The admission notice issued in January was changed to August.
Similarly, at the end of July, Yi Xing smoothly received his paper IELTS results, which was an easy feat for him.
After all, Yi Ming's company also had quite a few foreigners, and a free communication environment isn't something you find everywhere. His spoken English naturally improved by leaps and bounds, and he handled the exam with ease.
While waiting for the study abroad procedures and admission notice, he didn't idle. He casually picked a car from his garage to practice driving.
He couldn't have had a driver's license for several years and then claim 0 days of driving experience. If there were no cars at home, it might be excusable, but with a whole collection in his garage, it was a bit unreasonable.
He drove through the streets of the magical city, experiencing its local customs and traditions. He had been there for so long but had never really explored it properly.
Almost every day was school, home, school, home, repeating a life of two points and one line.
Passing by the Bund, he looked at the dazzling and magnificent Lujiazui skyline across the Huangpu River, shining brightly under the sun.
It showcased the unique modern metropolitan style of the magical city, with boats coming and going on the river, and the constant sound of ship horns, like the beating pulse of the city.
This life lasted only a few days before he grew tired of it. He decided to learn one or two special skills during this period, such as playing the violin or dancing, which might attract some young girls.
In August, he received an admission notice from Cambridge University, stating that he should report to the school in October. This meant he could play around for over another month, which made him incredibly happy.
During this extra month, he chose to do both: learn the violin during the day and street dance at night. Although it was tiring, seeing his daily progress made all the hardship and exhaustion vanish instantly.
Time quickly came to October. With only a few days left until Yi Xing's report date, he took the car driven by his family's chauffeur to Pudong International Airport.
Shen Wanqing and Butler Fu accompanied him. Both came to see him off. Butler Fu came on behalf of Yi Ming, who was still at his company and couldn't get away.
"Alright, Mom, Butler Fu, you can stop here," Yi Xing said, taking his numerous bags and luggage from Butler Fu's hand.
"Once you're there alone, remember to take good care of yourself. Don't compete with others. If you encounter crazy people on the streets, stay far away from them. And..."
Shen Wanqing rambled on for a long time. The person standing opposite her watched her with a smile, nodding occasionally and uttering a couple of "Mhm"s to show he was listening attentively and not zoning out.
Butler Fu had retreated to the side early on. This was a family matter between the two, not something a subordinate like him should listen to.
However, he wasn't idle. He kept an eye on the time and flight information displayed on the large screen. As the flight was about to arrive, he approached and interrupted the mother-son conversation.
"Madam, Young Master's flight is about to depart. Don't you think it's time to let him go?"
Hearing this, Yi Xing and Shen Wanqing had different reactions. One immediately shot a grateful look at Butler Fu.
Even with his patience and gentle nature, he couldn't withstand his mother's relentless offensive. He finally saw a savior.
The other closed her mouth, took a slight breath, reached out to straighten her son's clothes, patted his shoulder, and said,
"I did say a bit too much. Alright, you go quickly. It would be troublesome if you miss your flight later."
"Mhm mhm, then I'm off. Be careful on your way back. Butler Fu, remember to protect my mom."
"Young Master, don't worry. When you get there, remember to call home often!"
"Got it!"
Yi Xing waved his hand without looking back, walking under the bright lights. In the distance was a straight road, symbolizing his future path in life. It looked long and straight, but no one could know how many challenges and obstacles would appear along the way.
The people behind him watched his not-so-broad back, especially Shen Wanqing. She took out a tissue from her pocket and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Before, she had been feigning strength. It was the first time her child, whom she had raised for so many years, was going on a long journey, and it was abroad. That sense of worry lingered in her heart, refusing to dissipate for a long time.
"Madam, the Young Master has already gone in. We should leave."
"Madam, Madam?"
"Hmm, what's wrong?" Shen Wanqing only came back to her senses after being called several times.
"We should go back," Butler Fu repeated what he had just said.
"Then let's go."
A fledgling eagle raised under its parents' protection cannot face storms alone. It may seem to have a strong physique and sharp talons.
But once it leaves its parents' embrace, it cannot face the sudden storm. It needs to be tempered early, to bravely face difficulties and challenges. At this moment, Yi Xing was that fledgling eagle.
——
Two years later, the same person appeared at the same airport, on the same flight. That's right, Yi Xing was on vacation, returning home to visit his parents and have some fun.
Normally, when he was in the country, if he needed anything, he just had to say so, and he would see it appear by the afternoon if he mentioned it in the morning.
But abroad, it was completely different. He had to contact people himself to rent a house, and he had to personally buy toiletries and bedding.
But he had no idea how to choose! Adhering to the principle that the most expensive is the best, he bought a ton of things, which made him deeply experience the joy of being a rich second generation.
From then on, he became unstoppable, spending money more and more carelessly. However, everything he bought was what he needed, for example, if he wanted to go skiing, he would buy the best snowboard, and so on.
As for things he didn't need, he generally didn't have the desire to buy them. After all, even if you're rich, you can't waste money casually, right? No one's money grows on trees!
Yi Xing pushed his sunglasses up with one hand, while the other gripped his nearby suitcase. His eyes darted left and right. He couldn't help it; his family had so many cars that he didn't know which one the driver would use to pick him up, so he had to keep an eye out.
"Hello."
He was wearing headphones and couldn't hear anyone greeting him. Then, he felt someone poke him in his lower back, which startled him. He immediately turned around, his eyes full of wariness.
He had only been away for a few months. Had the public safety in the magical city deteriorated so much? Was someone trying to 'harvest his kidney' in broad daylight?
Upon seeing that it was a delicate-looking girl, the wariness in his eyes receded slightly. He took off one earbud and asked,
"Can I help you?"
"Um, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I'm a bit lost and wanted to ask which way the bus stop near the airport is?"
"Where are you trying to go?"
"Jiaxing Road."
"The buses from there don't go directly to Jiaxing Road. You'd be going for nothing."
Yi Xing was silent for a moment. He searched his mind for buses that went directly to Jiaxing Road and finally realized that none of them went to the airport. To prevent the girl from going the wrong way, he just told her.
"Ah? Then how do I get there?" The girl squatted down, looking a little helpless.
"Can't you take a taxi?"
"..."