fictionpage Chapter 99 Graduation Season
Chapter 99 Graduation Season
During the last week of June, a sense of farewell permeated the air at Xichuan University of Technology.
Red banners were hung along the campus roads, reading "Farewell to the Class of 2000" and "Today you are proud of Northwestern Polytechnical University, tomorrow Northwestern Polytechnical University will be proud of you."
On the lawn by the river, graduates set up a long stall selling used books.
Graduation is approaching! They don't plan to take their textbooks, postgraduate entrance exam review materials, magazines, martial arts novels, and all sorts of other books with them; they're going to sell them all at low prices to younger students.
This has become a unique sight at the university every graduation season.
The graduation ceremony was held in the newly built gymnasium.
By nine o'clock in the morning, the hall was already full of people. The graduates in their academic gowns looked like a deep blue sea, their cap tassels swaying gently in the occasional breeze.
Some local parents sat in the back row, holding up their cameras, their eyes filled with pride.
School leaders lined up on the stage, their microphones occasionally emitting piercing howls.
Lin Feng was in the formation of the Electrical Engineering Department. He wore a dark blue graduation gown that was somewhat oversized.
The principal read his graduation address from the stage, and his words about ideals, responsibilities, and the future echoed in the gymnasium.
"...In this era of change, we must not only acquire knowledge, but also have the courage to explore new frontiers."
The principal's voice was loud and clear, and his emotions were sincere.
"Today, I would like to give special recognition to one student. He not only excelled academically, but also bravely engaged in entrepreneurial endeavors and student activities during his time at the university, achieving remarkable results..."
Lin Feng felt all eyes on him.
"He is Lin Feng, an outstanding graduate of Xichuan University of Technology in 2000, from Class 1 of the Department of Electrical Engineering. Please come up to the stage to receive your award."
Applause quickly erupted. Over the past year, Lin Feng's name and the Digital Music Club had been the hottest topics at the school.
Lin Feng stood up, the hem of his graduation gown brushing against the chair. As he walked down the aisle, he could feel countless gazes upon him.
Curious, envious, and conflicted. The steps were quite high, and he climbed them step by step until he reached the center stage.
The principal is a highly respected professor who personally witnessed the grand occasion of the "Digital Music Carnival" organized by Lin Feng last Christmas, and also witnessed the continued popularity of the campus folk music festival.
He personally handed the "Outstanding Graduate" certificate to Lin Feng and shook his hand firmly.
"Lin Feng, under your leadership, the Digital Music Club broke the school's record for student club participation in a series of activities, pioneering a new trend in digital music. Furthermore, you have achieved remarkable success in student entrepreneurship. Congratulations again! We wish you continued success in the future and hope you will bring honor to your alma mater!"
"Thank you, Principal." Lin Feng bowed in gratitude.
Countless cameras were pointed at the podium, flashes went off, capturing the moment Lin Feng shook hands with the principal.
Below the stage, Mr. Zhang, a teacher from the Department of Electrical Engineering, watched with pride as his star student, Lin Feng, received the school's commendation. His pride was palpable.
Teacher Zheng from the school's Youth League Committee sat on the stage. He proudly pointed at Lin Feng and told the Youth League Committee Secretary about Lin Feng's outstanding deeds.
He proudly told the Party Secretary that he had initially hoped Lin Feng could stay at the school, especially to work in the Youth League Committee. However, after hearing that Lin Feng's studio had earned 600 million yuan in just three months, Teacher Zheng knew that the school could no longer retain him.
Teacher Zheng felt both regret and genuine joy for Lin Feng's endeavors. Having worked in the Youth League Committee for so many years and met countless people, this was the first time he had encountered such an outstanding student.
Lin Feng stepped off the stage and returned to his department. Professor Zhang went up to congratulate him: "Lin Feng, well done!"
He patted Lin Feng on the shoulder: "The department is proud of you. If you ever need anything, come back anytime."
After the ceremony, the crowd surged out of the stadium like a receding tide.
The sunlight was blindingly white, shining on the brand-new graduation gowns and reflecting dappled light. Students gathered in twos and threes to take photos, toss their graduation caps around, hug, and cry.
When taking a group photo, the classmates unanimously gave up the center position.
Li Hao and Wang Peng, one on each side, supported Lin Feng and positioned him in the center, taking their university graduation photo, which they will cherish for a lifetime.
The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of gardenias, mixed with the scent of parting.
Lin Feng took off his graduation gown and draped it over his arm. The back of his white shirt was already soaked with sweat.
He slowly walked back along the sycamore-lined avenue, passing the library, Mingde Square, the Third Teaching Building, the canteen, the football field...
He had traveled these places for four years and could draw a map with his eyes closed. But walking through them today felt different.
It seems like every step is a farewell.
In the afternoon, Lin Feng went to the Hongguangyuan residential area near the school.
Lin Feng is about to graduate and move out of the campus. He initially planned to rent a place near the school.
Then I thought about it, and realized that Chengdu's housing prices would rise. Instead of renting, I might as well buy one. It could even appreciate in value in the future.
So he contacted a real estate agent and looked at a second-hand house.
The residential complex is less than a five-minute walk from the west gate of the school. It is a newly built commercial housing complex with multi-story buildings, the tallest being seven stories.
The exterior walls are tiled in beige, and the windows have blue PVC frames that reflect the sunlight. There's a security booth and electric railings at the entrance, and the green belt is planted with neat shrubs and small-leaved banyan trees.
