Chapter 16

Early Autumn at Nanchuan University

In the early autumn of Nanchuan University, the vegetation was at its most lush.

As she walked through the main gate dragging her suitcase, the plane trees on either side of the path were in full bloom, their leaves layered and sprawling. Sunlight filtering through them looked like a gentle filter laid over the world.

The massive grey-blue stone sculpture at the entrance bore the bold golden characters “Nanchuan University.” When the light hit it, they glinted almost dazzlingly.

The sound of her suitcase rolling across the bluestone pavement was unusually clear. Ran Nannan’s fingers tightened slightly around the handle, a strange sensation quietly tightening in her chest.

She took a deep breath and slowly walked in.

The School of Literature was located in the southeastern corner of campus, the quietest area of Nanchuan University.

Outside the building, ivy climbed up the old green-brick walls, and the tall window panes cast long shadows on the ground. Occasionally, a gray cat would slip out from the end of the corridor, swish its tail, and disappear into the bushes.

In the first week, she walked out of the administration building carrying a few books—History of Ancient Literature, Essence of the Book of Songs and the Songs of Chu—stepping on fallen leaves, and for the first time, felt a genuine sense of grounding.

—This would be the beginning of the next four years of her life.

Her dorm was on the fifth floor, shared with three other girls, all Chinese Language majors from the School of Literature.

Qiu Xue was outgoing, loved to tell jokes, and showed a row of white teeth when she laughed. Gao Jia, from the south, had dark skin and brought a whole collection of luxury skincare products, lined up neatly on her desk. Xia Yin was petite and soft-spoken, always buried in foreign poetry books that looked intimidatingly thick.

On the first day, after everyone finished unpacking, Gao Jia pointed at Ran Nannan’s nearly empty desk in surprise: “Nannan, you only brought a few books? Where are all your lotions and serums?”

Ran Nannan smiled slightly, took out a small white porcelain jar from her bag, and gently placed it in the corner of her desk.

“I made this myself.”

Soon, the coursework picked up in intensity.

The first Ancient Literature History class required memorizing the titles of pre-Qin philosophical texts. The young professor with glasses spoke quickly, flipping through his lecture notes while taking attendance.

“Ran Nannan—”

She stood up quickly and recited fluently, her voice soft but precise.

The professor raised his eyebrows, seeming to give her an extra glance.

After class, her seatmate nudged her and whispered, “Nannan, you were amazing just now.”

She lowered her eyes and gave a quiet “Mm.”

From the Qinghong House to the Zhou family, then to the Cheng residence, she had learned far more than these classmates ever had—music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, and literature. But she had never imagined that one day, these things would be valued in a classroom, allowing her to be treated gently as an ordinary college student.

By Friday afternoon, there was a joint orientation event between the School of Literature and the School of Foreign Languages.

The small auditorium was packed. A banner hung above the stage: School of Literature × School of Foreign Languages New Student Exchange Tea Party. Professors from both departments took turns speaking in relaxed tones.

Qiu Xue and Xia Yin sat on either side of her, sipping juice and whispering jokes: “Hey, look at the English majors over there. Their skirts are all shorter than ours. We Han Chinese language girls really do look more refined.”

Gao Jia was looking at her phone but suddenly looked up: “Nannan, don’t move.”

“Huh?”

Gao Jia reached out and gently tapped her cheek. “Your skin is unreal—under the light, it’s literally glowing.”

Ran Nannan froze for a second, then shyly lowered her head, the tips of her ears turning pink.

When they returned to the dorm after the event, the sky had already darkened.

Qiu Xue stood in front of the mirror applying toner and said to herself, “I really need to learn from Nannan… I’m so jealous. Do you use some secret skincare trick?”

Ran Nannan laughed softly. “Not really, I just apply some of my own cream at night.”

Xia Yin looked up curiously. “The one in that porcelain jar?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Gao Jia immediately leaned over. “Can I try some?”

So that night, she took out the little jar from her drawer. The soft scent of lotus filled the room, overpowering the perfumes and shampoos.

Qiu Xue gasped, “This scent is so unique—not sweet, not heavy.”

Ran Nannan scooped a bit with a small spatula and applied it to their hands.

The smooth balm melted quickly into their skin, leaving a soft, moisturized feel.

Gao Jia rubbed her fingers together and her eyes lit up. “It feels like my skin instantly softened!”

From that day on, the little jar became a nightly dorm tradition.

Every night before lights out, the three girls would each grab their small mirrors and wait for her to bring out the porcelain jar. They’d gather around, take a dab, apply it carefully, and then admire the results together.

One time Xia Yin joked, “Nannan, you should start a column—teach us how ancient beauties did skincare.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Qiu Xue chimed in. “Call it ‘School of Literature: Skin So Good It Shines Through Class’!”

Ran Nannan laughed so hard her nose stung a little.

Gradually, word spread beyond the dorm.

One day, she was in the library searching for books and holding two volumes of Annotated Book of Songs, when she bumped into a girl from the Foreign Languages department.

The girl paused, then suddenly grabbed her hand and asked quietly, “Are you Ran Nannan? …Can I buy some of the cream you make?”

Ran Nannan was stunned.

The girl looked embarrassed and waved her hands quickly. “I didn’t mean to pry. A senior from the dorm next door mentioned it… Your skin just looks so amazing, like it’s glowing. I couldn’t help myself…”

Her voice got softer and softer, and her cheeks turned red.

Back in the dorm, Ran Nannan sat at her desk, staring at her notebook.

After a while, she gently wrote:

Campus Trial Orders
302 Wang Qian: Trial x1
Foreign Languages Xu You: Trial x1

Then she drew a small lotus flower beside it.

A light, sweet feeling began to rise in her chest.

That weekend, she went to the old herbal shop.

The white-haired man behind the counter hummed a tune while clicking an abacus. When he saw her, he grinned slowly. “Back again? How much this time?”

“A bit more than last time.”

He raised an eyebrow and weighed out the ingredients. “Good. Girl, you know, your fortune—you’re growing it with your own hands. Much better than being labeled and sold in some brothel.”

When she stepped out, the sun was setting.

A breeze from the teahouse across the street carried the scent of fresh mint and lotus seed. Holding the wrapped herbs in her arms, Ran Nannan looked down at her shadow stretched long in the evening light. A soft but steady feeling of contentment rose within her.

That night in the dorm, Qiu Xue snuck over to her bed, looking mysterious.

“Nannan, guess what—your face cream is all over the School of Literature girls’ chat. Even girls from Foreign Languages and the Business School are asking about it!”

Ran Nannan’s eyes widened. “Business School?”

“Yep! Someone saw you during the orientation mixer and remembered your face.”

Qiu Xue laughed mischievously. “What can I say? You just happen to have the kind of face everyone likes.”

Ran Nannan blinked, then slowly lowered her head.

But the soft, ticklish feeling in her chest rose again—like a small creature gently scratching from the inside.