Chapter 1 "Damn, this..."

Sitting in his seat, Zhou Yu exclaimed softly as he saw the engagement jewelry on the mahogany tray.

The engagement banquet was basically for the closest people. Only one table was reserved for his friends.

In the small banquet hall, just four or five tables of people watched the ceremony.

When the yellow jade bracelet appeared in the box, many people were quite surprised.

Not that they were experts who could tell at a glance if it was genuine, but the fact that it came after the five gold pieces was enough to prove its prestige.

"This..." Xia Xinyu looked at it, a little stunned, not reacting for a moment. Then, she looked up at Chen Yuan and asked softly and puzzled, "Is it because of that day?"

Xia Xinyu was referring to the reason Chen Yuan didn't propose directly.

"Yeah, it witnessed the love of my grandparents and is a family heirloom. They only agreed to take it out when they heard I was going to marry Xinyu," Chen Yuan said with a smile.

"It's at least from the Qing Dynasty and has been appraised," said Chen Jianye's elder brother, the eldest uncle. "Someone wanted to trade a car for it back then, but Mom didn't agree."

Speaking of which, Grandma, sitting in the front row, said, "I said whoever of Yuan Yuan and Bo Bo gets engaged first gets to choose. You're just a step behind, so don't be jealous."

"Not jealous. My son is useless, what can I say?" What could the eldest uncle say?

Chen Bo was still the eldest grandson, already at an advantage, and hadn't even gotten engaged yet, so who could he blame?

"Yeah," Chen Bo said, pushing up his glasses. "Nothing to say, what can I say."

Hearing this, Xia Xinyu's relatives were also somewhat surprised.

The five gold pieces were already quite substantial.

Now, before the wedding, giving this family heirloom worth hundreds of thousands to Xinyu showed such respect, what could her family say?

Today, Chen Yuan's performance while toasting at the graduation banquet was also very considerate.

This family was truly respectable and sophisticated, not neglecting anything just because Xia Xinyu's parents weren't around.

On the contrary, they were even more respectful.

"This is too precious..."

Xia Xinyu was really embarrassed.

After all, they weren't married yet, how could she accept such a valuable gift?

"Hold out your hand." But Chen Yuan directly picked up the bracelet, saying gently but firmly.

"..." Xia Xinyu hesitated for a moment. She should have politely refused again. But since Chen Yuan said it, she would definitely listen obediently.

So, Xia Xinyu slowly raised her wrist.

And so, this jade bracelet with over a hundred years of history, very genuine and delicate, was placed on Xia Xinyu's slender wrist.

Whether it was gold or jade, on Xia Xinyu, it became elegant and reserved.

At this moment, she was like a bride in a painting, shy but full of anticipation and joy.

"So beautiful, Xinyu," Aunt said with a smile.

"Be careful, you're wearing a car on your wrist," Uncle joked loudly.

"..." Xia Xinyu suddenly became frightened, protecting the bracelet with her hand, very nervous. This restrained appearance amused everyone below the stage.

At this moment, a little girl ran to the front and handed a box to Xia Xinyu. Then, she quickly ran back and sat in her mother's arms.

And Xia Xinyu, with both hands, presented the box to Chen Yuan.

"Huh?" Chen Yuan was puzzled.

Xia Xinyu said with a red face and a smile, "Your engagement gift, open it and see."

Huh? Men could also receive engagement gifts?

That's right, in foreign countries, it's normal for men to receive engagement gifts!

Although this was in China, there was no need to be so surprised.

After all, this was Xia Xinyu.

With anticipation, Chen Yuan slowly opened the box. Then, he saw a very delicate watch.

Obviously, it wasn't cheap.

In the past, this would have been several years' worth of living expenses that Xia Xinyu had set aside for herself.

"Such a nice watch..." Chen Jianye said in surprise.

"My aunt helped me choose it," Xia Xinyu said, "I don't know... if he'll like it."

When choosing the gift, her aunt's suggestion was that men needed a good watch. So, it was better to buy a more expensive one so that he could wear it for a long time.

So, Xia Xinyu bought it quite readily.

If it were for herself, Xia Xinyu wouldn't have spent so much and would have been very reluctant.

But this was a gift for Chen Yuan, and she paid for it quite naturally and smoothly.

