Chapter 632: The Graduation Ceremony Kiss

Zhixing Hall.

Named after the phrase "Unity of Knowledge and Action."

As a venue integrating sports, academics, and club activities, the name is quite meaningful.

"This place feels huge," Xu Youyu said as he followed Li Luo to the entrance of Zhixing Hall, looking up and exclaiming, "At least three times bigger than the old gym?"

"It seems they also incorporated part of the original small grove," Li Luo said beside him. "And the height increased significantly too—first floor is the gym, second floor is for club activities, third floor is the cultural hall."

The entire exterior of Zhixing Hall is primarily off-white, with occasional deep red stripes, and it still looked very beautiful after just being completed.

The four of them entered through the main gate and walked all the way to the third floor, finding the grand auditorium where this year's graduation ceremony would be held.

At this moment, many teachers and students were already busy here.

Jiang Liuxian, the current student council president, was directing student council members to prepare everything.

Seeing Li Luo and the others enter, Jiang Liuxian's eyes lit up immediately, and she hurried over: "Senior Li Luo, you're here."

"Yeah, did the rock club members arrive?" Li Luo asked.

"They got here early; all the instruments have been checked," Jiang Liuxian said. "Let me walk you through the schedule."

"Alright, let's go in," Li Luo said, stepping through the auditorium doors and glancing around in awe.

The entire auditorium was fan-shaped, with a semicircular stage at the front and a massive screen on the wall behind it.

Near the entrance where Li Luo entered, the seating resembled cinema chairs, arranged in a fan pattern facing the stage.

The auditorium's seating could accommodate eight hundred spectators, and with these luxurious seats, the space was indeed vast.

"By the way," Li Luo said with a smile as they walked toward the stage, "you three are basically the rare occasion of three generations of student council presidents appearing on stage together."

"What do you mean?" Xu Youyu glanced at him, sneering. "Are you hinting that I'm old?"

"Cough… I didn't say anything," Li Luo quickly backtracked, then swiftly changed the subject, asking Jiang Liuxian, "Don't you have class this afternoon?"

"Senior, we've already finished our final exams. This is the last week before summer break—everything's self-study now," Jiang Liuxian said, amused, thinking his topic-switching was painfully obvious.

Arriving at the stage, Jiang Liuxian then detailed the exact schedule for the upcoming event.

Soon, it was 1:00 p. m.

The school's public address system played the song "Don't Waste the Years."

The Gao San teaching building erupted in noise as students from every class poured out of their rooms, lining up and heading toward Zhixing Hall.

Xu Yinghuan stood behind Qiao Xinyan, with Zhao Rongjun beside her in the boys' line.

As she walked, she kept glancing at Zhao Rongjun, then immediately looking away, her eyes darting, lost in thought.

The sixteen Gao San classes entered Zhixing Hall one after another, ascending the stairs to the third floor, and, guided by student council members, took their assigned seats.

Once all students and teachers were seated, the auditorium lights dimmed instantly.

Just as the students began to wonder, the lights blazed back on.

Where there had been empty space between the seats and the stage, beside the instruments, now stood the members of the rock club.

Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng stood before two microphones, surrounded by younger rock club members. As the music began, they exchanged a smile.

"The note left in the drawer~ was the scene you planned with who and who~"

"The secretly passed novel~ read over and over behind teacher and parent's backs~"

They took turns singing, their lyrics like casual conversation, flowing naturally from their lips.

For the Gao San students, the two on stage were, of course, utterly familiar.

Since entering Gao San, they'd never heard them sing on campus again—yet now, at graduation, they'd get to hear them once more.

And it was even Li Luo's new song!

Listening to the humorous campus details in the lyrics, some emotionally sensitive students felt moved.

"Goodbye~ to my old classmates we used to annoy~"

"Goodbye~ to the thanks I never got to say~"

"Goodbye~ to the detention homework I'll never get again~"

"Goodbye~ to the final page I left in your yearbook~"

In just a few minutes, Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng had completely stirred the auditorium's atmosphere.

On the large screen behind the rock club, scenes flashed by.

Annual sports days, New Year's Eve performances, the three-ball tournaments from first year, the daily sprint to the cafeteria for food, morning runs during break, the evening crowds after school, loud recitations during morning self-study…

These memories, evoked alongside poignant lyrics, made many students wear expressions of nostalgia, their reluctance growing stronger.

When the song ended, the rock club members bowed and left the stage.

Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng returned to the seats of Class Eight, sitting in the two empty chairs deliberately left between Ying Chanxi and Xu Youyu.

"Man… that was great," Xu Youyu couldn't help exclaiming. "Why didn't you write a song to commemorate my graduation last year?"

"There's another one coming," Li Luo laughed. "Consider it compensation."

