28: Chapter 28 Return to School

The day to return to school finally arrived.

Early in the morning, the sky was dim, carrying the unique chill of winter.

Chen Youhua's luggage was much heavier than when he had arrived.

There was a bulging large suitcase, plus an oversized travel bag stuffed out of shape.

It was filled with vacuum-sealed cured meat and sausages handmade by his mother, local specialty pickles and pastries his father had specifically gone out to buy, and several large bags of roasted peanuts and melon seeds.

"Share some with your classmates in the lab."

His father's voice still seemed to echo in his ears.

There were so many things that the zippers were strained tight; it was his parents' concern stuffed in the most simple and honest way.

At the doorstep, his mother's hand rested on his pilled old scarf, her fingertips unconsciously twisting a lint ball, her eyes a bit red.

"Send a message to let us know you're safe when you get to school. If the cafeteria food doesn't suit your taste, buy something good for yourself, don't worry about the money!"

Her voice paused, carrying a hint of imperceptible tension.

"If you run out of money, just tell us!"

She reached out, wanting to help him carry that bulging travel bag again, but as soon as her fingers touched the handle, Chen Youhua turned slightly to block her.

"Mom, really, there's no need. I can carry it."

His voice was a bit muffled as he shrugged the travel bag further onto his shoulder.

His father stood to the side, silent, only taking a step forward to rest a broad palm on his shoulder, pressing down firmly and then patting it.

"At school, eat well, dress warmly, and study hard."

His gaze fell on his son's face and lingered for a moment.

"If anything happens, don't try to shoulder it all alone. Remember home."

There were no extra questions, no prying looks, only heavy exhortations.

Chen Youhua looked at the moisture in the corners of his mother's eyes and the few new strands of grey at his father's temples, his throat tightening.

He nodded vigorously, his lips pursed for a moment before he could squeeze out a sound.

"Yeah, I know. You guys take care of yourselves at home too."

That familiar swelling ache blocked his chest.

Back then, with the halo of being the top scorer in the provincial college entrance exam, he had rejected the olive branches extended by Tsinghua and Peking University, insisting on choosing Z University within his home province.

This choice had caused his teachers to lament and his classmates to be baffled, but he had never defended himself.

The direction of Professor Zhang's laboratory was certainly enticing, but the deeper tie was the distance that allowed him to return home at any time.

He didn't want to see his parents forcing smiles on video calls, nor did he want to miss the old locust tree outside the window budding and shedding its leaves.

"Alright, go on now, don't miss your train!"

His mother finally let go, her fingertips curling back as she spoke with a forced briskness, urging him on.

Chen Youhua took a deep breath of the cold air, dragged his heavy luggage, and turned toward the taxi waiting at the entrance of the residential complex.

He didn't look back, his gaze lowered, staring at the path beneath his feet.

Sitting in the car, through the window, his peripheral vision still caught the two figures standing at the building entrance. In the faint morning light of winter, they appeared exceptionally clear, watching the car until it turned the corner.

He quickly turned his face to the other side of the car window.

---

The high-speed rail station was a sea of people, much more crowded than when he had returned home.

Most were migrant workers carrying huge packs and hurrying along; woven bags and suitcases modified from paint buckets were the mainstream, their faces etched with the marks of life and hope for the new year.

The figures of students with backpacks were scattered here and there.

Chen Youhua dragged his two large pieces of luggage, moving with difficulty through the crowd. His clean blue down jacket and luggage stuffed with hometown food drew an invisible line between him and the travel-worn crowd around him.

The carriage was filled with a mixed scent of instant noodles, sweat, and disinfectant.

His seat was by the window. Next to him sat a dark-skinned uncle with thick, calloused knuckles, a bulging snakeskin bag that was nearly bursting at his feet.

Shortly after boarding, the uncle leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, a deep weariness from a long journey etched between his brows.

Chen Youhua struggled to stuff the heavy travel bag into the overhead rack, keeping only the backpack containing his laptop in his arms.

The massive suitcase was forced into the space in front of his seat, nearly pressing against his knees.

