Chapter 137: Long Live Graduation

Bian Yang and Tang Yu ended up leaving only after the high school graduation ceremony had concluded.

They paid little attention to the principal's long-winded speech, sneaking out of the auditorium with a few others to take photos. Wang Qing had been admitted to a key university within the province, where she planned to study marketing. Thinking about her upcoming separation from Tang Yu, she grabbed her friend and took dozens of polaroids.

"Don't say it, these turned out pretty good!" Wang Qing shook the photos. In them, Tang Yu looked at the camera with bright, curved eyes, while Wang Qing pinched her cheeks, laughing so hard both rows of her teeth were visible. Tang Yu smiled, leaning in to look.

"Give this one to me, I'll keep it as a souvenir."

Wang Qing handed her over a dozen photos without hesitation. Tang Yu tucked them away carefully, intending to tuck them into a book for safekeeping once she got home.

"Wang Qing, could you help me take a picture with Bian Yang?" she whispered into Wang Qing’s ear.

Bian Yang was standing not far away, talking on the phone. Dressed in the same school uniform, he exuded an aura of casual, effortless ease. Wang Qing winked at her, "You bet!"

Tang Yu silently moved to Bian Yang’s side. He glanced down at her, saw her fingers forming a 'V' sign, and gave a perfunctory "Yeah, hanging up, talk later" to the person on the other end. He put his phone away and shoved his hands lazily into his pockets.

"Girlfriend, what are you being all sneaky about?" He lifted his eyes, unable to hide a smile.

Tang Yu tilted her head up slightly and blinked, "Let's take a picture together, for a souvenir."

Bian Yang raised an eyebrow, his demeanor cocky. "Just because you tell me to take a picture, I have to? That’d be a blow to my pride. Beg me."

Tang Yu: "..."

"I won't beg you. Fine, forget it." She huffed, not wanting to deal with him. As she turned to leave, Bian Yang grabbed her by the back of her collar and hauled her back.

"Can't you be a little sweet? You’re giving me attitude when asking for a photo—you’re getting bolder, Tang Xiaoyu."

Tang Yu paused, her thoughts drifting. It seemed that the longer she spent with Bian Yang, the 'bolder' she became. This had never happened before. Whether with family or friends, everyone had always described her as gentle and obedient. She rarely lost her temper and almost never got into arguments. But in front of Bian Yang, she didn't feel the need to hide her emotions—she could laugh if she felt like it, be sulky if she felt wronged, and she uncontrollably wanted to present everything about herself, good or bad, to him.

Just as she realized this might be annoying, Bian Yang pinched her cheek with his other hand, drawing out his words, "But what can I do? The way you look when you're sulking is actually quite cute. I can't help but want to make an exception for you."

Tang Yu's previous worries were instantly dispelled by his playful banter. She couldn't help but huff. With her collar still in his hand, she was like a toy in his grasp, flailing to break free to no avail, which only made him laugh harder.

"Bian Yang, put me down, I’m not taking a picture with you!"

Bian Yang applied a little pressure, hooked her neck with his arm, and pulled her into his embrace. He then tilted his chin toward the giggling Wang Qing, his posture unrestrained.

"Take it." He smiled at the lens, his brows and eyes full of bravado. "Since I'm so handsome and kind-hearted, I'll begrudgingly take one with you."

Tang Yu was still struggling, "No, no!" She couldn't believe she was being this pathetic.

But Wang Qing was quick, snapping several shots. When the photos came out, she laughed until her stomach hurt. In the photos, Tang Yu looked like a cat with its fur standing on end, her hair caught in a sudden breeze. She was biting his arm, which was pinning her shoulder, while Bian Yang’s expression was perfectly composed. As he looked down at her, his face was full of indulgent, helpless amusement, his profile strikingly handsome.

Tang Yu was stunned when she saw the photos. It was nothing like she had imagined. He looked handsome, but she was baring her teeth and claws, completely devoid of any grace!

"Wang Qing, whose side are you even on?" she protested.

Wang Qing quickly said, "I'm on your side, of course! That was an accident, let's take another!"

Tang Yu glanced at Bian Yang. He caught her resentful little expression, reading clearly that she didn't want to beg him at all. The boy’s pale, slender fingers brushed his lips as he suppressed a laugh, then he coaxed her gently, "Let's take another. I promise I won't mess with you this time." Young girls cared about their appearance; while he loved how she looked with her fangs out, he had to consider her feelings, right?

Tang Yu hesitated, looking at him. "Will you really cooperate?"

Bian Yang’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "I'll cooperate. Forget taking a photo—right now, if you wanted to pin me against the wall and kiss me, I’d cooperate with that too."

Tang Yu: "..."

Wang Qing: "Hey, hey, hey! I’m still here! Can you consider the feelings of the lone wolf on the scene?!"

Finally, they managed to take a proper graduation photo. Tang Yu held the picture, her fingertips lightly tracing the two people in it, a faint smile blooming on her lips. The background was the school’s flower bed, where the dark pink roses were in full bloom. The boy in his school uniform had his hands in his pockets, his tall frame leaning intentionally toward her. His chin was lifted slightly, and he was smiling lazily at the camera—like a scorching sun, wanton and flamboyant. Beside him, she wore the same uniform, a slight smile on her face, with a significant height difference between them.

This was their high school memory, frozen in this photograph.

Tang Yu looked at the photo for a long time, so long that she didn't notice when