Chapter 18: The Promise (Requesting Recommendations and Bookmarks)

After the train arrived at the station, Li Jie and Geng Geng searched around the train station and finally found the welcome vehicle from Capital Media University. After a brief registration, they boarded the bus. The bus was almost full, filled with freshmen who had come from all over the country, chatting excitedly in small groups, completely at ease. Li Jie and Geng Geng walked hand in hand onto the bus and found an empty seat. Occasionally, some boys’ eyes would glance over at them, surprised to see a guy arriving directly with a girl, especially since the two appeared very close.

“Look, a big shot appears!”

“An expert!”

“A devastating blow to all the single people!”

The bus slowly started moving, and the chatter on board gradually died down as most passengers turned to look out the window, carefully taking in the unfamiliar city before them. Li Jie had come to the capital a few times for work in another world but had only passed through briefly, never staying long. Now, he observed the capital of 2006 with interest. Compared to 2018, many iconic buildings were yet to be constructed, but numerous skyscrapers were rising rapidly. The entire city resembled a vast construction site, with cranes everywhere, dense traffic, and rows upon rows of buildings, unfolding like a grand painting before his eyes.

“Lu Xinghe, look! Tiananmen! Wow! I’m so excited! Finally seeing the real thing!” Geng Geng clapped her hands joyfully.

“Don’t rush; there will be plenty of time later. We’ll be living here for four years, maybe even longer. By then, we’ll have explored all of Beijing and tasted all its food!”

“Oh? Why would it be longer?” Geng Geng tilted her head in curiosity.

“Think about it. After four years of university, if we work and settle down here, that means even more time,” Li Jie whispered close to her ear.

“Who’s going to settle down with you?” Feeling Li Jie’s warm breath near her earlobe, Geng Geng blushed and replied coquettishly, lightly punching his arm with her small fists. In truth, her heart was already bursting with joy. After all these years, Li Jie had finally confirmed their relationship, but she wouldn’t agree until he said those three words.

“Of course it’s you. Who else would it be?” Li Jie said with absolute certainty. He then tightly held Geng Geng’s hands, their fingers intertwined. The warmth from his palms made her feel as if her heart might melt. They gazed silently at each other—at that moment, silence spoke louder than words.

Upon arrival, the freshmen eagerly disembarked and hurried toward the registration area.

At the school entrance hung a banner: “Welcome Class of ’06 Freshmen! Capital Media University Welcomes You!” Beneath it, tables and chairs were set up, with senior students from various departments standing ready to guide the newcomers through registration. Though September in the capital was turning cool, the midday sun still brought some warmth. Most of the boys were visibly excited by the elegant and well-dressed senior girls.

A tall, stylishly dressed senior girl with a fresh, softly made-up face was gently explaining the school’s history and registration procedures to a somewhat dark-skinned, shy boy. The boy’s mind seemed elsewhere, and though his face darkened, one could tell he was embarrassed.

Li Jie first led Geng Geng to the photography department’s registration desk. A senior boy standing there brightened noticeably when he saw Geng Geng and was about to step forward, but upon noticing Li Jie and Geng Geng holding hands, his expression darkened, and he withdrew, thinking, “What a rare beauty, but she’s already taken.”

“Hello, students! Are you registering together or separately?” A pretty-faced senior girl stepped forward as the two approached.

Li Jie puckered his lips and nodded toward Geng Geng. The senior then guided Geng Geng to complete the necessary procedures and received her dormitory key. Li Jie accompanied her the entire time, carrying the luggage her parents had prepared. Apart from a laptop for work, Li Jie had brought only two sets of clothes; Geng Geng’s parents, however, had packed many items, some useful, some less so.

Since it was freshmen registration day, the girls’ dormitory allowed visitors. Many girls arrived with their parents or alone; it was rare to see a girl accompanied by a boy close in age. As they entered the dormitory building, the dormitory supervisor shot Li Jie a sharp, suspicious glance.

Following the number on the key, they found their assigned room at the end of the second-floor corridor. The room was a standard four-person dorm with bunk beds—bed on top, desk below. One occupant had already arrived; a middle-aged person, likely a relative, was organizing their belongings. Hearing the noise, the person looked up, their expression strange at the sight of the pair, then smiled warmly. “Hello! You’ll be roommates with our Fangfang. Please take good care of each other.”

“Hello, uncle! Don’t worry, we will!” Li Jie replied.

After brief introductions and some polite conversation, Li Jie skillfully helped Geng Geng unpack and neatly arranged her bed. Watching Li Jie’s adeptness, Geng Geng felt a pang of sympathy, knowing he had lived alone since high school.

Once everything was settled, Geng Geng said, “Lu Xinghe, I’ll go with you to finish your registration.”

Li Jie nodded. Hand in hand, they left the dorm, retracing the registration steps. After putting away their belongings, dusk fell. Both were quite hungry after the day’s busy activities, so they left campus to find something to eat.

While searching for a restaurant, Li Jie received a call from Beta, who had just finished her registration as well. She was invited to join them for dinner. About ten minutes later, Beta arrived. The two best friends, separated for a few days, reunited effortlessly, their bond undiminished. They linked arms, laughing and chatting all the way.

Li Jie felt relieved watching the two walk ahead in such harmony. Due to him, Geng Geng had faced much hostility in high school; Beta was her only close friend. If they had drifted apart, he wouldn’t know how to comfort her. Such a thought made him anxious.

Looking at the table scattered with empty dishes, the three burst into laughter. They were all exhausted. The reunion with Beta helped ease Geng Geng’s homesickness for the first time since leaving home. After Li Jie paid the bill, the three left the restaurant together.

As the city lights flickered on, Geng Geng looked at the two people beside her—her best friend and the one she loved—and her spirits lifted. With both of them by her side, she felt fearless. She thought back to Li Jie’s words on the bus, and a sweet warmth filled her heart. The fear of being far from home vanished without a trace.

Beta attended Yanjing Second Foreign Language College, right next to Capital Media University. Upon parting ways, Beta planned to spend the remaining days of registration showing the two around the capital, beginning to fulfill the sightseeing plans she had previously discussed with Geng Geng. They agreed to meet at the gate of Capital Media University the next morning.