Chapter 127: Graduation Photos
Xiao Luohan played the requested piece for Jiang Xue.
Considering that one of the practical assessment criteria for the “Intangible Cultural Heritage Special Enrollment” was “how to promote intangible cultural heritage projects among young people in the current era,” she had been collecting popular songs among young people and practicing covering and rearranging them.
Among these, Jiang Xue’s preferences were one of her focuses. While Jiang Xue was busy preparing for the college entrance exam, she had secretly mastered the songs Jiang Xue listened to most often.
She could play any song Jiang Xue could name.
At first, Jiang Xue hadn’t noticed—the songs she requested were all widely popular and ones she had listened to with Xiao Luo, so she thought it was normal for Xiao Luo, with her talent, to be able to learn them by ear after just one listen.
It wasn’t until Xiao Luohan played seven or eight songs in a row, and when Jiang Xue suggested she take a break, Xiao Luohan smoothly transitioned into a niche song that they hadn’t listened to together, but which was on Jiang Xue’s “favorites” playlist, that Jiang Xue finally realized what was happening.
“Wh-When did you learn so many songs?!” Jiang Xue couldn’t help but ask after the song ended.
Xiao Luohan had been waiting for this moment. She opened the notes app on her phone, showing Jiang Xue the song list she had typed out.
Jiang Xue scrolled through the list, which was much longer than she had expected, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Xiao Luo had learned so much during the time she hadn’t been able to pay attention!
She first acknowledged Xiao Luo’s hard work and dedication, then felt a pang of regret for not being able to accompany Xiao Luo throughout her growth.
Although Jiang Xue thought she was hiding it well, sick people were more prone to showing their emotions, and Xiao Luohan, who had been constantly observing her, immediately noticed and gently asked, concerned.
Jiang Xue pursed her lips and honestly told her.
“But you’re also working hard for our future, aren’t you?” Xiao Luohan countered. “The admission score for N University’s traditional Chinese medicine program is very high. Even if you get full marks on the selection exam and a good score on the ‘comprehensive evaluation admission,’ you still can’t slack off on the three main subjects.”
“No one understands better than me that your so-called ‘neglect’ is inevitable and a testament to your hard work.”
“C-Can you even explain it like that?” Jiang Xue almost started crying again.
“Of course, a person’s energy is limited. Even for family members and lovers, it’s impossible to pay attention to everything. Otherwise, besides being ‘permanently attached’ to each other, I can’t think of any other way to achieve that,” Xiao Luohan said, ruffling her hair. “Not to mention, the time I practice the guqin and livestream is also when you’re at school and studying, right?”
Seeing Jiang Xue lower her head silently, she added with a smile, “As long as you ask, I’ll tell you everything, it’s just that you’ll know a little later. Although we’re each other’s ‘tethers,’ we’re not ‘shackles,’ but more like a kite and its string. The other person just needs to tug gently, and the kite can be brought back at any time.”
The longer they spent together, the more Xiao Luohan realized that they would occasionally “switch roles.”
At first, it was she who overthought things, but now it was Jiang Xue, and she became the one offering comfort.
This wasn’t because Jiang Xue wasn’t mature enough, but because she had grown up too quickly.
To make up for everything she lacked about this world, including knowledge, common sense, and the rules of society, her growth had been rapid, like bamboo shoots after the rain, now reaching a level Jiang Xue hadn’t yet reached.
But Xiao Luohan was glad that she had matured so quickly.
In a relationship, the “older” person could usually see more details that were often overlooked, and if she could be tolerant and find solutions, she could prevent most of the conflicts that commonly occurred between couples.
That way, their relationship would last longer.
Xiao Luohan no longer felt that Jiang Xue needing “guidance” was troublesome. Jiang Xue was intelligent, eager to learn, and cared about her feelings more than anyone.
Even if Jiang Xue couldn’t catch up immediately, as long as she held onto the “kite string” that connected them, she would be at ease.
After listening attentively and taking everything to heart, Jiang Xue felt that it made sense, but also felt something wasn’t quite right.
But her mind was still a little fuzzy, and even if she tried to think about it, she couldn’t grasp the reason why she felt this way.
Whether it was because Jiang Xue had a good constitution, or because of the timely medical treatment, medicine, and IV drip, or perhaps because of Cang Ling’s talisman, by the day of the graduation photos, Jiang Xue was able to run and jump. Besides a slightly hoarse voice, there were no signs that she had just recovered from a severe cold.
Xiao Luohan also went to school with her early in the morning. Her half-updo, clearly the work of Teacher Sui, perfectly complemented Si Ling’s spring uniform.
The graduation photos started being taken during the first period, with classes going in order. Class 7’s turn was scheduled for around 10:00 AM, around the usual end of the long break.
Just in case, the long break had been canceled for senior year students during their last month, and everyone continued with self-study in the classroom. Some “dedicated” teachers would even use this time to continue lecturing.
