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77. Chapter 77
"Your class is over here, senior," said the junior girl, pointing in a direction with a smile.
"Thank you."
The three of them went to the area designated for their class. With Yu AnTong due to take the stage soon, he chose seats on the edge with Xing LiXuan.
Students from other classes in the same major began to arrive.
"Who's that? He's so handsome!" someone from a neighboring class whispered.
"Are you living under a rock? That's Yu AnTong's significant other from class three. How do you not know him?"
"I've only heard some rumors..."
Seeing Xing LiXuan, Yu AnTong's classmates also began to make a ruckus.
"Yu AnTong, that's really sly of you, bringing your partner to the graduation ceremony!"
"Exactly! Flaunting your relationship in front of us singles is a crime!"
"My apologies, ladies and gentlemen," Yu AnTong said, putting his hands together in a pleading gesture, "I'll treat everyone to the Xianren Banquet for our graduation dinner."
"Now that's a deal!"
There were cheers all around, much to the envy of students from other classes.
Oh, Xianren Banquet, they all wished to dine there.
Someone from the neighboring class couldn't resist, "Class president, let's book our graduation dinner at Xianren Banquet too. Please go and talk to Yu AnTong about it."
"Yes, yes, we should also book at Xianren Banquet!"
"Alright, I'll create a poll in our class group chat later. If the majority agrees, I'll make the reservation," the class president said. "Now, everyone, calm down. The ceremony is about to start."
A few minutes later, the class president of Yu An Tong's class approached him, "An Tong, let's line up. We'll be going up from the right."
"Alright." Yu An Tong got up, adjusted his clothes, and told Xing Li Xuan, "Wait for me here."
Xing Li Xuan nodded, "Okay, go ahead."
At precisely 7 o'clock, the lively music paused momentarily, transitioning to a somber piano melody.
"Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass extends to the sky..." A selected group of top students from several classes started singing this classic farewell song.
"When will you return from this journey? Please, don’t linger for too long."
As the song "Farewell" ended, many graduating students below the stage felt tears forming.
The music ceased, and the student representatives took turns giving their graduation speeches and wishes, concluding with, "May your futures shine brightly. No matter how far you venture, when you return, may you still be youthful at heart."
Many emotional students below softly cried and applauded. Yet, in every crowd, there's always a naysayer.
From a corner, a discordant voice whispered, "All other classes have their class representatives up there. Only their third class is different. Yu An Tong is just flaunting that he married into wealth, a man flaunting his luxurious marriage. He's really shaming us men."
A narrow-eyed young man, holding his phone recording, murmured these bitter words.
The student beside him frowned, feeling his friend had changed since their internship, "Don't be like that. Yu An Tong's abilities are well-known. He's not just riding on Xing's coattails."
"What abilities? Didn't you see the online rumors? Xing Li Xuan invested billions into Yu An Tong's Xianren Banquet. Yet, he hasn't expanded it outside Jiang City," the narrow-eyed man scoffed, jealousy evident in his tone. "If someone invested in me, even a fraction of that, I'd achieve wonders. Sadly, not everyone has vision."
"Billions? That's impossible. Who told you that? If someone invested in you, they'd be blind!"
2kxiaoshuo.com
"It's all over the internet."
Narrow-minded people, when faced with their own inadequacies, are often drawn to the darkest and most resentful parts of the web. They hide behind their keyboards, venting their real-life frustrations.
As the student representatives left the stage and the event hosts began their segment, the narrow-eyed boy stopped recording. "Once I post this online, I'll get so many likes."
As he criticized Yu An Tong, he also sought to gain some advantage from Yu An Tong's online popularity.
His friend chose to ignore him, thinking that once people start working, they change. If their paths diverged, he would be better off without such a friend.
The music shifted to an upbeat dance track. A group of juniors took the stage, their dance moves both energetic and graceful, lifting the atmosphere.
No one paid any attention to the bitter young man. Everyone was engrossed in enjoying their final school performance.
As the evening wore on, students began taking breaks. Yu An Tong and Xing Li Xuan seized the opportunity to leave.
"Tired?" Xing Li Xuan asked him.
"I'm not tired; let's take the main road," Yu Antong said, patting his stomach. "Even if I were, you couldn't carry me anymore."
The main road was longer than the shortcut through the maple forest, but it passed by the campus river adorned with vast patches of lotus flowers. It was the peak season for the lotus bloom, offering a sight to behold.
Xing Lixuan held his hand and softly said, "I might not be able to carry you, but I can always hold you."
The gentle summer night breeze made Yu Antong laugh heartily. "No need for that. I've gained weight!"
"Look, lotus flowers." As they crossed the bridge, Yu Antong pointed at the blossoms in the river. "There are both red and white lotuses here. It's a bit hard to distinguish at night, but their blurred outlines add to their charm."
Under the gentle moonlight, the blossoming lotuses swayed in the summer breeze, exuding a faint fragrance, occasionally interrupted by the chirping of insects.
