Chapter 202 [The Grand Finale] The Best Graduation Gift

July 4th, the sun was shining brightly.

The campus of Huaxing University was packed with people.

Graduates in their academic gowns, parents with cameras, staff members moving about, and many alumni who had come after hearing the news.

The noise, the clicking of camera shutters, and laughter mingled together, bringing the graduation ceremony to its peak.

Lu Yinzhao was wearing a crisp academic gown with black tassels hanging down her shoulders.

He clutched his newly received graduation certificate in his hand, but his eyes couldn't help but wander around the crowd.

VIP seating, faculty and staff corridors, even under the shade of trees at the edge of the playground...

He looked again and again, but still couldn't find that familiar figure.

"Lu Yinzhao! Can I take a picture with you? I really love the promotional photos you took for 'Mist-Shrouded Red Alley'!"

A girl ran over holding her phone, followed by several classmates, her eyes full of anticipation.

Lu Yinzhao collected his thoughts, smiled and nodded, "Of course."

He obediently stood in the middle, looked at the camera and smiled, but his heart sank slightly.

Bian Ji said he would come, could it be that his schedule has changed unexpectedly?

Just after we finished shooting this set of photos, several more photography students gathered around, each holding a professional camera.

"Professor Lu, we are your juniors! Could you please sign your autograph? We'd like to learn how to take movie promotional photos from you in the future!"

"Don't call me teacher, it's too formal. Just call me senior."

"Okay! Senior Lu!" the younger students replied obediently.

Lu Yinzhao smiled and took the pen, signing his name on their camera strap.

But his gaze couldn't help but drift towards the back of the guest seating area.

Several school leaders were sitting there, but the one who had said he would "appear discreetly" was nowhere to be seen.

The graduation ceremony proceeded smoothly according to plan.

Principal's address, speeches by outstanding graduates, tassel-turning ceremony...

Standing in the line, listening to the applause around him, Lu Yinzhao felt increasingly disappointed.

He even began to wonder if he had taken it too seriously.

Bian Ji is currently a very popular celebrity with a packed schedule.

Perhaps... perhaps he really couldn't get away, but he just agreed casually because he didn't want to disappoint him.

Even after the host announced "The graduation ceremony has come to a successful conclusion" and thunderous applause erupted on the playground, Lu Yinzhao still couldn't see Bian Ji's figure.

He lowered his head, clutching his graduation certificate, feeling a little down.

If Bian Ji hadn't said in the beginning that he would definitely come to his graduation ceremony, he wouldn't be so disappointed.

It was precisely because of the other party's confidence and certainty that Lu Yinzhao's expectations for today were greatly amplified.

Full of anticipation to see Bian Ji, only to have that anticipation dashed in an instant—that feeling would be unbearable for anyone.

Lu Yinzhao thought angrily, "When I get back, I'll beat Bian Ji up!"

He gets angry, he throws a tantrum, he gets emotional!

Just then, a commotion arose not far away.

Lu Yinzhao suppressed his disappointment and looked in that direction.

What is that?

"It looks like a mascot costume? Why would someone wear a mascot costume to a graduation ceremony?"

"Is this a cat or a dog? It looks so weird! Hahaha!"

"It looks a bit like a big potato, chubby and kind of ugly-cute."

"She's holding flowers in her hands! Who's she giving them to?"

People passing by were whispering among themselves, and some were even waving at the person in the mascot costume.

Lu Yinzhao followed the crowd's gaze and saw a figure dressed in an orange cat costume awkwardly squeezing out from the crowd.

The doll's ears are different sizes, its tail is a bit crooked, and its belly is round and plump. You can tell at a glance that it was hand-sewn.

Lu Yinzhao was completely stunned. He never expected to see a life-size Q-version "Shushu" doll at his graduation ceremony.

When he was a child, he took a craft class and made this doll based on the big orange dog that Bian Ji's family owned.

He gave it to Bian Ji the year before Bian Ji went abroad.

Because I wasn't very skilled at sewing, the ears were sewn crooked and the tail was a bit short, but Bian Ji treasured it terribly after receiving it.

I still keep it on my bedside table, and I cover it with a glass cover.

At this moment, Lu Yinzhao's steps seemed to be nailed to the spot.

The orange cat plush toy stopped, waved its paw in his direction, and then slowly raised the bouquet of flowers it was holding—a bunch of sunflowers in full bloom.

"How stupid..."

Lu Yinzhao murmured to himself, but a slight smile crept onto the corners of his mouth without him even realizing it.

"You've been looking for me for so long, aren't you tired? Did you think I wasn't coming?" the man in the mascot costume said.

Lu Yinzhao looked at him, and her eyes suddenly felt a little hot.

He finally understood what Bian Ji meant when he said, "Others may not notice, but I can recognize it at a glance."

Because this is a secret that belongs only to them, a beautiful memory that transcends countless years.

Bian Ji held up a sunflower and handed it to him: "Happy graduation, Lu Yinzhao."

He gently moved the tassel on Lu Yinzhao's shoulder to the other side, "Congratulations on moving from the campus to a broader stage."

Lu Yinzhao accepted the bouquet, the fragrance of the flowers filling her nostrils, and the disappointment in her heart was quickly replaced by warmth.

Through the mascot costume, he seemed to be able to see every expression on the man's face.

Lu Yinzhao suddenly laughed, "Your disguise is too unique."

