The Fascinating Colors Along the Road

I remember it was September, as I traced the long and endless road from my past to the present–the new journey of college life stretched in front of me. At these crossroads of life, with great anticipation and fear, I felt like a piece of blank paper, wishing to be colored brightly by the future, admiring the colorful life of seniors, and being dazzled by numerous activities.

Time flows and never stops. With the arrival of autumn, the daytime is growing shorter. Every day, I stepped the pedals of my bike absent-mindedly, along Dichen Middle Road and Yishan Road, always hurried on. Swamped with heavy load of school work, struggling amid deadlines, colorful college life in my expectation and imagination appears to fade.

Yet all this nervousness and uneasiness melted away on that fine afternoon, when I accidentally looked up to both sides of Dichen Middle Road. Autumn trees stood on both sides of the road, covered with layers of different red, brown, green and gold. From crimson to agate red, maple trees looked like rubine from a distance. Bronze yellow of parasol tress interweaved with gold of ginkgo trees, tinged the long avenue with the spirit of the fabulous autumn. Moss green along with spearmint ornamented the reddish and yellowish patterns painted by maples, ginko trees and parasols. Sunlight streamed down through branches, leaves rustling in the branch; a few leaves were dancing in the wind and finally fell lazily on the ground. Looking up at the crystal-clear autumn sky, it was at that time I got to know what the “Turquoise-like Autumn sky” written by Ivan Bunin really looks like. Each color wasunique and different, but when they were mixed, it was another kind of beauty, just like a colorful brocade of autumn, which was woven by mother nature. Only then did I find that the autumn day in Qiushi Campus was so peaceful and beautiful, with scenes full of fascinating colors, even the ones whose names I couldn’t list. Wowed at these breathtaking sceneries, it suddenly occurred to me that it was my own careless observation that led to my ignorance of the colorful world around. Aiming at rediscovering the fascinating colors of my college life, I decided to search for Autumn in Qiushi Campus.

The colorful autumn is everywhere, along the road, among the academic buildings, even in the lonely corner. One of my favorite places is an open area by the Qizhen Lake behind the library building. After battling with tricky math problems, I often stand there to seek for inner peace. The lake, which presents a perfect canvas to mirror the beauty of the azure sky, enjoys a deep sapphire tone, and is often sparkling in the sunlight. As you settle down, any frustration will float away, as gentle as the circling waters. Gazing at the Crescent Tower, staring at the car flow on the Yangming Bridge, as autumn wind slightly sways the willow branches before your eyes, it seems there is nothing more pleasant than that wonderful moment, in a sunny autumn afternoon.

In addition to the sunny days with mild winds, clear sky and light, feather-like clouds, the cloudy and rainy days of Qiushi Garden in autumn are also full of charm. The overcast sky matches the grey and white color of the East Teaching Building perfectly, exhibiting a retro and nostalgic style. At sunset, the sky’s bluish grey magically turns into dreamlike rosy. The western sky colors up slowly, painting feather-like clouds in the singular shades of neon pink and purple. At night, the crescent moon peeps out from behind the scattering clouds, greeting me with the milky moonlight, and illuminating my heart.

I keep riding my bike along, continuing my journey in my learning routine and leisure time, in the autumn of Quishi Campus. Appreciating the gorgeous view of autumn days, acknowledging novel notions and ideologies, as well as making acquaintance with new friends, I gradually find my life enriched, no longer aimless and colorless, it’s now starting to be painted by the real college life.

Though everyday seems just like another, I know morning dawn would creep across our campus, sneak through the curtains to wake me up. Then hours later, evening wind gently sweeps our campus into orange twilight. No matter the sky is jade-blue or silverly grey, I know it is going to be a colorful fine day, dotted with joys and sorrows, frustrations but determinations. I know every day has its unique colors. Additionally, I know there are diligent students here, who are always willing to explore, always ready to challenge. They have their own colorful lives that I really admire. I know there are knowledgeable teachers here, who are always willing to cultivate younger generations, always curious to research and do experiments. They have their own colorful careers. I know there are logistics support personnel, who are always there for us to reach out. They all have their own unique colors.

All these colorful landscapes, all these colorful days and all these colorful people, contribute to weaving into the fascinating brocade of our Qiushi Garden, and for the brocade of our whole nation, for the brocade of the whole world.

Source: LI Xi

I’m lucky enough to be enveloped with all these wonderful colors on a promising road. It’s of no need to be over-anxious. Instead of tossing and turning at night, it is wiser to embrace the colorful autumn, to trace the steps of the distinguished, and to weave my own color into the brocade. And I know, it calls for hard work. I’m ready to turn the stumbling rocks to stepping stones, and then obtain my own unique color, just as the traditional meaning of autumn–it’s the season of harvest.

Still, time flows and never stops. It’s already December, with winter descending. The colors of our campus have been changing, but still fascinating, with each color’s uniqueness, as well as the beauty of the harmony they created. Dichen Middle Road still stretches silently, accompanying the trees, and we students as well. I know my road on my journey still stretch as well. Yet this time, it’s without nervousness and uneasiness, for I carry on those fascinating autumn colors with me, and I know there will be a colorful future at the far end, waiting for me.