Centennial celebration
As the plane landed at Nangang Airport, Xu Ying gazed at the familiar city skyline outside the window, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of her phone case. Nearly ten years had passed; the city's skyline had risen considerably.
But the distant, bluish-gray mountain shadow remained unchanged—just like the direction where the sun would set every time she left school, just as she remembered.
On the day of the school's centennial celebration, the school leaders specially invited them back to give a speech. Xu Ying carefully calculated that it had been almost ten years since they started high school.
"Asleep?" Zong Heng, who was beside her, suddenly pinched her earlobe. He had just finished an international conference, and his voice was still a little hoarse from exhaustion, but his gaze was exceptionally bright when it fell on her profile.
Xu Ying shook her head and pointed out the porthole: "Look, the stadium roof has been changed to blue."
Zong Heng followed her finger and looked down, then suddenly chuckled, "Back then, I climbed over the wall from that spot to buy you milk tea, and the headmaster caught me red-handed."
The memory suddenly came vividly to life. Xu Ying recalled that when Zong Heng was seventeen years old, he was punished by being made to stand under the national flag, but he secretly mouthed to her, "Is the strawberry flavor delicious?" His smile was flamboyant and bright in the sunlight.
"Are you two here for the school anniversary celebration?" the taxi driver asked enthusiastically. "The school is bustling with activity today!"
Zong Heng toyed with Xu Ying's fingers and casually replied, "Yeah, let's go back and see the head teacher who went bald from the anger I caused back then."
Xu Ying secretly pinched the back of his hand, but he grabbed her fingers in return. The sycamore trees outside the car window rushed past, and their clasped hands were reflected in the rearview mirror—she was already wearing an engagement ring on her ring finger, the diamond refracting tiny specks of light in the morning light.
The gilded gate of the No. 1 Middle School was decorated with banners celebrating the school's centennial anniversary, creating a festive atmosphere. As soon as Xu Ying got out of the car, she was overwhelmed by the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms—the century-old osmanthus tree was still there, but the bark where their names were carved back then had long since healed, leaving only blurry scars.
"Senior Xu!" A volunteer student in school uniform ran over. "The principal asked me to take you to the VIP room!" The girl glanced curiously at Zong Heng. "And this is...?"
"Her husband," Zong Heng answered lazily, his fingers hooking around the back of Xu Ying's suit jacket.
Xu Ying's ears burned, and she was about to correct him when a commotion suddenly erupted at the school gate. Several boys pushed and shoved, shouting, "Brother Heng! It really is Brother Heng back!"
The lead man with the buzz cut rushed over to give him a bear hug, but Zong Heng nimbly dodged to the side: "Fatty Liu? You must weigh at least two hundred pounds now, right?"
"Holy crap, it really is you!" The man called Fatty Liu was so excited he was incoherent. "I didn't believe the forum posts saying you were coming back! You actually managed to win over the transfer student you said you'd marry?" He then noticed Xu Ying, his eyes widening. "Chairman Xu...?"
Memories flooded back. Xu Ying recognized Liu Yi, the boy who used to sneak out of the internet cafe with Zong Heng, as a physical education teacher at the school. Even more surprisingly, he was wearing a badge that read "School Anniversary Security Team."
"You guys don't know?" Liu Yi patted his beer belly and sighed, "The route Heng-ge took to climb over the wall back then has become a campus legend. Last year, some students even tried to imitate it, and the result was—"
"And then I broke my leg," Zong Heng chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "because I'd smeared engine oil on the wall back then."
Xu Ying turned her head in shock: "You never told me this!"
"Will you tell me how to catch truants?" Zong Heng lowered his head and bit her ear. "Like now, I haven't told you yet—" He suddenly picked her up and carried her across the school gate amidst gasps from the crowd. "According to the old rules of Nangang, the bride has to be carried into the house."
The ginkgo leaves on campus were beginning to turn yellow, casting dappled sunlight on the stone path. Xu Ying, hand in hand with Zong Heng, walked past one familiar landmark after another.
"The lab window is still broken," Zong Heng suddenly pointed to the third floor. "That's where I jumped to catch you back then."
Xu Ying suddenly gripped his hand tightly. It was a fire drill during their senior year of high school. She was trapped in a smoke-filled corridor, and Zong Heng climbed up with his bare hands and smashed the glass. At this moment, sunlight streamed through the broken window frame, as if one could still see the warmth of the boy's bloodied hand tightly embracing her amidst the flying dust of that year.
