How Joyful We Are

【Weekends won't be updated in the following serial period due to being overbusy in real life. — 18/04/2024】 "We did not meet at the peak, we arrived there together." - The tradition at A's First High School's opening ceremony includes selecting a "mystery box", and the chosen student will speak as the representative of the senior class. This year's representative is Meng Yin, whom nobody knows. Clearing her throat, Yin looked at the crowd below and introduced herself, "Hi everyone, I am Meng Yin, a new transfer student from Class 2 of the senior year. My pledge for senior year is to work hard and catch up with Xu Zhiyi. I also hope he continues to strive for excellence and bring glory to our class." At the school, anyone familiar with Xu knows he has a cherished keychain, which mysteriously disappeared after Yin transferred. As Yin realized that "Xu Zhiyi was never her light, but a comrade walking by her side," she also caught a glimpse of his concealment towards her. Tears streamed down her chin, Yin gazed at Zhiyi and said, "Xu Zhiyi, you will die if you like me for a moment!" He knew she misunderstood. Zhiyi closed the distance between them, and pulled her in his arms, stroking her back. At seventeen, he embraced the weeping Yin in such a vulnerable manner and felt the entire world trembling around them. His chin lightly rested on the top of Yin's head as he softly spoke, "I have long been lying at the bottom of your pit." The keychain is you, Wushipai is you, and that wood still belongs to you. The mistake of that summer was without regret in this winter.

AgathaHU · Teen

Not enough ratings

77 Chs

Chapter 21.3| Becoming 18

Only the light on the stage and the theme on the big screen remained.

Following the opening remarks, Mr. Chen, clad in a robe, confidently took the stage amidst applause to deliver his speech. True to his style, Mr. Chen's words were concise and devoid of empty slogans urging dedication to the college entrance exam or grandiose promises about the future. He spoke calmly and succinctly, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself before assuming any other identity - to be self-assured, determined, and ambitious.

As the applause subsided, Mr. Chen passed the microphone to the representative of the parents.

The man in a black suit, with silver strands visible at his temples, exuded a sense of maturity on his face as he took a few steps on the stage before addressing the audience. Identifiable only within a certain range due to the dim lighting, he began his speech, introducing himself as the father of Xing Xiuze from Class 12 of the senior year.

The man who had been joyfully taking photos with Xing Xiuze at the entrance of the auditorium moments ago was now confidently speaking on stage, devoid of any airs of superiority or the dignified yet humorous demeanour at home, simply assuming the role of an ordinary student's parent.

"Regarding our entire family, Xing Xiuze's academic achievements have pleasantly surprised me," Lude Xing raised an eyebrow subtly, one hand seemingly casually slipping into his pants pocket as he continued, "As a father, I do have expectations for him, but we have entrusted him with the power to make choices in life. Both my spouse and I hope he can grow into adulthood in the manner he desires."

Xing Xiuze in the audience watched with a poker face but muttered under his breath, "Here he goes again, pretending."

After three to four more minutes, Lude's parental speech drew to a close as he remarked, "The coming-of-age ceremony signifies your transition into a broader and more complex world as citizens, but it does not necessarily mean that you have truly grown up. Therefore, I extend my expectations and well-wishes for my son to everyone present, hoping that each of you can become a mature and liberated adult in your own way."

The concepts of growing up and adulthood are indeed so broad that they are sometimes difficult to articulate and carry sensitive undertones. Nevertheless, the adult world will bring countless new worries but also undoubtedly different kinds of joy.

At the conclusion of the speech, Lude did not forget to take over the role of the host.

"Next, let's welcome the student representative - Xu Zhiyi from Class 2 of Grade 12."

Originally, Xu Zhiyi was not supposed to be the student representative for the coming-of-age ceremony. The school initially planned to have a few students who had already been admitted to universities draw lots, and the chosen one would represent them. However, these students were all on a trip out of the province and couldn't return in time. Therefore, this responsibility fell on Xu Zhiyi, who was the top student in the current grade.

The school authorities, who seemed to enjoy last-minute surprises, informed Xu Zhiyi of his role three days before the ceremony.

He managed to quickly draft a speech as the student representative in the few spare moments he had.

Holding the Constitution in his hand, Xu Zhiyi confidently walked onto the stage, taking the microphone from Uncle Lude, and thanked him at the dim boundary between light and shadow.

The screen behind him changed from the ceremony theme to the national flag.

