41 Chapter 41 He Teng's Comrade_1

He Teng didn't have many possessions, just a few sets of clothes that he easily carried in one hand. He had initially planned to leave Zhilan in the dorm, but when he saw her silently following him out, he didn't say anything.

Down each floor of the five-story staircase, neither He Teng nor Zhilan uttered a single word. He Teng was always two steps ahead, while Zhilan maintained her pace right behind him, until they reached the bottom of the dormitory.

The summer in the capital was truly hot, so much so that Zhilan could barely open her eyes as soon as she stepped out. When He Teng looked back, he saw Zhilan pouting, her hand raised to shield herself from the sun, and looking somewhat downcast.

He Teng had long gotten used to the weather here, but it was different for Zhilan. Having grown up in a small town, even the hottest summers there could not compare to this.

"Go back. You're new here, you don't know the campus well, don't wander. The school is not home, control your temper in the future, you shouldn't lose it easily. Your classmates are not dad and Dongxue who would tolerate your tempers," he said.

It was rare for He Teng to say so much at once. It was also his first time instructing someone as if they were a child. Yet, thinking of Zhilan being so far from home for the first time, in a place unfamiliar to her, He Teng couldn't help but worry whether she could handle the differences in the capital.

Not to mention the weather, even the people of the capital...different from the small town where you could run into relatives just by turning a few corners, the people of the capital were more...

If he had to use a term to explain, then it would be apathetic.

The big city, cold high rises, people exhausted from the hustle, it had become hard to find the simplicity of the countryside.

"I know," Zhilan bit her lip, "I remember the way from here to the school gates; I'm not a child that I would get lost! I'll just walk you to the school gates."

"Up to you," He Teng didn't say much more. Zhilan's temper was not easily appeased, otherwise, it wouldn't have persisted like this for over a decade.

The college campus was bustling with people at the start of the semester. Even under the scorching afternoon sun, the excitement and anticipation radiating from the new students couldn't be dampened. Their youthful faces were filled with expectation and excitement, for their school and for their future.

This youthful energy was contagious, and Zhilan's steps became increasingly light, shortening the distance between her and He Teng, until they were walking side by side.

"Brother, remember my dorm's phone number. If you have time, can you call me?" Zhilan glanced up at He Teng, squinting in the sunlight. Perhaps as a symptom of his time in the military, He Teng didn't solely focus on the path ahead when he walked. Instead, he instinctively observed the surrounding scenery and people. However, even his minute observations went unnoticed; even a cursory glance allowed him to remember a person's features.

Zhilan noticed He Teng's lack of response. She wondered if he hadn't heard her, or if he had heard but chose not to reply. Was his prior offer to call or write just to placate her?

Once again, they fell into an awkward silence. It was only when He Teng abruptly stopped and looked towards the side that Zhilan realized he had been lost in thought.