Farewell

The river breeze carried the unique, damp, and muddy smell of the Huangpu River.

The metal ferry sounded its deep whistle, its hull trembled slightly, and pushed through the yellowish-green river water, sailing steadily toward the opposite bank. It was the last month before the World Expo closed, and the river was filled not only with huge cargo ships loaded with containers, but also with patrol boats and sightseeing boats flying the World Expo flags from time to time.

The lower deck was filled with workers' electric carts and bicycles. Ye Chen led his parents up to the open-air deck on the second floor.

Several layers of white paint were applied to the iron railings, and the river breeze made Chen Xiulan's clothes flutter.

The couple leaned against the gunwale, gazing intently at the river.

The river was churning with waves, and the deep-draft cargo ships stirred up turbid waves that slammed against the bottom of the ferry, producing a dull thud.

"This waterway is really wide! With water transport so thriving, no wonder Shanghai's economy is number one in the country." Ye Jianguo leaned on the iron railing, his posture ramrod straight, his gaze sweeping over the endless rows of modern buildings on both banks, his eyes filled with eager excitement. "I used to see the Bund on TV all the time, but standing on a boat and feeling the breeze today is really exhilarating!"

"Alright, stop staring at the ship and messing up your hair." Chen Xiulan smiled as she straightened her husband's jacket collar, then looked up at the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower towering across the river. "Chenzi, is that the Oriental Pearl Tower? It looks pretty close. How long will it take for the ship to get there?"

"We'll be there soon. We'll be at Dongchang Road Wharf, and just a few steps from there we'll be in Lujiazui." Ye Chen pointed to the Shanghai World Financial Center across the river, which looked like a giant bamboo shoot piercing the sky. "The weather's nice today. I'll take you to the Jin Mao Tower next door later, and we'll go straight to the 88th-floor observation deck for a panoramic view."

"Eighty-eight floors?!" Chen Xiulan raised an eyebrow, her tone filled with curiosity and wonder. "Wow, how high is that? Wouldn't everyone look like ants from up there? The ticket price must be expensive, but since we've come all this way, we have to go up and see for ourselves!"

"That's right, how can we be stingy when we're out here? It's not like we can't walk, we have to go up and broaden our horizons!" Ye Jianguo laughed heartily, his eyes unable to stop looking at the top of the high-rise buildings on the other side of the river, his eyes full of longing for the bustling metropolis.

The ferry slowly docked at the Dongchang Road pier. The ramp was lowered, and the chains struck the iron plates with a clanging sound.

The three of them followed the flow of people disembarking into the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone.

The surrounding scenery is completely different from that of the old streets in Puxi.

Luxury cars lined the wide, smooth asphalt road, and skyscrapers with gleaming glass curtain walls rose from the ground. White-collar workers from foreign companies, dressed in sharp suits and carrying briefcases, hurried along the way. The adorable Expo mascot "Haibao" sculptures could be seen everywhere beside the flower beds, exuding the bustling atmosphere of the international event.

Passing through the Century Corridor, the three massive diagonal support columns of the Oriental Pearl Tower stand prominently before your eyes.

Thick reinforced concrete pillars are driven diagonally into the foundation, while a huge sphere hangs in mid-air.

Ye Jianguo stood at the edge of the tower base plaza, looking up at the landmark building. His professional habits from years of working in machinery factories made him subconsciously click his tongue in amazement: "Wow, how much high-grade cement and special steel must this have used? The construction must have been quite difficult. The scale of big cities is really different."

As the sun sets, twilight gradually paints the sky a deep purple.

The landscape lights along the Bund suddenly lit up, the classical buildings of the Bund were enveloped in warm golden light, and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui flashed with colorful LED lights. The whole city instantly changed its appearance, dazzling and exciting.

Ye Chen queued up to buy tickets for the observation deck on the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Tower, and then led his parents into the high-speed elevator.

The rapid ascent and descent lasted only a few tens of seconds, causing only a slight ringing in the ears. The elevator doors slid open, revealing a panoramic floor-to-ceiling window on the 88th floor.

The dazzling night view of the entire city of Shanghai is laid out before you without reservation.