The train started, and the fields and towns outside the window receded rapidly.

Chen Youhua took out his phone and tapped the screen a few times.

He sent a message to his parents: "On the train, don't worry."

Then, he opened Zhang Zhenhua's laboratory group chat:

Chen Youhua: Professor Zhang, Senior Brother Wang, Senior Sister Li, Happy New Year to all senior brothers and sisters. I've returned to school and expect to report to the lab tomorrow morning. I'll ask for guidance on project-related matters in person tomorrow. @Zhang Zhenhua @Wang Zhe @Senior Sister Li

Almost immediately, the phone vibrated:

Wang Zhe: Xiao Chen is back? Happy New Year! Man, so early! Alright, see you tomorrow! Just in time to talk to you about how to fill that hole in the software!

Senior Sister Li: Welcome back, Junior Brother Chen. Happy New Year. It's been a long journey for you. See you tomorrow.

Professor Zhang didn't reply in the group, but a new message notification soon popped up in Chen Youhua's private WeChat:

Zhang Zhenhua: Received. Stay safe on the road. Come directly to my office to find me tomorrow.

Next, his finger slid and opened the pinned profile of Xiao Wen.

In the chat box, the last message remained the "Happy New Year" he had replied with on New Year's Eve.

He thought for a moment and typed three words:

Chen Youhua: Back at school.

The message was sent, and the screen went dark without lighting up again immediately.

Chen Youhua locked the screen and cast his gaze out the window at the fleeting, bleak winter scenery.

In his mind, the unfinished chip experiment architecture diagram, the raw image data streams waiting to be processed, the stuck analysis software code segments... concrete modules surfaced and arranged themselves clearly one by one.

The curtain fell on his brief respite, and the familiar, efficient operational rhythm of the laboratory restarted in his mind.

He adjusted his sitting posture, his knees still pressed against the suitcase.

His gaze settled, focusing on the invisible distance.

---

A few hours later, the high-speed train pulled smoothly into Z City South Station.

Chen Youhua once again dragged his heavy luggage, merging into the surging crowd of people exiting the station.

Stepping out of the platform, the air unique to the city, mixed with exhaust and dust, rushed toward him.

He hailed a taxi and gave the address for Z University.

The car drove into the campus area.

With the start of the semester approaching, the campus was empty and lonely.

The plane trees on both sides of the main road had only bare branches left, pointing straight at the grey-white sky.

Most of the dormitory buildings were dark, with only a few scattered windows showing light.

The library and teaching buildings stood in silence.

Occasionally, one or two students dragging luggage could be seen, or a cleaner wrapped in a thick cotton coat sweeping fallen leaves.

The air was cold, and the wheels of the suitcase made a monotonous "rumble" as they pressed against the asphalt road.

Chen Youhua dragged his two large pieces of luggage, step by step, toward the equally silent dormitory building.

The key was inserted into the lock of Room 307, turned, and with a soft "click."

He pushed open the door, and a scent mixed with dust and stale air wafted out.

His roommates' beds were empty; only his desk and bed bore traces of recent use.

He put down his luggage, not in a hurry to organize.

Walking to the window, the empty basketball court below and the silent campus in the distance came into view.

He took out his phone, snapped a photo of the view outside the window, and sent it to his parents.

"Arrived at school, everything is well. Don't worry."

Then, he rolled up his sleeves and unzipped that heavy travel bag.

The rich, salty aroma of cured meat and the unique scent of pickles instantly filled the room, diluting the dusty smell of the dormitory.

He began to take out the vacuum-packed sausages, pickle jars, peanuts, and melon seeds, categorizing them and lining them up neatly in the cabinet.

Only the rustling sound of him organizing things remained in the dormitory.

The brief atmosphere of home was properly tucked away.

The Z University campus, Professor Zhang's office, the experimental project waiting to be conquered, and the path leading toward a profound future were all waiting quietly.

Chen Youhua picked up his notebook, his fingertips brushing across the smooth cover as he walked toward his desk.