Chapter 8: Returning to Alma Mater (1)

The sun had not yet reached its zenith, and the distant mountain mist refracted a spectrum of colors.

Having just finished lunch, the relatives were boasting about their children’s positions as executives in various companies, their annual salaries and bonuses. Some relatives even hinted slyly, questioning how certain graduates from prestigious universities had yet to secure notable jobs.

Fu Yuan, having just eaten her fill, paid no attention to their conversations. She yawned lazily, glanced at her phone, and saw that the girl who had made the appointment was already waiting by the small road outside.

Fu’s mother was speaking with her grandmother in the inner room, so Fu Yuan quietly said a word to her taciturn father, who hardly spoke to anyone, and discreetly pulled her suitcase away from the scene.

The girl held a pair of sunglasses, dressed in designer clothes, casually leaning against a brand-new white car behind her. When she saw Fu Yuan emerge, her expression showed a hint of surprise, then broke into a bright smile as she waved her phone at her. “Fu the academic achiever, over here.”

She opened the trunk, took Fu Yuan’s suitcase, and put it inside, then graciously opened the passenger door for her.

“Thank you.”

There was no one else inside the car. Fu Yuan sat in the front passenger seat, pulled the seatbelt across, and clicked it into place.

The girl turned on the car’s music system, looked in the rearview mirror at the crowd trailing behind Fu Yuan, and laughed heartily. “What’s the big deal? We’re close, aren’t we? Didn’t you help me a lot back in high school?”

“Are you feeling better now?” she asked, glancing with some concern at Fu Yuan through the mirror. She selected a gentle piece of soft music, set the navigation, and began maneuvering the car around.

On this country road, the white Maserati resembled an elegant swan, its sleek lines flowing naturally from front to rear, graceful yet powerful. In the sunlight, the iconic trident emblem at the center of the hood exuded understated luxury.

“Much better,” Fu Yuan leaned back in her seat. A neat row of small yellow rubber ducks was lined up beneath the windshield, nodding and swaying as the car moved. She reached out and flicked each one lightly with her index finger.

Meanwhile, the relatives who had seen Fu Yuan quietly leave with her suitcase and the crowd that had come out to watch were feeling conflicted. They had thought she was uninterested in the conversation, a prestigious graduate struggling to find work—finally, their children had the upper hand.

But now it seemed she was driving a Maserati, accompanied by a dedicated female chauffeur... No wonder she looked down on them, the poorer relatives.

“Is today the elder’s birthday?” the girl asked as she drove.

Most residents in this countryside were elderly, and since it wasn’t a festival, the many gathered faces, cheerful and unburdened, suggested a birthday celebration.

Fu Yuan nodded softly. “My grandmother is eighty.”

The morning sun had been slanting, making driving a bit harsh on the eyes, but now it was closer to noon and much better. The girl put away her sunglasses and complained quietly, “You should have told me earlier; I could have prepared a red envelope.”

Fu Yuan closed her eyes, smiling lightly. “How could I? You already went to so much trouble picking me up; I couldn’t possibly let you spend more.”

Having spent three years together in high school, the girl clearly understood Fu Yuan’s habit of resting whenever needed and did not find her aloof. She simply said, “It's not that easy to let me spend money.”

Then she urged Fu Yuan, “Alright, just relax and trust my driving skills.”

This girl was a legend who had almost slept through three years yet managed to maintain the top rank in their grade. Being able to chat with her was already something worth bragging about on social media.

In fact, it was not Fu Yuan’s fault. The academic pressure in high school was intense, and all students lived in dormitories, including her. At that time, her control over her abilities was not so strong. Whether at home or at school, she was trapped in others’ nightmares, leading to poor mental health. Only during the day at school, when almost everyone was studying, did she find some peace in her dreams.

For some reason, despite her poor state, her reading comprehension was flawless. Usually, she could skim through her textbooks without doing exercises and still score full marks on objective questions.

Young students always admired the strong. She was kind and helpful, answering every question, which earned her a good reputation during that time.

When they arrived at school, a dozen or so students were scattered by the gate. One boy was talking to the security guard, but it seemed ineffective.

“Handsome guy, this isn’t allowed,” the guard said. “There are rules. Non-students really can’t enter. Though it’s Sunday and no classes, there are still boarders inside, and I have to be responsible for them.”

The guard was a young man, somewhat unfamiliar, looking troubled. Besides, the school had made headlines yesterday, and the authorities had specifically ordered that strangers not be allowed on campus.

The young guard looked at the earnest boy before him, bit his lip, and said, “If you can prove you’re an alumnus, it’s fine for you to come back and visit.”

The class president had already messaged their former homeroom teacher, but she seemed busy and had not replied. So the group was stuck at the school gate.

Fu Yuan saw this scene as she got out of the car.

The girl parked the car, and the white Maserati attracted most of the onlookers. She walked a few steps forward, inquiring about the situation, then looked at the class president in shock. “You didn’t tell Miss Shen last night?”

“Too late yesterday; I didn’t want to disturb her. I messaged her early this morning but got no response,” the class president scratched his head.

“Sister Yu, why not show off your financial muscle? Maybe we can get in that way,” teased a tall boy with glasses nearby, clearly familiar with them.

The girl gave him a disdainful look. “Broke as a joke. Bought this car, and my little savings are completely gone. Instead of showing off my money, why not try using Fu the academic achiever’s face to get us in?”

Fu Yuan remained silent. Everyone’s attention was on the glamorous woman by the luxury car. After that remark, some turned to notice her and, out of respect for the top student, the atmosphere suddenly grew more reserved.

“We’re all high school classmates, after all,” the class president smiled at everyone, agreeing with the girl’s suggestion. He looked at Fu Yuan. “Why don’t you try? It might actually work.”

“I’m new here; she might not know me,” Fu Yuan muttered, but the girl still pulled her toward the guardhouse.

Before they reached the gate, the guard approached, scrutinizing Fu Yuan’s face intently. His intense gaze made the naturally shy Fu Yuan tilt her head uneasily.

“Are you Fu Yuan, the class of ’26 graduate?” Without waiting for her to introduce herself, the guard excitedly stepped forward, pulled out his phone, and wiped the screen. “I know you. When I first started working here, I already heard the legends about you. Your name and profile are still up on the school’s honor board.”

“Would you mind taking a photo with me? I’ll post it on my social feed. Don’t worry, only my friends can see it; it won’t be shared around.”