A sudden flapping noise emanated from the lotus bushes, followed by a dark silhouette soaring right above them.
"What was that?" Xing Lixuan instinctively shielded Yu Antong.
"It's okay, just some ducks from the school."
"Quack, quack!" As if in agreement, the ducks quacked loudly as they flew from one side of the bridge to the other.
"Haha," Yu Antong laughed, reminiscing. "I was so surprised the first time I saw ducks flying on campus. I always thought they just swam. They can fly so high and so far..."
Their elongated shadows stretched as they walked under the street lights.
The next two days were filled with graduation photos and dinners. On the last day, they received their diplomas, marking the end of their academic journey.
On the day of the graduation ceremony, Xing Lixuan specially came to pick up Yu Antong.
Xing Lixuan gently kissed Yu Antong's forehead, "Happy graduation, baby."
Clinging to him, Yu Antong grinned, "I'll never graduate from being your baby."
Xing Lixuan playfully tousled his hair, "You're the most charming baby."
Amidst all the lovey-dovey couples flaunting their affection, they weren't the most eye-catching pair.
It was Han Lele, who got proposed to!
Han Lele had previously mentioned that Qi Jingyao planned to propose on their graduation day. However, with all that was happening, Yu Antong didn't pay much attention, let alone expect to witness the proposal, where he played a part.
Typically, once the graduation ceremony was over and the school leaders left, students would disperse. However, today, everyone lingered as if waiting for something.
At first, engrossed in conversation with Xing Lixuan, Yu Antong didn't notice. But when he decided to leave, Xing Lixuan said, "Wait, call Han Lele over and tell him not to leave yet."
Puzzled, Yu Antong followed Xing Lixuan's gaze and called out, "Lele, come here."
Han Lele looked over and slowly approached, seeming a bit downcast. "Tongtong, why did you call me?"
As clueless as before, Yu Antong turned to Xing Lixuan for an answer.
Before Xing Lixuan could explain, the campus radio chimed in.
"We have just received a unique broadcast request here at the campus radio station. The request is from Qi Jingyao, and he has a message for Han Lele of the Economics and Management Class 3." The gentle voice of the female announcer paused, replaced by Qi Jingyao's voice.
Contrary to his usual flippant tone, Qi Jingyao's voice now sounded sincere and tender.
"Lele, I love you. Will you marry me?"
Han Lele was utterly stunned, his face a mosaic of shifting emotions.
Damn it! It's his graduation day, and after waiting ages without a glimpse of Qi Jingyao, he assumed the man had forgotten his previous proposal plan. Just when he felt disappointed, his name echoed from the radio.
The experience was an overwhelming mix of surprise and embarrassment. It felt so surreal, so sweet, yet so awkward!
Couldn't Qi have chosen a more romantic way to propose? This was utterly ludicrous!
His proposal on the radio felt akin to "Li Ziming from Grade 3 Class 6, your mother sent you two bottles of Wangzai milk..."
How will he ever look at Wangzai milk the same way again?
Surrounded by familiar faces, Han Lele's discomfort intensified. Suddenly, the lingering students started handing him roses out of nowhere. They simply smiled and walked away, leaving him speechless.
Soon, Han Lele held an armful of roses.
Ugh! Qi had better not show up, or he's going to get strangled!
However, unbeknownst to Han Lele, this proposal was the culmination of a month-long brainstorm by Qi Jingyao and his friends. They sought a unique, campus-centric, refreshing, and romantic method that wasn't clichéd.
Surely, this was far superior to those candle-lit heart-shaped proposals that might get extinguished by campus security!
Qi Jingyao was extremely confident!
Dressed sharply in a suit, the crowd parted for him as he walked towards Han Lele.
At the sight of the impeccably dressed Qi Jingyao, all of Han Lele's internal turmoil faded, replaced by overwhelming joy.
Qi Jingyao approached Han Lele, knelt on one knee, held up a diamond ring, and looked deeply into his eyes, "Lele, will you marry me?"
Yu Antong recalled how Han Lele had once vowed not to marry early. Suddenly, he felt an urge to enjoy the unfolding drama.
"I do."
However, within a heartbeat, Han Lele shamelessly accepted!
Yu Antong thought: Ah, Han Lele, your actions speak louder than words!
Author's note:
Initially, Antong thought: No one has ever proposed to me.
Later, Antong mused: Haha, and thankfully so!
A big thank you to the angels who cast their royal votes or gifted me nutrient solutions from 23:53:22 on 2020-02-26 to 23:57:29 on 2020-02-27!
Grateful to the angel who sent a deep-sea torpedo: Little Miss Kitty x1;
Thanks to the angels who nourished with solutions: Whale Amongst Seas x370 bottles; Sir Somnolence x9 bottles; Shuo Shuo the Great Demon King x5 bottles; Meow Coco x2 bottles; Ying Sister, Ci Feather, iiicy x1 bottle each;
I deeply appreciate everyone's support. I'll keep doing my best!
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