In late autumn in Nanjing, plane tree leaves blanketed the bluestone pavement of Yihe Road. Su Mian stood in front of a street-corner cafe, its glass window reflecting her pale face. A push notification suddenly popped up on her phone, bearing the latest news about Gu Chenzhou: the tech company he founded was about to go public on NASDAQ.
The summer of seven years ago had been just such a season of plane trees. Su Mian had just been admitted to the Chinese Department at Nanjing University and lost her way on her registration day. It was the scorching heat of July, and she hugged her heavy luggage, panting in the blazing sun, her sweat soaking through her light blue cotton shirt. Just as she was on the verge of heatstroke, a black mountain bike suddenly stopped in front of her.
"Need any help, classmate?"
Chapter 193