Chapter 2: An Unexpected Encounter

I dragged my heavy steps, traversing every inch of the school grounds. Everything in the campus tugged at my heart like poison: the towering buildings, the lush trees, the vibrant flowers and grass, the bustling crowds, the sounds of laughter and joy—all of it was so beautiful. Yet, none of this beauty belonged to me, and I found it hard to let go. I was reluctant to leave; even if I could not be a student here, I still wanted to stay, guarding my dreams.

Xiao Yue did not call out to me, but I could feel the heat burning on my back; it was her intense gaze that kept watching me. Yet, I still did not turn back, using all my strength to walk out of the train station as quickly as I could.

I struggled to get up, using all my strength to take a deep breath. I did not look at her, but simply replied in Mandarin to mask my faint dialect, "I'm sorry, you have mistaken me for someone else, thank you for your money!" After saying this, I turned around and left with a determined limp.

The moment I got off the bus, the grand and magnificent university gate captured my soul. I stood there in a daze, watching the continuous stream of students flowing through that imposing entrance into the campus. At that moment, each of their faces radiated with joyful smiles. How I wished to be like them, filled with enthusiasm and hope as I walked into the dream campus. Yet in the end, I could only lower my head, limping, and walk in alone amidst such a cheerful atmosphere, feeling desolate.

Finally reaching the terminal, as soon as I got off the train, the scorching sun made me feel dizzy. I arrived at a small shop, drenched in sweat, wanting to buy a bottle of water. However, when I reached into my pocket, I discovered that it was torn, and all the money I had saved through frugality was gone. In an instant, my legs went weak, and I collapsed to the ground, helpless tears streaming down my face once again. It turned out that not only were the people in my village bad, but the outside world was even more treacherous. I suddenly felt that there were no good people in this world.

The police, fierce as tigers, stormed into our village, rescuing many women who had been trafficked and arresting numerous villagers involved in the trafficking, including my parents. My life became even more chaotic as I faced the scorn and beatings from the entire village. Everyone believed I was the one who brought the police, and they would not allow me, a traitor, to remain in the village. I was at a loss for words, for I knew deep down that even if it was Xiaoyue who reported it, I still bore the responsibility. I could no longer stay in the village that had nurtured me; I could only pack my belongings, take the little savings I had accumulated over N years, and leave the village like a stray dog.

Upon this realization, I immediately began my search for a job at school. However, while my desire was unwavering, reality proved to be brutally stark. I inquired at every shop on the school commercial street and visited every cafeteria, yet not a single place was willing to hire me for menial work. Perhaps they did not wish for my filthy disability to tarnish this sacred campus.

The restaurant at this moment is in utter chaos. I stand in the corner, nervously scanning the crowd. When I see that face, I can no longer suppress the tremors that engulf my body. After parting at the train station, I thought I would never see her again in my life. I believed I could completely bid farewell to my unbearable past. But how could I have anticipated that she would once again intrude into my line of sight so unexpectedly and abruptly.

She was so dazzling under the sunlight, so youthful and beautiful. Her beauty radiated a special light, piercing my eyes and my heart. My heart trembled violently, and Xiaoyue's gaze also revealed surprise. In disbelief, she squeezed out two words at me: "Ge Tian?"

I appeared calm on the surface, but inside I was constantly praying, praying that those people would not come into the kitchen and harm the innocent. I did not want the peaceful days I had worked so hard to achieve to be shattered. However, as I was halfway through cutting the radish, my body suddenly froze as if struck by electricity, and that familiar voice echoed in my ears, one call after another. My heart, which I forced to remain calm, began to race violently. As if possessed, I unhesitatingly put down the kitchen knife and limped out of the kitchen.

During the peak season of school opening, the train resembled a chaotic market, with people packed closely together. I had purchased a standing ticket for a journey lasting 20 hours, and I spent almost the entire time standing. The prices of items on the train were exorbitant, and I couldn't bring myself to buy anything, so I endured the journey with an empty stomach and thirst.

I drifted like a wandering soul for several days, arriving at the train station. Watching the ebb and flow of people, I noticed the university students dragging their suitcases, and my despondent heart suddenly felt a flicker of emotion. The whims of fate prevented me from attending university like a normal child, yet that city, that university, remains my dream. Even though I have no money for enrollment, at the very least, I want to visit the place of my dreams. With this thought in mind, I immediately took out the money I had been reluctant to spend even on lodging and meals, bought a train ticket, and embarked on the journey to pursue my dreams. The whims of fate prevented me from attending university like a normal child, yet that city, that university, remains my dream. Even though I have no money for enrollment, at the very least, I want to visit the place of my dreams. With this thought in mind, I immediately took out the money I had been reluctant to spend even on lodging and meals, bought a train ticket, and embarked on the journey to pursue my dreams.

