Chapter Fifty-Four: The Graduation Banquet

On the day of the graduation banquet, Zhou Miao’s family booked a few tables at a hotel, keeping the gathering small with only relatives, Zhou Miao’s classmates, and teachers in attendance.

That day, Zhou Ye was beaming with pride. He had always thought his academically challenged son would have to repeat the year, but unexpectedly, Zhou Miao was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music. Ever since, he’d been going to bed every night with a broad grin on his face.

Two tables were reserved for Zhou Miao’s classmates and teachers, all familiar faces. He spent the event running around, attending to the guests.

Hu San nursed a glass of juice, sipping slowly as she kept her gaze fixed on Zhou Miao darting about the room. The girls sitting next to her couldn’t stand to watch any longer.

One nudged her shoulder, “San, when are you going to make things official with Miao? We’re all waiting for your wedding candies.”

A blush swept across Hu San’s cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous, there’s nothing going on between us.”

“Yeah, right.” Her classmates exchanged exasperated glances, unconvinced by her denial.

“I’m telling you, you’d better settle things soon. Otherwise, who knows what could happen? Once the semester starts, there’ll be so many beautiful girls at the Central Conservatory. He might just fall for someone else, and by then, you’ll be the one crying,” another classmate advised earnestly.

“Exactly! And you know how messy the entertainment industry is. Did you see that video the other day? Those girls knocking on his door in the middle of the night—so shameless!”

Once the topic was broached, everyone became animated. After three years together, they all knew Zhou Miao wasn’t someone easily swayed by beauty, but men are unpredictable—who could say what might happen?

As the group chattered away, Zhou Miao, arriving to toast them, was met with a barrage of teasing.

“Alright, that’s enough, guys. If you keep going, I’ll be having kids by next year according to your predictions.”

Having been caught gossiping by the subject himself, the classmates burst out laughing. Zhou Miao raised his glass, “Let’s toast. Thank you all for coming to my graduation banquet.”

“You called us, so of course we came. But you’d better come to our celebrations when it’s our turn!”

Zhou Miao grinned, “Absolutely, I’ll be there—as long as you don’t all choose the same day.”

That evening, as the banquet ended, Zhou Miao offered to walk Hu San home. Since the hotel was close to her place, they went on foot.

The summer evening breeze carried a hint of coolness. Hu San strolled ahead with her hands behind her back, hopping along, evidently in high spirits.

Zhou Miao glanced at her, “Did you step in dog poop? Why are you so happy?”

Hu San gave him a playful punch. “You’re the one who stepped in dog poop! Can’t I just be in a good mood?”

It seemed everyone had silently accepted that she and Zhou Miao were a couple. Although they hadn’t made things official, everyone believed it was only a matter of time.

Even many of Zhou Miao’s fans thought so. After her social media was dug up recently, and Zhou Miao didn’t explicitly deny their relationship, people had taken to calling her ‘sister-in-law’ in the comments below her posts.

But when would Zhou Miao finally make it official with her…

“Don’t forget, my family’s banquet is tomorrow. Be there by six in the evening—don’t be late,” Hu San reminded him.

Zhou Miao nodded helplessly. “Got it, don’t worry.” He still felt embarrassed from the last time her father had caught them hugging downstairs, and the thought of seeing her father again made his scalp tingle.

But embarrassment aside, he knew he had to go. The next evening, Zhou Miao arrived punctually at the hotel her family had booked.

Compared to Zhou Miao’s low-key affair, Hu San’s family had gone all out. Every relative, near and far, was present—over twenty tables in all.

Zhou Miao kept a low profile, wearing a cap and sitting with the classmates, but no matter how he tried to hide, his face was too recognizable.

A young woman at the next table glanced over, her eyes widening. She quickly put on her glasses for a better look—no mistake, it really was him!

She nudged the person beside her, barely containing her excitement, “Look, it’s Zhou Miao! It’s really him!”

“So Hu San really ended up with him?”

“The Hu family’s amazing—imagine having a celebrity as a son-in-law. He must be making a lot of money, right?”

“Definitely, at least a million or two a year.”

“That’s thinking small…”

The commotion soon caught Hu San’s father’s attention. He hurried over to find his relatives bombarding Zhou Miao with endless questions, while Zhou Miao wore a helpless expression, looking as if he’d rather be anywhere else.

Although he found it a little annoying, a guest was still a guest. So Hu San’s father came to the rescue, moving Zhou Miao to the main table to sit with Hu San.

Apart from Hu San’s immediate family, everyone at the table was a close relative. Zhou Miao greeted them awkwardly, met with warm smiles as if he were already family.

Hu San beamed, “Where did you disappear to? I didn’t see you at all.”

Zhou Miao exhaled deeply, “Just over in the corner with the classmates.”

Hu San’s mother poured Zhou Miao a drink. “Zhou, when you both move to Beijing, please take good care of our San. She doesn’t know anyone there, and I can’t help but worry.”

Zhou Miao accepted the glass with both hands and smiled, “Of course, you’re too kind.”

Ever since he’d moved to this table, Hu San’s chair was practically glued to his, leaving a wide gap between her and her mother. Throughout the meal, she kept serving Zhou Miao food. When her mother tried to give him some fish, Hu San stopped her, “He doesn’t eat fish, give it to me.” She looked every bit the attentive young wife, prompting her mother to discreetly pinch her under the table.

And she wasn’t even married yet! What would it be like if she were?

To be honest, Hu San’s parents weren’t too optimistic about their future. Zhou Miao was simply too outstanding, and though their daughter was beautiful, there were plenty of beautiful girls out there.

Who knew how much temptation Zhou Miao would face in the entertainment industry? At his age, it was hard to believe he could resist.

No matter how much they tried to reason with Hu San, she wouldn’t listen, stubbornly determined to stay by Zhou Miao’s side.

They’d said all they could, so they decided to let her be. In truth, Hu San’s mother understood. If she’d met someone like Zhou Miao when she was young, she might have been even more persistent than her daughter.

Hu San’s grandfather was getting on in years and a little muddled. Hearing people discuss Hu San and Zhou Miao, he squinted at Zhou Miao for a long time.

“So you’re seeing San then?”

Hu San’s cheeks turned bright red. “Grandpa, what are you talking about? He’s just my classmate.”

“Oh? Not him? So you’re seeing another classmate?”

Hu San’s head was spinning. She quickly served her grandfather a big piece of pork belly. “Eat more, Grandpa!”

“Alright, alright.”

Watching her grandfather smile, Zhou Miao felt a pang of envy. His own grandparents had all passed away early, and he’d never experienced this kind of intergenerational affection.