"Hello, everyone. I am the student representative for this occasion, Xu Zhiyi," he stood confidently in the light and shadow, commanding attention, "Please rise for the national anthem."

Xu Zhiyi placed the microphone on the stand, faced the national flag, held the Constitution in his left hand, and clenched his right fist near his temple.

"On this occasion of becoming an adult ——"

"I, in the name of a citizen of the People's Republic of China ——"

"Facing the solemn oath to the flag of the People's Republic of China —"

Different voices blend into strings, solemnly fluctuating, echoing into the hearts and lungs of everyone, like the surging waves on the sea.

— Upholding the spirit of the constitution, maintaining the dignity of the law;

Fulfilling civic duties, bearing social ethics;

Strengthening the body, tempering the spirit, solidifying education, understanding responsibility;

Establishing a career with integrity, treating others with sincerity, being filial to parents;

Being knowledgeable and resolute, holding compassion and courtesy, daring to lead;

Magnificent China, with grand actions, resolute vows, witnessed by teachers and friends.

"Sworn by - Xu Zhi."

"Sworn by - Meng Yin."

"Sworn by - Xing Xiuze."

"Sworn by - Lin Xipei."

"Sworn by - Nie Hai."

"Sworn by - ..."

Xu Zhiyi took a microphone from the stand, turned to face the audience, and waited until the auditorium fell silent before speaking, "Speaking with loyalty and acting with sincerity, at the age of eighteen, one's aspirations soar. Like drawing a bow at the sun and shooting at the stars, I hope everyone will have a bright future."

This was his speech as the student representative. It was a memorable moment.

As the speech concluded, the lights changed, and the screen transitioned.

Music notes flowed through the speakers, accompanied by an introduction. Zhiyi smiled lightly at the audience and said, "The opening overture of the 201X Adult Ceremony Celebration at A City First High School, Young Battlefield, is presented to everyone."

The audience was stunned, including the "Foodie Group," taken aback by the sudden surprise. Not a word was uttered in response. Xing Xiuze immediately realized why Xu Zhiyi chose to sing this song and couldn't help but mutter, "Shit."

The celebration stage after the coming-of-age ceremony was set up on the playground.

Upon passing through the entrance marked as the "Adults' Gate," one entered the scene of the festivities. Along the track, booths were set up under the canopy, with various clubs selling their merchandise. The net profits from the sales went towards the class fund. At the end of the track that enclosed the main field, an arc-shaped stage was constructed from aluminum alloy, adorned with a variety of lighting equipment suspended by trusses, and with speakers on both sides ready for action. In the middle of the stage hung the school emblem, guarded by a pair of angel wings. At first glance, it gave off a sense of "peaceful flight for the kids, always accompanied by the school."

The school playground, the coming-of-age ceremony, and the New Year's celebration formed a potpourri-style music festival. The first sound signalling the end from the auditorium marked the conclusion of the warm-up here, setting the mood and atmosphere perfectly for the guests to step into the whimsical world of revelry today.

As a few people walked out with the crowd, their families and friends were already waiting at the entrance. Yin's parents seemed to have produced a bouquet of flowers out of nowhere and handed it to hern. "Happy coming-of-age, sweetheart," they said, with a hint of red in Yin's mother's eyes.

"Thank you, Mom," she replied, hugging the bouquet, her smile shining like the Milky Way. She then turned to her father and said, "And you, Dad."

When it came to family, Yin always felt that she had grown up in the midst of "love," where geographical distances couldn't hinder the closeness of hearts. Silent companionship from loved ones forged love, nurtured her growth, and shaped her into the person she is today.

She was not the only one to receive the first bouquet of flowers for her coming-of-age; the entire group received bouquets from their loved ones.

Xing Xiuze stared indignantly at his father, saying, "Why did I get roses? Did you just pick these up for me when you bought flowers for Dad? Not very sincere at all." Despite his words, he held the bouquet of charming red roses close to his chest.

Upon learning of their evening plans and fearing they might not fully enjoy themselves, several parents exchanged words of blessings before departing.

The group entered the festive scene where the song Forever Young was playing on stage.

A few of them shared a smile of understanding. "I personally find our version more enjoyable," Lin Xipei remarked while holding a GoPro, lightly bouncing to the music and offering his critique.

"I think," Xing Xiuze chuckled, stroking his chin, "Xu Zhiyi's Young Battlefield' is quite good, reminiscent of the past."

PREV INDEX Next