The morning sun felt sharper than any school morning before. The city smelled different, the streets looked bigger, and even the air seemed heavier with possibilities.
Su Ran, Jiang Chen, and Zhao Ming all arrived at the campus independently, but destiny had a way of bringing them together again.
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Entering the Campus
Su Ran walked through the grand university gates, backpack snug on her shoulders, notebook and pens neatly packed. Students everywhere, some laughing in groups, others running late.
She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Her heart raced as she thought about what awaited inside—new professors, new classmates, and of course, Jiang Chen and Zhao Ming.
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Meanwhile, Jiang Chen found a quiet path between two tall buildings. He walked slowly, glancing at the campus map, memorizing the routes to his classrooms. Even though he'd prepared for this day for months, the first day of university still carried an unexplainable weight.
Then he saw Zhao Ming barreling across the courtyard, backpack bouncing, waving his hands wildly.
"HEY! THE LAST ROW TRIO!" Zhao Ming shouted, nearly crashing into him.
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.
"You could have walked normally."
"No way! I had to make an entrance!" Zhao Ming said, puffing.
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First Lecture
All three ended up in the same lecture hall. By coincidence—or fate—they sat in the last row, just like old times.
Su Ran smiled as she slid into her seat next to Jiang Chen. Zhao Ming plopped down on the other side of her, holding a snack as always.
The professor walked in, a tall man with glasses that reflected the bright lecture hall lights. He introduced himself and began discussing the course syllabus.
Su Ran took notes diligently. Jiang Chen wrote quietly, sometimes glancing at Su Ran's pages to compare. Zhao Ming… mostly ate snacks, occasionally asking whispered questions that made no sense.
"You know, if you actually read the syllabus, you'd be brilliant," Su Ran whispered.
"I am brilliant already," Zhao Ming replied.
Jiang Chen sighed quietly.
"Some things never change," he muttered.
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Lunch Break
After the first lecture, they wandered toward the cafeteria. The campus was enormous; it took them a while to find a table near the window.
"This is huge," Su Ran said, looking around at the students bustling past.
"Better get used to it," Jiang Chen replied. "This is our new normal."
Zhao Ming looked at the menu boards. "They have snacks. Lots of snacks. Finally, my university is worthy."
Su Ran laughed.
"Zhao Ming, you never change."
"You mean I never improve?" he said proudly.
They sat together, eating and talking about everything: the lecture, the campus, professors, and even their high school memories.
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Afternoon Lab
Their afternoon schedule included a lab. Su Ran and Jiang Chen were partners, naturally. Zhao Ming paired with a random student but kept looking over at them.
During the lab, Su Ran handed Jiang Chen the materials he needed before the professor even asked. He glanced at her and gave a tiny nod.
They didn't need words. They were in sync. Years of studying, teasing, and walking home together had created a rhythm that no new university could break.
Zhao Ming, meanwhile, was trying to find a way to make his experiment "cooler" than everyone else's, loudly narrating every step.
"You are embarrassing me," Jiang Chen muttered under his breath.
"You're just jealous of my flair," Zhao Ming said with a grin.
Su Ran shook her head but smiled.
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Evening Walk
After the first day, they walked back toward the dorms together. The campus was quieter now, lit with orange evening lights and scattered shadows.
"First day survived," Zhao Ming said, dramatically stretching his arms.
"And not a single snack was lost," he added proudly.
Su Ran laughed. "Barely survived," she corrected.
Jiang Chen looked at both of them, feeling a strange warmth in his chest. It had been years since high school, but here they were again, side by side, navigating a new life.
He remembered the graduation confession, the amusement park night, and all the times they had walked home together after school. Everything had led to this: the first day of university, together.
For the first time that day, he felt a small thrill in his chest. A mix of nervousness, excitement, and something more—something he had been holding onto for a long time.
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A Promise in the Last Row
As they reached Su Ran's dorm building, they stopped.
"Tomorrow," Zhao Ming said, "we conquer more of this university."
"Yes," Su Ran replied. "But today… let's just survive it first."
Jiang Chen looked at her and Zhao Ming. He smiled softly.
"No matter what happens, we'll still be the Last Row Trio," he said.
Zhao Ming raised a hand dramatically. "Forever."
Su Ran smiled. "Forever."
Jiang Chen didn't say it out loud, but in his heart, he added,
"And maybe… even more than that someday."
The three of them laughed softly and parted ways for the night, their friendship—and everything beyond it—ready to face the first day of a brand new chapter.
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