Not long after returning to Ningcheng, the results of the college entrance examination were announced.
Jiang Yumo did well, performing better than in any of her monthly exams. Her score was outstanding, and she comfortably met the cutoff for admission to the Drama Academy in Yanjing. Yan Qing and Sun Mengting also did well, meeting the cutoff for second-tier universities. As expected, Ning Zhiyu’s performance was exceptional. Her results were so impressive that her homeroom teacher and school leaders called her as soon as the scores were released. She became the top scorer in Ningcheng this year, surpassing Ye Wenxu by three points.
This time, Fifth High School could be said to be in high spirits! In previous years, the top scorer in the city was usually from First High School or Second High School. Fifth High School had risen unexpectedly in the past two years, attracting many academically gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds. However, it still had some way to go before reaching the level of a prestigious high school like First High School.
The school leaders at Fifth High School were overjoyed.
The current third year students were all quite outstanding, with a higher rate of acceptance into undergraduate programs than in previous years. They believed that this year’s college entrance examination results would definitely attract more students and parents for next year’s high school enrollment.
Now, students had time to consider their choices after receiving their college entrance exam results before submitting their preferences for university admission.
The parents of Yan Qing and Sun Mengting had agreed to visit universities in the province together. With a few days left, they planned to carefully inspect the universities before making their decisions on preferences.
With Ning Zhiyu’s scores, she could easily choose any university. Admissions offices from Tsinghua University and Peking University had both contacted her. After researching extensively online and consulting with former students, Ning Zhiyu ultimately chose the Finance Department at Peking University.
Unlike Yan Qing and the others who had family guidance, Ning Zhiyu had to make all the important decisions on her own.
Coming to Fifth High was a decision she made after careful consideration.
As for studying finance, that was also a decision she made during high school.
If she had to point out something in her life that was beyond her plans, it would be this relationship with Zhou Ji.
Father and Mother Jiang were very happy. Although most likely, Yan Qing and Sun Mengting would stay in the province for university, but their daughter has a good relationship with Ning Zhiyu, and the two would be studying in Yanjing together. This way, they could support and look out for each other, giving the parents peace of mind. It must be said that Ning Zhiyu had a quality that made the elders fond of her—resolute, composed, and calm.
Zhao Zheng had already discussed his plans with his family long ago, and his friends also knew he was choosing the path of becoming a soldier.
Duan Ye also shared his future plans with Jiang Yumo.
Guo Shichao was quite different from the others, not having planned as early. He could only follow his parents’ arrangements, enrolling in a college that he could get into first, and then… take it step by step.
After seeing Zhou Ji’s college entrance exam scores, Ning Zhiyu fell silent.
When they were alone together, Ning Zhiyu had also inquired about Zhou Ji’s future plans and arrangements.
Zhou Ji’s attitude was vague, and he was not willing to delve into such a profound topic. “Don’t worry about it, it’s not something important. We’ll talk about it later.”
Ning Zhiyu hesitated in wanting to say something.
She wanted to ask, but she didn’t know how to phrase it.
She knew that Zhou Ji’s family background was different from theirs, so when it came to his future, she thought there was no need to worry. His parents would surely take care of everything. With this in mind, she didn’t inquire further.
Soon, it was Jiang Yumo’s birthday.
The Jiang family has a tradition where, on significant birthdays, they usually go to take studio photos.
The last time they took studio photos was during Jiang Yumo’s sixteenth birthday… There are many albums in her house, even the ones from her full moon celebration are kept. Mother Jiang had paid for a package at the photo studio in advance. Early in the morning, she dragged Jiang Yumo out of bed and brought Jiang Yumo to the studio. Although Jiang Yumo had long passed the age of being interested in taking studio photos, she couldn’t resist her Mom’s insistence and reluctantly chose a photo shoot outfit.
The package that Mother Jiang booked included three sets of clothes.
With the guidance of the staff, Jiang Yumo chose a knee-length purple dress and a student uniform. The final choice became a dilemma.
It was Yan Qing who came over and mischievously helped her pick a strapless wedding dress.
Jiang Yumo: “…”
The staff also strongly recommended, “This one would be good, it’s not exactly a wedding dress, more like a formal gown. Look, the style is youthful and not outdated at all. It suits people of your age. Just yesterday, a mother and daughter came to take photos, and the daughter chose a similar wedding dress. The result was really good.”
