Dad, Please Try a Little Harder

"He used to live on campus during high school, only coming back once every two weeks. At that time, I didn't feel much about it. Why do I feel so empty when sending him to college today?"

Yang Yuhua returned home after seeing their son off and sat on the couch, feeling down.

"It's normal. When he was in high school, it was in Riverside, just half an hour away by car, and he could come back every two weeks. Now he's going to Azure Bay, four or five hundred kilometers away. He might only come back once a semester."

"Why don't we have a university here?"

"Come on, dear, don't overthink it. Kids grow up and need to learn to be independent. Luckily, he's going with Linlang, and they can take care of each other." Qian Wenlin sat down beside his wife and reached out to embrace her shoulders.

"I'm just not used to it. Look how clingy he was to me when he was young, and now he suddenly has to go so far on his own, as if he doesn't need us anymore." She glanced at her husband and continued, "How about having another child? You've been practicing martial arts recently, right?"

"Let's stop there," Qian Wenlin said with a wry smile, "We shouldn't rush into having a second child just because we feel a gap in our hearts. The motivation would be wrong. How about this, let's get a puppy."

Yang Yuhua was speechless.

"I'm serious. According to a study from Stanford University in the United States, parents feel a certain anxiety and sense of loss when their children leave to pursue education or work. During this time, adopting a pet can help alleviate this sense of loss and redirect our emotions."

"Really?"

"Yes. If you don't believe me, you can observe it yourself or talk to colleagues about it."

"Okay."

"Also, there are two other things. I plan to get my driver's license this year and start a Chinese chess and calligraphy training class."

"Is it because you feel pressured due to Rocky going to college?"

"Not really. Just after Rocky got into college, I realized I'd been somewhat complacent these past few years, staying in my comfort zone for too long. If I keep going like this, I'm afraid Rocky will surpass me sooner or later. The great aura of being a father that I've painstakingly built will also disappear."

"So, I want to continue improving myself and, at the same time, set a good example for Rocky and Linlang. It's about leading by example, you know. You wouldn't believe how much admiration is in their eyes when they see me practicing Wing Chun."

"Speaking of martial arts, you must stick with it," Yang Yuhua glanced at her husband and reminded him.

"Understood," Qian Wenlin nodded in agreement.

...

The high-speed train slowly came to a stop at Hongqiao Station.

Qian Quan and Ding Linlang got off the train together.

There were so many people, it was really crowded.

"I wonder where the university's shuttle bus is parked," Ding Linlang said.

"Let's exit the station first. There should be someone waiting at the exit," Qian Quan suggested.

"Okay."

They pushed their luggage and used their ID cards to exit the station. As expected, they saw people holding signs at the exit. There were signs for various universities: Fudan University, Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, and Seacoast Normal University.

"Take care, and keep in touch," Qian Quan walked towards the sign for Seacoast Normal University.

Ding Linlang waved her hand and headed towards the sign for Fudan University.

"Hello, everyone. I'm a new student from Seacoast Normal University," Qian Quan greeted as he approached the sign.

"Hello, welcome to Azure Bay. Let me take you to the shuttle bus," a senior student with pink-framed glasses greeted warmly.

"Sure, thank you." Qian Quan pushed his luggage and followed behind the senior.

"What's your major?" the senior student asked along the way.

"History."

"I see. I'm in Tourism Management, and I'm a junior this year. Let's exchange contacts. If you have any questions about the campus in the future, feel free to ask me."

"Alright."

Qian Quan added the senior student as a friend on the social app.

"I'm Xun Yufei. What's your name? I'll add a note."

"Qian Quan."

Qian Quan also noted the senior student's name, but just as he finished, he received a message from her.

"Ladies, let me tell you, we have a super handsome guy in the History department this year. I think Song Changyao's position as the school heartthrob might be in danger."

Qian Quan stared at the message for a few seconds, puzzled. However, the message was instantly retracted.

Oh, she sent it to the wrong person.

Pretending not to have seen it, Qian Quan put his phone away.

Beside her, Xun Yufei's face turned as red as the evening glow, and she frantically vented in the "Welcoming New Students" chat group.

"So embarrassing! So embarrassing! I want to find a hole to hide in!"

Brocken: "What happened? Weren't you just escorting new students to the bus?"

Xun Yufei: "Yeah, it's that new student I just picked up from the History department. I added him on the social app and accidentally sent him the message meant for the dormitory group."

Brocken: "What did you send?"

Xun Yufei: "I said a handsome guy joined the History department this year and might replace Song Changyao as the school heartthrob."

Three seconds later.

Brocken: "Yufei, consider applying for an overseas study program or maybe even think about going to a space station..."

Other members in the group were also exploding with laughter, flooding the chat with "hahaha" and various humorous emojis.

Then, a female classmate said, "I really want to know how handsome he is to make Yufei lose her composure like this."

Xun Yufei: "You can ask Luo Xueping."

