208: Chapter 202 The Finale

Three years later, graduation season at Tangcheng University of Technology.

The June sunlight filtered through the camphor tree leaves, casting flickering light spots on the red brick path.

The campus was filled with students in graduation gowns taking photos, a mix of liveliness and the sadness of farewell.

Yu Heng leaned against a stone pillar outside the auditorium, watching a few people gathered to take photos not far away.

Shen Yueling, wearing a graduation gown and holding a bouquet of champagne roses, tilted her head slightly, listening to something Bai Xinran was saying next to her.

Bai Xinran had also graduated; she wasn't wearing a graduation gown but a well-fitted off-white dress, with an extremely delicate, light gold necklace faintly visible at her collar—that was the “graduation gift” he had given her.

Bai Xinran seemed to notice his gaze, turned her head, and gave him a very slight smile with her eyes.

Shen Yueling followed her gaze and looked over, expressionless, only raising a hand to subtly tuck a strand of wind-blown hair behind Bai Xinran's ear, her fingertips seemingly brushing the necklace.

Zhou Mengqi held the camera, adjusting their positions: "Sister Yueling, lower your head a bit... Yes, A Ling, smile!"

He Mengyao stood a few steps away, arms crossed, her sunglasses pushed up onto her head. She wore an expensive silk shirt paired with a knee-length khaki skirt, looking like a successful professional. She didn't participate in the photos, her gaze sweeping over the group of girls before settling on Yu Heng. She raised an eyebrow and mouthed something.

Yu Heng understood: Tonight?

He nodded almost imperceptibly.

He Mengyao curved her lips in satisfaction, then lowered her head to fiddle with her phone.

Last month, she had spun off a small project from her company and assigned it to Yu Heng, calling it “graduation startup capital.” The price was that Yu Heng had to spend a week with her on an island to inspect her newly purchased yacht.

Ning Yutong jogged over, her graduation cap slightly askew, her face flushed from exercise.

"Yu Heng! Our department is done! Our class still needs to take photos later, Counselor said... huh?" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw He Mengyao, her voice trailing off, but then quickly smiled again, naturally walking over to Yu Heng and lightly touching the back of his hand, "Tonight... the dorms are having one last gathering, I might be back late."

"Mm." Yu Heng responded, scratching her palm with his finger.

Ning Yutong's ears reddened slightly, but she didn't pull away.

In her junior year, she finally stopped agonizing over the title of "girlfriend." After a Club celebration, she drank too much, tugged on Yu Heng's sleeve, and tearfully asked, "Is it okay as long as we don't officially date?"

Yu Heng didn't answer, he just took her back to the Villa.

The next morning, in front of Bai Xinran's calm gaze and the warm water she offered, Ning Yutong silently accepted a certain established fact.

Now, she was one of the de facto managers of the Soul Pawnshop account, occasionally pulled in by Yu Heng to shoot a few faceless promotional photos for Pleasing Oneself's new products. Her mindset had long since become peaceful; she even helped hand props to Lin Yu during photo shoots.

Speaking of Lin Yu, Yu Heng looked up and saw her emerge from the side door of the auditorium, accompanied by a tall, thin, bespectacled boy who was carrying her bag.

That was her boyfriend, Xu Hao, who had been accepted into a postgraduate program at their university this year.

Lin Yu saw the group around Yu Heng, paused, said something to Xu Hao, and walked over alone.

She wasn't wearing a graduation gown but a sharp apricot-colored pantsuit, her hair cut shorter, making her look more capable.

"Mr. Yu." She stopped two steps away, her tone business-like, but with a smile in her eyes.

Her management contract still had a year left. She had done well these past few years, starring as the second female lead in a few low-budget web dramas. Although she hadn't become a huge star, she had made a name for herself in the industry, and more importantly, had completely resolved her family's financial difficulties.

The line between her and Yu Heng was never crossed, but both understood it wasn't because they didn't want to, but because of a more complex obsession with "winning" and "losing."