The photo studio wasn’t very large, but the package had good value. Jiang Yumo spent a long time on the second floor, but couldn’t find a third outfit that satisfied her. Helplessly, she ended up choosing the wedding dress.
She really didn’t like taking studio photos!!
Jiang Yumo closed her eyes and allowed the makeup artist to work on her face.
Yan Qing had her own plan when picking out this wedding dress for Jiang Yumo. While Jiang Yumo was shooting the first two sets, Yan Qing secretly messaged Duan Ye : [Brother Duan, come to Paris Bridal Studio. Yumo is taking photos and she’s thirsty, she wants boba tea~]
A few minutes later, Duan Ye replied : [Okay.]
Yan Qing chuckled.
—Dear Yumo is eighteen today, of course, the most beautiful side of her should be seen by the person she likes~
Duan Ye knew that Jiang Yumo was taking studio photos today, and he thought she was genuinely thirsty. He quickly bought boba tea and took a taxi to come over. Perhaps time was favoring these two young people, as when Duan Ye arrived at the studio, he hadn’t even had a chance to greet Yan Qing when someone pulled back the curtain. He instinctively looked over, and there was Jiang Yumo, adjusting her veil. This wedding dress style was indeed youthful, not with a trailing skirt, but rather a slim fit. Feeling a strong gaze, Jiang Yumo looked over in his direction, and their eyes met.
Under the veil, Jiang Yumo’s almond-shaped eyes widened. She thought she might have been mistaken, blinked a few times, and saw that the approaching person was indeed Duan Ye. Her initial reaction was to glare fiercely at Yan Qing.
No need to ask, it must be another one of her mischievous deeds!
Duan Ye… was completely taken aback.
He rarely felt like this. He had fantasized about it when passing by bridal shops before— how she would look in a wedding dress. However, all those imaginations fell short compared to seeing her in person.
This was how it looked.
Duan Ye stared at her in a daze, as if the entire world, no, the entire universe, contained only him and her.
Jiang Yumo lifted her dress, taking hesitant steps toward him, displaying shyness, but more prominently, embarrassment.
In truth, she wasn’t satisfied with her makeup today.
There was hairspray in her hair, making her feel uncomfortable.
“Why did you come?” Jiang Yumo asked, feeling the heavy scent of cosmetics on her.
Duan Ye stared at her blankly, holding two cups of milk tea in his hands.
Very strangely, as he looked at her like this, apart from the joy, he felt a hint of… a complexity he couldn’t understand himself.
He had always known she was beautiful, the most beautiful, but when she appeared before him like this, two thoughts flashed through his mind simultaneously—
Will she marry him?
Will she… marry someone else?
Clearly, he had never thought about these things before, but in this moment, these two conflicting thoughts intertwined, making him excited yet uneasy.
Duan Ye lowered his head and, when he raised it again, his expression had returned to its usual state. “Yan Qing said you were thirsty.”
Jiang Yumo lowered her head and looked at the bag he was carrying. She let out a sigh, also trying to shift away from the awkwardness of the moment. “Great, I’m so tired. I was just thinking of having something cold to drink.”
Yan Qing leaned over and took her cup of milk tea. Her eyes shifted between Jiang Yumo and Duan Ye as she asked with a cheerful smile, “Brother Duan, does Yumo look good in this outfit?”
Duan Ye chuckled, “She looks very good.”
So good that he began to regret it.
He regretted not becoming better when he liked her.
Eighteenth birthday is ordinary yet meaningful.
In the evening, Duan Ye invited Jiang Yumo for a stroll along the riverbank, just like that time after the high school entrance exam. He also bought her a cup of chocolate milk tea. The embankment was crowded with people. In the past, they used to sneak around during their walks, afraid of being seen by acquaintances. Now, they had no fear. When they saw younger students on dates, Jiang Yumo even had a smug thought: “Hahaha, these underage kids sneaking around for dates, isn’t it less fun? Afraid of being seen by familiar adults, right? Not me. Adults can date however they want!“
Being an adult is quite amazing, after all!
rokumi’s note : I have to go somewhere tomorrow, so I’m going to replace Chapter 82 at around 03.00 UTC tomorrow.