The winding Huangpu River is like a black ribbon adorned with scattered gold. The Nanpu Bridge and Yangpu Bridge, which span the two banks, are lit up like dragons, and the traffic flow is transformed into flowing light spots. The magnificent buildings underfoot all appear as neat and exquisite models.

Ye Jianguo strode to the floor-to-ceiling window, placed his hands on the cool glass, and gazed down at the bustling world illuminated by lights, his eyes lingering there for a long time.

The cold light shone on his strong-featured face. In his early forties, he was at the golden age when a man's ambition was at its peak and his horizons were fully opened. The visual shock before him did not make him back down; instead, it aroused an unprecedented drive.

"Old Ye, look at that traffic, it's really impressive." Chen Xiulan stood beside her husband, linking her arm with his, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Ye Jianguo turned around and looked at his tall and straight son beside him.

He raised his thick, powerful hand and slammed it heavily on Ye Chen's shoulder, the force from his palm steady and strong.

"Chenzi, coming to Shanghai for university was the right decision." Ye Jianguo's voice carried the confidence and determination of a middle-aged man. "This place has a big potential and lots of opportunities. From now on, go all out here and don't worry about home! Your mother and I are in our prime, we have plenty of energy. We'll keep an eye on the shop back home, and maybe in a few years, your dad will be able to expand the business to Shanghai!"

Ye Chen pressed down on his father's hand that was on his shoulder and smiled, "Dad, this is just the beginning. Our family's life will definitely get better and better in the future. The best days are yet to come."

The trip ended at 9 p.m.

Ye Chen drove his parents, who were still enjoying themselves, back to the entrance of the budget hotel.

After the car came to a stop, Ye Chen took a large gift box full of local specialties from the trunk and handed it to Chen Xiulan:

"I'll come pick you up at 6:30 tomorrow morning to go to the train station. I also prepared an extra portion of this local specialty. Mom, go back to your room and get one for Sister Wang. She's been traveling all this way to do research, and she's worked really hard."

"Okay, you've thought of everything. Son, you should go back to school soon too. Drive carefully on the way." Chen Xiulan took the things and put them away neatly, gave them a careful reminder, and watched the van disappear into the night before entering the hotel elevator with her husband.

Sunday morning at six o'clock.

Ye Chen arrived at the hotel on time. Sister Wang had already helped the couple pack their luggage neatly. Ye Chen helped carry the two heavy suitcases and several large bags of local specialties into the trunk.

At 6:30, the car arrived at the South Square of Shanghai Railway Station.

During the Expo, the station implemented the highest level of security. Yellow and black striped crowd control barriers were set up early outside the plaza, strictly enforcing the "entry with a ticket" rule. Platform tickets were not available, and seeing someone off was not allowed. Long queues had already formed outside the station entrance in the early morning, with a slightly chilly autumn breeze.

Ye Chen helped carry the heavy luggage to the queuing area outside the security checkpoint in the South Square.

Sister Wang tactfully pulled her suitcase back two steps, giving the family of three time to say goodbye.

"Remember to send me a message when you get home." Ye Chen straightened his mother's collar.

Chen Xiulan patted her son's arm, her expression relaxed and decisive: "I know, you're a big boy now. Take care of yourself, eat well at school, and don't ruin your health by writing programs. Your dad and I will be keeping an eye on the business at the store, and Xiao Wang will be helping you. Just relax and focus on your great career."

Ye Jianguo, carrying his bag, waved his hand decisively at Ye Chen: "Alright, stop being so reluctant like a little girl, let's go back! There are a lot of people behind us, we have to line up for security."

A loudspeaker high up in the square broadcasted announcements about security checks and ticket verification for the World Expo.

Watching his parents and Sister Wang take out their tickets and nimbly pass through the blast-proof security checkpoint, their backs quickly merging into the end of the crowd surging towards the overpass of the waiting hall, Ye Chen stood there for a while before turning back to the parking lot.

Ignite the engine and shift gears.

A black Mercedes-Benz van roared to life as it sped westward along the elevated highway toward the opening of a new internet cafe in the university town.