Chapter 267

The End (1)

Life is not always smooth sailing; there will be unexpected challenges. The reason why people feel vulnerable is that they can never anticipate what kind of disasters or pains await them. The reason why people become strong is that they can overcome countless obstacles and be reunited with the ones they love. Parting ways does not mean the end; they continue to move forward in different places, striving to become better individuals for each other. Perhaps it is for the next reunion. I hope that when we return, we will still be youthful.

After taking the final group photo, everyone exchanged contact information and then headed to the office to visit other teachers. Mr. Hu, with his eyes still squinted, held a cup of wolfberry tea and smiled while watching them. Tang Ya looked exceptionally beautiful today, and her gentle face appeared even more charming. They chatted with the students, and some girls couldn’t help but cry and hug their teachers. The teachers smiled and comforted them, assuring that they could come back to visit in the future.

Just as they were about to leave the school for dinner, Su Yuanzhou and Gao Jing arrived late. Su Yuanzhou’s dressing style had become less flamboyant than before; he even looked like a serious businessman. Su Qiuge knew that he had been following Grandpa Yang all these years, and Grandpa Yang genuinely loved and cared for him. He was willing to impart knowledge and nurture him. Su Qiuge even felt that Grandpa Yang’s regard for him had reached a point where he could entrust important responsibilities and inheritance rights to him. Of course, the Yang family had numerous descendants, so it was uncertain.

As for Gao Jing, she heard that she had started studying medicine. Her mother’s health hadn’t been good this year, so she gave up her original intention of studying finance and decisively applied to medical school.

Originally, Xie Xinglin had planned for them to dine at a well-known Japanese restaurant, but Peng Jianda suddenly noticed a newly opened barbecue shop near the school. He claimed to know the owner and said they could get discounts there. So, in the end, everyone changed their minds. For them, instead of cautiously eating expensive delicacies at a high-end restaurant, it was more enjoyable to eat barbecue and drink alcohol at a street stall while chatting.

During this time, besides chatting and reminiscing, Su Yuanzhou constantly made sarcastic remarks about Xie Xinglin. Initially, he restrained himself a bit, but after a few drinks, Su Yuanzhou looked at Xie Xinglin’s handsome face and became increasingly displeased. He even felt the urge to walk up to him and directly punch him. Fortunately, Gao Jing stopped him.

Moreover, after learning about the situation, the person he despised the most was Yang Xue. Although he knew that Yang Xue didn’t care about Su Qiuge’s feelings from before, he didn’t expect her to stoop to such excessive and disgusting measures. He understood even more that if he wanted to break free from their control, he had to step out of the shelter they had given him. Wasn’t Yang Xue trying to use him as a tool to please the Yang family? Well, he wouldn’t go along with her plans. He not only wanted to take away what she coveted but also prevent her from getting a share.

At this moment, Xie Xinglin smiled faintly and said, “I know.” Peng Jianda saw the interaction between these two and sensed that they might go on talking until dawn, so he quickly intervened, “Enough from both of you. We’ve already scolded him before. Do we really need to bring up these possibilities regarding Little Su?”

During this time, Xie Xinglin had a few more drinks. The barbecue shop had heating inside, while outside it had started to snow. Someone suggested that they should just head home. When they parted ways, the boys leaned on each other’s shoulders, humming tunes and singing songs. Though slightly off-key, they could still recognize it as the school anthem of Experimental No. 2 Middle School. Xie Xinglin seemed somewhat silent, walking behind Su Qiuge.

Later, a car arrived to pick them up. Su Qiuge saw what appeared to be Xie Xinglin’s assistant in the driver’s seat and helped support Xie Xinglin into the car. Just as they were about to leave, someone behind her grabbed her sleeve.

His voice was low, but she heard it clearly— “Don’t go.”

She hesitated for a moment, and the assistant with a hint of concern immediately said, “Miss Su, let me accompany you and Mr. Xie back home.” Su Qiuge looked at him, not refusing, and silently sat in her seat.

She didn’t know when he had bought a duplex apartment here. After the assistant dropped them off, he didn’t go up with them but handed the keys and such to Su Qiuge. He seemed genuinely drunk, something he had never done before. He didn’t speak or touch her but silently followed her.