Elder Tang had never been too keen on Chuxia taking so many days off.

With Chuxia nearing graduation, there was less time to learn from her.

Elder Tang wanted her to make the most of the time and learn as much as possible.

But since Chuxia was the only one who could send her son, Elder Tang had to approve the leave.

Seeing Chuxia now, she was still a bit annoyed.

Chuxia took the medical record book Elder Tang handed her and said seriously, “Thank you, teacher. I’ll study hard.”

She didn’t mind Elder Tang’s cold demeanor, as Chuxia knew Elder Tang was only concerned about her students and was upset that Chuxia hadn’t studied well while she was away.

Ye Mengchun came back and was also surprised to see Chuxia.

She put down the various books she was holding, and Elder Tang casually picked a book and told Chuxia, “I will also ask questions about this book.”

Chuxia had to work overtime in the evenings to study both the medical records and the book.

Fortunately, she had studied many of these topics before, so there was not much new material to remember, mostly just review.

However, the medical records required careful study, as they contained different cases and prescriptions based on Elder Tang’s clinical experience.

Two days later, when Elder Tang questioned Chuxia, she answered fluently, with her own thoughts and insights on the patients’ conditions.

Elder Tang was finally satisfied. “It seems you haven’t slacked off during your time away.”

…..

On Sunday, Chuxia took An’an to visit Grandpa Jiang.

Grandpa Jiang looked at Cen Huai’an with immense pride.

Through Zhang Lu, everyone in the Jiang family knew about his first-place achievement.

“An’an, what reward do you want?”

Cen Huai’an said, “A big cake.”

Before Grandpa Jiang could speak, Chuxia directly said, “No, you can’t finish it by yourself.”

“I want ice cream.” Cen Huai’an also wanted this, especially chocolate flavor.

Chuxia agreed to this.

Entering May, the weather became even warmer.

Chuxia, Cen Zhengnian, and Cen Huai’an all wore light clothes, even short-sleeved shirts for those who were sensitive to heat.

Chuxia was busier now.

With graduation coming up in June, she had to complete various graduation assignments and had no time to focus on anything else.

Moreover, they were preparing for assignments, and everyone in her class was busy with this.

Everyone wanted a good placement.

Chuxia didn’t want to go to the famous big hospitals in the capital; she only wanted to be assigned to the research institute’s affiliated hospital.

She specifically went to see her counselor to express her preference.

Assignments were based on your performance and grades, so outstanding students naturally got placed in good hospitals.

Of course, there was also a chance of being assigned to one’s hometown based on residency.

The assignment process was quite random.

The counselor, surprised by Chuxia’s preference, initially intended to refuse her as he did with other students but swallowed those words.

“Chuxia, you’re the top student in the class. Are you sure you don’t want to go to hospitals like Xiehe or 301?”

Chuxia nodded firmly, “I don’t want to. My family members are at the research institute, and if I’m assigned to a hospital you mentioned, I’ll be separated from them. Also, I have a child.”

The counselor flipped through Chuxia’s file and nodded, “Alright, I understand.”

He didn’t give her a definitive answer.

Chuxia was unsure about the counselor’s thoughts and whether she would really be assigned to her desired location.

Therefore, Chuxia went to see Grandma Tang again, explaining where she wanted to be assigned and asking for help.

Elder Tang frowned after listening. “That place is quite remote.”

Chuxia replied, “I know.”

She explained again the reasons she gave the counselor, and Elder Tang understood and felt it was a pity.

She sighed and said, “With your professional skills and level, you could be assigned to a very good hospital. Are you sure you want to give that up?”

Chuxia nodded decisively without hesitation.

“Alright, I’ll talk to your advisor,” Elder Tang said.

Elder Tang was very caring toward her students.

Although she was strict, she was a classic example of someone with a tough exterior but a soft heart, never ignoring her students’ difficulties.

In June, the distribution results came out, and Chu Xia was relieved to hear that she had been assigned to the affiliated hospital of the research institute.

By this time, Chu Xia had also completed her final graduation assignments and received her diploma and degree certificate.

At the beginning of June, the school held a graduation ceremony.

Chu Xia, dressed in her academic gown, walked around the campus with the other girls from her dorm, all of them showing visible reluctance.

“Are we really graduating?” Yang Jin said with a hint of melancholy, “It feels like just yesterday that I entered the campus. How did it all happen so quickly?”

Mao Xiaolan also looked sad.

She had been assigned to a hospital in her hometown, which was far from Beijing.

It would be difficult to see her current roommates and classmates again.

Liang Wen, similarly assigned back to her hometown, clung to Yang Jin’s arm with reluctance, “I wanted to stay in Beijing, it’s my own fault for not working harder.”

It was too late to say these things now.

Chu Xia felt a faint sense of farewell sadness.

After graduation, everyone would really go their separate ways.

With transportation not as developed, there wouldn’t be many chances to meet again.

Ye Mengchun and Yang Jin were both pursuing masteral studies—one under Elder Meng and the other with a different professor.

Though they didn’t have to leave the school, they felt the same sadness as Mao Xiaolan and the others.

Taking graduation photos, attending the ceremony, and listening to the principal’s blessings for their class, Chu Xia knew her university life had truly come to an end.

After the ceremony, everyone was leaving the auditorium. Chu Xia and Ye Mengchun walked together.

“Chu Xia, will you… still come to the school in the future?” Ye Mengchun asked.

Chu Xia glanced at her and said lightly, “Of course. Since Teacher Tang has been so good to me, I’ll definitely come to see her often.”

Ye Mengchun’s eyes showed a hint of joy, but before she could say anything, Chu Xia looked up and saw Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu standing at the entrance of the auditorium, along with Jiang Weixian and a little Jiang Weixi.