I suddenly understood that someone had mistaken me for a beggar, but I did not feel ashamed because of it. On the contrary, my desperate and cold heart suddenly felt a hint of warmth. I began to believe that this world is not entirely indifferent; kind-hearted people do exist. I seemed to see a glimmer of hope, the hope of survival. With this hope, I picked up the ten yuan from the ground, raised my face, and wanted to say thank you to the kind-hearted person.

Thus, day after day, I am busy every day, eating the leftovers of the guests, living in the restaurant, which is equivalent to helping the owner watch the store. The work is very busy, but whenever I have a moment to spare, I rush to the school, which is the best reward for all my busyness. Sometimes, I sneak into the classroom to audit lectures, sometimes I sneak into the library to read books, and more often, I sit alone under the shade of a tree, watching the freshmen undergo military training, filled with emotions! Countless times, I have hoped to be one among the many in camouflage uniforms, but reality quickly wakes me up. Although wishes remain wishes, I am still somewhat satisfied with this life of working close to the school.

The farther I am from the village, the more sorrowfully I cry. Countless emotions accumulate in my chest, the most profound being my reluctance to part. I worry about my elderly grandmother, I worry about my foolish brother, and I feel even more guilty towards my parents who are trapped in prison. I know that it was Xiao Yue who caused me to leave my hometown and suffer the destruction of my family; it was she who reported to the police. Yet, no matter what, the blame can only fall on myself. It was I who let Xiao Yue go. Before I allowed her to leave, I should have considered all the consequences, the painful price I would have to pay, which I brought upon myself.

Soon, I have been working in the restaurant for more than half a month. The boss has already placed great trust in me. On this day, coincidentally, it was the last day of the new students' military training. As usual, I was helping in the kitchen when suddenly, the only two waitstaff in the restaurant rushed into the kitchen, looking anxious. They said there was a disturbance in the dining area, and it was quite loud. They came here to hide. The chef beside me hurried to call the boss, while I continued to diligently slice my radishes, one cut at a time.

Upon arriving at the convenience store, I took the ten yuan bill that Xiao Yue had given me, held it to my nose, and took a deep breath. I then handed it to the shopkeeper, purchased a bottle of water and a piece of bread, quenching my thirst and satisfying my hunger. Grasping the change I received, I resolutely set off on my journey to the university

At this moment, I am no longer weak; instead, I feel a sense of grandeur erupting from the depths of my heart

Perhaps there exists some kind of resonance; at the moment I raised my face, the girl carrying a pink suitcase who had just given me money also suddenly turned to look at me. In that instant when our eyes met, a surge flowed through my heart. I was stunned, dazed; that face in the distance was so familiar. She was none other than the newly transformed Xiao Yue.

Despite the numerous setbacks and the countless cold stares and blows I have endured, I have not given up on the idea of staying at this university. Homeless as I am, it seems I have already come to regard it as my second home from the depths of my heart. Reality can shatter a fragile soul, but it cannot easily crush a strong will. I drag my weary body in relentless search, persistently holding on, and finally, heaven has opened its eyes.

This sudden blow has drained the last remnants of my strength and will. I struggled to lift my head and glance at the scorching sun. In this moment, I surrendered; I surrendered to the reality of life, surrendered to the injustices of the world. Dreams feel so distant. With no money and utterly exhausted, how can I possibly climb to that dream university

I do not know how much longer my limited consciousness can endure, I only know that I am in turmoil, my mind feels like it has exploded. I desperately want to rush in front of her and question whether she was the one who called the police, to ask her why she has caused me to lose both my family and my home. Yet, I did not do that; in the end, this is all my own doing. Now, I lie before her like a dog, I do not want to be so pathetic, nor do I wish to wag my tail in front of her, begging for mercy. I want to ask her why she has caused me to lose both my family and my home, yet I did not do that; in the end, this is all my own doing. Now, I lie before her like a dog, I do not want to be so pathetic, nor do I wish to wag my tail in front of her, begging for mercy.

Weak as I am, I can no longer endure the direct rays of the sun. I helplessly lowered my head, and tears from my stinging eyes fell to the ground. At that moment, I was even worse off than a beggar; at least a beggar has the strength to beg, while I have lost everything, including that faint glimmer of hope. I am tired and wish to sleep, but just as I was about to close my eyes, a ten-yuan bill floated down before me like a dazzling piece of gold.

I found a job at a small restaurant near the school. The owners are a couple from Sichuan. I am not sure if they hired me out of pity or if they genuinely needed staff, but I am still very grateful despite the low salary. It is currently the peak season for school openings, and the restaurant is very busy. As soon as I arrived, I was overwhelmed with work. However, after having a good meal, I managed to work quite efficiently. No matter how busy it gets, I can handle it, and since I have some education, I can also help the owners with bookkeeping. After seeing my hard work despite my disability, the owner voluntarily raised my salary by 200 yuan.

At that moment, a well-dressed middle-aged man walked up to Xiaoyue. He casually glanced at me and then asked Xiaoyue, "Yueyue, do you know him?"