*41*

City University, one of the nation’s top comprehensive universities, sprawled across a vast campus with ample space between buildings.

On this crisp autumn day, the air was fresh, and the campus greenery was stunning, resembling a large park.

When Mo Yichen, Zhu Jia, and Little Wen arrived, they were greeted personally by the university president. The president was a kindly man in his fifties with sharp eyes and a slight build, who spoke warmly with a smile. “Yichen.”

“President Wang.” Mo Yichen put his arm around Zhu Jia’s shoulders. “This is my wife and child.”

“Hello, President Wang.” Zhu Jia shook hands with the president, who nodded amiably. “Hello.”

President Wang then bent down to greet the baby in the stroller. “What a cute little one! Grandpa brought you a small gift.”

Little Wen, unfazed by the unfamiliar man, waved at him and accepted a keychain with the university’s logo printed on it. He began playing with it curiously.

President Wang patted Little Wen on the head. “When you grow up, you should take after your father. He was an excellent student.”

Though Little Wen didn’t understand, he grinned broadly at President Wang, revealing a few tiny white teeth.

President Wang smiled back, then straightened up and looked at Mo Yichen.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been back. The last time was two years ago for the Outstanding Alumni Forum. How have you been?”

“Thank you for asking. Everything is going well.”

As they walked and chatted, Zhu Jia learned that not only had Mo Yichen been a celebrated figure during his time at university, but he had also donated a significant sum to the school and funded the construction of a teaching building after graduating.

President Wang spoke to Mo Yichen like an old friend, clearly fond of him.

“If you ever have the time, we’d love for you to return and give a talk to inspire the younger students.”

Mo Yichen nodded slightly. “I’ll consider it.”

“I still remember the last time you came to give a speech. The auditorium was packed. In all my years as president, I’d never seen such a turnout before.”

President Wang then turned to Zhu Jia and Little Wen, teasing, “Yichen was a gifted student in university, earning dual degrees in mathematics and finance. I had hoped he would pursue further studies, but he insisted on returning home to inherit the family business.”

Zhu Jia covered her mouth, chuckling. Little Wen, as if he understood, babbled cheerfully at President Wang.

“Yichen, take your wife and child around. The campus is beautiful this time of year. I have a meeting with some of the school’s leaders.” President Wang checked his watch.

“Of course. We’ll explore on our own.”

After bidding the president goodbye, the family of three strolled along the lawn in front of the library. The autumn breeze carried a few golden leaves through the air, adding a touch of poetic melancholy to the vibrant campus.

“I used to sit there to read.”

Zhu Jia followed Mo Yichen’s gaze to a black bench beneath several tall beech trees. Their deep brown leaves fluttered to the ground in the wind.

She could picture it—a young man in a gray hoodie, leaning back on the bench, white earphones in, holding a book with a focused yet indifferent expression.

It was undoubtedly a scene that would make many girls stop and stare.

The campus was quiet that morning, with only a few students hurrying to class along the broad walkways.

Walking past rows of neatly aligned teaching buildings, each six stories high, Mo Yichen explained, “We mostly had our classes here, with occasional sessions in the faculty building.”

Little Wen seemed particularly taken with the campus, quietly turning his head to take in the surroundings.

Zhu Jia felt a strange sense of disorientation, as if she’d traveled back in time. Just a year ago, she had been an ordinary senior in college. Her major wasn’t demanding, leaving her plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed, fulfilling university life.

She had been an active member of multiple clubs, including the student council, the dance troupe, and the campus radio station. Every day had been busy yet joyful.

“You must have had a great time in college too, right?”

Mo Yichen paused and replied with little emotion, “It was okay.”

For him, those years had mostly been about learning, honing his skills, and preparing to take over the family business.

But there had been one indelible scar on his otherwise smooth life—the passing of his mother during his sophomore year.

Mo Yichen’s mother had been a beautiful and gentle woman who was once a rising star in the entertainment industry. With her combination of allure and innocence, she became the dream girl of an entire generation.

Mo Ronghua, Mo Yichen’s father, had been one of her many admirers. Using his handsome looks and talent for winning hearts, he eventually married her.

After their marriage, Mo Yichen’s mother retired from the spotlight to become a socialite. She was graceful, virtuous, and devoted, always supportive of her husband and caring toward Mo Yichen. She was beloved by all who knew her.

In high society circles and tabloid media reports, Mo Yichen’s mother was always portrayed as a virtuous and exemplary wife.

Even Mo Yichen himself had always believed his mother lived a wealthy and happy life, and that his parents’ relationship was as harmonious as the tabloids described—a talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect couple admired by all.

It wasn’t until the last few years before his mother’s death that he began to glimpse the reality beneath their seemingly blissful marriage and uncovered some old, buried secrets.

After giving birth to him, his mother had suffered from severe postpartum depression. However, Mo Ronghua, his father, was busy indulging in a life of excess, partying and womanizing. His mother couldn’t reconcile this stark difference between the gentle and attentive man she had married and the man he had become after their wedding.

After countless arguments, she left Mo Yichen, who was just a child, and spent three years living abroad on her own.

When she eventually returned to Mo Ronghua’s side, she seemed like a completely different person. She no longer cared about his affairs or lifestyle, and instead became a compliant and subdued socialite, dutifully playing the role of the perfect wealthy wife.

Their mutual respect and seemingly perfect marriage were nothing more than illusions—reflections in a mirror or the moon’s image on water. As an observer, Mo Yichen detachedly watched their decades-long entanglement of love and resentment.

The only thing that stirred any emotion in him was the genuine, heartfelt love his mother had always shown him. That affection became an unrepayable debt after her sudden passing.

Reeling in his thoughts, Mo Yichen looked at the two figures beside him—one big, one small—curiously observing the surroundings. “Do you want to visit a place?” he asked.

Without knowing what he meant, Zhu Jia followed his lead. Walking past the math department building and the basketball courts, they arrived at a small grove of ginkgo trees.

Zhu Jia’s eyes widened in amazement. The straight tree trunks and symmetrical crowns created a golden world in the late autumn. A narrow path ran through the middle of the grove, and Mo Yichen pushed Xiaowen’s stroller along it.

Stepping on the carpet of golden leaves, Zhu Jia spun around excitedly. It was her first time experiencing such a stunning autumn. Growing up in a southern city with indistinct seasons, she had only encountered such vibrant autumn scenes in words and on screens.

Xiaowen also waved his arms and legs enthusiastically in his stroller, clamoring to be let down.

Mo Yichen lifted Xiaowen out, bent over, and held him by the armpits to guide him as he toddled a few steps.

Wearing soft red toddler shoes, Xiaowen left tiny footprints on the yellow leaves.

Zhu Jia picked up a beautifully shaped, brightly colored ginkgo leaf from the ground and crouched down to show it to Xiaowen.

“Xiaowen, this is a leaf. Say ‘leaf’… Can you say it?”

Xiaowen took the fan-shaped ginkgo leaf with its long stem, holding it like a golden butterfly perched on his tiny hand. He curiously felt the rigid veins and tugged at the long stem.

“This campus is gorgeous, Mo Yichen,” Zhu Jia said with a bright smile. “Take a photo of me and Xiaowen.”