Bian Ji smiled and ruffled his hair. "Today you're the star, and I'm just a doll here to deliver flowers to the star."

Not far away, some students were taking pictures with their phones.

"So, all this was about giving flowers to Lu!"

"This person must also be a fan of Senior Lu, right? Afraid of showing their face, so they wore a mascot costume?"

"But if we take a group photo like that, won't we be unable to get a picture of each other's faces?"

"Maybe they just wanted to express their admiration for their idol anonymously..."

Lu Yinzhao looked down at the flowers in her arms, then looked up at the people beside her. Suddenly, she felt that this graduation ceremony had become especially unforgettable because of this unexpected surprise.

He had just been so petty as to think that Bian Ji wouldn't come.

This shows a lack of trust in Bian Ji. Lu Yinzhao is deeply reflecting on himself and vows never to doubt Bian Ji's promises again.

This man always keeps his word.

At his graduation ceremony, the person he most wanted to see finally made it through the sea of ​​people to his side in the most special way.

...

Then, Bian Ji took Lu Yinzhao's hand and led them away from the noisy crowd into the woods deep within the campus.

The summer sun shines through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The air was filled with the faint scent of orange blossoms, a gentle distance separating it from the lively atmosphere of the graduation ceremony.

"Stop right now."

As soon as Lu Yinzhao stood still, he reached out to pull at the collar of the mascot costume. His fingertips touched the scorching heat under the fabric, and his brows immediately furrowed.

“It’s so hot, you must be suffocating from walking around in this all day!” He stood on tiptoe and reached out to remove the mascot costume’s headgear, his movements quick and gentle. “Take it off quickly, or you’ll get heatstroke.”

Bian Ji obediently lowered her head slightly, making it easier for him to reach.

As the hood was gently lifted, a thin glint of silver light suddenly slid down from the collar.

It fell unexpectedly into Lu Yinzhao's hand.

It is a small fishtail ring with fine patterns wrapped around the band.

Several small, pale blue diamonds are embedded in the tail fin, like the shimmering light of water just pulled out of the water.

Lu Yinzhao stopped moving and stared blankly at the ring in his palm.

Before he could even react, Bian Ji had already raised his hand and taken off the heavy mascot costume top.

He revealed a white T-shirt underneath, and sweat trickled down his chin, yet he smiled with unusual earnestness.

He knelt down on one knee, looked at the boy in front of him, and gently took his hand that was holding the ring.

"You said you'd get married after graduation..." Bian Ji raised her hand, gently picking up the fishtail ring, her eyes filled with tender expectation, "Does that promise still stand?"

"Today I've finally waited for you to graduate."

The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of the wind and the soft rustling of leaves could be heard.

Looking at himself in Bian Ji's eyes, and at the incredibly beautiful fishtail ring, Lu Yinzhao suddenly smiled and nodded.

Two tears inexplicably fell down.

"Of course it counts."

Lu Yinzhao extended the ring finger of her left hand, her voice slightly hoarse but full of joy as she looked at Bian Ji, "I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

Bian Ji carefully put the ring on his ring finger; it fit perfectly.

The man stood up and hugged Lu Yinzhao tightly, feeling the heartbeat of the person in his arms.

Lu Yinzhao leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You always surprise me. I thought it was over when you came to give me flowers today..."

Bian Ji kissed Lu Yinzhao's mole between his eyebrows, gently stroking the ring on his ring finger. "I said I would help you fulfill all your wishes in the future... I will be with you for many, many years to come."

While the two were still embracing, several strangely dressed people suddenly came from around them.

This startled Lu Yinzhao, who quickly separated from Bian Ji.

A man with an afro and sunglasses rushed over, saying with exasperation, "Zhao Zhao, how could you agree so quickly? How could you agree to this kid's request without any hesitation? Shouldn't you think about something so important?"

Lu Yinzhao: "???"

He knew who it was just by hearing the voice.

"Fourth Brother? What happened to you?"

Then he looked at the bearded man, the freckled woman, and the bookish man next to him. Who else could they be but his eldest brother, second sister, and third brother?

"You...you've all disguised yourselves..." Lu Yinzhao was utterly stunned.

Because he really hadn't noticed it before.

"Ahem! Baby, look here."

Lu Yinzhao turned his head and a tall, handsome young man appeared in front of him.

"Mother?!"

"Hehe, didn't recognize me, did you?" Yin Song laughed smugly. "I was in charge of all the makeup and styling today."

Where is my dad?

"There he is! That old man sweeping the floor with the straw hat!"

"Huh?!" Lu Yinzhao's pupils dilated in shock.

His family made many sacrifices to attend his graduation ceremony.

Lu Yinzhao was shocked but also overjoyed, after all, who wouldn't want their family to witness and participate in their graduation ceremony?

"I knew you'd pull something like this, Bian Ji! If I hadn't been keeping a close eye on you, you probably would have done something even more daring on campus!"

The fourth brother with the afro was still rambling on when, within two seconds, he was dragged away by the second sister and the third brother.

Lu Yinzhao felt this was the most perfect graduation ceremony in the world.

The ring I'm wearing is the best graduation gift, and a promise that will never fade.

Everyone was making a racket, laughing and talking.

A petal, seemingly drifting from nowhere, gently landed on Lu Yinzhao's academic gown.

He looked up at the sky; it was clear and blue, with gentle clouds.

"Zhaozhao, let's go home."

In a daze, a clear voice drifted into my ears.

That was his lover calling him.

[End of text]