"No sincerity at all," Xu Youyu grunted.

As they chatted quietly, Jiang Liuxian, as host, had already taken her seat at the edge of the stage and began introducing the dignitaries appearing today.

Principal Wang, the Dean of Education, and Ministry of Education officials took their seats in turn.

Soon, Principal Wang delivered the opening speech, giving a lengthy summary of over ten minutes.

Li Luo grew drowsy listening, so he quietly reached over and took Ying Chanxi's small hand, cradling it gently in his palm.

Ying Chanxi blushed slightly, turned her head to glare at him—but made no move to pull her hand away, letting him play with it.

On the other side, Yan Zhusheng saw this and reached over, pulling Li Luo's other hand onto her thigh.

Though separated by the school pants, the texture wasn't as good as bare skin, but Li Luo didn't refuse—he quietly enjoyed it.

Wait, are there cameras in this auditorium?

Li Luo suddenly became alert—but then thought, well, we're graduating anyway. Might as well keep touching.

What's there to be afraid of?

After Principal Wang finished speaking, it was the Ministry of Education official's turn to speak.

Then came the head of instruction's remarks, sharing specific teaching achievements.

Thus, more than half an hour slipped away.

"Give back my earlier feelings of emotion~" Xu Yinghuan leaned back in her chair and sighed softly, "How can there be so much to say?"

"It sounds like they're planning two hours," Qiao Xinyan said. "I wonder what's next."

"What's next…?" Li Luo smiled. "Now it should be our Teacher Kong's turn."

True to form, after the head of instruction finished, the host Jiang Liuxian said: "Next, we will present this year's Outstanding Teacher Award. Please welcome Director Liu of the Ministry of Education to announce the list of awardees."

Upon hearing this, Li Luo's classmates immediately realized.

True to form, as soon as the Ministry of Education official on stage began speaking, he quickly called out "Kong Junxiang."

Of the five teachers total, apart from Kong Junxiang, the rest had all been homeroom teachers for four key classes during their first year of high school.

But Kong Junxiang, standing among the five teachers, was placed right in the center to receive the award.

Li Luo clapped cheerfully, then whispered to the girl beside him: "Do you think I'm some kind of teacher-luck charm?"

"In middle school, Teacher Zhang won Outstanding Teacher because of me."

"Now, at the end of high school, Teacher Kong wins Outstanding Teacher because of me—what a burden I've carried."

"You've got the nerve to say that," Xu Youyu chuckled. "Most of the credit goes to Chanxi, doesn't it?"

"Then I'm the final straw that broke the camel's back—I played the crucial, decisive role," Li Luo said with unshakable confidence.

"So impressive," Yan Zhusheng chimed in beside him, which only made Li Luo a little embarrassed.

After the award ceremony, Teacher Sun and Teacher Kong were kept on stage to briefly share their feelings about winning.

Though called a "brief" sharing, the two together spoke for over ten minutes.

When Kong Junxiang walked down from the stage with his certificate and returned to his seat, Zhang Guohuang beside him muttered quietly: "Teacher Kong, you talked way too long."

"What can I do?" Kong Junxiang rolled his eyes. "The speech had a word count requirement."

Otherwise, he'd have preferred to say it all in one sentence.

After the Outstanding Teacher awards concluded, it was time for the Outstanding Graduates award.

"Next, please welcome Principal Wang to announce the list of this year's Outstanding Graduates," Jiang Liuxian said on stage.

Principal Wang flipped through his documents, found the list of Outstanding Graduates, picked up the microphone, and spoke slowly:

"The students receiving this year's Outstanding Graduate Award are—"

"Class 8, Gao San, Ying Chanxi."

"Class 8, Gao San, Li Luo."

"Class 1, Gao San, Jian Zhenyuan."

"Class 8, Gao San, Qiao Xinyan."

"Class 2, Gao San…"

"Class 8, Gao San, Yan Zhusheng."

"Class 8, Gao San, Xu Yinghuan."

"Class…"

Upon hearing their names, Ying Chanxi and Li Luo stood up calmly and walked toward the stage.

When Qiao Xinyan heard her name, she was slightly surprised, then immediately rose and followed the two ahead.

This time, Qiao Xinyan performed exceptionally well on the college entrance exam, ranking fourth in the entire school.

Of the ten slots for Outstanding Graduates, half were directly awarded to the top five scorers on the college entrance exam.

The remaining five were selected through comprehensive evaluation.

For example, Yan Zhusheng, as an arts candidate, achieved first place in the comprehensive music score and earning a slot was perfectly normal.

Xu Yinghuan earned her slot through high marks for noticeable improvement and great potential, combined with a ranking sufficient to enter Qianjiang University.

Like her, three other students who surged ahead in Gao Er or Gao San and successfully entered Qianjiang University also received the Outstanding Graduate award.