“Mom!”

“Aunt!”

The children saw Chu Xia and immediately called out to her.

Cen Huai’an was holding a large bouquet of flowers, while Zhang Lu, Jiang Weixian, and Jiang Weixi held smaller bouquets.

Chu Xia’s face lit up with a big smile. “My son and family are here. Let’s talk later.”

“Mom, congratulations on your graduation!” Cen Huai’an walked up to Chu Xia, holding out the bouquet, his clear eyes full of sincere blessing.

Chu Xia’s smile grew even bigger as she bent down to accept the flowers. “Thank you, An’an, I love it.”

The bouquet was clearly wrapped by Cen Huai’an himself, using newspaper and colored paper.

The flowers were of various kinds, arranged somewhat haphazardly but still very beautiful.

Zhang Lu and Jiang Weixi also came forward to give Chu Xia flowers and well-wishes.

The children’s faces were filled with innocent smiles, and Chu Xia felt her heart soar with happiness.

Ye Mengchun watched from a distance, feeling a sense of envy that she didn’t even realize she had, as she observed the warm and joyful scene with Chu Xia.

“How did you all get here?” Chu Xia asked.

Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu had Jiang Weixi with them, and Luo Peng surely wouldn’t have let the four children come by themselves.

Cen Huai’an replied, “Uncle took us here.”

Chu Xia looked around but didn’t see Jiang Zhida. “Where’s your uncle?”

“He’s at the entrance!”

Chu Xia waved to Ye Mengchun and led the four children outside.

Not far from the exit, Chu Xia saw Cen Zhengnian standing by the roadside, with a gentle smile on his face, his eyes fixed on her.

He also held a bouquet, dressed in a white short-sleeve shirt and black dress pants. He looked like an elegant professor from university, exuding a scholarly demeanor.

Cen Zhengnian was standing under a silk tree, and as the wind blew, pink flower petals like little fans fluttered down, creating a dreamy and beautiful scene that made Cen Zhengnian even more captivating.

Chu Xia noticed that no student passing by could help but turn their heads to look at him.

She gave him a big smile, her joy clearly visible in her eyes.

Cen Zhengnian walked towards her, step by step, with firm footsteps, and came to stand in front of her.

He extended the bouquet and said, “Chu Xia, happy graduation. For the future, I hope all your wishes come true and that you stay safe and smooth.”

Chu Xia looked up at him, understanding that these were his most genuine feelings.

Cen Zhengnian simply wished for Chu Xia to be safe, happy, and to pursue her dreams.

Her heart felt as if it was being gently stirred, her emotions racing with sweet waves.

“What should I do? I seem to have too many flowers to hold,” she said.

“It’s okay,” Cen Zhengnian adjusted the collar of her academic gown. “I’ll help you hold them.”

Chu Xia tried to gather the flowers in her arms and made space for Cen Zhengnian to place the bouquet she had set aside. “No, I want to hold the flowers you gave me on my graduation day.”

The children, Cen Huai’an, Zhang Lu, and the others, were very perceptive.

While Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian talked, they stood at a distance, not coming over.

Even Jiang Weixi, with her round eyes, watched curiously.

She didn’t understand what Chu Xia and Cen Zhengnian were doing, but she mimicked her older siblings’ actions.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhida’s voice called out from a distance, “Cousin, Cousin-in-law, I’ve brought the camera!”

Chu Xia really wanted to keep a memento of her graduation, but a camera was quite expensive, so she hadn’t bought one.

Cen Zhengnian, noticing this, had privately discussed with Jiang Zhida about borrowing a camera, as he didn’t have any personal funds.

He knew Jiang Zhida had friends who were into photography.

Seeing the camera, Chu Xia was even more delighted.

On this day of her university graduation, she felt there were no regrets.

Among the graduates in their academic gowns, Chu Xia started taking photos with every spot on campus, every teacher, and all her close friends.

Of course, photos with Cen Huai’an and Cen Zhengnian were essential, and there were the most of these.

Most of the photos were taken by Jiang Zhida.

Zhang Lu, Jiang Weixian, and Jiang Weixi also enjoyed taking pictures, running around the campus with Chu Xia and photographing various beautiful scenes with great enthusiasm.

“So beautiful! So beautiful!” Jiang Weixi held her little face and said to Jiang Zhida, meaning she wanted to look pretty.

Zhang Lu was more natural, posing freely according to her own ideas, not at all self-conscious.

She and Jiang Weixi had the most expressive and varied poses.

Cen Huai’an maintained a single expression throughout, holding Chu Xia’s hand or holding both his parents’ hands, with a slight smile on his lips.

After taking so many photos, Chu Xia felt a bit tired, but Zhang Lu and Jiang Weixi were still full of energy, pulling Jiang Zhida around to take pictures of them, Cen Huai’an, and Jiang Weixian.

Cen Zhengnian sat next to Chu Xia on a nearby bench, holding the bouquet for her, his eyes smiling as he watched the children.

Zhang Lu directed them to pose, while Cen Huai’an, with a reluctant look, obediently followed her instructions, though his face lacked any smiles.

Chu Xia pointed at Cen Huai’an and said, “Zhengnian, look at how cute An’an looks.”

Cen Zhengnian responded with an “Mm,” his smile widening. “When An’an is with Lu Lu and the others, he’s the most like a child.”

Chu Xia nodded and said, “Let’s buy a camera for our home. I want to document our family life and make an album for future memories.”

“Alright.” Cen Zhengnian never opposed Chu Xia’s decisions unless they were really unreasonable.

“By the way, how come you’re free to come to my graduation ceremony today?” Chu Xia asked curiously.

Cen Zhengnian had been quite busy lately, and she hadn’t expected him to come.