Chapter 11.8| Then We Hug
The day before the sports meeting, Yin was firmly reminded to do makeup and style her hair before going to school, aiming to make a grand entrance at the opening. Feeling overwhelmed, Yin passed this responsibility to Xipei.
The next morning at six o'clock, Yin, yawning and shedding a few tears of fatigue, was led into the girls' dormitory by Xipei. Although high school students putting on makeup was not uncommon, Yin was astonished by the almost half-bed space filled with Xipei's cosmetics.
"Lin Xipei, are you a beauty blogger?"
"In transition." Xipei twisted a small strand of hair into a ponytail, her grape-like eyes sparkling. "I'm just an ordinary person, a versatile content creator with a small fan base - PINKPeppa."
During the summer vacation after the high school entrance exam, Lin Xipei, out of boredom, created an account on L website and started sharing daily life, gossip, campus experiences, and more. In just one summer, she accumulated around ten thousand followers. Later, with sharp political commentary, spicy gossip, holiday study tips, and Vlogs, Lin Xipei now has nearly 500,000 followers.
Hearing her self-introduction, Yin was first shocked, then found it amusing. "Lin Xipei, I'm your fan." Meng Yin couldn't recall the exact day but remembered stumbling upon a video titled "A Day at A City's First High School" on her page.
The video, less than 5 minutes long, captured daily life experiences in the school, resonating with Meng Yin's current experiences at the same school. The video ended with a reflection on school life and a link to a music video in the comments.
The day the video was posted was the same day the school faced a crisis last year.
Due to this video, Yin started following this content creator.
Xipei's already round eyes widened a bit more, suddenly understanding the profound nature of "fate."
"Meng Yin baby, our connection is destined by fate!!!"
"How miraculous." Yin also couldn't help but marvel at the smallness of the world.
Xipei is skilled at capturing facial features, and the technique between familiarity and unfamiliarity skillfully highlights Yin's attractive eyes and eyebrows. Her shoulder-length hair is slightly curled with a curling iron, and after changing into her outfit, she appears youthful yet with a hint of maturity.
Upon arriving in the classroom, Yin noticed that most of the girls participating in the performance had put on makeup to varying degrees.
Two thermos cups were placed on her desk, a pink one that belonged to her, and a black one that Zhiyi, who had come to school with her earlier, had given her on the way. Inside was red date ginger tea, ensuring she drank it before the opening ceremony.
The temperature at the end of October was unpredictable, fluctuating from morning to night, seemingly eager to see people catch a cold. In contrast to the boys in cropped pants and suits, the girls entered in summer attire, a white T-shirt paired with a white gauze skirt.
As a guide, Yin first wore a cheerleader-like performance outfit, followed by a white T-shirt and a black gauze skirt.
At exactly eight o'clock, the A City's First High School sports meet began promptly. After the warm-up music, the first performances included three groups, including the cheerleading team, followed by speeches from the school leaders. With Pincipal Chen declaring, "Now I announce, the 45th sports meet of the First High School is officially open," the crowd stirred.
Yin held onto the hand warmer given by Xu Zhiyi. The early winter wind seemed to carry a warmth, like the blooming crabapple flowers in spring, their fragrance refreshing and leading her to restart without burdens.
The music resounded once more and transitioned as the team representatives entered by classes. Similar to attending a significant banquet, everyone was meticulously prepared, each exuding a unique enthusiasm characteristic of their age.
With three remaining classes in the eleventh grade, the twelfth grade began to prepare for their entrance. Positioned towards the side of the stage facing the presidential platform, staff quietly brought in a drum set, accompanied by a guitar and a bass on each side.
Yin took a deep breath, the words "Don't be nervous" echoing in her ears before slipping into her mind. As she turned her head, Xu Zhiyi, who should have been standing at the far right of the first row of the lineup, stood behind her, reaching out for the hand warmer in her hand, saying, "I will hold onto this for you, give it back when you come off stage."
The girls' attire had no pockets.
"Am I someone who gets nervous?" Yin handed the hand warmer back to him and turned around.
A rather unkind chuckle was heard, "No, after all, you're the one in the school determined to learn from me."
Meng Yin: "..." Let's not dwell on the past, I don't care about saving face!
Yin raised the class plaque high, taking steps forward after fifty meters from the first class, pausing temporarily behind the baseline as directed by the staff.
"Now approaching us is the parade of Class 2 of the twelfth grade." The music for the first class faded out as the music for the second class faded in, a gentle piano prelude resonating through the air, neither light nor heavy but able to penetrate the atmosphere.
Splitting into two lines on either side, at the end of the line stood Hai, his hair sprayed with a silver colour, marking the beginning of the first chapter of "Then We Hug."
Embraced by the gentle breeze and sunlight, an elderly man with silver hair sits on a rocking chair in the courtyard, flipping through the album resting on his lap. The pages document his first glimpse into the world up to this moment, capturing his entire life. His gaze lingers on a group of teenagers in a faded photograph, their faces still exuding the carefree and bold expressions of youth.
Removing the picture, he turns it over to reveal the inscription:
The future is not far, this moment is eternal - June 6, 20XX.
In the photo, people joyfully emerge from a dimensional space, pulling the old man into a journey through his life.
Outside the maternity ward, a family anxiously awaits the arrival of new life; at a wedding, he entrusts his daughter, whom he has raised for nearly thirty years, to another man; in the workplace, he stands proudly, working tirelessly to provide a better life for his family; in matters of the heart, he meets the one he wants to grow old with. Holding his bachelor's degree certificate up to the camera, he also completes his master's degree as an outstanding graduate. He fulfils his dream of entering his most desired high school, embarking on a colourful and uneventful student life…
As the procession approaches the stage, the drumbeats blend with the piano music, advancing the story steadily. The melody of memories begins to grow like a sunflower, leaping freely with attitude. The red runway becomes a stage, where they change formation, with the young men shedding their suits and the girls donning school uniforms seemingly out of nowhere. The teachers join in, continuing to narrate the stories of their time at the FHS.
This tale, about the mundane, about growth, about the bond between teachers and students, about the values of loyalty and respect, encapsulates all they experienced at the FHS. This story belongs to each individual in the senior class (2) and to everyone associated with the FHS.
Suddenly, all music came to a halt, and the audience and the formation standing in the centre of the field fell silent. All held their breath, their gaze fixed on the farthest edge of the track where the lead singer, drummer, guitarist, and bassist had taken their positions.
The drummer raised his hand into the air, the drumsticks collided three times, and then, "Just..." the lead singer, Shen Bin, faced the microphone, accompanied by the bass, guitar, and backing track, creating a climax like the breaking of a cup.
A girl untied the sash of her skirt, revealing denim shorts.
Yin put down his badge and walked towards Zhiyi, their gestures shining against each other - it's showtime.
A short duet followed, with minimal physical contact between the two, embodying the lyrics and their intertwined stories. The dance did not have an ending move but seamlessly merged into a confrontation, with one side facing the grandstand and the other facing the field. Freely bouncing and waving hands to the rhythm, the scene transformed into a music festival. Feet leaping, hands waving in the air, louder choruses, and smiles blending together.
Just in our youth
dear, my comrade
I have always been proud of you
Just in our youth!
As the music ended, the excitement around them remained.
"My dear, my comrade, I have always been proud of you," Yin heard Zhiyi humming this line beside him. When she turned her head, she saw herself reflected in Xu Zhiyi's eyes.