Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Graduation Photo, He's Looking, She's Smiling. (Extra for followers!)
Xu Musen's heart couldn't help but rise with a unique feeling, the sense that he was someone's one and only.
It was really addictive.
Xu Musen suddenly got a sense of what Yao Mingyue might have felt.
In his past life, he had been far more intense than An Nuannuan.
There was the feeling that in this life, he wanted no one but you.
Perhaps, that's how Yao Mingyue got hooked step by step.
Indeed, it takes two to make a thing go right.
A person with an intense desire for control is surely because there's someone willing to be controlled by her.
Xu Musen took a deep breath.
He turned his head to look at An Nuannuan, who was eating a candied haw, her cheeks puffed out adorably.
But he didn't resist this sensation. For all things, just grasping the right balance makes it a very good experience.
"Is there something on my face?"
An Nuannuan, feeling Xu Musen's gaze, felt her cheeks warm under the noonday sun.
"A little."
"What is it?" An Nuannuan wondered if it was some cumin from the roasted sausage.
"It's a bit attractive."
"Hmm?"
An Nuannuan blinked and held Xu Musen's gaze for a moment.
Xu Musen's face reddened—damn, having flirted habitually, why had he blurted out such words again?
"Cough cough, never mind, just pretend you were hearing things."
"Oh~"
An Nuannuan nodded and turned her head to watch people on the sports field, quietly touching her cheek with her hand.
Yep... a bit warm.
...
The graduation ceremony was drawing to a close, and it was time for everyone to take the graduation photo.
Xu Musen wheeled An Nuannuan to the sports field and first took her to her class.
It was just in time for roll call.
"Gao Chao."
"Here."
"Zhen Shuang"
"Present."
"Lv Hong, did Lv Hong not come today either?"
As the class monitor called the roll, they suddenly noticed that Lv Hong hadn't been to school for several days.
"Lv Hong went home early; leave him be."
At that moment, the class teacher walked over, seeming to frown upon hearing the name.
But when he saw An Nuannuan, he immediately came over with a smile.
Xu Musen thoughtfully smiled at An Nuannuan and said, "Then I'll head back too."
An Nuannuan nodded and waved goodbye to him.
For the graduation photo, many had brought their school uniform jackets that day. This was the last time they would wear their school uniforms, writing their names and blessings on each other's clothes.
It was an old tradition.
Many people might have silently liked a girl in their class for a full three years, perhaps even becoming friends.
But they never dared to truly express their feelings. How many people handed around a graduation blessings booklet for the whole class to sign, one by one.
But the real purpose was just to get that one page with her handwriting on it.
This outfit is not perfect until you, and only you, have signed it.
Xu Musen also brought a jacket.
Yet no one in his class thought about signing it. A few girls quietly looked over, but after some consideration, they gave up.
Because Yao Mingyue's gaze was always fixed on Xu Musen.
Xu Musen had his peace on one hand, but on the other hand, he sighed.
How many romantic opportunities had this little tsundere intercepted from him?
Also, Yao Mingyue's school uniform was clean and tidy. The boys who wanted to come over were deterred by just one look from her and automatically gave up.
As for the girls, Yao Mingyue had only one best friend. No help there; her aura was simply too strong most of the time.
And her best friend, knowing Yao Mingyue's temperament, began leading the teasing, suggesting they both sign for each other.
There were even those who teased him using the incident from a few days ago when Xu Musen touched Yao Mingyue's fingers.
Yao Mingyue stood out from the crowd, not showing much expression, but a hint of pride had already leaked from the corners of her eyes.
Xu Musen was indifferent to the comments of others, but now a few mischievous people were even gently pushing him to stand before Yao Mingyue, forcing the pen into his hand.
Xu Musen looked at her, realizing that avoiding too much only seemed deliberate.
"So, should I sign?"
"Up to you."
Yao Mingyue still had a reserved look on her face.
Childish.
Xu Musen held the pen, flooded by memories from his past life.
Actually, the first year of marriage in his previous life, during the passionate love period, had been quite pleasant, and he even liked some of Yao Mingyue's possessiveness initially.
But later, Yao Mingyue's pathological possessiveness became increasingly severe, until she even locked him up in a room…
Xu Musen was overwhelmed with emotions as he raised the pen.
"Improve yourself and begin again."
Of course, Xu Musen did not write that, otherwise it would have caused another explosive headline.
He gently tugged her sleeve and started to write slowly.
"If life were only about first impressions."
Xu Musen felt that this phrase suited them too well, because if everything could remain like the moments when they first met, perhaps it would always be beautiful.
Unfortunately, people always change, so that first impression might as well be the last impression.
It all depends on how one interprets it.
In the end, he signed his name.
"Tsk tsk tsk, so sentimental, even writing poetry," commented someone.
"First Sight Bro! Why don't you just confess again!" jested the boys.
The line was repeated by many, considered very romantic, but few ever took the initiative to understand its full context.
Yao Mingyue squinted slightly; she was lost in thought for a moment.
If life were like first impressions…
Then conversely, if she returned to her former self, would he still like her a lot?
Yao Mingyue's lips curved into a small nod, and just like that, her peculiar train of thought transformed Xu Musen's farewell poem into a kind of hint for herself.
Xu Musen was unaware of her thoughts, otherwise he would surely regret not writing "Improve yourself and begin again."
Yao Mingyue signed her name for them, too.
"I, Yao Mingyue."
Simple, yet her elegant handwriting also conveyed a sense of dominating assertiveness.
The graduation photos were taken.
Everyone tacitly gave the two of them space.
On the back row, both of their heights were prominent; Xu Musen originally stood with He Qiang, but Yao Mingyue was always like a shadow, sticking close to him.
The photographer was in place, and Xu Musen had no room to retreat; their arms touched.
From Yao Mingyue's body wafted a familiar scent, a mix of body fragrance and roses, refreshing and compelling, always stirring something in the heart.
Xu Musen glanced sideways at her, following her delicate jawline to see her pristine neck and exquisite collarbones.
A high ponytail revealed small and dainty ears, translucent as jade.
It had to be said, she was truly beautiful.
Every single detail was positioned just right according to Xu Musen's aesthetic.
If only she were a normal person...
"Come on, let's get closer to the middle, everyone, and smile!" the photographer directed.
Xu Musen pulled his gaze away, and the heart he thought was sealed off felt, in this moment, some youthful stirrings.
"Ready! Three, two, one, eggplant!"
In the instant the flash lit up,
Yao Mingyue moved half a step closer and leaned her head gently against his shoulder, her long ponytail, like the noonday sun, cascading over Xu Musen's shoulder.
Xu Musen glanced back subconsciously.
The young girl's smiling face was radiant, a small canine tooth especially dazzling. At this moment, she was nothing more than an eighteen-year-old girl.
Each inch of her skin and each feature became the regretful shadows of countless youths' early years.
He watched; she smiled.
"Click!"
And there, it was captured.