Then, Grandma Liu hurriedly arrived holding a glass jug, a kind smile on her face. She said, “This is the osmanthus wine I brewed last autumn. I’ve been saving it, originally intending to share it with you before the college entrance exam. But there was never a chance. Now that the results are out, I’ll bring it for you to taste. I wish you all success in your exams and a bright future.”
Everyone took the cups of wine from Grandma Liu, thanked her, and drank it down in one gulp.
The wine was light and fragrant, perfectly fitting the occasion. Shen Jiayan, the one with the sweetest tongue, widened his eyes dramatically and exclaimed, “Wow! This is amazing! I’ve never had such delicious wine in my life!”
Little Mahjong couldn’t resist the temptation for long. She crawled onto Song Yan’s lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and stared straight at the cup of osmanthus wine he held, which he hadn’t had a chance to drink yet. In a childish tone, she said, “Yan-ge, I wish you success in your exams! May your future be bright! So, can you let Little Mahjong have a sip?”
Song Yan was concerned about this little girl’s alcohol intake. So, he only intended to let her have a small sip as a gesture. However, before he could explain to Little Mahjong that she was too young to drink, Little Fatty dipped a bit of wine onto his chopsticks and handed it to her, saying, “Take a little sip.”
Little Mahjong eagerly took a sip, only to scrunch up her face the next moment and spit out, “Blegh! It’s bitter! It’s not good! Shen-gege, you lied! It’s not sweet! I’m not talking to you anymore!”
After she finished speaking, she hugged Song Yan and buried her face in his neck, ignoring Shen Jiayan.
There was a burst of laughter on the table, and Grandma Liu also smiled and took Little Mahjong from Song Yan’s arms. “I’ll take her to dinner, you all have a good time together. If you need anything, just call me, I’ll be next door.”
Looking at their backs as they left, Little Fatty dramatically sighed. I remember when we saw her in the amusement park. Kong Xiaoxiao and I thought she was you and Lord Xia’s daughter, I didn’t expect that she would become your little Guzi1 “小姑子”. It’s specifically your husband’s younger sister now inste… ouch!!”
Before he could finish his sentence, Little Fatty was kicked fiercely by Kong Xiaoxiao. “If you want to die, don’t drag me with you!”
Song Yan raised his eyebrows slightly: “Daughter? Guzi?”
“…” Little Fatty reacted and changed his words immediately, “I’m sorry! My mouth is confused! I mean, Little Mahjong must be your little Yizi2“小姨子”, your wife’s younger sister. SY didn’t want to be the wifey in Little Fatty’s mouth lol! No doubt!!”
After hearing this, Zhou Ziqiu found it funny, and said slowly. “You only dare to say this because Xia Zhiye is not there. Because otherwise, he’ll beat you for that.”
“Hey, that’s definitely not the case, our Lord Xia is just a rake-eared man, who else doesn’t know?” Little Fatty asked confidently.
Everyone thought briefly and nodded. “Indeed.”
“That’s right! Lord Xia is definitely the most loyal, devoted, and caring man I’ve ever seen,” Little Fatty said with a knowing expression, as if he held all the gossip in the world. “You probably don’t know this, but when Yan-ge first went to Beijing, Lord Xia fell seriously ill. He was weak, couldn’t eat or sleep, and looked like he’d lost his soul. All he did was either stare into space or daydream. And you know what? His notebook was filled with Yan-ge’s name, written during those moments of absentmindedness. It’s like something out of a TV drama, I kid you not.”
Song Yan’s knuckles clenched subconsciously while holding the wine glass.
But Little Fatty seemed to regard their past struggles as just another chapter in their lives. He told this story with a light tone. “And you know what? Lord Xia’s phone got confiscated several times, and his pocket money was always deducted to the last penny. He saved every penny to buy a phone, and also to send letters and gifts to Yan-ge. Besides selling study materials, he even fixed computers at internet cafes to earn extra cash. The money for his train ticket to Beijing to see Yan-ge came from fixing dozens of computers. I’m pretty sure he even skipped some breakfasts and lunches too. He didn’t plan to tell anyone about it, but I stumbled upon him browsing the internet and he confessed everything to me.”
