Between her brows and eyes, one could still see the shadows of old friends.
In a trance, she seemed to see her younger self at this age, also yearning for love and marriage. But some things always fall short by just one step…
An Nuannuan took out a handkerchief to gently wipe away the tears at the corners of Grandma Liang's eyes.
Grandma Liang came back to her senses, looking at Nuannuan before her.
The joy, happiness, and pride in this girl's eyes, along with the firm determination to be with no one but him.
There was an air of time's passage and calmness in Grandma Liang's gaze, with a benevolent and kind sense of relief.
"All right, all right… As you live your daily lives, be happy, be joyful, and lively. Don't argue, don't get angry, and don't be stubborn. When you have kids in a few years, our generation, your grandpas and grandmas, will be completely at peace."
With moist eyes, Grandma Liang took the invitation, speaking sincerely and earnestly.
"Grandma Liang, we surely will."
An Nuannuan hugged Professor Liang, who lovingly patted her head.
"Good, I'll be sure to come tomorrow. You must be busy today, so go on and prepare well. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event; it should be beautiful and grand."
Professor Liang waved them off in farewell.
Watching them leave, Professor Liang glanced down at the invitation in her hand and then approached the cabinet, opening a drawer.
Inside the drawer, there was an old photo, now yellowed with age.
In the photo, two figures could be seen—one with a long ponytail, dressed in floral clothing, standing in the prime of youth.
The other figure was handsome and tall, with a few rays of sunlight gracing his brows.
She looked at it for a long time, finally shaking her head and smiling, putting the photo back into the drawer.
She took another look at the sunshine outside the window.
"I haven't gone out for a walk in a long time; it would be nice..."
Xu Musen and An Nuannuan left, walking on the school path. An Nuannuan held Xu Musen's arm, her expression a bit downcast.
"Are you thinking about Grandma Liang?" Xu Musen asked softly.
"Yes." An Nuannuan nodded, "I just feel that Grandma Liang is alone... I felt she was recalling many things just now, but she couldn't share them with anyone."
Xu Musen roughly knew the story between Professor Liang and An Nuannuan's grandparents.
Childhood sweethearts can't compete with a burgeoning love.
Too deep an obsession can lead to a life of solitude.
These matters are not about right or wrong, only personal choices. In their old age, long past are the days of romance and love.
With time's passage, such emotions have long transformed into a bond far stronger than any singular sentiment.
Xu Musen remained silent for a moment, thoughts drifting to his own headstrong, unreasonable little childhood sweetheart.
An Nuannuan hugged Xu Musen's arm tightly. He came back to his senses, meeting her bright eyes.
They said nothing, just smiled at each other after a while.
Xu Musen also grabbed her hand firmly, "Let's go, we still have invitations to deliver."
In the school's milk tea shop, Zhou Hangyu, Li Rundong, and Ma Yaxing were all there.
"Boss Xu, congratulations!"
The three of them walked over, teasing as they spoke, their cries of "Boss Lady" especially loud this time.
An Nuannuan, beside Xu Musen, looked every bit the happy little wife.
Xu Musen looked at the three of them, a knowing smile spreading on his face. "This time you're quite the group; I never heard you calling me Boss so loudly before."
Zhou Hangyu leaned closer, chuckling mischievously, "For us, it doesn't matter who the boss is; what's important is that Boss Lady must be our beautiful Nuannuan!"
Xu Musen laughed, giving him a playful kick on the backside.
An Nuannuan blushed and smiled, unable to stop her lips from curling up.
Looking at the three goofballs before him, Xu Musen felt a bit emotional, "Over the New Year, it's been hard on you to come back specially."
"Are you kidding! We're brothers; at such an important occasion, even if you didn't call us, we'd take the initiative to come!"
"That's right, I've already arranged for the wedding cars. Tomorrow, the three of us will act as your drivers and fetch the Boss Lady in style!"
The three laughed heartily, genuinely happy.
Because to them, Xu Musen was undoubtedly their benefactor.
Originally, their lives might have been just mundane—dormitory, cafeteria, classroom—a monotonous university routine.
But after meeting Xu Musen, they found their careers within a year or two, got their cars, and even saw the possibility of eventually buying homes and settling down in the international metropolis of Huhai.
Zhou Hangyu proved to his family that he was more than just a spendthrift troublemaker.
Li Rundong changed his family's rigid mindset that he had to pursue civil service and couldn't engage in business.
Most profoundly, Ma Yaxing, coming from the most financially struggling family, returned home this year with a thick wad of money. His parents were initially shocked, then silently wept, finally standing straighter after years of bent backs.
All of this was brought to them by Xu Musen.
Xu Musen patted their shoulders. Between men, nothing more needed to be said.
At this moment, a tanned figure placed freshly baked pastries in front of them.
Zhao Lianmai had also rushed back overnight.
Glancing at Xu Musen without a word, she then turned and smiled at An Nuannuan, "Nuannuan, congratulations."
Xu Musen had grown accustomed to it, letting An Nuannuan and Zhao Lianmai chat and enjoy the pastries.
He discussed the arrangements for the engagement ceremony with the three others.