The 100 - day oath - taking ceremony in the stadium came to an end with the host's closing remarks. Without any assistance, the grade dean strode onto the stage in one leap.
Coincidentally, Lu Youchuan sitting below saw this. He put his hand to his mouth and whistled loudly, smiling playfully. "Dean, your moves are really something!"
The grade dean, who had just taken off the microphone on the stage, was speechless for a moment.
He cleared his throat and began to direct the students. "Please exit the stadium in an orderly manner. Follow your class teachers to the coming - of - age arch on the playground. You don't need to move your stools for now."
"The coming - of - age ceremony is not only a ritual but also a symbol of responsibility. It marks your transition from young teenagers to mature youths, which also means you will take on more responsibilities. Students, as you're approaching 18, may you always be grateful, keep your passion, and forge ahead towards new horizons!"
Standing on the stage with the microphone in hand, the grade dean sent his blessings to this year's senior - three students. Watching the students in the stadium gather like a river and flow towards the glimmer of light outside the door, he felt deeply gratified.
Another batch of senior - three students was about to graduate.
And he had grown a year older.
Lin Jinran and Su Qinian slowly made their way out with the crowd, one in front of the other. The sky on the horizon was a deep blue, with a few white clouds floating in it.
The warm sunlight gently landed on Lin Jinran's shoulder. Bathed in this almost sacred sunlight, most of the gloom that had lingered on her in recent days was swept away.
Lin Jinran showed a contented smile.
There were two lines in the procession. Lin Jinran walked in front, while Su Qinian lazily followed behind her.
A large red arch was set up at the entrance of the playground. Although the students complained that it looked ugly, they still laughed and joked as they passed through it.
The long stream of students resembled an insignificant tributary in the long river of history.
The words "Coming - of - Age Arch" were hanging at the top of the red arch. On both sides of the arch stood some parents. Some were holding flower bouquets, waiting to send their best wishes to their children as soon as the event ended.
Lin Jinran tilted her head slightly and looked at the words "Coming - of - Age Ceremony". The bright sunlight shone right between the characters "coming - of - age", dazzling her eyes.
It seemed that her birthday was approaching soon, and she would officially turn 18.
Amid the chatter of the students and parents around her, she lowered her head again, looked straight ahead, and walked down the stairs, entering the "coming - of - age arch".
Suddenly, a pale - yellow flower bouquet appeared in front of her eyes. It was a mix of light yellow, white, green, and a touch of light blue, adding a delicate embellishment.
Lin Jinran's pupils dilated sharply, and her heart began to pound. She stopped in her tracks and stared blankly at the bouquet that had suddenly appeared in her hand.
"Seventeen is all about going all out, and eighteen deserves a good celebration. Jinran, happy coming - of - age ceremony. May all your wishes come true, may your journey be smooth, may you be filled with joy, and may you always be at peace."
Aunt Ying's blessings drifted into her ears with the wind. Lin Jinran's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She trembled as she tightly held the bouquet.
A warm current was slowly surging in her heart, and the air around her was so gentle. The sun was shining brightly, and the wind was soft. She felt as if she was immersed in a jar of honey, filled with joy from head to toe.
Lin Jinran sniffed hard and replied with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, Aunt Ying."
She never expected that Aunt Ying would come specifically to send her blessings on this coming - of - age day, so that she wouldn't look so lonely.
"Sis, I reminded Mom a long time ago that today is your coming - of - age ceremony. So, are you touched, surprised, and happy?" Song Lang, wearing his youthful school uniform, gave a refreshing smile and winked at her.
Lin Jinran nodded repeatedly, playing along with Song Lang happily. "Touched, surprised, and happy."
The boy behind her seemed to have turned into a solid wall, smiling quietly as he watched all this.
The flowers smelled sweet, and her mood was extremely pleasant.
Today, she completely forgot about the gloom brought by Lin Cheng.
No matter what he intended to do, at this moment, she was happy.
"Alright, go quickly and catch up with your classmates. They've already walked far ahead." Aunt Ying said with a relieved smile. She thought that although Xiang Yanhua couldn't witness her daughter's coming - of - age ceremony, she was here to see it on her behalf.
"I'll wait for you at our usual place after the event. Let's go for a meal together."
This had been agreed upon long ago.
Lin Jinran nodded, hugged the bouquet tightly, and strode forward to keep up with the procession. Suddenly, she thought of Su Qinian behind her and slowed down a bit. She tilted her head slightly and saw that the boy was also holding a bouquet of flowers.
Su Qinian raised his eyebrows, and his dark eyes sparkled like tiny stars. For a moment, Lin Jinran was completely captivated.
She heard the boy say slowly, "Jinran, look, I have flowers too."
He was just like a beautiful Persian cat proudly meowing, as if showing off that he also had something special, not just her.
Lin Jinran burst into laughter, her glazed eyes curving into a smile. Her light - colored pupils were shining brightly. "Yes, you do have them too."
She looked behind and saw Su Qinian's mother.
Mrs. Su had been looking at her son all along. Sensing Lin Jinran's gaze, she gave a gentle smile, and Lin Jinran smiled back as a response.
The main group in front had already gone far. Lin Jinran snapped out of her daze and quickened her pace to catch up.
The senior - three students stood in a scattered formation. The grade dean came back onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and started his speech. The students below looked up at him, their eyes filled with hope for the future and the courage to forge ahead.
Finally, the grade dean said, "The college entrance examination is just the most important exam in your life, but it's not the only way out. Although it can change the course of your life, the road ahead requires you to take every step firmly. May all your efforts be rewarded, and may your journey be filled with blossoms."
As his last words faded away, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. Lin Jinran clapped her hands vigorously until they turned red.
She finally stopped when another hand grabbed hers.
"Why are you clapping so hard? Your hands are all red." Su Qinian said with concern.
"I'm just really happy and a bit emotional." Lin Jinran wanted to vent all the pent - up emotions in her heart with all her might. She thought that finally, there were only 100 days left. When the college entrance examination results came out and her mother woke up, that would be the day she completely left the Lin family.
Just thinking about it filled her with boundless strength, giving her the determination to keep moving forward step by step.
"Jinran, let's apply to the same university." The boy's clothes fluttered in the wind. There was a gentle smile on his face. "With our grades, it won't be difficult for us to get into the same university."
He was so confident, so sure, and full of hope for the future.
Lin Jinran was slightly stunned for a moment, then she pursed her lips and smiled, softly uttering a "yes".