After all, he treated her the same way.

"I like it, it's very beautiful," Chen Yuan nodded with a smile.

"Then... I'll put it on for you."

"Okay, good."

Xia Xinyu picked up the watch and put the box aside. Then, in front of everyone, she put this rather expensive quartz watch on Chen Yuan's wrist.

This action made the people below become a little quiet.

It was as if they saw a ray of morning light shining through the window into the bedroom. Chen Yuan lowered his head as Xia Xinyu carefully tied his tie for him.

How sweet the two of them were.

Sitting at the table of close friends a little further back, the girls rested their faces on their hands, watching this scene with envy, letting their imaginations run wild.

And Shi Yi and Liu Chengxi applauded with light smiles, sincerely offering their blessings.

"Does your family have a heirloom?" He Sijiao asked Zhou Yu.

"Yes, but it's not very genuine," Zhou Yu said.

"What do you mean?"

"It's new."

"Hmph." He Sijiao snorted and continued to watch Xinyuan, the corners of her mouth curving into a sweet smile. Having watched these two get together all the way, she understood this feeling the most.

It was like watching a serialized anime, with familiar characters who had gone through many things. The last episode was the wedding or engagement, which was so heartwarming.

Many authors couldn't write endings well, and everything they wrote turned out badly.

If they didn't know what to do, they should just get married.

There was no need to do anything so impressive.

A happy family was the romance in the bones of the Chinese people.

"Kiss!"

Just then, a little girl's voice suddenly came.

After saying this, the little girl quickly hid in her mother's arms.

The scene was filled with warm applause.

The girls also clapped their hands immediately, their eyes sparkling.

Everyone was looking forward to this moment, including Tang Siwen and Zhou Fu, who also offered their most sincere smiles and applause.

Xinyuan was never one to spoil the fun.

Love was meant to be expressed.

Although Xinyu was shy, she took the initiative to raise her head slightly and close her eyes.

Under these gazes, Chen Yuan gently cupped Xia Xinyu's face, lowered his head, and kissed her lips...

………

Sitting on the bed in the hotel, hugging a pillow. Holding the cards in her hand, He Sijiao, after losing another round, threw her hand on the bed and complained, "This San Guo Sha isn't that interesting, why do boys like to play it?"

"Trying to understand boys' preferences is a difficult thing," Shen Yating echoed, "For example, Chengxi always plays a game called Euro Truck Simulator... I completely don't understand what's so interesting about it."

"Shi Yi collects Yu-Gi-Oh cards," Wu Wenxin said.

The five girls were in one room, playing San Guo Sha cards while chatting.

"I was really touched today. Although I knew they would definitely get together in the end, there was still a magical feeling when they kissed in front of everyone..." Shen Yating said with a dreamy look.

"I feel like they'll get married very early," Wu Wenxin said.

"I heard that the wedding will be held when she's twenty. As for the marriage certificate, they'll have to wait until Chen Yuan is 22, the legal age for marriage," He Sijiao said.

"That's still very early," Wu Wenxin joked with herself, "I don't know when it will be for me."

"Yi, haven't you thought about this kind of thing?" Tang Siwen asked.

"But after Xinyuan's engagement this time, I think I have to talk about it when I get back," Wu Wenxin said with a smug smile, looking like she was going to put pressure on Shi Yi.

"Chengxi and I probably won't be too late either..."

"Yoyoyoyo!"

Then, she was attacked by everyone's "yoyoyo."

She herself was also giggling.

Having a good relationship meant showing off.

"Did you do 'that'?" Tang Siwen suddenly asked.

Shen Yating's face immediately turned red, and then she looked up at the curious crowd, covering her face with one hand: "Change the subject..."

"So that's a default?" Zhou Fu asked.

"...Yeah."

Shen Yating had to admit that Liu Chengxi had also done it.

But what could she do, such energetic young men and women...

They couldn't control themselves.

"I wonder what the boys are doing," The topic of eroticism skipped over, Zhou Fu said curiously.

"I feel like they're also talking about us girls," Wu Wenxin said.

"Hmm..." He Sijiao's mouth twitched, and she said, "Probably economics, politics, history, culture, Yongzheng Dynasty or Armor Hero."

