Chapter 34: Setting Out for Shudu

The morning sun remained gentle, filtering through the gaps in the curtains and resting quietly upon Li Yan’s desk. He woke without the aid of an alarm; his internal clock was set with precision. Today was the third day, and he was set to depart for Shudu.

The first-class ticket, purchased well in advance, glowed with confirmation on his phone app, and his suitcase had been packed the night before. There was no need for delay; his day began with a glass of warm water and a morning wash. Li Yan stepped out of bed, his bare feet touching the slightly cool floor, and he stretched his shoulders and neck.

He walked into the bathroom, turned on the tap, cupped some warm water in his palms, and gently splashed his face. Looking at himself in the mirror, his expression was calm, yet it carried a newfound composure—a subtle shift brought on by his recent travels and shopping. He cleansed his face and brushed his teeth, every movement unhurried, as if this were a habit long ingrained. He did not let his mind wander to idle thoughts, though he was well aware that today’s journey to Shudu would lead him to the grand stage of his university life.

After freshening up, he went to the wardrobe and took out the white Chanel shirt he had bought in Greentide City. At first glance, the shirt was unassuming; it lacked a large logo, but its tailoring was exquisite, the fabric soft, and it felt light against his skin. He put it on, buttoned it up, and stood before the mirror, tugging at the hem to ensure it sat perfectly against his torso. For his lower half, he wore a pair of floral-patterned jeans by Louis Vuitton. The small, delicate flowers scattered across the fabric were not ostentatious, yet they added a touch of youthful vitality to his ensemble. He then reached into a shoebox and took out his Nike collaboration sneakers with the reversed Swoosh—a distinctive detail on the white leather.

Finally, he reached into his jewelry box and pulled out the Patek Philippe Nautilus watch he had purchased at a premium in Greentide City just a short time ago. It was his most expensive single item, and the memory of paying that markup remained vivid. He fastened it to his left wrist and adjusted the strap. The watch face caught the morning light, refracting a soft luster—a display of quality in understated fashion. This outfit was not showy, yet it possessed layers and texture; it was exactly the style Li Yan desired. There were no oversized logos, but those in the know would naturally recognize these as fine goods. And as for the young women who were "in the know"? They were precisely Li Yan’s target audience.

As for pure, idealistic love? Li Yan didn't have the time for it.

He skipped breakfast, not feeling particularly hungry, and decided to head to the airport. In the living room, he took a sip of the warm water he had kept in a thermos from the night before, grabbed his phone, and took his suitcase downstairs. The residential complex was still peaceful in the early morning, populated by elderly people walking dogs and young people out for a jog. He walked to the gate and used his app to summon a luxury business car to take him to the airport.

In less than ten minutes, a dark blue luxury vehicle arrived. Its body was polished and clean, and the driver, dressed in a suit and tie, smiled and took the initiative to open the trunk for his luggage. Li Yan sat in the back; the seats were wide and had a professional, business-like feel, yet they didn't seem stiff. The car drove smoothly toward the airport. There was little traffic on the highway, and the driver played soft, ambient music.

Li Yan watched the scenery blur past the window. He recalled the novels he had read in the past, which always depicted university freshmen crowding into hard-seat train carriages, dragging large bags toward their campuses, often accompanied by the protagonist’s accidental displays of wealth or face-slapping moments. But here he was, wearing a Patek Philippe Nautilus and a Chanel shirt, riding in a luxury car to catch a first-class flight. He was destined to miss out on that spectacle of the massive student migration.

Tsk, tsk... what a pity.

Half an hour later, he arrived at the airport. After retrieving his luggage, he went to the check-in counter; first-class passengers had their own dedicated lane. The staff handled the procedures with professional efficiency, handed him his boarding pass, and directed him to the first-class lounge.

Li Yan walked slowly through the bright terminal and entered the lounge. The environment was quiet, the carpets plush, and it offered coffee, tea, and small pastries. He chose a cup of freshly ground coffee and a small cake, then found a sofa by the window. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, he could see the planes on the tarmac, each taking off and landing according to schedule. Near some of the sofas, people were talking in low voices—businessmen reviewing documents—while on the other side, a young couple discussed their itinerary in hushed tones. He didn't need to join their conversations; he was content to enjoy the quiet on his own.

Li Yan took out his phone to browse a Shudu rental app. He looked at photos of several apartments and made a rough note of the addresses. Once he arrived, he would take a taxi to the agency, view the properties in person, and pay a deposit to rent one if it caught his eye. Having his own independent space during university would be better, and it would be convenient for any projects he might take on. As for buying a car, he was in no rush; it was better to understand the market first before deciding on a model, rather than making a blind purchase.

A boarding announcement echoed through the lounge. He finished his coffee, tossed the paper cup into the recycling bin, zipped up his backpack, and walked slowly out of the lounge. There was no long queue at the boarding gate; first-class had its own lane, and within minutes, he was inside the cabin, finding his seat. Settling into the spacious first-class chair, he adjusted the backrest and felt very comfortable.

As the plane began to taxi, Li Yan looked through the porthole toward the edge of the runway, where a few ordinary passengers carrying luggage walked beside a shuttle bus, and uniformed ground crew hurried about. It wasn't the peak of the back-to-school season, so he was destined not to see those throngs of freshmen dragging massive bags and chattering about university life. He was setting off quietly. Though he missed out on some of the noise and drama, he felt no regret.

The plane gradually accelerated, took off, and climbed above the clouds. Li Yan leaned against the cushions and closed his eyes, thinking: there was no need to compare his journey with others. He had chosen not to cram into a train or rush with the masses, but rather to reach his destination in a more composed manner. He thought of his shirt and trousers; these were the foundation for his future life—unassuming yet secure. No matter how his classmates arrived, he had his own pace.

The cabin air conditioning hummed softly, and the sea of clouds outside the wing surged in silence. Li Yan smiled faintly. With no one to disturb him and no need to flaunt anything, he was embarking on a journey that was unique, yet perfectly calm.

The plane landed near noon. Through the porthole, Li Yan saw that the sky over Shudu was clear, with clouds drifting lazily. The wheels touched the ground gently, the cabin shuddered slightly, and then the attendant’s soft voice came over the intercom. He stretched his shoulders, adjusted his T-shirt, and waited for the cabin door to open. The entire trip had not been exhausting; the first-class experience had kept his body and mind well-rested.

Dragging his small suitcase out of the terminal, he found the temperature outside to be slightly higher, the air carrying a hint of sweet and spicy notes, as if the unique seasonings of Sichuan Province were diffusing throughout the city. Without unnecessary formalities, he followed the signs to the taxi stand. He didn't choose a standard taxi; instead, he opened his ride-hailing app and summoned a luxury Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The driver arrived within five minutes, dressed in a light-colored shirt and wearing a professional smile. He estimated the fare from the airport to the city center would be around 150 to 200 yuan, and he felt no hesitation at all.