The Thrill of the First Night

The first day of dorm life at university seemed the same for everyone, yet each experience was different.

Chen Yuchen stood by the dorm window, calling his mother to let her know he had arrived safely. The cool night breeze drifted in through the half-open window, bringing with it a refreshing scent. On the other end of the line, his mother's familiar voice came through, "Yuchen, how's everything at school? Are you feeling homesick?"

"Everything's fine, I'm not homesick," Chen Yuchen replied casually, though a pang of sadness tugged at his heart. Every time his mother asked if he missed home, he would habitually say he didn't, but deep inside, a wave of loneliness would rise up. It had been the same when he first left home for university — after settling in, he called his mother that night. Even though he said he didn't miss home, his eyes had welled up with tears.

His mother continued her usual stream of advice, "Make sure to be careful while you're on your own. Do you have enough money? Let me know if you need anything. And remember, don't go to the swimming pool or lake alone, it's dangerous."

Chen Yuchen smiled as he listened to her repeated reminders, "Got it, Mom. Don't worry."

After hanging up, he stood by the window for a while, looking out at the night. The magnolia trees outside swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling, offering a kind of silent comfort. Crickets chirped from the bushes below, as if whispering secrets that belonged to the night.

Inside the dorm, Zhang Yi was setting up his new computer, with Zhang Ben helping him. The two exchanged jokes and laughter. Meanwhile, Wang Yishu lay on his bed, quietly absorbed in a book, seemingly indifferent to the lively atmosphere around him.

"Hey, Yuchen, come have a smoke. Zhang Yi brought some good stuff — Xuanhemen," Zhang Ben called out enthusiastically when he saw Chen Yuchen walk in.

Glancing at Wang Yishu, Chen Yuchen hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll step outside to smoke. Don't want to bother anyone here."

Zhang Yi put down his mouse and stood up. "I'll join you. Could use some fresh air."

"I'm coming too," Zhang Ben laughed as he followed them.

The three of them headed to the far end of the hallway by the window. The night air had a slight chill to it, and the shadows of the magnolia trees stretched across the walls of the corridor. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

Zhang Yi took out his lighter and lit Chen Yuchen's cigarette. "So, be honest, have you smoked before?"

Chen Yuchen took a drag, smiling. "I used to, but I'm trying to quit. It's not a good habit."

"Quitting smoking? That's easier said than done," Zhang Yi said dismissively, taking a deep puff before blowing out a smoke ring, looking content.

The three stood by the window, smoking and chatting about the upcoming university life. Zhang Yi spoke first, "We're going to live together for the next four years. 'We've gone through the same doors, we'll bear arms together.' Let's make these four years count, brothers!"

Zhang Ben nodded in agreement and grinned at Chen Yuchen. "Yeah, Yuchen, from now on we're all in this together, thick and thin. We've got to look out for each other."

Chen Yuchen flicked his cigarette ash, smiling. "Of course. But it's not just the three of us. There's Yishu too."

Zhang Yi scratched his head, a bit awkwardly. "Yishu is so quiet. It feels like he's in a different world from us."

"Everyone has a different personality. As long as we can tolerate each other, that's all that matters. After all, we've got four years ahead of us," Chen Yuchen said calmly.

Zhang Yi nodded, and Zhang Ben laughed, agreeing, "You're right, Yuchen. We'll get used to each other eventually."

The night deepened as they finished their cigarettes and headed back to the dorm. Zhang Yi suddenly asked, "So, is that girl Chen Siqi your girlfriend? Or are you two just friends?"

Chen Yuchen chuckled. "What do you think?"

"Don't leave us hanging! Tell us the story!" Zhang Yi excitedly draped his arm around Yuchen's shoulder, while Zhang Ben watched eagerly.

"There's nothing to tell. We're just friends. Don't overthink it," Yuchen laughed, shrugging off Zhang Yi's arm. "It's late. Let's get some rest."

Zhang Yi sighed dramatically, "You're no fun at all."

Ignoring Zhang Yi's complaints, Chen Yuchen stubbed out his cigarette and casually tossed it onto the small platform outside the window, where cigarette butts from past students had accumulated — a small relic of college life.

Back in the dorm, the group chatted briefly before settling in for the night. Zhang Ben tried to convince Zhang Yi to turn the computer back on, but Zhang Yi teased, "What for? You're not seriously going to… with everyone here?"

The room erupted in laughter, with Chen Yuchen chuckling as Zhang Ben's face turned bright red, silencing his request.

Although it was the first night of the new semester — a night that should have been filled with endless chatter — the truth was, after a long day of settling in, Zhang Yi and Zhang Ben soon fell into deep sleep. Yuchen scrolled through his phone for a while, receiving a message from Lin Siyuan, saying she was going to bed and wishing him goodnight.

Just as Lin Siyuan's messages quieted down, he noticed one last text: "Chen Yuchen, if you don't reply in three minutes, I'll delete you and never talk to you again."

Yuchen glanced at the time — it had already been half an hour since she sent it. Deciding not to respond, he shut off his phone. The dorm gradually fell silent, a soft beam of moonlight streaming through the window, casting a faint glow across the floor.

As Yuchen was drifting off to sleep, a low rumble suddenly came from Zhang Yi's bed. At first, the snoring was quiet, but it quickly grew into a full-blown storm, like a sudden downpour shaking the entire room. With a sigh, Yuchen turned over, gazing at the moonlight outside, thinking to himself — this was just the first night of their university lives. A long and beautiful four years lay ahead.