Taking another sip of the osmanthus wine, Little Fatty sighed, “You see, Lord Xia could thrive anywhere he goes, but instead of settling for an easy life, he endures all this hardship for Yan-ge哥. He even made me promise not to tell Yan-ge, fearing it would upset him if he knew. Tell me, where else can you find such a good man?”
Song Yan never knew these things.
He thought that Elder Xia was more reasonable, and with Xia Yu here, Xia Zhiye should have a better life than him.
But… the truth isn’t like that.
During that year, it wasn’t just him enduring pain and suffering alone; Xia Zhiye was going through the same struggles. However, he chose to conceal those hardships, only showing Song Yan his gentle and strong side, providing him with hope and strength.
So much so that he forgot that Xia Zhiye was just a helpless, powerless teenager, just like him.
It was only when he thought Xia Zhiye was already good enough that he realized Xia Zhiye was even better than he had imagined.
‘What virtues and abilities do I really possess?’
Song Yan lowered his gaze, looking at the reflection of lights and moonlight in the wine glass, his fingertips lightly grasping it, his eyelashes trembling slightly.
Little Fatty keenly noticed his change in mood, realizing he had said too much under the influence of alcohol, and quickly added, “Why am I saying all this? It’s all in the past. You’re all adults now with money, houses, and capabilities. Your parents can’t control you anymore, so you can do whatever you want. The good days are still ahead, right?”
“Exactly, it’s all in the past now, and only good days lie ahead.” Kong Xiaoxiao quickly agreed, “Although we, the girls in our grade, felt heartbroken when we found out you two were dating, but later we realized how perfect you are for each other. So, we all switched from being your girlfriend fans to being your CP fans. With so many blessings, you two will definitely be together for a long time, growing old together.”
“That’s right, and just because Xia Zhiye is good, does that mean our family Xiao Yan isn’t? At that time, he sold his favorite watch just to make Xia Zhiye a little more comfortable. So, it’s mutual love and understanding! I’ll definitely contribute to your wedding gift!” Shen Jiayan sincerely believed that Song Yan was worthy of Xia Zhiye’s affection, and he had to protect Song Yan, his little precious cub from slander.
Zhou Ziqiu just looked at him from the side, “Your family? Xiao Yan?”
“…” Remembering the words he said yesterday about not playing with Song Yan anymore, Shen Jiayan nervously tugged at Zhou Ziqiu’s sleeve and whispered, “Oh, it’s a special day today. I’ll end things with him tomorrow.”
Zhou Ziqiu couldn’t help but chuckle softly, then raised his glass towards Song Yan. “Cheers.”
“Yes! Cheers!” Zhao Ruiwen also raised his glass upon seeing this. “Let’s toast to Lord Xia and Yan-ge! May you two have a good relationship for a hundred years, and be blessed to give birth to a son earl– ouch!”
After being harshly stomped on by Kong Xiaoxiao, Shen Jiayan realized that the two couldn’t have children. He quickly corrected himself, “Let’s toast to Lord Xia and Yan-ge, may they never be forcibly separated again! May they be happy and free together for a lifetime!”
“Not just Lord Xia and Yan-ge, but let’s also toast to all of us, may we all be free to pursue our dreams and do what we want,” shouted Shang Huai on stage, holding the microphone. “Long live youth! Long live us!”
“Long live youth! Long live us!”
Everyone raised their glasses, clinking them vigorously, expressing their deepest desires as they prepared to embark on their true journey of life.
They won’t live forever.
Nor be forever young.
Even they don’t know when they would gradually drift apart due to their respective life paths, until they completely disappeared from each other’s lives, becoming mere passersby in each other’s journey.
But they had indeed once accompanied each other through the most beautiful years.
They had witnessed the stunning blossoming of their pure, passionate, and sincere youthful emotions over the years.
They also witnessed the trials and transformations brought upon them by the helpless and insurmountable obstacles.
Even if they eventually scattered, when they reminisced about their youth, they would always remember those smiles that passed by amidst laughter, anger, and scolding. And when they remembered those smiles, they would recall their own ordinary yet unique youth.