She had held her ground and earned respect and a career.

"Xu Hao is over there," Lin Yu gestured towards her boyfriend, "I won't stay long."

"Alright," Yu Heng looked at her, then suddenly smiled, "I sent you a sample of the new product. Don't play too hard, and remember to be moderate."

Lin Yu froze for a moment, then understood what he meant, her face flushing slightly. She glared at him, then turned and walked away, her steps a little hurried. Xu Hao came to meet her, took her hand, and the two walked away, talking in low voices.

Yu Heng watched their retreating figures, thinking that this game was probably a draw.

"Daddy!"

A clear child's voice rang out.

Yu Heng turned and saw Zhou Wanyi walking over, leading a sturdy little boy.

The little boy broke free from his mother's hand and stumbled to hug Yu Heng's leg.

Yu Heng bent down, picked him up, and weighed him. "Xiao Hui, you're heavier again."

Zhou Wanyi walked closer. She was a bit fuller than a few years ago, looked radiant, and wore a light purple dress with her hair gently draped over her shoulders.

She first nodded to Shen Yueling and the others, then looked at Yu Heng, her eyes gentle: "Mom said to come home for dinner tonight, she stewed some soup for you."

"We'll see." Yu Heng held Yu Hui with one arm, and his free hand naturally rested on Zhou Wanyi's lower back, pressing lightly, "It might end late here."

Zhou Wanyi's waist tingled from his touch, and a faint blush rose to her face, but she didn't pull away, only whispered, "I'll save the soup for you then."

Qin Ya's exaggerated laughter came from not far away.

She was already a high school student, having shot up quite a bit. Though still a bit rebellious, her school uniform was neatly worn, and she was holding her phone, chasing Qin Lu to take photos.

"Mom! Stand up straight! Yes, yes, look at me!" Qin Lu laughed helplessly, amused by her. She wore a well-fitting skirt suit, and her lower abdomen already showed a slight curve.

She caressed her belly, looking in Yu Heng's direction, her eyes soft.

This child was planned. Qin Ya had been sulky for a few days after finding out, finally mumbling, "I'll have my own in a few years."

Zhou Mengqi finally finished taking photos and ran over, complaining that she was hungry.

Shen Yueling glanced at Yu Heng and said, "A Ling already prepared everything at the Villa this morning."

So the group, grand yet incredibly natural, walked towards the familiar Villa area in University Town.

Inside the Villa, the long dining table was already set with exquisite meals and drinks.

Bai Xinran, wearing an apron, was making the final soup in the kitchen. Shen Yueling went to help her bring it out.

He Mengyao, familiar with the place, took out a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet and opened it for herself.

Ning Yutong and Zhou Mengqi huddled together, giggling as they looked at the photos they had just taken.

Qin Lu was pressed into the sofa by Qin Ya to rest.

Zhou Wanyi was playing with building blocks with Yu Hui.

Yu Heng stood at the intersection of the living room and dining room, looking at the house full of people—noisy, vibrant, each occupying a corner of his life and space, yet wonderfully maintaining a certain balance.

Yu Heng walked to the balcony and lit a cigarette.

A very light sound of footsteps came from behind him. Shen Yueling walked over and stood beside him, watching the sunset sinking into the city skyline in the distance. She didn't speak, just stood there quietly.

After a long time, so long that the cigarette was almost burnt out, she spoke softly, as if to him, and yet as if to herself:

"So noisy."

"But," she paused, her voice even softer, as if it would be scattered by the evening breeze, "it doesn't seem... bad."

Yu Heng extinguished the cigarette butt, reached out, and held her hand resting on the railing. Her hand was cool, but soon, she returned the grip, holding his hand firmly.

Qin Ya's voice, full of youthful vigor, called out from downstairs, announcing dinner.

Yu Heng released Shen Yueling's hand and turned towards the warm light and clamor.

"Time to eat," he said.

All stories seemed to have temporarily come to an end.

The sun was beautiful, and the future was long.

And they were all there.