graduation
On graduation day, Zhiwei was adjusting her graduation gown in front of the mirror when the doorbell rang. The screen displayed the faces of her mother, Xu Anyi, and her aunt, Mei. She screamed and rushed downstairs, hugging her mother tightly.
“My daughter, whom I paid for with a house, is graduating. How could I not come?” Xu Anyi smiled and patted her back. “Columbia University, you know, it’s not some diploma mill.”
Aunt Mei added from the side, "Aunt Mei also came to a prestigious university to broaden her horizons."
It turns out that Xu Anyi had her three-month check-up last week, and the doctor said her condition was excellent. Dr. Li from Peking Union Medical College Hospital happened to be in New York to inspect the new system, so he arranged for her to come along for the check-up. Aunt Mei, worried about the inconvenience of the journey, specially took time off work to accompany her.
"No wonder you asked me to apply for graduation ceremony tickets last time, saying it would be good to keep them as a souvenir." Zhiwei suddenly realized, and hugged Aunt Mei again, "Thank you, Aunt Mei!"
Both women were dressed formally for the ceremony. Zhiwei led them by taxi, then the subway, and finally a school bus to the stadium. "Many roads near the school are under traffic restrictions, otherwise it would be completely jammed," she said. Along the way, the taxi driver and subway passengers smiled and congratulated Zhiwei, saying, "Congratulations!"
All of New York City is sending their best wishes to Columbia University graduates.
“My vanity was greatly satisfied,” Zhiwei whispered to her mother.
When she arrived at the school, it was packed with people. Underneath her light blue, oversized academic gown, Zhiwei wore a white dress and sneakers. The simple clothes accentuated her tall and slender figure, making her look as elegant and ethereal as a Greek goddess.
Xu Anyi, her eyes brimming with pride, took many photos of her daughter. Aunt Mei took numerous photos of the mother and daughter together. Zhiwei also asked her classmates to take many intimate photos of the three of them, cheek to cheek.
Zhao Youlin was quite surprised to see Li Fuqiang having a meeting at the hotel today.
"Isn't today Columbia University's graduation ceremony? Why is Mr. Li still here?"
"Today is Xiaowei's special day. She earned this herself. Her mother is there for her, that's enough. I don't need to join in the fun."
Youlin thought to herself, "When have I ever seen President Li so attentive to the woman? He went to such lengths to arrange for her mother to come, and even had a doctor from the Labor Union Hospital accompany her the whole way to prevent any mishaps on the way, while he considerately didn't show up himself. This novelty hasn't worn off even after half a year; it seems like a happy occasion is just around the corner."
Zhiwei, worried that her mother might get tired, took her to the family and friends area after the photos were taken, while she continued to enjoy taking pictures with her classmates. Xu Anyi quietly asked, "Why didn't you bring your boyfriend to let Mom see him?"
Zhiwei paused for a moment: "He's not young. I'll introduce him to Mom later. This medical appointment was all thanks to his thoughtful arrangements."
The ceremony lasted nearly three hours. Afterwards, Zhiwei first took her mother and Aunt Mei back to their hotel to rest before meeting up with her classmates. That evening, they planned to party all the way to the Empire State Building to commemorate their graduation in front of the blue lights specially lit for Columbia University.
Zhiwei specifically reminded her mother and Aunt Mei not to forget to enjoy the unique view of the Empire State Building against the Manhattan skyline from the hotel that night.
Around 9 p.m., as the group sang their hearts out as they marched toward the Empire State Building, Zhiwei called Li Fuqiang.
“Mr. Li, thank you for arranging for my mother and Aunt Mei to attend my graduation ceremony.” She paused, with the laughter of her classmates in the background. “My friends and I are going to the Empire State Building now. It will be lit up in blue for Columbia University tonight. Would you like to walk with me, Mr. Li?”
Li Fuqiang was surprised that she would call and invite him: "It's an honor."
After meeting up with Zhiwei and the others, she naturally took his hand and walked with him. Someone asked in English, "Zhiwei, is this your father?" Li Fuqiang froze.
“No,” Zhiwei turned her head and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, “He is my boyfriend.”
The crowd continued on their way, laughing and offering their blessings. Li Fuqiang was being pulled along by her, his mind still lingering on that gentle kiss. The girl's delicate lip print was more captivating than any other passionate kiss he had ever experienced.
Not far from the Empire State Building, everyone stopped to take photos. Zhiwei pulled Li Fuqiang's hand onto her shoulder, wrapped her other arm around his waist, and smiled brightly. Li Fuqiang turned his head slightly to look at her, his eyes full of smiles. Most of the time, Li Fuqiang helped Zhiwei and her friends take individual photos and group photos.
The group of young people didn't disperse until after midnight, still reluctant to leave. Li Fuqiang asked Lao Wu to take Zhiwei home. When they arrived at her building, he saw her off the car and watched her go upstairs. Zhiwei said goodnight and turned her face towards him. He paused for a moment, then returned the kiss on her cheek.
Zhiwei turned and went upstairs. At the window, seeing Li Fuqiang still gazing up, she playfully blew him a kiss. Li Fuqiang felt he'd had a night of unparalleled good fortune; it seemed she was in a very good mood.
Back in his car, he found it amusing—such a casual gesture from a girl could make him so happy. Those who had previously gone to great lengths to win him over would probably think it was unfair.
When Xu Anyi woke up the next day, she saw the photos her daughter had sent in the middle of the night. One of the photos, a picture of Zhiwei with a man, made her expression freeze – the man was much older, slightly overweight, and looked older than her.
In the photo, Zhiwei is smiling brightly, her left hand holding the hand of the person resting on her shoulder, and her right arm around the person's waist. This was no accident. Xu Anyi understood.
That day, Xu Anyi was to accompany Dr. Li to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine for a follow-up examination and to inspect the second-generation Tomo system. While resting and waiting in the hospital café at noon, Dr. Li and his party returned, this time with a man by their side.
Xu Anyi stood there, stunned.
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