Chapter 590: Upgraded a Notch

The host tapped the microphone on stage, signaling everyone to calm down and sit.

Mu Youyu made a gesture at Bai Yun and the others, indicating they would talk later.

Bai Yun took a deep breath and reseated himself.

After the Class A students sat down, their backs straightened a bit more than before, as if an invisible force had infused them with vigor.

The subsequent procedure proceeded orderly, with everyone taking an oath, receiving graduation memorial badges and adult caps.

As noon approached twelve, the ceremony ended; Mu Youyu and her three companions had just stepped out the door when a group from Class A swarmed around them.

Bai Yun was squeezed to the back, tiptoed and shouted "Make way!", but nobody paid attention.

Xia Chaoyi, however, was nimble; he detoured from the edge of the crowd, squeezed along the wall to the front row, and with a reach placed his hand firmly on Yu Ci's shoulder.

"You guys are really something, not giving a heads‑up—I almost couldn't hold back just now."

Yu Ci laughed, brushed off his hand, eyebrows animated, "If we gave advance notice, would it still be a surprise? We mainly wanted the underclassmen to admire our flair!"

Gu Xingnan and Jiang Liangjin leaned against the wall, waiting.

Mu Youyu was surrounded by several former classmates with whom she'd gotten along well, who asked her this and that; she answered each, her lips always bearing a light smile.

While replying, she slowly inched forward.

Just as she was escorted onto the field by a group, a figure slipped past her side.

Leng Anzhi popped out from behind her, her long hair fluttering in the wind as she draped an arm over Mu Youyu's shoulder, "Youbao, it's been a week—why do you have time to come see us today?"

Mu Youyu's head tilted slightly from Leng Anzhi's sudden move, yet she kept a bright smile, "The school asked me to come back, so I did. Besides, I wanted to see you all—it's been ages."

Leng Anzhi turned sideways, "Exactly, a week is long—did you miss me?"

Mu Youyu immediately replied, "Of course, I think about you every day."

Jiang Liangjin glanced sideways at the arm Leng Anzhi had draped over Mu Youyu's shoulder.

Leng Anzhi noticed that glance, not only did she not withdraw her hand, she even rested her chin on Mu Youyu's shoulder, seemingly teasing him on purpose.

Seeing Jiang Liangjin still showing no reaction, Leng Anzhi turned to Gu Xingnan, intending for Yu Ci to hear: "Xingnan, why are you standing so far away?"

Yu Ci heard that, turned around, and only then noticed Gu Xingnan had somehow fallen behind, putting about two meters between them, "Xingnan, why are you keeping such a distance from me?"

"Hurry up and catch up..."

Xia Chaoyi turned his head, realizing Bai Yun, who had been beside him, had disappeared somewhere; without hesitation he released Yu Ci's arm and started looking for people.

Leng Anzhi let go of Mu Youyu's shoulder and ran to Gu Xingnan's side.

She placed her hands behind her back, tilted her head slightly, and swept her gaze back and forth between him and Yu Ci, the corner of her mouth holding a faint, inscrutable smile.

Gu Xingnan felt somewhat bewildered by her stare, retreated half a step, but Leng Anzhi, quick‑eyed and quick‑handed, grabbed his cuff, "Why are you walking so slowly? I haven't even spoken to you yet."

She said that, then looked ahead.

I had thought Yu Ci would follow her over when he saw her approach, but instead, seeing her get close to Gu Xingnan, he felt relieved.

He even seemed afraid that stepping forward would disturb the two, so he detoured to chat with Jiang Liangjin instead.

Leng Anzhi saw Yu Ci's reaction, turned sideways, and in a volume only Gu Xingnan could hear whispered, "Xingnan, the burden is heavy and the road long."

Gu Xingnan's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he said nothing.

Leng Anzhi patted his shoulder, left the words "Brother, I've got high hopes for you," then turned and walked toward her class's formation, "Youbao, I'm heading off first—come find me later!"

Everyone moved to the spot for the graduation group photo, where several photographers were adjusting their equipment.

No order was assigned by class; it was free to go on stage. The senior Class A students tidied their clothes and hair, then spontaneously ran up the steps.

Bai Yun stood at the front to maintain order, found her spot, and planted her feet.

Jiang Liangjin straightened Mu Youyu's coat.

Mu Youyu and her three friends were surrounded by classmates, who placed graduation caps on them and pushed them to the very center of the front row.

"You four standing in the middle—being in this spot makes the graduation photo feel like it's been upgraded a notch."

The people here were still arranging the lineup, while Leng Anzhi had already returned to her class's area.

Leng Yueyou was chatting with the person beside her when she happened to catch sight of Leng Anzhi; her smile faded a little, and she turned her gaze away.

Leng Anzhi seemed to sense it, yet she did not turn back.

After the group photo was taken, the crowd dispersed from the stairs and gathered together to take individual pictures.

Jiang Liangjin saw that the people around him and his fiancée had finally dispersed, then leaned over to her, pulled two chairs over, and sat down.

Yu Ci also pulled over a chair and sat down in a relaxed pose, "Forgot to mention—are you free next week? A classmate wants to meet me to discuss a collaboration."

That remark sounded quite novel in the little circle of four; Gu Xingnan instinctively looked at him, "What kind of person?"

Jiang Liangjin raised an eyebrow, "What kind of collaboration?"

Yu Ci waved his hand casually, "Just a classmate—I'll bring you to meet him next time. The collaboration is about an entertainment company; he wants to rope me into a partnership for some project, but we haven't worked out the details yet."

After graduation he's set to inherit the company; he's studying finance and economics at C University's International College, specializing in business management.

It's true that his Yu family ranks among the elite in the international aristocratic circles, but whether that's because of the International College or the Business Management major, there are bound to be several classmates whose backgrounds outshine the Yu lineage—or at least can match it.

Since his freshman year, he's kept a low profile in class, and thanks to his personality he's made many connections.

Mu Youyu's interest piqued, "How did he find you to talk?"

Yu Ci tilted his head in thought, "He said I seem more reliable than most people."

Jiang Liangjin found that reason unconvincing.

Gu Xingnan said gently, "I have time to accompany you."

Mu Youyu also wanted to see how Yu Ci would negotiate, "I'll go too."

Jiang Liangjin didn't want to appear too obvious, "We'll go to give you courage."

"Sure, I knew you'd come." Yu Ci chuckled, "By the way, didn't Xi Ge also organize a graduation ceremony over there? Have they finished? Want to grab a meal together?"

Jiang Liangjin checked the time, "Not yet, but soon—we'll wait a bit for him."

Yu Ci sighed, "Really exciting—I'm about to have a meal with the chairman of the Mu Clan Conglomerate."

As soon as these words were spoken, several people fell silent.

Mu Youyu smirked, "Second brother says he only wants to manage the company's board of directors, not manage the company."

Yu Ci raised an eyebrow, "I get it, it's just having the board arrange someone to manage the company, right?"

Jiang Liangjin: "We just need to know, don't say it in front of second brother."

"Know, know." Yu Ci said, then held up his phone and took several photos of the four people, not forgetting to praise himself, "I discovered I'm really handsome."

The three: "......"