The real estate agent was a young woman in her early twenties, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, with her hair tied in a neat ponytail.
Seeing Lin Feng arrive, he was very enthusiastic: "Handsome Lin, right? I'm Xiao Chen, we just spoke on the phone."
Lin Feng nodded. "Thank you for your help."
"No trouble at all," Xiao Chen said as he led the way. "This apartment is really great. The landlord lived in it for less than a year after the renovation before being transferred to another city for work, so he's selling it. All the appliances and furniture are new, so you can move in right away."
The apartment is on the third floor of building three. As soon as I opened the door, a faint scent of air freshener wafted towards me.
The living room is spacious and has light beige floor tiles. The south-facing floor-to-ceiling windows face the central courtyard of the community, offering a view of the central green belt.
The afternoon sun shone in without any obstruction, making the whole room bright and airy.
Three bedrooms, with the master bedroom having an ensuite bathroom. The building area is 120 square meters. The kitchen has integrated cabinets, and the range hood and gas stove are from well-known brands.
The bathroom has a wet and dry separation design, and the toilet and shower room look like they haven't been used much.
Xiao Chen explained one by one: "There are four air conditioners, one in the living room and one in each bedroom. The refrigerator, washing machine, and water heater are all included. The TV is in the living room, and the landlord said you can leave it if you need it."
Lin Feng looked around each room. The wardrobe, bed, desk, and sofa were all ready-made.
He went out onto the balcony. The view was excellent; children were playing in the courtyard, and their laughter could be faintly heard.
"How much?" Lin Feng asked.
Xiao Chen gave a number: 36.
"The landlord said the price is negotiable, but there's not much room for negotiation. This house is definitely worth the price; the renovation and appliances alone cost nearly 100,000 yuan."
Lin Feng quickly calculated in his mind.
In 2004, the price of second-hand houses near Xichuan University of Technology was about 2200 yuan per square meter. A 120-square-meter house with decoration and appliances would be acceptable for a total price of 36 yuan.
And most importantly, it's hassle-free. No need to deal with renovations, no need to buy furniture and appliances, no waiting. Buy today, and you can move in the same day.
"Can we arrange to meet the landlord?" he asked.
"Now?" Xiao Chen hesitated for a moment. "Let me ask."
The call lasted five minutes. Xiao Chen hung up, looking somewhat excited. "The landlord is nearby and said he'll be here in half an hour."
The landlord was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a polo shirt and speaking with a local accent. He was very direct upon meeting: "You've seen the apartment, and Xiao Chen has told you everything. I'm in a hurry to sell, so the price is what it is, no bargaining. But all the appliances and furniture are included, and the property management fees are paid until the end of the year."
Lin Feng looked at him. "Full payment, how quickly can the paperwork be completed?"
"Full payment?" The landlord's eyes lit up. "Then hurry, the transfer can be completed within a week."
Lin Feng nodded. "I'll pay in full, and you can give me a 10,000 discount. How about 350,000?"
The landlord hesitated for a moment, then agreed.
Xiao Chen, standing to the side, opened his mouth, clearly not expecting it to go so smoothly. From viewing the property to closing the deal, it took less than an hour.
I signed a letter of intent, paid a deposit, and arranged to go to the real estate bureau the next day to complete the formalities. The whole process was so simple that it didn't feel like buying a house; it felt more like buying an everyday item at a supermarket.
When I left the residential area, the sun was already setting in the west.
Lin Feng stood at the doorway and glanced back at the beige building. That window on the third floor now belonged to him.
He took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Is Wang Peng in the dorm?"
"Hey Feng, what's up?"
"Call Li Hao and Zhao Xiaodong to help me move."
"Moving? Where to?"
"It's very close to Hongguangyuan."
On his way back to the dormitory, Lin Feng hailed a three-wheeled vehicle and parked it downstairs at Jindi Garden.
Lin Feng didn't have much stuff at school: a few books, two boxes of clothes, a computer, and some miscellaneous daily necessities. The three boys made a few trips up and down the tricycle and loaded everything onto the vehicle.
The tricycle arrived at Hongguangyuan, and several roommates helped carry the belongings upstairs. The three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment suddenly became lively.
"This apartment is great!" Wang Peng walked around the living room. "You rent such a spacious apartment all by yourself? Do you share it with someone?"
Lin Feng: "The house I bought."
Everyone: "..."
After moving their things, Lin Feng treated them to a meal at a restaurant. They had beer and stir-fried dishes.
"Brother Feng, you bought a house here, are you going to stay here permanently?" Li Hao asked.
"Okay, we're not leaving for now," Lin Feng said.
"I'm going back to my hometown. I'll come back to Chengdu to see you later." Li Hao raised his glass.
"must."
Li Hao's situation was something he had told Lin Feng about before. He had worked at Lin Feng's studio for a while and learned a lot.
His family is from Hangzhou, and they wanted him to return to Jiangsu and Zhejiang after graduation. Lin Feng respected his choice.
Zhao Xiaodong is also preparing to return to his hometown to work and will be leaving in a few days.
Only Wang Peng firmly stated that he would continue to stay in Chengdu and follow Lin Fengqian.
The four roommates raised their glasses together, the sound of them clinking together crisp and clear.
Youth comes to an end, and everyone goes their separate ways. But the friendship forged over four years of schooling will remain in our memories for a lifetime.
……