"Okay."
Then, the two girls surrounded Tang Yan, watching him change the battery.
Tang Xiaomin took a good look at the hot girl who was clearly waiting for Tang Yan. Her dress and makeup were indeed quite daring.
Tang Yan had been studying abroad for a long time, and being influenced by the foreign atmosphere, this type of girl was more to his liking.
Tang Yan worked quickly. In less than half an hour, he had replaced the battery with a new one.
He even went for a test drive multiple times to make sure the car could start. Only then did he hand the car keys back to Tang Xiaomin.
"It's done. It should be fine now."
It had been two years since Tang Yan last saw Tang Xiaomin. He didn't seem surprised at all, rather, he appeared very calm.
"You don't seem very welcoming," Tang Xiaomin said.
Tang Yan shook his head.
"You don't even come back for dinner, yet you say you're not."
Tang Yan said earnestly.
"I always believed you would come back, and I was firm in that belief."
Thus, when others were surprised, Tang Yan remained composed.
"I don't come home because I'm waiting for someone important. Are you satisfied with that explanation?"
He still spoke in that annoying way.
But after being beaten so many times, with Tang Xiaomin always delivering overwhelming beatdowns, she had grown tired of it.
At this moment, the hot girl stepped forward and affectionately linked her arm with Tang Yan's.
"You must be Tang Yan's sister, right? He talks about you often. Would you like to join us for a late-night snack?"
Tang Yan actually mentioned her frequently. This was quite unexpected.
Tang Yan hadn't even washed his hands, yet the girl held his arm without any aversion. It was clear she truly didn't mind Tang Yan's past.
They were going on a date; what was she doing there?
"I've already eaten, so I won't be joining. You guys go ahead."
Tang Xiaomin got into her car and left.
She wasn't someone who lacked foresight. She wouldn't be the third wheel.
Life had to go on without anyone.
Everyone had been living quite well in her absence.
It was good enough that Tang Yan could still remember her.
She also knew that the family no longer needed her.
Perhaps, from the very beginning, she shouldn't have returned.
...
Graduation ceremony.
In her four years of university, Tang Xiaomin had only attended for two.
Considering her experience in the explosion and her tendency to cause trouble, the school allowed her to graduate.
They even cited "life is above all else" as the reason.
Early in the morning, Tang Xiaomin was dragged by Shu Ya and a few others to take photos, her face aching from smiling.
Finally, the broadcast announced that the graduation ceremony was about to begin, and they paused their photos.
Ye Lingyun handed a microphone to Tang Xiaomin.
"For the graduation ceremony, you will open with a song."
"Okay," Tang Xiaomin took the microphone.
Ye Lingyun hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"For the graduation ball tonight, do you have a male escort?"
"If not, could you consider me?"
Tang Xiaomin flatly refused.
"I will attend the ball, but I have something important to do. I don't plan to stay long at the ball, so please find someone else."
Ye Lingyun sighed helplessly.
No matter how much time had passed, Tang Xiaomin still rejected him so decisively.
In life, regrets were the norm.
"Alright, I thought you wouldn't have an escort, and we could just pair up. It seems that's not going to happen."
Tang Xiaomin smiled.
"Given your status, are you worried about not having a crowd of female classmates asking you to dance at the ball?"
"I won't go looking for trouble."
Ye Lingyun smiled.
"When did you start speaking indirectly?"
"Your popularity isn't any less than mine. If we don't team up, you'll also be surrounded by men at the ball."
The word "team up" was used well.
However...
"You've graduated. To avoid leaving those admiring girls with regrets, I think it would be better if you showed equal favor to them at the ball."
Equal favor? What did she take him for? An ancient emperor, bestowing favors upon his concubines?
Ye Lingyun was about to say more, but the music intro had already begun, and it was time for Tang Xiaomin to take the stage.
The melody of "The Wind Rises" instantly drew the graduating students into an atmosphere of both sadness and nostalgia.
Tang Xiaomin pushed open the door and walked out.
Her melodious and graceful singing depicted the passing of youth.
...
In the past, when I first encountered this world
Lingering on everything
Looking at the horizon as if it were before my eyes
I was willing to go through fire and water to experience it once more
Now, having traversed this world
Lingering on everything
Turning through the different faces of the passing years
Unprepared, I stumbled into your smiling face
I once was lost in the vastness of the world
And also indulged in its dreams
Unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, making no struggle, fearing no ridicule
I once turned my surging youth into her
And also, with my fingertips, played out the height of summer
What my heart desires, let it be guided by fate
...
The evening breeze blew the white hair at your temples
Soothing the scars left by memories
Your eyes held both light and shadow, a smile blossoming
Dusk obscured your faltering steps
Walking into the painting hidden by the bedside
In the painting, you lowered your head and spoke
...
In the name of love, would you still be willing?
...
...
What was originally planned as Tang Xiaomin's solo performance soon turned into a grand chorus.
As the song ended,
Many eyes reddened, hearts were moistened, and years were filled with regret.
At first, I didn't understand the meaning of the song.
When I heard it again, I was already the person in the song.