Gazing at the familiar school gate, Chen Yang took a deep breath. He couldn't recall his exact feelings the first time he had arrived at Huadong University of Finance and Economics in his previous life.
But now, looking at the gate, which was not as grand as the college gates of later years, he felt an unusual sense of closeness.
After all, by the time Chen Yang returned from studying abroad and became a titan of the business world, Huadong University of Finance and Economics would have merged into Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and the gate he had studied at would have become history.
Even the old campus, swept away in the torrent of Pudong's development, would have been reduced to ruins.
After a sigh of reflection, Chen Yang finally picked up his luggage.
It wasn't much, but every item had been personally packed by Shen Xue. How could she, as his wife, let him leave home so far away without care?
If their son Chen Peng hadn't been too young and likely to suffer from the arduous journey, Shen Xue would have insisted on accompanying Chen Yang.
Wherever her husband was, she and their child would be; that would be their home.
It wasn't just Shen Xue. Their young daughter, having heard from the adults that her Daddy was going to study very far away, had clutched Chen Yang's leg and cried for a long time.
The little one, crying like a little panda, had made Chen Yang's heart ache. It was only after he desperately promised to find a place to live as soon as possible once he got to school and then come back to pick them up that the little girl had finally agreed to let him go.
Compared to his daughter, his son Chen Hao, the heartless little fellow, hadn't seemed to care at all. Before leaving, he had even reminded his father to bring him back delicious food.
This made Chen Yang both amused and exasperated. It was true what they said about daughters being a father's "little padded jacket," and though sometimes the jacket might have gaps, it was truly warm when it was there.
As Chen Yang stepped through the gate with his luggage, two young university students approached him.
"Classmate, which department are you from? We're senior students welcoming new students. If you need any help, feel free to ask us."
Shanghai's universities started their academic year later than others, so most senior students had already returned to campus before the freshmen's registration. Chen Yang saw that there were more senior students involved in the welcoming activities than freshmen.
Chen Yang intended to say that he had been here for several years, and even though decades had passed, he still knew where the teaching buildings and dormitories were. He didn't need directions.
But as he looked up and saw the two people in front of him, the words of refusal he was about to utter immediately got swallowed.
"Hello, senior brothers. My name is Chen Yang, and I'm from the Economics Department, majoring in Accounting."
In those days, unlike the vast array of majors like Business Administration, International Trade, Tourism and Hotel Management, Finance, etc., that would exist in finance schools later on.
Essentially, eighty percent of graduates from finance schools were accountants, and their career paths were relatively straightforward. After graduation, they would typically work as cashiers or accountants in state-owned enterprises or banks.
For those with better prospects, they might enter government offices. When the wave of reform and opening up arrived in the 1980s, a significant portion of these economic talents from government departments would be selected to serve as think tanks in policy research offices.
Some with solid foundations and good luck would directly become secretaries to leaders, greatly increasing their chances of promotion.
"Chen Yang, junior classmate, we're in the same department! My name is Wang Baolin, also from the Economics Department, majoring in Accounting."
The leading young man, upon hearing that Chen Yang was also majoring in Accounting, enthusiastically shook his hand and casually took the bag from Chen Yang's hand.
"Liu Xiangyu, Philosophy Department, majoring in Marxism."
The other young man offered Chen Yang a friendly smile, shook his hand, and also took the luggage from Chen Yang's other hand.
Thus, Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu each carried a large piece of luggage, leaving Chen Yang walking between them with nothing in his hands.
Upon hearing their self-introductions, Chen Yang became even more certain. These two individuals were precisely among the future influential figures he had planned to befriend!
He had initially intended to gather information after arriving at school and then find opportunities to connect with those future giants. Now, it was even better; two of them had come to him.
Chen Yang had a vivid memory of these two in their later years, as he had to queue up to meet them, and even then, he might not get to see them.
However, Chen Yang was familiar with their appearance decades later. It was only when he saw their youthful faces that he was unsure, and it was only upon hearing their names that he became certain.
"Senior Brother Baolin, Senior Brother Xiangyu, I can carry it myself, you don't need..."
Before Chen Yang could finish speaking, Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu waved their hands.
"Junior classmate Chen Yang, it's your first day here. We're here to welcome new students. I went through the same thing when I first registered."
"Of course, Senior Brother Xiangyu didn't have this treatment. He was in the first batch of students to take the resumed college entrance exams. There were no senior students to welcome him back then, haha."
Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu would not give Chen Yang a chance to carry his own bags. If Chen Yang carried his bags and they walked behind him, what would be the point of their welcoming activities?
"Baolin, what you're saying makes my heart feel as cold as ice on a scorching summer day."
Liu Xiangyu laughed heartily at Wang Baolin's words. Looking at the two future giants, full of vitality and spirit, Chen Yang's heart stirred.
In his previous life, when he knew these two influential figures, they were already in positions of power. They wouldn't have been as humorous and jovial as they were now.
Youth was a good thing. If they were already mature and solemn now, how could Chen Yang have integrated with them?
"Where are you two senior brothers from? My hometown is Jinling in Jiangsu Province, and I'm currently a sent-down youth in Anhui Province."
What could best bridge the gap between strangers? It was naturally shared classmates and fellow villagers.
Wang Baolin was his direct senior. They were both in the Economics Department, majoring in Accounting, so they would have many opportunities to interact in the future.
With this initial welcoming encounter, Chen Yang was sure he would find ways to get closer to Wang Baolin later.
It was even easier with Liu Xiangyu. Chen Yang knew very well that this future chairman of a certain state-owned energy group was from Anhui Province.
Although Chen Yang was not from Anhui, he was a sent-down youth there, so he could be considered a fellow villager.
"Chen Yang, junior classmate, what a coincidence! Senior Brother Xiangyu is from Anhui Province. My elder brother is also a sent-down youth in Fengyang County, Anhui Province. His place of assignment is right next to Senior Brother Xiangyu's. They even work together, so it seems the three of us are truly fated to meet."
As soon as Chen Yang spoke, Wang Baolin chimed in. Hearing his words, Chen Yang was also taken aback.
This was information he hadn't known in his previous life. He only knew that Wang Baolin was from Shanghai, and Liu Xiangyu was from Anhui, and that the two had a very good relationship in later years.
When Wang Baolin became the top official of a certain city, Liu Xiangyu had personally approved two major energy projects worth over ten billion yuan, which ultimately helped Wang Baolin advance to a higher position.
It turned out they had known each other since school, and with this connection, it was no wonder Liu Xiangyu had been so supportive.
"Senior Brother Xiangyu and Senior Brother Baolin's elder brother are both in Fengyang? What a coincidence! I'm from Liuhe, and it only takes two days by ox cart to get to Fengyang. It's very close."
Chen Yang naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to get closer. He immediately responded enthusiastically.