AD Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Extra – Graduation

Two years later.

June, graduation season.

Today is the graduation ceremony for the class, and before it begins, Shen Du is pulled into several rounds of photos by different people.

He looks like a busy celebrity, with Xiao Pang temporarily acting as his manager and assistant.

“You guys go take photos with others first, Shen Du still has a little time. Go to the class monitor’s side, there are fewer people there.”

“Xiao Pang, you’re talking nonsense. I just came from there, and even Lin Yanjin has a crowd around him.” The person pulls his arm, “You can’t even get in line for Shen Du, but you can always take a photo with him. Look at the camera and smile.”

It seems like the perfect time for photos. Whether they know each other or not, everyone is taking the chance to snap a picture with a quick “Happy Graduation.”

The scene is chaotic.

Everyone is waiting to enter the venue, but the line hasn’t moved since they entered the building for the college.

Shen Du spends half an hour just taking pictures, his smile starting to freeze. When Qi Fei finds him, he is crouching in a corner hiding.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, and here you are hiding.”

Shen Du looks up, sees him, and lowers his head without much expression.

“Come on, big star, let’s take a photo together.”

“Still haven’t had enough after all this time?”

There are only two majors and four classes in the School of Science. Qi Fei is quite famous in their department, and half of the hundred-plus people come to take photos with him.

“I’ve had enough of photos already.” Qi Fei says, “But we’re different. We’ve played basketball together for four years.”

Shen Du finally stands up and compromises, “Alright, let’s take the photo.”

Qi Fei finds a classmate to take a photo of them together. Afterward, feeling it’s not enough, he drags Shen Du for a few selfies. Shen Du is so worn out that he can hardly smile anymore.

“Your expression looks like I forced you.” Qi Fei laughs as he looks at the photos.

Shen Du unceremoniously retorts, “Get lost.”

Only then does Qi Fei realize what just happened and reacts with speechlessness, “I’m telling you, you gays are too much. I’m a pure straight guy.”

This sounds familiar.

Shen Du rolls his eyes, “You’re overthinking.”

He’s not interested in just any man.

“Where’s your boyfriend? Didn’t he come? Aren’t family members allowed to come and watch today?”

“He’s on the way. It’ll still be a while, and even when he arrives, he won’t be able to go in.”

Qin Yi dropped him off at school today, and after that, he went to the company to handle some business. He promised to come back after the ceremony to take pictures with him.

Qi Fei gives an “oh” and is just about to leave when someone calls for him. He responds, “I’ll go ahead, let’s stay in touch.”

Shen Du doesn’t know if they will stay in touch. He casually looks at the crowd, thinking that after today, they’ll all scatter to different places, and who knows when they will meet again.

Maybe there will never be a day they meet again.

Shen Du thinks of his high school class monitor.

He doesn’t answer Qi Fei, just nods to show he understands.

After a few more minutes, the line starts to move. Their department begins to enter the venue, and the lead instructor gives everyone a final farewell.

Seats have already been marked with everyone’s names, and people begin to take their places.

The host steps onto the stage and announces the start of the ceremony. Then comes the documentary video, performances, speeches from each department, a group song, and a representative speech.

Finally, it’s the cap-tossing ceremony.

Shen Du looks at the elderly professor in front of him. He is dignified and kind, wearing academic robes that give off a strong scholarly aura.

This is a professor who looks deeply knowledgeable, his face marked by the traces of time.

He has lived through unforgettable years.

Maybe one day, he and Qin Yi will be like this too—two old men leaning on each other, supporting each other, and walking through their lives.

In this solemn moment, a new chapter of life, Shen Du seems to see what lies ahead in the endless years.

The professor adjusts Shen Du’s cap, smiling kindly, “Student, congratulations on your graduation. I wish you success in your future endeavors, may you soar to great heights.”

*

The ceremony ends, and the scene is filled with tears.

Xiao Pang hugs Lin Yanjin and won’t let go: “Ah, I’m so sad, I don’t want to leave everyone, I’m so upset…”

Lin Yanjin looks speechless: “Wake up, what’s there to be sad about? We’ve already signed with a company.”

Shen Du also feels a bit emotional, but when he sees Xiao Pang crying so terribly, his feelings disappear instantly.

“That’s hilarious. Xiao Pang, you’ve got snot running down your nose.”

“What!?” Lin Yanjin is shocked, “Xiao Pang, get up now!”

Another chaotic moment.

Each department begins to leave in line. Shen Du walks at the front of the crowd, and Xiao Jia pushes through the crowd, walking up to Shen Du’s side, “Shen Du, happy graduation.”

Shen Du doesn’t slow down, glancing at him and saying, “Mm, you too.”

Xiao Jia walks alongside him for a while, but after that sentence, he falls silent. Just as they are about to reach the exit, he suddenly says, “I signed with a company back in my hometown. If nothing unexpected happens, we might never see each other again.”

Xiao Jia’s hometown is a city in the south, far, far away from Yunshan.

Shen Du didn’t respond immediately.

“Shen Du,” Xiao Jia said, “Thank you for these four years. I’m really glad to have you as a friend, and I hope you won’t forget me.”

After saying this, he felt like he was putting too much pressure on him and quickly added, “Forget it, it doesn’t matter whether you remember or not. I wish you all the best in the future.”

“You’re leaving in such a hurry. Is your boyfriend coming to pick you up?” Xiao Jia looked at him, his bangs long, covering his eyes.

“I wish you happiness, my friend.”

Shen Du stopped, turned his head to look at him, and finally spoke, “We will.”

Then he walked briskly toward the exit.

The sunlight outside was blinding.

As he stepped out, Shen Du squinted to adjust to the light and quickly spotted Qin Yi’s figure on the steps.

He was wearing the outfit Shen Du liked the most, holding a large bouquet of yellow roses, and smiling at him.

In the two years they had been together, both of them had grown a lot. They kept adjusting and learning to love each other.

Shen Du took off his cap, raised his leg, and ran over, the wide robe of his graduation gown flying in the wind.

Qin Yi stood still, watching the young man running toward him—his lover.

Time makes people age, but two hearts in love will always remain young.

The bouquet of roses that was once sent without any reason had finally made its way into the hands of his young lover.

“Baby, happy graduation.”

Forever young.

Forever happy.

Shen Du held the large bouquet of roses in his arms, lifted his head, and kissed him on the corner of his mouth.

“Rejoice with me.”

When Lin Yanjin and the others came out, they saw this scene and started teasing loudly, their voices so loud that it drew the attention of people passing by.

They saw a same-sex couple kissing without a care in the world, some surprised, some happy, but most were excited, cheering and shouting.

More people started to tease, offering their most sincere blessings.

Shen Du quietly opened his eyes and found that Qin Yi was also looking at him.

In that moment, the world turned into color, romantic and dreamy.

If the moonlight is just right tonight, we will have a spring night.