Brocken: "He's quite handsome. Even at my peak, I'd probably have to step aside."

Simon Fishgate: "Aren't you at your peak now?"

Brocken: "That's why I had Yufei go to pick him up."

Simon Fishgate: "Makes sense."

Simon Fishgate: "Yufei, sneak a photo and send it to us to take a look."

Xun Yufei: "Take a photo of what? I'm too nervous to even look at him now!"

Simon Fishgate: "Did he see the message? Did he reply to you?"

Xun Yufei: "He definitely saw it, but he's probably pretending he didn't."

As they chatted, the bus had arrived.

"Let's get on, find any seat you like."

Xun Yufei instructed and ran back to the station. She didn't even have time to respond to the "Thank you" that came from behind.

Qian Quan smiled as he watched her retreating figure. Just as he was about to board the bus, he caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

Song Xi.

Wearing a white dress, Song Xi followed behind a male student while the young man was actively helping her with her luggage.

The two walked towards another bus.

Song Xi also noticed Qian Quan. She suddenly stopped and stared directly at him. Qian Quan averted his gaze and stepped onto the bus.

...

At noon, Qian Quan arrived at Seacoast Normal University by bus.

During the start of the semester, with the addition of the second-year students' military training, the campus was bustling with activity.

With his luggage in tow, Qian Quan followed the signs to the registration point of the History Department.

After about ten minutes, he finally found the registration point for the History Department.

A few orientation volunteers were having lunch at that time.

Qian Quan counted and found there were a total of 10 volunteers: 8 girls and two boys.

"Are you a freshman here for registration?" a girl in a gray T-shirt asked Qian Quan.

"Yes."

Everyone lifted their heads to look at Qian Quan. It was clear that a few girls' eyes lit up upon seeing him.

Among them, two girls exchanged a knowing glance.

One of the joys of orientation was getting to know good-looking new students in advance.

"Come over, I'll help you with the registration," the girl in the gray T-shirt set aside her boxed lunch.

"Thank you, but you can eat first. I'll wait."

"No need, I'm done eating."

The girl in the gray T-shirt waved to Qian Quan and brought out a new student registration form.

Then, they went through the process of verifying documents, filling out information forms and confirmation papers, and receiving dormitory numbers and registration certificates.

Once everything was done, the girl in the gray T-shirt said, "You can add me on social app, and I'll invite you to the History Department's new student chat group. If you have any questions in the future, you can ask me directly."

"Okay, thank you."

With the documents in hand, Qian Quan prepared to go to the accommodation center for check-in. Another girl with twin ponytails and a cute, innocent appearance stood up and said, "Let me take you to the check-in center."

At first, Qian Quan wanted to decline, but the girl had already walked over under the curious and meaningful gazes of other new volunteers.

"Thank you."

Walking out of the Humanities Building, the girl started introducing herself, "I'm Wang Tongyu from the Chinese Language and Literature major, part of the Luminous Drama Society. We'll be recruiting new members tomorrow, so you can drop by and take a look."

"Okay," Qian Quan agreed. "By the way, what clubs are there in our school?"

"Our school has dozens of clubs, but only ten five-star clubs exist. The Luminous Drama Society is one of them."

"I see. Is there a Chinese chess club?"

"I haven't heard of a Chinese chess club, but there's a three-star Go club. There might also be a Chinese chess club, but it has yet to receive stars. Everyone knows the best Chinese chess club in Azure Bay is at Jiao Tong University. Are you good at Chinese chess?"

"I have some knowledge," Qian Quan replied.

"In that case, you should look for it at the club recruitment event tomorrow."

"Okay."

"By the way, add me on social app, and I'll ask around for you."

"Sure, no problem."

"Are there any other clubs you're interested in?"

"Basketball."

"We have a Basketball Association, but it's also an ordinary club without any stars."

"That's okay."

Soon, they arrived at the accommodation center, completed the check-in process, received dormitory supplies, and got the keys.

"Thank you for helping me," Qian Quan said as he headed to his dorm to settle in.

"You are welcome. Let's keep in touch in the future."

"Okay."

"Oh, and if someone tries to sell you a phone card or something, you can refuse."

"Got it."

Wang Tongyu waved and returned to the registration point.

Qian Quan carried his luggage and headed to his dormitory.

He chose the new apartment, a four-person room.

Upon finding his dormitory, he saw that there was already a fellow student arranging his bed.

They nodded at each other and exchanged greetings before getting busy with their own tasks.

Qian Quan chose his bed but didn't immediately start making it. He messaged Ding Linlang, "I've completed the check-in. How about you?"

After a while, Ding Linlang replied, "I've just arrived at the dormitory too."

"The senior female students at our school are really friendly, and chatting with them is really pleasant. On my way here, I've already added three or four senior female students on the social app."

There was a noticeable pause in Ding Linlang's response, and then she weakly replied, "I added 8."

Qian Quan was momentarily stunned, then he quickly realized what she meant and burst into laughter.