"At eighteen, it is the perfect time to pursue your dreams."
"I sincerely wish every high school senior a bright future ahead."
"Go all out, at this most beautiful age, head towards farther places, see brighter light..."
The words of the grade director, who usually nags the most, trailed off.
Rarely was there no clamor below the stage.
The group of sixteen, seventeen, eighteen year old boys and girls looked earnestly towards the stage.
They had never listened so attentively to the grade director's speech.
Their appearances were all different, but the blazing light shining in their eyes was the same.
Perhaps infected by the atmosphere, Sheng Mumu also turned her gaze to the stage, listening quietly.
After the speech, it was time for the class advisors to give their blessings.
Qi Shaobai's class advisor thoughtfully prepared photos of each student from when they first entered high school.
And on the back of the photos, he wrote about the growth, highlights, and congratulatory message he saw in each student since they entered school.
Following that, underclassmen representatives presented each senior with a bouquet of sunflowers.
The entire coming-of-age ceremony lasted an hour and a half.
If it were a normal day, this group of impatient boys and girls would have been distracted long ago.
But today, they were exceptionally immersed and attentive.
When the grade director announced the end of the ceremony and they were free to take commemorative photos, cheers of abandon rang out in the auditorium.
In chorus, they yelled:
"We're adults now!"
The sound was loud enough to almost flip the roof off.
Against the flow of the crowd, a slender and upright figure walked.
The youthful Qi Shaobai ran towards Sheng Mumu and Qi Mo, smiling freely, waving the bouquet in his hand.
His exceptionally good-looking eyebrows and eyes shone brilliantly, brimming with spirit and vitality.
The very image of natural boyish charm.
It was as if a breeze flowed within the enclosed auditorium.
Filled with the air of youth, it hit you in the face.
Sheng Mumu unconsciously turned on her phone and quickly snapped a photo.
Capturing this rare scene.
Seeing Sheng Mumu taking photos of him, Qi Shaobai ran up to her.
"Let me see."
Sheng Mumu: "I'll send it to you."
Qi Shaobai was in great spirits. He stood before Qi Mo and Sheng Mumu, smiling as he took out his phone from his pocket.
Only to find several congratulatory messages inside.
The first one he opened was from his grandma.
His grandma's voice sounded -
"My little one, my little one who has followed me since young has finally grown up. Grandma selfishly doesn't want you to grow up so fast, yet I really want to see what you look like as a grown man-"
The voice message cut off with a slightly choked laugh.
Followed by another one.
After settling her emotions, Grandma's voice trembled as she solemnly blessed:
"My little one, I wish you bravery, I wish you to stay true to yourself, neither rushed nor slow, peace every year."
Qi Shaobai's nose instantly soured up.
He lowered his eyes.
Stopping the tears that kept welling up.
The light in Qi Mo's eyes also dampened, clouding over with a layer of mist.
Of the three, Sheng Mumu who was least able to conceal her emotions, most straightforward, couldn't hold back her tears and they flowed out.
Smiling while wiping the corners of her eyes.
Moved by the bond between Qi Shaobai and his grandma.
Feng Yaoqin also sent Qi Shaobai her blessings.
Treating Qi Shaobai like a child, nearly half of her long message was filled with emojis.
Various [Sun][Thumbs Up][Coffee Cup][Flowers][Smile]...
Encapsulating the essence of square dancing WeChat groups.
Finally, she didn't forget to input the iconic emoji: 18-flower-bloom-prosperity.jpg
Qi Shaobai: ...
He had just finished his coming-of-age ceremony, yet it felt like grandma was eager to pull him into the middle-aged group.
Qiao Li's message was the simplest, just two parts.
"Happy Coming-of-Age Ceremony! Kiddo."
"Image"
The image was a silly certificate she made herself. It said:
"Dear Qi Shaobai:
In view of you being handsome and extraordinary, confer upon you
[Spirited Youth] Award
To specially commend and encourage you."
Since Qi Shaobai and Qiao Li weren't too far apart in age, they didn't treat Qiao Li as an elder. Their relationship was more like siblings.
The tears that flowed from his grandma's voice message had just been stopped by Qiao Li's [Spirited Youth Award].
His handsome face showed complex emotions.
Like laughing yet also crying.
He passed his phone to his dad, "Dad look, this is what Qiao Li sent me."
Qi Shaobai took a step towards Qi Mo, tilting his head closer.
Closing the distance.
Qi Shaobai's smile contained tears.
Qi Mo's usual composure faded a bit, his crisp jawline slowly lifted, smiling.
After looking at the phone screen, he raised his eyes to glance at Qi Shaobai.
Their gazes met.
Behind them, a ray of light shone in through the auditorium window, generously grazing both their faces.
One was a mature and elegant man.
The other a pure and handsome boy soon to become a man.
The halo of light made their unique temperaments even more eye-catching.
Extremely moving.
Sheng Mumu seized the opportunity, raising her phone.
Capturing this rare touching scene.
Snap, a photo taken.
Putting her phone back in her bag, Sheng Mumu conveniently took out a prepared small box.
Handing it to Qi Shaobai, she smiled brightly.
"Your coming-of-age gift, little Qi."
Qi Shaobai turned to look.
Surprise was evident in his still misty eyes.
"For me?"
Sheng Mumu smiled lightly and nodded.
"Mm, open it quickly and see if you like it, I spent a long time choosing it."
Qi Shaobai casually squeezed the sunflowers under his arm, and accepted the gift box.
It wasn't big.
Definitely not test papers.
Nor could it be Legos.
What could it be?
Filled with anticipation, he opened it. Qi Shaobai's expression was pleasantly surprised.
It was a tie.
Navy blue, with subtle patterned ridges.
Toning down the formality, yet not dreary.
A style fitting for a seventeen, eighteen year old boy.
This was the first tie in his life.
Qi Shaobai stroked the high-quality fabric with his fingertips, instantly feeling like he had really become an adult.
He took out the tie and looped it around his neck.
Qi Mo tilted his head. Seeing Qi Shaobai's clumsy motions, his dark eyes tightened as he slowly rumbled:
"Let me teach you how to knot it."
Qi Shaobai blanked briefly.
Subconsciously straightening his back, standing in military posture before his dad.
Listening to his dad's steady voice calmly rise up, patiently teaching him.
How flat and pointed ties should be paired with dress shirts, where on the shirt the tie clip should be placed for formal occasions in the future.
This moment.
Was Qi Mo's coming-of-age gift to Qi Shaobai.
Suddenly, Sheng Mumu strode forward to stand in line with Qi Shaobai.
The corners of her lips quirked in a mischievous smile as she looked at Qi Mo.
Noticing her expression, Qi Mo's rich dark eyes looked over.
His brow quirked, using his gaze to express confusion: ?
Sheng Mumu held out her hands to him, as if indignant on Qi Shaobai's behalf, slowly saying:
"Everyone has prepared gifts and blessings for little Qi, what about yours?"
As her words fell, Qi Mo paused briefly.
Qi Shaobai's eyes swiftly shifted between his dad and young stepmom.
Just as he was about to say something, he felt a pat on his shoulder. Hearing Sheng Mumu righteously continue:
"Don't be afraid little Qi, I'll get it from him for you."