By then, they would realize that they had never forgotten those days, those youths, those friends, those nights of revelry with wine, and those promises filled with beautiful expectations.
Shang Huai on stage sang Pu Shu’s “Those Flowers”3a real song. I’ll link it below..
His melancholic voice dissipated into the night and the haze of alcohol.
He sang, “Let’s leave some stories unfinished, those emotions are hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood in the passage of time. Now here, overgrown with weeds, devoid of flowers. Thankfully, we once had the spring and autumn, the winter and summer with you all. Have they all grown old? Are they still blooming? Let’s each go our separate ways like this, to the ends of the earth…”
The youths in the audience sang along with him, and their eyes gradually became red.
Some of their stories have not finished yet.
They might eventually separate ways, to each end of the earth.
Even though they didn’t know if they would ever meet such unconditional trust, forgiveness, and understanding again. If they would even find someone without any concern for personal gain or ulterior motives. They also didn’t know on which day their youth would completely fade away.
But no matter what the future holds, it was enough that they spent these youthful years as each other’s friends. If they are destined, they will meet again on the same road.
Thinking of these sad feelings, everyone got drunk and started to cry – well, some started to make trouble.
Only Song Yan sat alone in the corner, looking at these familiar and lovely faces of his friends. He kept sober, trying to burn these memories in his heart.
He found that his life was no longer in black-and-white, a dull movie. He lived a splendid and lively movie, full of joyful colors that he knew he wouldn’t be able to forget.
So he was incredibly fortunate to encounter Xia Zhiye and this lovely group of people during his weakest and palest moments. It was with them that he could weather the storms, embrace the best person, and walk through this gentle life.
With this in mind, he suddenly wanted to hug Xia Zhiye at this moment and dialed his phone. “Where are you?”
The voice on the other end of the phone was as relaxed and lazy as ever. “You’re out. Turn left. Remember to bring your luggage.”
Song Yan was too lazy to think about what tricks Xia Zhiye had, and did as he was told.
Carrying his luggage, he walked out of the courtyard gate and walked straight forward, walking through this narrow and long alley where he witnessed their first encounter and love.
At the other end of the alley, under the moonlight, he saw Xia Zhiye leaning against a car door, standing at the end of his field of vision.
It’s a brand new off-road Hummer – Song Yan once said that it is his favorite model.
Xia Zhiye leaned against the car door. His two long legs lazily crossed, the smile on his face was rather flamboyantly handsome.
Song Yan walked over and looked up at him.
He stretched out his hand, a gesture of invitation. His eyebrows were curved, his voice was enticingly soft. “This beautiful gentleman, if I invite you to elope with me now, would you accept?
Song Yan arrogantly lifted his chin, his gaze proud and arrogant. “This indecent gentleman, please tell me first, where are we eloping to?”
“To wherever you want.”
“How do you know where I want to go?”
“I will take you wherever you want to go.”
Xia Zhiye looked at Song Yan with a determined and gentle smile.
Song Yan met his gaze, and could only watch it for a long time.
Then finally took his hand. “Okay.”
“No matter how long the journey ahead, no matter how many obstacles we face, no matter how uncertain the future, I will take you wherever you want to go, even if it’s over mountains and across rivers, with no way back.”
Those words were unspoken, but Song Yan knew it rang true.
They drove their off-road vehicle, disappearing into the old streets beneath the moonlight. No one knew what distant mountains and long roads they embarked on, enduring wind and rain together.
Perhaps they were heading towards the farthest town, or maybe they were just admiring a blooming flower one night, or perhaps they were simply driving on the highway, enjoying the freedom brought by the night breeze.
But it doesn’t matter.
Because that was where they wanted to go after all – no one could stop them, and no one could break them up.
They were helpless before, but now, they are free.
—End of text—
That’s the end of the main story~ There’s still a couple of extras (+Zhou Ziqiu/Shen Jiayan side stories), so stay tuned!
This last chapter is rather bittersweet, but since I know they’ll lead a happy life afterwards, I’m happy for them.
Also, here’s the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vujPVoXo3eU