But today’s long break was entirely for preparing for the graduation photos, and the senior year classes that hadn’t had their turn yet were buzzing with excitement.
Class 7 was no exception. Xie Xitong and Dan Yuanyuan even brought chairs and sat next to Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan, asking about their plans.
“A-Xue has been sick these past few days, and she just said ‘whatever’ to everything, so we ordered the accessories based on our original ideas,” Dan Yuanyuan said, taking out hair clips from her gift bag and arranging them on the table. “These are all things A-Xi and I like. You two can choose whatever you want.”
The hair clips were decorated with speech bubbles with customized text and small designs. Jiang Xue chose one that said “Get well soon”—having been sick for three days, she felt that nothing was more important than good health.
Xiao Luohan, on the other hand, chose one with an exploding speech bubble that said “Get rich,” with red text and a yellow border, very eye-catching.
“Pfft! Why would Xiao Luo choose that?” Dan Yuanyuan was shocked. Didn’t the Jiang family have enough money? Even if she just laid around and did nothing, with Jiang Xue’s personality, she would definitely take care of her for life.
“Having money is a good thing,” Xiao Luohan replied seriously.
She felt that behind many of her achievements so far, there was a lot of money involved. A wealthy family’s confidence came from money, the connections and resources also involved money, and the “promotion” that gave her videos and livestreams exposure also required money.
So, no matter what, she always had a desire to “get rich.”
Even the most beautiful dreams needed a solid financial foundation to be realized.
Her answer was irrefutable. Even though everyone present came from wealthy families, no one would refuse a large sum of legally acquired money.
“Then there’s this,” Dan Yuanyuan took out a few cloth banners. “I was worried that the standees would reflect the light, and the sun is being very cooperative today, so these are better.”
The banners had common, slightly “chuunibyou” slogans like “Long live youth” and “Eternal youth.” The four casually chose the ones they liked, chatted about their recent lives, and then heard the students from Class 6 calling them for the photos.
Walking into the sunlight, Jiang Xue instinctively shielded her eyes with her hand, seeing the sunlight, like scattered gold, gently falling on Xiao Luo’s hair.
The class photo went smoothly. The platform had been designed for the largest class, so even with Xiao Luo, there was enough space.
Xie Xitong, who had criticized Jiang Xue’s worries a few days ago, still stood on either side of Xiao Luohan with Jiang Xue, protectively “sandwiching” her. After their positions were set, she received a meaningful look from Dan Yuanyuan.
As if reprimanding her for betraying the group.
“One, two, three, we’re graduating!” the photographer said.
“Yay!!!” The entire Class 7 shouted, their voices the loudest.
For the following “fun photos,” Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan both wore the hair clips they had chosen, holding the banners tightly. After the class photos, they went to a secluded spot on the lawn to take their four-person group photos.
“I still think Xiao Luo came too~ late~,” Dan Yuanyuan said, lying on the grass and drawing out her words. “She missed so many fun activities!”
“Come on, you just wanted an extra helper!” Jiang Xue knew her too well. As soon as Xiao Luo arrived, this girl had regretted not having Xiao Luo write the blackboard newspaper!
But she also felt a little regretful.
Xiao Luo had been in the ancient world at the time, coming over only through dreams. She had actually known about the most important event of their senior year—the New Year’s Eve gala—and had even participated in a rehearsal in her dream.
However, there would always be regrets in life, and these small regrets weren’t a big deal. They could just participate in more school-wide events together during their freshman and sophomore years of university.
Xie Xitong held up her camera. “Don’t move, you two! Just like that… yes, that expression, okay, I’m taking the picture!”
They all knew a little about photography, and their aesthetic sense was similar. Xiao Luohan had recently been studying livestreaming and video recording, and had also learned a lot from Teacher Sui, so taking graduation photos for their small group of friends was no problem.
“Next, let’s ask a teacher to take a candid four-person photo!” Dan Yuanyuan suggested. “Where did our homeroom teacher go…?”
“I’ll take it for you.”
A familiar female voice suddenly came. Before Jiang Xue and the others could react, the camera in Dan Yuanyuan’s hand was taken by a slender hand.
Cang Ling had arrived at some point. Her usually loose hair was styled in two ponytails today, like Ms. Xie’s, resting neatly on her shoulders.
She was also wearing Si Ling’s spring uniform and even had makeup on, looking even more harmless.
“This is my distant relative!” Xie Xitong quickly explained to Dan Yuanyuan. “It’s graduation photo day, so I brought her along! Since she’s here, we don’t have to look for our homeroom teacher, we can just ask her!”
“A-Xi, take a picture for me later too,” Cang Ling said to Xie Xitong as she held the camera and got into position. “I want to hold the thing in your hand.”
The four posed, but Cang Ling didn’t press the shutter button.
“…Aren’t you holding hands?”
A few seconds later, Cang Ling asked, looking at Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan. “Or is there a rule against holding hands in graduation photos?”
