The next morning, Qin Yue woke up with a start, sunlight spilling through the thin curtains of the hotel room.
The sounds of the city filtered in through the window let him know that it wasn't the dream and he really had made it here.
He went downstairs and bought himself a plate of fried rice and soy milk. After eating, he packed his things and set off toward the school.
The streets were unfamiliar, crowded, and alive in a way the village could never be.
Qin Yue kept a steady pace, not letting himself get carried away by the buildings and bright advertisements.
Using the GPS on his phone, he walked to the direction of the school. It would take about fourty minutes from his hotel but Qin Yue didn't find it far.
Walking from the village to the town was a two hour distance and the road wasn't even paved. Since he could do that then this was a piece of cake for him.
The school was located on a small hill at the edge of the city.
Qin Yue's heart thudded in his chest as he approached, clutching his envelope tightly feeling a flutter of nervousness in his chest.
Inside, the campus was bustling with new students. Groups of them hurried in different directions, carrying bags, some chatting excitedly, others staring at their phones or documents in their hands.
Qin Yue quietly joined the line that snaked toward the registration building, trying not to draw attention to himself.
The registration hall was large, filled with desks and people bustling about. Behind each desk, officials checked forms, answered questions, and stamped papers efficiently.
Qin Yue approached the counter, the envelope containing his admission letter clutched tightly.
A young woman with neat hair and glasses looked up as he approached.
"Good morning. Name?" she asked in a polite tone.
"Goof morning. Qin Yue," he replied quietly, extending the envelope.
She took it, scanning it carefully. Her eyes lingered on the rural address before looking back at him.
"Ah… from the countryside, yes?"
Qin Yue nodded.
"Yes"
She scribbled a few notes on a form.
"You'll need to fill out some documents for the physical registration. Once done, you'll be issued your student ID and dormitory assignment."
As she spoke, she looked at him thoughtfully, as though weighing something in her mind.
"You know, the school occasionally offers full scholarships to students from rural areas who demonstrate outstanding perseverance or potential. Since you've come from so far, you might consider applying. The application won't take long, and the scholarship includes tuition, living subsidies, and dormitory placement."
Qin Yue blinked, unsure if he heard correctly. He had never imagined anything like this was possible.
"Uh… I… may I?" he asked hesitantly.
"Of course," she said kindly. She handed him a form and a pen. "Just fill out your personal information and a short statement about why you'd like to apply. Return it to me when you're done, and we'll review it."
Qin Yue nodded, seated himself at a nearby desk, and began filling out the form. He wrote carefully, detailing his journey from the village, the hardships he had endured, his academic efforts, and the hope that this school represented a new beginning.
For the first time in years, he allowed himself to think about the possibility of a life where he could focus on learning, where survival wasn't a constant worry.
Once he finished, he returned the form to the clerk, who smiled warmly.
"We'll review your application. Come back tomorrow morning to check the result. If you're accepted, you'll receive full coverage of tuition and subsidies, as well as dormitory assignment."
Qin Yue left the building with a light heart, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. He wandered back to the hotel, allowing himself a small moment to enjoy the feeling of freedom.
The next day, Qin Yue returned promptly to the registration office, heart pounding with anticipation. He handed over his application form once more, and the clerk's expression brightened.
"Congratulations, Qin Yue," she said, sliding a neatly printed letter toward him. "Your application for the full scholarship has been approved. You are awarded full tuition coverage, monthly living subsidies, and a dormitory room has been reserved for you."
Qin Yue stared at the paper, hardly believing what he saw. He read it over several times, the words sinking in slowly.
His hands shook slightly as he folded the letter carefully and placed it in his bag. A wide smile spread across his face.
"Thank you."
The clerk handed him a dormitory key along with some instructions.
"Your room is on the second floor of the East Dormitory. The building is equipped with shared bathrooms and a common area. You'll also receive a monthly stipend for meals and supplies. The scholarship will be valid for the duration of your studies, provided you maintain your enrollment."
Qin Yue thanked her repeatedly. He stepped out of the registration office, clutching the key and the letter as if they were the most precious things in the world.
The sunlight outside felt warmer than he remembered.
He walked to the East Dormitory, memorising the route on his way.
The dormitory rooms were small but neat, each equipped with a bed, a desk, and a locker.
His room had two beds which meant he would most likely have a roommate in the future.
Qin Yue unpacked the few things he brought, carefully placing his envelope, the letter, and his new phone on the desk.
He didn't have any stationery or hygiene products and would need to buy those.
After settling in, he went to a convenience store outside the school and picked out a few things including bed sheets, pens, notebooks, some soap and a few other things.
Arriving back in his dormitory with light steps, he immediately realized someone else was there. Most likely his new roommate.
He opened the door and came face to face with a familiar figure.
The other person looked up and frowned.
"Why is it you?"