Chapter 1910: Chapter 639: Birthday Gift (Part 3)

Lingling seemed to understand something, "Okay, alright."

...

Afternoon, Jing County.

The central department store’s heating was on, and the air was mixed with the sweet aroma from the bakery.

Liu Qingning was in an exceptionally good mood.

She tossed her heavy down jacket to Tang Song, wearing only a multicolored sweater and tight jeans.

The bright colors and fitting lines accentuated her fiery and lively figure, making her stand out.

Among the crowd wrapped tight against the cold, she was like a splash of bright color.

Tang Song wore a simple casual cotton coat, carried a Louis Vuitton handbag in his left hand, her jacket in his right, and patiently followed beside her.

A doting smile hung at the corner of his mouth the entire time.

Liu Qingning felt like she was back in her teenage years.

Sometimes she dragged him into her favorite ice cream shop from high school, shouting for a double scoop of strawberry;

Sometimes she eagerly ran to the claw machine, directing Tang Song to get the silly "Psyduck" for her.

When they walked out of the mall, back into the early winter’s cool air.

Tang Song asked with a smile, "My lady, where to next?"

"Hmm..." Liu Qingning swallowed the last bit of ice cream, then playfully licked her lips, tilted her head and thought, "The braised pork and lion’s head from lunch have mostly digested, let’s go visit First Middle School. The temperature is just right now. On the day of the school anniversary the day after tomorrow, it’ll be packed with people, and we’ll have to deal with leadership, so there’ll be no time to properly stroll."

"Alright, let’s go."

Soon.

A slightly old white electric scooter slowly drove out of the crowded parking area.

Liu Qingning sat sideways on the back seat, her hands tightly wrapped around Tang Song’s waist, her cheek lightly pressing against his broad, warm back.

When the scooter went over a speed bump, causing a slight bump, she instinctively hugged tighter, as if afraid he would suddenly disappear.

The poplar trees lining the street had long shed their leaves, leaving only their straight branches swaying in the wind.

As the road became more familiar, her heartbeat unknowingly quickened.

Liu Qingning lifted her head slightly, looking at Tang Song’s back, taking in that long-missed scent of his.

Time seemed to have undergone some wonderful reversal.

She was once again that seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, sitting on that bumpy yet incredibly secure seat that belonged solely to her.

Smiling as she chased the wind, laughing as she teased him.

Happiness surged in her heart, she squinted, her lips curling into an unstoppable smile.

...

Because it’s the 50th anniversary of the school the day after tomorrow.

The entire campus had been revitalized, with no students attending classes.

Just a few students in volunteer red vests busily completing the final arrangements.

At the entrance of the main road, a giant bright red "50th Anniversary Celebration" themed arch stood, emblazoned with the school emblem, motto, and the golden timeline "1973-2023".

On both sides, colorful flags and celebratory banners were hanging.

Tang Song held Liu Qingning’s hand, strolling slowly on the sunlit path. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

They walked past the small shop that always had a long line, past the familiar red-brick classroom building, past the pavilion they once sheltered from the rain in, past the sunset-shrouded sports field...

Every corner carried the most vivid memories of their youth.

The evening breeze was a bit cool, Liu Qingning tucked her frozen hands into her sleeves, tilted her head, and looked at Tang Song’s profile.

Playfully recounting snippets of memories that belonged to just the two of them.

The sky gradually darkened, the afterglow of the sunset enveloping the entire campus.

They arrived once more in front of the small shop.

Liu Qingning suddenly stopped, tilting her head up, like a little girl acting coy, "I want some Little Raccoon crispy noodles and haw rolls."

Tang Song looked at her adorable expression, laughed, and gently ruffled her hair, "Wait here, I’ll go buy them."

He turned and walked towards the small shop.

Watching his back, Liu Qingning’s gaze became incredibly tender.

"Ring—" The phone rang suddenly.

[Li Gaisu]

Immediately answered the call, "Hello? Teacher Li."

On the other end, the gentle voice of their homeroom teacher, Li Gaisu, came through, "Qingning, happy birthday."

"Thank you, Teacher Li."

"By the way, there’s something I need to discuss with you."

"What is it? Please go ahead, Teacher Li."

"It’s like this," Li Gaisu’s tone was somewhat hesitant, "Today, the school received an urgent notice from the county, saying that the city leaders are highly concerned about our school celebration, and some main city leaders might be coming to guide it. So... the guest seating for the celebration needs some temporary adjustments."

Liu Qingning’s heart fluttered slightly, as if she had already guessed something.

"Teacher Li, just say it directly, it’s okay."

Li Gaisu sighed and said, "Mainly it’s about Tang Song. Originally, I pulled some strings to have him seated behind you in the guest section. But now the seating is extremely tight, each spot filled, so we have to move some alumni from the guest section to the front row observation area."

Tang Song wasn’t on the "Distinguished Alumni" invitation list; it was only due to her suggestion that he was included.

Now with changes occurring, it made sense he’d be the first to be ’optimized out’.

Liu Qingning raised her eyebrows and directly asked, "So you mean, you want to move Tang Song to the observation area, right?"

"Yes, that’s what Vice Principal Zhang just notified."

But Liu Qingning showed no surprise or anger, she simply said calmly, "I understand, Teacher Li. Please also change my seating to the observation area, I’d like to sit with him."