Chapter 15: Journey to the Capital

Time slipped by like a fleeting horse, and before he knew it, it was the end of July. The July wind carried the stifling heat of midsummer, yet it could not diminish Li Yifei’s excitement and anticipation—tomorrow, he would bid farewell to his hometown and set off for the capital city that countless souls longed for.

In recent days, Li Yifei had completed a crucial financial maneuver. Sensing the right moment, he decisively sold off one of his speculative stocks.

The ever-changing tides of the stock market seemed to follow a discernible pattern to him. With the transaction settled, nearly one hundred million yuan lay quietly in his account.

After careful consideration, Li Yifei resolved to invest this “small target” entirely into Guangji Pharmaceuticals. Drawing on memories from his previous life, he knew clearly that by August 31st, this sum could multiply several times, growing to 530 million yuan.

To avoid causing market turbulence, he spent the entire day cautiously making multiple small purchases. Each trade was precise and meticulous, like a craftsman carefully sculpting a work of art.

On the evening of July 29th, the family dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast, the aroma filling the air. This would be Li Yifei’s last meal at home with his parents.

His little sister, only two years old, sat in her high chair, her chubby face brimming with innocence as she clumsily scooped rice with a small spoon. Watching the wrinkles at the corners of his parents’ eyes, a warm current surged through Li Yifei’s heart.

He kept silent about his stock market dealings, but solemnly reminded, “Don’t touch the wine in the garage, and don’t open the door. Let it age and ferment naturally.” Though his father loved drinking, seeing his son’s earnest expression, he nodded without hesitation.

At dawn the next day, Li Yifei rose early. After a simple wash, he wheeled a small suitcase and slung a backpack over his shoulder to say farewell to his parents.

His father gave his shoulder a firm pat, as if wanting to speak but holding back, while his mother’s eyes glistened with tears as she stuffed various snacks into his bag. Stepping out, Li Yifei hailed a cab straight to the bus station.

The station bustled with comings and goings, travelers laden with bags hurried by—some faces alight with hope, others weary. Li Yifei gazed at the scene, reflecting quietly: who would have imagined that, just ten years later, with the rapid rise of high-speed rail and other transport modes, this once-thriving bus station would gradually decline, swept away by the tides of progress?

He found his seat by the window, number two. After stowing his suitcase, he quietly settled down and took a book from his backpack to read.

Beside him sat a middle-aged man heading to the capital for work, his skin darkened by the sun, his face marked by the passage of time. The man closed his eyes, seemingly resting his strength. They exchanged only brief nods, sharing no more words.

The scenery sped by the window—fields, villages, rivers flashing past. The journey was uneventful, almost bland in its smoothness, yet it brought Li Yifei a sense of calm.

Upon arrival in the capital, Li Yifei exited the station and, guided by his phone, took the subway to the hotel he had booked near Peking University.

The subway teemed with people speaking various dialects, all in hurried pursuit of their dreams. Standing in the carriage, Li Yifei felt the pulse of the city, his heart swelling with hope for the future.

At the hotel, he stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling metropolis. As the city lights flickered on, the streets brimmed with traffic, the neon glow of towering buildings weaving a vibrant tapestry of night.

“The splendor of the capital is truly intoxicating,” Li Yifei murmured. In his former life, he had longed to visit this city but never had the chance.

Now, fate had granted him a second chance. He resolved to explore the city thoroughly and savor its charm. He planned to join a tour group the next day to fully enjoy the sightseeing.

Earlier, he had arranged with Mr. Wang, his high school teacher, to meet at school beforehand, and Mr. Wang had gladly agreed. On the morning of July 31st, Li Yifei checked out of the hotel and took a bus to the designated hostel.

Thereafter, he followed the tour group on their journey. At the Great Wall, he touched the ancient stones, feeling the weight of history; in the Forbidden City, he wandered among the resplendent palaces, marveling at the exquisite architecture; at the Temple of Heaven, he listened quietly to the guide’s tales of mysterious legends, as if transported back in time.

Time flew amidst laughter and joy, and before he knew it, a week had passed.

On the afternoon of August 4th, Li Yifei contacted Mr. Wang to inquire about accommodation.

Mr. Wang informed him that he happened to be at school and could meet him directly, arranging for an upperclassman to assist with the check-in, though enrollment procedures would have to wait until the semester began.

After hanging up, Li Yifei’s heart brimmed with anticipation—he was finally about to set foot in the prestigious university he had dreamed of.

Arriving at the school, Mr. Wang greeted him warmly. Beside him stood a tall, smiling senior student. Mr. Wang introduced, “This is Qian Yongwang, a sophomore studying medicine. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him.”

After completing the accommodation formalities and receiving his meal card, Li Yifei invited Mr. Wang and Senior Qian to dinner as a token of gratitude.

At the table, Li Yifei and Qian clicked instantly. Drawing on his extensive medical knowledge, Li Yifei discussed various medical cases and cutting-edge theories, surprising Qian and deepening their rapport. The convivial atmosphere made the meal pass swiftly.

The next day, under a bright sun, Li Yifei began exploring the campus. He strolled along tree-lined paths, admiring the quaint and elegant academic buildings, the well-stocked library, and spacious, sunlit classrooms, his heart filled with yearning for knowledge.

From then on, Li Yifei embarked on his “library immersion journey.” Each morning, he arrived at the library before it opened; each evening, he reluctantly left only when closing music played.

Whether delving into economics texts to deepen his understanding of market principles and capital operation, studying legal codes and case analyses to learn how to protect rights with the law, or absorbing medical textbooks and research findings to satisfy his curiosity about life sciences—he read voraciously.

In his spare time, he also browsed geography books to learn about the customs and landscapes of places around the world.

As time passed, Li Yifei’s knowledge expanded explosively. His expertise and comprehensive qualities had reached an impressive level—he was more than prepared for his graduation exams.

Yet he remained humble and aware that building connections was equally vital at this esteemed institution. Every teacher held profound knowledge and extensive social resources; any one of them might one day shine in an important position, becoming a pillar of society.

Moreover, he was young, with ample time and energy to cultivate and expand his network. Thus, alongside diligent study, Li Yifei attended various academic events and club gatherings on campus, laying a solid foundation for meeting peers and mentors from diverse fields, securing a promising future.