"You said back then..."
"I said, 'Hold me tight, don't look down there,'" Xu Ying whispered, her fingertips tracing the old scar on his palm.
A new wall of honor had been erected beside the basketball court, and Zong Heng's name was prominently displayed in the "Best Shooter" column. Several students who were playing basketball suddenly stopped, pointed at them, and whispered among themselves.
"Is that Zong Heng? He's even more handsome in person than in photos!"
"His wife is next to him? I heard she was a top student and a goddess back in the day..."
Zong Heng suddenly picked up the basketball that had rolled to his feet and casually tossed it. The basketball traced a perfect arc and swished cleanly into the net. Amidst the cheers of his juniors, he put his arm around Xu Ying's waist: "See? Your husband's still got it."
Just as Xu Ying was about to complain, the loudspeaker suddenly announced: "Ms. Xu Ying, representative of outstanding graduates, please proceed to the auditorium immediately..."
Zong Heng magically pulled a small box from his suit's inner pocket: "I almost forgot." He took out a sapphire brooch and pinned it to her collar. "A school anniversary gift."
The gemstone shone with a deep blue hue in the sunlight. Xu Ying suddenly recognized it as the decoration on the cap of the fountain pen she had lost years ago—a birthday gift she had saved up for three months' worth of allowance to buy for Zong Heng.
"You actually... kept it all this time?"
"Not only that." Zong Heng pulled up a photo on his phone—a profile of seventeen-year-old Xu Ying asleep in the library. "Everything you lost is here with me."
The bells of the auditorium rang, startling a flock of white doves. Amidst the fluttering feathers, Zong Heng suddenly became serious: "Seven o'clock tonight, meet me on the rooftop."
"Why is it..."
"Because—" he leaned down and kissed her lips lightly, "it's been five years, I should give you my answer."
The auditorium lights gently illuminated the stage. Xu Ying stood before the microphone, her fingertips lightly tracing the edges of her speech. The audience was filled with students, teachers, and alumni who had been invited back. Her gaze swept over the familiar and unfamiliar faces, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Five years ago, when I stood here, I never imagined that one day I would come back as an 'outstanding graduate'."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried clearly throughout the entire auditorium. The audience gradually quieted down, all eyes fixed on this gentle yet resolute woman.
"Back then, I was timid and shy, and I didn't even dare to raise my hand in class."
She paused, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.
"I remember in the first English class, the teacher asked me to read the text aloud. I stood up, my palms were sweaty, and my voice was so soft that I couldn't even hear myself."
Good-natured laughter rippled through the audience, and a few students even whispered in agreement, "Me too!"
Then, someone suddenly kicked the table—
Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the first row. Zong Heng leaned back lazily in his chair, his long legs casually stretched out, his suit jacket open, and his tie loosely draped around his neck, still sporting that carefree and nonchalant demeanor. Yet, his eyes were fixed on her, his dark pupils deep and unfathomable, as if trying to etch her into their very being.
"—He said, 'What are you laughing at?' The whole class fell silent instantly."
A burst of laughter erupted in the auditorium, and some even whistled. Zong Heng raised an eyebrow, a roguish smile playing on his lips, as if to say, "Yes, it was me who did it."
Xu Ying's face flushed slightly. She lowered her head to hide her smile and continued:
"Back then, I hated him."
Another burst of laughter erupted from the audience, with someone teasing, "Really? Senior Xu!"
She pursed her lips, a sly glint in her eyes.
"Because he always hid my pen, drew messy doodles on my textbooks, and deliberately stuck bubble gum on my chair."
The students laughed so hard they were doubled over, and even the principal couldn't help but shake his head. Zong Heng rested his chin on his hand, laughing unrestrainedly, as if those pranks were something to be proud of.
"But later..."
Her voice gradually softened.
"Later I discovered that he would hand me his umbrella on rainy days and run home in the rain himself; he would stay up all night before exams to help me organize my notes, even though he didn't need to study at all; and he would stand in front of me with a cold face when others were talking badly about me."
The laughter in the auditorium gradually subsided, replaced by a quiet focus. Everyone was immersed in her story, as if they could see that unruly boy and the gentleness hidden beneath his arrogant exterior.
"That's when I realized that some people are like durians."
Someone in the audience burst out laughing.
"It has a prickly exterior and a pungent smell, but once you dare to take a bite, you'll discover—"
She looked at Zong Heng, her eyes filled with starlight.
