlemanly.
Luo Li replied somewhat shyly, "Hello, senior. I'm a freshman in the Composition Department, class of 24. Thank you for your help."
Lin Yu easily picked up his suitcase and said with a smile, "No trouble at all, it's nothing. This way, junior, I'll take you to complete the enrollment procedures first." After saying that, he led the way, occasionally turning back to check if Luo Li was following, his eyes full of concern. Luo Li followed behind her senior, looking around at everything on campus.
Lin Yu led Luo Li towards the registration area. His steps were steady, and he would occasionally turn his head to introduce the campus buildings to Luo Li in a gentle voice. "Look, that building over there is our library. It's huge, and the collection of books is incredibly rich. You can go there often in the future."
Upon arriving at the registration area, they found it teeming with people, with several long queues. Lin Yu first found a relatively short queue, placed his suitcase aside, and said to Luo Li, "Junior, let's queue here first." He stood ramrod straight, keeping a close eye on the movement of the queue.
When it was Luo Li's turn to complete the procedures, Lin Yu helped hand the relevant documents to the staff. The procedures were quite complicated, involving multiple steps such as registering for student status, receiving the campus card, and assigning a dormitory room. After completing each step, Lin Yu would thoughtfully tell Luo Li what to do next. When receiving the campus card, the staff asked Luo Li to take a photo. Luo Li tidied her hair, and Lin Yu smiled and said, "You look very energetic like this, junior."
After completing all the formalities, Lin Yu picked up his suitcase again and led Luo Li down to the dormitory building. Along the way, he pointed to some club recruitment booths by the roadside and said, "Junior, these are all school clubs. You can join one based on your interests in a while." His voice sounded particularly warm in the bustling campus.
Upon arriving at the dormitory building, Lin Yu gently placed the suitcase beside Luo Li, a warm smile on his face, and said, "Junior, we've arrived at the dormitory. I hope you have a happy time at Shanghai University."
"Thank you, senior. Goodbye." Luo Li responded politely, taking the luggage with her hand. Her eyes showed gratitude, mixed with a hint of shyness.
Lin Yu smiled and said, "Goodbye, junior. If you encounter any problems, feel free to contact me anytime. I'm from the Economics and Management Department. Let's add each other as friends, so it'll be easier for you to contact me later."
After adding each other as friends, Luo Li turned around and dragged her suitcase into the dormitory building. The building was filled with the unique scent of a new environment—a faint smell of disinfectant mixed with the aroma of brand-new furniture. She slowly walked up the stairs, her heart filled with anticipation with each step.
Reaching the third floor, she walked down the corridor looking for room 302. A few students and parents were coming and going in the corridor; there weren't many, as it was still early. They were either discussing how to arrange the dorm room or helping each other move their luggage.
Finally, Luo Li saw the room number 302 at the end of the corridor. She took a deep breath, then gently pushed open the door, revealing a brand new living space. The room contained several empty beds and a table and chairs; no other roommates had arrived yet.