Farewell Summer - Chapter 11
The atmosphere at this gathering was noticeably better than the last.
Everyone was lively and cheerful, with the feeling of old friends reuniting.
As soon as Xie Shuyan and I entered, we were pulled to the innermost part of the private room, surrounded by classmates on all sides.
“When did you two get back together?”
“Who made the first move?”
“What happened last time? Did you have a fight?”
I blushed, unsure where to start.
Xie Shuyan was calm and answered each question.
“We reconciled a few months ago.”
“I made the first move.”
“Last time was my fault, I was being moody with her.”
Everyone had a knowing smile.
Old stories spilled out like beans.
“I was the first to know Tingyue liked Xie! She admitted it herself.”
“Come on, could you be earlier than me? I caught Meng Tingyue slipping a love letter into Xie’s desk.”
“What? I saw Meng Tingyue secretly kissing Xie Shuyan’s photo.”
“When was that?”
“Second semester of sophomore year, on the school bulletin board, Xie was ranked first, his photo was in the first row. Meng Tingyue wasn’t tall enough, she had to stand on a stool to reach it.”
My face turned crimson, and under Xie Shuyan’s thoughtful gaze, I wished I could find a hole to hide in.
He leaned close to my ear and whispered, “Did you kiss my photo?”
The warm breath tickled.
I quickly dodged and whispered back, “Just kissed it, so what?”
Xie Shuyan smiled without saying a word.
The topic soon shifted to Xie Shuyan.
“By the way, Xie, did your family move? Last year during New Year, I went home and found no one at your place.”
Xie Shuyan replied calmly, “Not sure.”
“Huh?”
“I haven’t been home for many years.”
He didn’t elaborate, and the classmates didn’t press further.
Only I keenly sensed something was off about Xie Shuyan’s mood.
Before I could delve deeper, the monitor, who had drunk too much, pulled us into a new game.
Truth or Dare.
Everyone’s enthusiasm surged.
After all, we’ve all been in Beijing, and over the years, several couples have formed and broken up.
I intended to watch the fun from the sidelines, but somehow, the bottle seemed to have a vendetta against me and Xie Shuyan.
The first time, the bottle pointed at Xie Shuyan.
The monitor handed over a card, and Xie Shuyan drew one.
Everyone leaned in, faces showing gossiping expressions:
“How many times have you been in love, and which was the most unforgettable?”
I also looked curiously at Xie Shuyan.
He looked back at me without blinking: “Once, with Meng Tingyue.”
My heart pounded fiercely, as if responding to his words.
The second time, it pointed at me.
“When was the saddest time you cried? Why?”
Someone coughed lightly, “Um… monitor, let’s skip this one, Tingyue just got better.”
Everyone tacitly agreed, assuming my saddest cry was when I got sick.
I held Xie Shuyan’s hand tightly and said, “The first chemotherapy, when I found Xie Shuyan’s graduation message in my backpack. Because when I felt the worst, the person I liked wasn’t by my side.”
Xie Shuyan squeezed my hand back, his fingers gradually tightening.
The game continued, and the rest pointed to others.
I heard several interesting gossip stories.
Some of them pointed to Xie Shuyan.
Nothing significant, Xie Shuyan chose to drink.
In the blink of an eye, it was late at night.
The last round was Xie Shuyan’s turn.
“Is there something you’ve wanted to do for a long time?”
The monitor had already handed over the wine glass, but Xie Shuyan didn’t take it and said, “To marry Meng Tingyue.”
The sleepy atmosphere exploded once again.
In the midst of the uproar, I looked at him incredulously.
Before tonight, I had never dared to hope to marry Xie Shuyan.
The monitor, drunk, was unstoppable: “Let us congratulate this couple on ending their ten-year marathon of love–”
“Monitor! You’re speaking too soon, save that for the wedding.”
“Exactly, I think they won’t need a host, you can do it.”
Everyone laughed heartily.
As taxis left one by one, the night’s excitement came to a close.
The monitor rubbed his eyes and patted Xie Shuyan and me on the shoulders.
“Alright.”
“You two, take care.”
“I’m waiting for the wedding banquet.”
Watching the monitor leave, I suddenly envisioned the wedding scene, with him as the host, livening up the atmosphere.
I shook Xie Shuyan’s hand, hesitating to speak.
“Uncle and Aunt… do they have any objections?”
“Don’t mind them.”
He had drunk a bit, slightly tipsy.
Back home, he silently carried me into the master bedroom.
Kissing passionately.
His high nose brushed past my nose and cheek, causing my heart to race.
“Xie Shuyan… wait…”
“No waiting.”
His voice was husky, and he kissed me again.
Silencing all my worries.
Under my palm was Xie Shuyan’s intense heartbeat.
So vibrant, strong, full of life.
I gradually gave up resisting, letting myself be led into indescribable joy.
In the darkness, I fumbled around, trying to grab Xie Shuyan’s hand.
He held it against his chest, lowered his head, and kissed it.
“Tell me if you’re tired.”
“I’m not tired, hold me.”
“Alright.”