"—He's sweeter than anyone else."
Zong Heng's Adam's apple bobbed, and a dark glint flashed in his eyes. He suddenly stood up and walked toward the podium in full view of everyone.
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
Xu Ying froze, her heart pounding. What...what was he going to do?
Zong Heng strode up the steps and, to her alarmed surprise, snatched the microphone from her.
“One more thing.” His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying an undeniable domineering air, “She missed the most important thing.”
The entire room fell silent.
He turned around, looked directly into her eyes, and said, word by word:
“‘I love him,’ I have loved him since I was seventeen, and that has never changed.”
Xu Ying's face flushed instantly, her ear tips turning almost blood red. She instinctively tried to grab the microphone back, but he easily dodged her.
The audience erupted in cheers, whistles, and applause. One student shouted, "Senior Zong is awesome!" The principal sighed, looking like he knew this would happen.
Zong Heng smiled with satisfaction, shoved the microphone back into her hand, and leaned down to whisper in her ear:
"Now, continue."
His breath brushed against her earlobe, carrying a familiar warmth and a faint scent of tobacco. Xu Ying's fingertips trembled slightly, her mind went blank, and she completely forgot what she was going to say next.
Zong Heng chuckled softly, finally taking pity on her and letting her go. He turned and walked off the stage. But his gaze remained fixed on her, as if to say, "If you dare not say you love me, you won't be sleeping tonight."
Xu Ying took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
"In short..." her voice trembled slightly, "What I learned in my three years of high school was not only knowledge, but also courage, perseverance, and..."
She looked down at Zong Heng, who was lazily raising an eyebrow at her, his eyes filled with arrogant possessiveness.
"And how to love a jerk."
The whole audience burst into laughter.
Zong Heng narrowed his eyes, dangerously licked his back teeth, and mouthed three words to her: "You're finished."
Xu Ying finally regained her composure and ended her speech with a smile. As she stepped off the stage, Zong Heng was already waiting by the steps, reaching out to help her.
“Well said,” he said softly, his thumb gently rubbing her palm. “But we’ll have to settle the accounts tonight.”
She blushed and glared at him: "What are you doing?"
He leaned down, his breath tickling her ear: "Declare sovereignty."
In the distance, the principal wiped his sweat and said to the teacher beside him, "It's been so long, how come these two children haven't changed at all..."
Xu Ying's heart skipped a beat. Before she could even retort, he pulled her outside, asking, "Where are we going?"
"Rooftop".
As the sun set, the iron gate to the rooftop creaked open. A breeze ruffled Xu Ying's hair as she stared blankly at the scene before her—
The once mottled cement ground was now covered with rose petals, and colorful ribbons and balloons were tied to the railings. In the center stood a small table with a familiar tin box on it.
That was the box she used to store little notes in high school.
Zong Heng walked behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder: "Do you remember this place?"
How could I not remember?
She used to tutor him here. He was sleeping on the table, and the sunlight fell on his eyelashes. She secretly watched him for a long time.
He once asked her here, "Xu Ying, do you like me?" She blushed and ran away.
—On the eve of graduation, they were looking at the stars here. He handed her a necklace and said, "Wait for me."
Xu Ying's eyes welled up with tears, and she turned to look at him: "When did you set this up?"
“Last night.” He chuckled, opening the tin box, which was full of notes she had written to him back then—some of which she herself had even forgotten.
"Zong Heng, I've put today's math homework on your desk. Remember to hand it in."
"Stop fighting... I'll worry."
"It's raining, and you didn't bring an umbrella. I'll wait for you at the school gate."
At the very bottom was a yellowed note with bold, illegible handwriting: "Xu Ying, I love you, forever."
Zong Heng picked up the note and knelt on one knee.
Xu Ying's breath hitched.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell on him. He looked up at her, his dark eyes deep and unfathomable, the arrogance of his youth gone, leaving only earnestness.
"Five years ago, I asked you here if you liked me," he said in a low, husky voice. "Now, it's my turn to ask you—"
He opened the velvet ring box, and the dazzling diamonds sparkled in the light.
"Xu Ying, will you marry me?"
Xu Ying's tears welled up in her eyes and finally rolled down her cheeks. She looked down at Zong Heng, who was kneeling on one knee. His eyebrows and eyes were still as sharp as when he was young, but the fierceness had faded and a more calm and gentle look had appeared.