When Yan Zhusheng and Xu Yinghuan heard their names, both clearly froze for a moment, surprised.

Seeing their reaction, Kong Junxiang burst out laughing: "Hurry up and go! Don't just stand there."

Only then did Yan Zhusheng and Xu Yinghuan snap out of it, immediately rising and hurrying toward the stage in small, quick steps.

Watching Kong Junxiang's nearly split grin, Zhang Guohuang couldn't help muttering: "Teacher Kong, you're not fair—your class alone took half the slots. That's a bit excessive."

"You talk too much," Kong Junxiang chuckled. "It's because our students are talented."

"So you're the one who didn't make it?" Lin Yuan poked Zhao Rongjun's arm and teased, "What happened to our six-person study group? Did the class leaders exclude you, Junge? If it were me, I couldn't take it."

Zhao Rongjun shook his head repeatedly, not caring much at all—he silently rejoiced for them.

Though his college entrance exam score was also good, with significant improvement, placing him in the school's top twenty, he was still too far from qualifying for the Outstanding Graduate award.

"Excuse me," Yan Zhusheng said as she stepped onto the stage. Ying Chanxi stood beside Li Luo, while Jian Zhenyuan stood on the other side—so Yan Zhusheng approached him and politely asked, "Could I switch places with you?"

"Oh, sure," Jian Zhenyuan recognized Yan Zhusheng instantly and understood her connection to Li Luo—he quickly moved aside to make room.

Yan Zhusheng settled contentedly beside Li Luo and turned to look at him.

"Don't look at me—look at the camera," Li Luo said, gently turning her head toward the lens.

Some girls in the audience noticed this and whispered in surprise, secretly shipping them.

Fortunately, the school leaders on the back of the stage had all risen and moved to the side, preparing to present the awards, so they didn't notice.

Even teachers below who saw it pretended not to.

Everyone knew well: among all the labels and achievements on Li Luo, the least notable one was probably "student of Fuyi High."

No one cared while he was still in school—how much less would anyone care now that he was about to graduate?

Taking the diploma from Principal Wang, Li Luo bowed slightly in thanks, then turned to face the camera directly and posed for a photo.

After the award ceremony ended, Li Luo and Ying Chanxi were temporarily kept on the stage to deliver speeches, sharing their thoughts on their beloved alma mater and how they felt after becoming provincial top scorers.

When the two returned to their seats, it was time for the intermission performances.

Various school clubs took the stage one by one, offering a series of brilliant performances.

As the graduation ceremony neared its end, all students lined up by class and came forward one by one to collect their graduation certificates.

Along the way to receiving their certificates, Li Luo had already picked up his guitar, and Yan Zhusheng seized the microphone.

"Time flies—three years have passed."

"Everything in my heart—blooms bright and clear."

As the students of Class Six walked onstage, every classmate passing the stage could clearly hear Yan Zhusheng's singing.

…

"Dark circles under my eyes in the morning."

"Tiny drowsiness during class."

"Day after day after day."

The students of Class Seven stood in line, their gazes firmly fixed on the two figures onstage.

On the large screen, video clips began to play.

Chasing and roughhousing during breaks, sneaking glances at novels in class, sweat spilled on the basketball court, joyful smiles during club activities…

Whether they had already collected their certificates and returned to their seats, were still waiting in line, or remained seated below, all students were immersed in this song.

Looking down at the graduation certificate in hand, they suddenly, dazedly, truly realized this day had arrived.

…

"I want to hold onto fleeting years."

"Say a proper goodbye."

"Regret and gratitude."

"All gone—back to yesterday."

Some girls saw their own images in the videos—the excitement of winning a badminton match, the enthusiastic high-fives with close friends—and hearing the lyrics now, they couldn't help but tear up.

…

"I only want to remember this moment."

"The light-years we walked together."

"After June."

"Light-years become memories."

…

"I'm glad we spent three years together, leaving behind so many beautiful moments," Li Luo said softly as the music faded, then turned to the girl beside him. "Zhusheng, you've graduated—anything you want to say?"

Yan Zhusheng blinked, turned to Li Luo, her gaze settling on his face: "Actually… ever since performing with you on the school stage, I've always wanted to do one thing."

"Hmm?" Li Luo looked puzzled.

The next second.

The students below erupted in gasps.

The students waiting in line to receive their certificates formed a wall, blocking the school leaders' view.

Ying Chanxi widened her eyes, shot up from her seat, still clutching her own and Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng's graduation certificates.

Xu Youyu chuckled, crossed his arms with interest, and watched the scene with a smile.

Yan Zhusheng threw herself into Li Luo's arms.

Kissing deeply the taste of graduation.

(End of Chapter)