Hard to Escape

Chapter 7

Despite Yin Li's supervision, my life became radiant at the prospect of returning to school.

The morning I had to go register, Yin Li had a meeting, so he had Uncle Chen, the driver, send me to school.

"Although you have a brace, the doctors instructed you not to walk for long periods of time. Don't try to be brave, use your crutches. Understand? Once the registration is done, Uncle Chen will pick you up. Don't cause any trouble."

Yin Li gave me a final warning look before closing the car door and sending me off.

The landscape outside the window changed as the car sped along. My mind had already turned to the road. I completely forgot to wave goodbye to Yin Li. I didn't even look in the rear view mirror at Yin Li's expression, instead I focused on looking forwards as the winding road unfurled before me. By the time I thought of Yin Li and turned back, I found him standing at the same spot, posture unchanged, looking in my direction. His figure grew smaller and smaller, and after rounding a curve, he disappeared altogether from my sight.

"Uncle Chen, what's it like outside? Am I dressed appropriately? What's reporting for class on the first day like? What's popular on campus? Is the food good at H University?" These months, I only had contact with Yin Li and those doctors. I couldn't wait for my fulfilling life ahead, but Uncle Chen didn't seem to share my excitement. No matter how I tried to strike up a conversation, he always had furrowed brows, a stern gaze, and a mouth clamped shut.

Eventually I assumed he found me dull and stopped speaking. I could only suppress my excitement and stare outside at the passing buildings and streets.

H University was a famous school that never lacked donations from its illustrious alumni. Its campus was elegant, its building were magnificent, and the whole place seemed cultured.

Uncle Chen parked and opened my door for me. Turns out he had no intention of letting me tour the school and brought me directly to the department office to register and get my student ID, books, schedule, and student card.

Uncle Chen conducted all these affairs with haste and precision while I stared at the materials, my head in a fog.

Modern French Grammar. Intensive Reading for French. High-level French... I looked at the books stupefied. "I'm here to learn French?"

I asked that with little confidence. The dean shot me a disdainful glance and pushed her glasses up. With dissatisfaction, she said, "Do you know the French department at H University is the best among the foreign language departments? Usually it's against policy to accept transfer students, moreover one that transfers mid-curriculum. I don't know how but the president asked us to make an exception this time. Our students are the best of the best, so our material is challenging and we go through it quickly. If I may offer a word of advice to your parent or guardian, it's best to start French from the very beginning. We have a full-time class led by the very best of our French students who offer one-on-on tutelage." Saying this, the dean went to dig out a flyer for the class. "As you can see, the price is reasonable. Moreover, with languages it's important to have a good foundation to learn upon. If you skip, your grades won't look pretty. Even with a degree from H University, you'll still have trouble when looking for work."

Her words seemed sincere and I found myself silently agreeing. But Uncle Chen was unmoved. "No worries. She's mentally strong."

That sentence determined the final verdict. Under the unfriendly gaze of the dean, we finished conducting all the administrative procedures. Afterwards, Uncle Chen went to pay the tuition and had me wait at the school gates.

Today there was no class and many of the returning students weren't present. There was a slow, languid atmosphere. I waited and became bored senseless. I took out one of the French books to skim. Only when I was cracking up with laughter did I realize that I really knew how to read French, and fluently on top of that. It seemed to be a normal part of my life.