He Sijiao, who was in Class 18, understood boys. She deeply understood one thing, that was—girls should never think too highly of their position in boys' hearts.

Any moment he was in a daze, he might be thinking about something very meaningless—the repair and maintenance of tractors!

"By the way, should we go out and play?" Shen Yating suggested.

"But it's already a bit late. And we're not very familiar with Hexiang..." Wu Wenxin said uncertainly.

"It's okay, I'll call my son."

Zhou Fu volunteered to pick up her phone and dial Chen Yuan's number.

"What's up?" Chen Yuan said.

"What are you doing?" Zhou Fu said.

"At home, what, want to go out for barbecue?" Chen Yuan asked.

"No." Zhou Fu, who was already a bit chubby, refused, and asked, "You're a local, are there any places that are suitable to go to at night?"

"Internet cafe."

"Something more formal."

"Hexiang Municipal People's Government."

"Too formal!"

"Hey, where do you want to go..."

"You only said an Internet cafe and the Hexiang Municipal Government, don't make me look like I'm being troublesome!" Zhou Fu was annoyed.

"Hmm..." After thinking about it, Chen Yuan said, "Modern cities don't have many classics, and the nightlife isn't very rich either. But if there's anything worth visiting, the river beach under the Second Bridge is okay. There are people playing basketball there, and the scenery is very good. And there's also... something quite dumb."

"Tell me about it!"

"It's just that, because this Second Bridge is very long. Then, the middle school students here spread a saying that people who walk across the Second Bridge together will be together forever..."

"Yi, that's pretty good!" Wu Wenxin felt the fun and said with great anticipation.

"Okay, okay, let's go to that," Zhou Fu said.

"Ah, okay, then I'll call you a car."

Just like that, the matter was decided.

"I have a question." At this moment, Tang Siwen raised her hand and asked, "If it's two boys, will they also be together forever?"

"..."

This question made all the girls except Zhou Fu a little nervous.

And the reason for their nervousness was only known to themselves...

……

The cool river breeze brushed against their faces.

The streetlights on the bridge were brightly lit.

On the walkway, ten young people who had been admitted to university walked together.

Among them, Shen Yating and Wu Wenxin held their boyfriends' hands very tightly, as if afraid of being snatched away.

And when Chen Yuan was about to approach, the two were very vigilant to avoid their boyfriends being touched by Chen Yuan.

No one knew how to determine "together forever." If it was a rule-based system, and the person who was touched could trigger it, then the most wary person should be Chen Yuan...

"What a cool breeze, it feels so comfortable," Zhou Fu said, feeling quite relaxed.

"This bridge is really long," Tang Siwen said with a sigh.

"The approach bridge plus the main bridge is almost three thousand meters," Chen Yuan said.

"Because it's very tiring to walk, that's why there's the meaning of 'together forever'," Shen Yating said.

"Have you and Xinyu walked it?" He Sijiao asked.

"Yeah, he brought me here before, and we walked it together," Xia Xinyu said with a smile.

"Boys are really good at flirting," Zhou Fu said with a sigh. Then, she said provocatively, "By the way, you didn't take other girls to walk it in middle school, did you?"

Now, everyone focused their attention on Chen Yuan.

But Chen Yuan wasn't flustered at all: "I walked with boys, so what?"

Xia Xinyu was satisfied, but Zhou Fu and Tang Siwen both showed an exaggerated expression of 'oh no, oh no.'

"Don't hang out with Zhou Fu, her face has changed," Chen Yuan complained.

"Hmph, I'll hang out with her," Zhou Fu grabbed Tang Siwen's hand and walked to the front of everyone, "Heterosexuals are heretics, we also want to be together forever, hmph."

Just like that, Fuwen became the leaders, walking hand in hand.

Wuyi and Yaxi also held hands tightly in the back.

Jiaoyu were very natural, as classroom lovers, they were immersed in their own topics all the way, talking and laughing.

At the very back were Xinyuan.

The two walked leisurely.

How long was "together forever"?

How long was a lifetime?

No one knew.

But as long as your feet were on the road and the one you loved was by your side, then this distance, this time, could be measured.

Good wind, good moon.

And the gradually lengthening shadows.

This was the most important thing in life: I am not alone.