277 Senior Year (Nine)
Today, the Jingyuan High School organized one last parent teachers’ meeting before the session ended.
In class 12th A, An Qinyan and Gu Yanxi met Lu Zhaolin at the door. An Qinyan and Lu Zhaolin went to sit with Lu Xuan while Gu Yanxi sat with Gu Shangyan.
When the teacher called out Gu Shangyan’s name, Gu Yanxi went ahead with his nephew to meet the teachers. Since Gu Shangyan was a good kid, the teachers had no complaints about him at all. They were praising him and said how proud they were to be his teachers.
Lu Zhaolin felt proud when the teachers praised Lu Xuan. An Qinyan and Lu Xuan shared a look and rolled their eyes but didn’t say anything to spoil the proud father’s moment. It wasn’t every day when Lu Zhaolin was moved to tears because of his son’s good performance.
“Dad, you are moved too easily, ” Lu Xuan said as they left the classroom together.
“You won’t understand my feelings, “Lu Zhaolin replied. “If you had to raise a delinquent child in the future, you will understand. What I couldn’t do in years, your mom did in months. Maybe, staying with her wasn’t a bad idea. By the way, you can move back home now.”
“Just because I’m eighteen and no longer need a guardian doesn’t mean I will leave my mom all alone, ” Lu Xuan replied. “Dad, there is something called filial piety.”
“Brat, where is your filial piety when it comes to your old father?” Lu Zhaolin questioned.
Lu Xuan merely shrugged.
“Alright, let’s go to Xiulan’s class, “An Qinyan mediated between the father and son.
“Dad, you have time to back off, “Lu Xuan suggested to his father. “Maybe, you will be scolded by Teeny’s teacher.”
“It’s okay. I like to eat something bitter after eating too many sweets, “Lu Zhaolin commented.
“Ah Xuan, stay here with you uncle, “An Qinyan narrowed her eyes at the boy.
When they went to Class K, several parents had left with their children and some were still there. Han Zixin’s grandfather met them which meant he already met the teacher.
An Xiulan waved at her parents as soon as she saw them. She stood up to approach the teacher with her parents.
“Miss An and Mr Lu, your daughter has improved a lot this year, “The headteacher replied. “If she works hard for the college entrance test, I’m sure that she will be able to get into a good University. However, this last month is very important for students. They need to work extremely hard and forget other activities. This time will never come back. I hope you understand what you are saying.”
An Qinyan and Lu Zhaolin nodded their heads.
“Hah, it’s finally over. I can practice at home, “An Xiulan sighed as they left the classroom.
“Xiulan, I think you should think about taking your name back from the contest, “An Qinyan suggested. “Senior year is more important.”
“Mom, I can manage, “An Xiulan said once again.
“Are you sure, Xiulan?” Lu Zhaolin asked this time in a worried tone.
“Of course, daddy, “An Xiulan said and hugged his arm. “I will be fine. Wait for me to make all of you proud again.”
The senior year ended with a farewell party or one could say it was a prom. It came as no surprise when An Xiulan was declared to be the prom Queen and Han Zixin who defeated Lu Xuan by one vote to be the prom king. They all enjoyed that day and went to a club after the party to celebrate.
“To a new life!” They all cheered and drank.
“Han Zixin, don’t miss me, okay?” An Xiulan said with a smile.
“We are going to the same University, “Han Zixin rolled his eyes. “I only chose a music major to be with you.”
“Little Zixin, you are so nice, “An Xiulan hugged him.
“You are drunk, “Han Zixin concluded.
“I only drink this little, “An Xiulan said, showing him with her fingers.
Han Zixin rolled his eyes.
“You don’t want to study music, do you?” An Xiulan questioned him.
“Stop talking nonsense, “Han Zixin said.
“Why do I have this feeling that you are taking music just because everyone says you are good at it?” An Xiulan questioned.
“You are drunk, “Han Zixin said once again.
“Little Zixin, I’m drunk, not stupid, “An Xiulan slurred. “Silly, I’m going to Beijing for the contest tomorrow. I will do my best.”
“All the best, “Han Zixin hugged her and smiled. “I will call you daily.”
The next day, An Xiulan left for Beijing. As he said he would call her daily, he could not do so because of her schedule. She was swamped with the pageant. However, he never complained. He was just happy to know that she was progressing in life.
When everyone was asking her to take her name back from the contest, he stood by the side, motivating her. He understood what this contest meant to her. He didn’t know why she needed to prove to herself at every juncture that she deserved this life. He knew that she would win the contest and would prove to herself that she was very deserving of this life.
That day, when the finale of the Miss China contest took place in Beijing, he and his grandfather flew there just to cheer for her.
An Xiulan was standing there dressed in a fine gown, giving her best illuminating smile to everyone. That day, he realised that no matter how close he was to her or how special he was to her but to him, she was the dazzling star that showed him the way back home. He didn’t need to catch that bright star but he only needed this star to be always near him and show him the direction.
While making this wish, Han Zixin forgot that God had a habit of always taking away what he wanted too much. However, he was too naive to understand this that day when she was crowned that day. She made history that day when he was standing below with thousands of people chanting her name.
An Xiulan proved to herself that day that she deserved this life by becoming the youngest Miss China in history at just eighteen.