The setting sun cast its golden rays upon him, as if gilding him. His deep black eyes reflected her figure, as if the past ten years had never separated them.
"You...why suddenly..." Her voice choked, and her fingertips trembled slightly.
Zong Heng smiled slightly, gently wiping away the tear stains on her face with his thumb, and said in a low voice, "It's not sudden, I've been preparing for five years."
Xu Ying was stunned.
Five years.
From seventeen to twenty-two, from school uniforms to suits, from the rooftop of Nangang No.1 Middle School to this reunion.
She thought their story had long been buried by time, but he had always treasured those insignificant notes and even remembered every word she had said back then.
Zong Heng stood up, cupped her face in one hand, and said in a deep voice, "Xu Ying, you haven't answered me yet."
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest, and all she could hear was the howling wind and his hot breath.
"I..." She opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't make a sound.
Zong Heng chuckled, his fingertips tracing the corner of her lips with a hint of danger: "If you don't tell me, I'll kiss you until you do."
Xu Ying finally found her voice, and said with a sob, "I do."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Zong Heng's kiss landed on his lips.
His lips were warm and forceful, as if he wanted to pour all the longing of the past ten years into this kiss. Xu Ying was held tightly in his arms, her fingers unconsciously gripping the collar of his suit, her breathing completely out of rhythm.
Suddenly, fireworks burst into the sky during the school anniversary celebrations in the distance, their dazzling light illuminating the entire night. Students cheered on the playground, unaware that on this rooftop that held countless youthful memories, two hearts finally merged completely.
Zong Heng stepped back slightly, his forehead pressed against hers, his voice hoarse: "Xu Ying, say it again."
Her face flushed, and she whispered, "I do."
He chuckled softly, took the diamond ring from the velvet box, and slowly slipped it onto her ring finger. The inside of the ring was engraved with small words—"XY&ZH 2012-forever".
Xu Ying stared blankly at the line of words, her fingertips gently tracing its surface.
2012 was the year they first met.
Forever is their future.
Zong Heng grasped her hand, their fingers intertwined, and whispered, "This time, you can't escape."
That night, the school's forum exploded.
Breaking News! The school's most popular senior and the most academically gifted senior proposed to each other on the rooftop today!!
The post was accompanied by a candid photo of their backs—at sunset, Zong Heng was kneeling on one knee, Xu Ying was covering her mouth and crying, and the two were enveloped in fireworks, the scene was so romantic it looked like a movie still.
The comment section instantly erupted:
"Holy crap! Isn't that Senior Xu who gave the speech today?!"
"Senior Zong actually proposed?! My parents were big fans of their pairing back in the day!"
"Five years... What an amazing love story!"
When Xu Ying came out of the shower, she found Zong Heng leaning against the headboard, scrolling through his phone, a faint smile on his lips.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, leaning closer.
Zong Heng handed her his phone and said lazily, "We're trending on social media."
Xu Ying looked closely and almost choked—
#Nangang No.1 Middle School's school bully proposes to top student#
#A fairytale romance that went from school uniforms to wedding dresses#
Some alumni even posted photos of themselves from high school, in which Zong Heng stood impatiently on the podium while Xu Ying secretly watched him with tender eyes.
Zong Heng suddenly rolled over and pinned her down, his dark eyes narrowing dangerously: "So you liked to peek at me back then?"
Xu Ying's ears burned, and she tried to push him away: "I didn't!"
He chuckled and bit her earlobe: "Lying."
Late at night, Xu Ying leaned against Zong Heng's chest, gently stroking the ring.
"Zong Heng".
"Um?"
When did you start planning the proposal?
He paused for a moment, then said softly, "It started from the first time you said, 'I'll marry you when I grow up.'"
Xu Ying suddenly looked up: "When did I ever say such a thing?!"
Zong Heng raised an eyebrow: "When you had a fever in the second semester of your junior year of high school."
She remembered.
That day, she was delirious with fever. Zong Heng climbed in through the window to bring her medicine. She grabbed his hand and mumbled, "Zong Heng... I'll marry you when I grow up, okay?"
She thought it was a dream.
So he remembered.
Xu Ying buried her face in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "You actually remembered this for five years."
Zong Heng tightened his arms and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"More than five years."
"It's for a lifetime."
Outside the window, the last firework burst in the night sky, and starlight fell between the two clasped fingers.
The engraving on the ring shimmered slightly in the moonlight.
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