Wang Qiqi put on her academic robe and arrived at the classroom flanked by her cousin Song Yao, his husband Gong Peixing, their son Taotao, and future mother-in-law Luo Hongjuan. As they walked through campus, she noticed many people in cap and gowns passing by - today strangers would smile and exchange cheerful greetings despite not knowing each other.

Luo Hongjuan glanced at Qiqi's beaming face every so often, thoughts drifting to her son who couldn't attend the graduation due to work commitments. While disappointed he was stuck overseas earning money, she was grateful to have joined in Qiqi's ceremony. She patted Qiqi's hand, "Going back soon?"

Qiqi nodded, wanting this time to share photos and videos with parents who had passed away. In her past life she'd neglected this chance; now she hoped it would comfort them.

Luo Hongjuan agreed. It was important for the children to visit their graves while Qiqi still resided in China. Though cousin Song Ziwen annually tended the tomb, nothing replaced family visits.

Qiqi had mixed feelings about returning - besides informing parents of her graduation, she wanted one last visit before possible overseas departure next year. While entrusting others with memorial rites was practical, her Beijing university years were filled with Qingming ceremonies at home...

Song Yao watched Qiqi walking ahead with Luo Hongjuan and sighed. Time flies; it would soon be time for marriage and children.

Taotao ignored parental musings entirely. "Mommy, Auntie is so pretty today!" Among the sea of academic robes, he could still recognize his own aunt's beauty.

Song Yao straightened her son's wrinkled clothes. Though Gong Peixing earned a night university degree after work, he never experienced cap and gown traditions. As an auto mechanic school graduate herself, she'd never pursued higher education - their hopes were placed on their son.

"Want to wear Auntie's outfit someday?"

Taotao tilted his head. "Yes!" Though parents praised Auntie, Uncle Han had always emphasized following Husband's achievements. "Why isn't Auntie's husband here?"

Gong Peixing felt a pang of disappointment. Their son adored Han Tao more than them - an inheritance from the child's grandparents and uncles' constant praise for his cousin's brilliance.

Taotao pressed his cheek against his father's face. "I love Daddy too! When I'm successful, I'll take you abroad!"

Song Yao often discussed Han Tao's merits with Luo Hongjuan at night. These conversations had deeply impressed the boy who now followed their advice to emulate Auntie's husband - after all, he could fly first class while Taotao had only experienced an airplane once.

Gong Peixing felt a warm glow at his son's words, though something still felt odd. "Your kid is subtly mocking you, but that's good - he's ambitious."

He lightly patted his son's head, thinking about English classes they should start soon. With potential international careers ahead, being a linguistic illiterate wasn't acceptable. "Yao Yao, does your language institute accept adults?"

Song Yao raised an eyebrow at this sudden interest in study abroad. Her husband hadn't touched English books for years - maybe some basic phrases? "You want to learn from scratch, not just improve?"

Gong Peixing sighed. Why did educational systems always focus on students rather than working professionals? While technical skills mattered, English proficiency increasingly determined career advancement.

Market research suggested demand was growing. "Yao Yao, we should consider businesspeople's needs," he insisted. Practical language training for career growth would surely attract clients.

Wang Qiqi stood at the classroom entrance as her family froze in place. "Sis!" They were blocking the path - graduation ceremonies would soon begin! She had suggested a post-ceremony photo session instead, but Song Yao refused to miss this special day without parents and fiancé present, especially with Luo Hongjuan attending.

At Qiqi's classroom door, Song Yao rushed forward for last-minute adjustments. "Auntie, take a picture!" The room held so many memories - classmates would eventually drift apart after graduation.

Inside the classroom, Qiqi noticed some students' hostile gazes but ignored them. She accepted Song Yao's phone with reluctance - modern devices seemed both expensive and unsafe to carry in her small purse among crowds.

"Don't lose it," Song Yao insisted. "Invite Bai Ge for lunch later - celebrate together!"

Reentering the classroom, Qiqi found previous stares had vanished. She knew these people would soon become strangers unless fate reunited them during campus reunions decades from now.

"Qiqi! You've gotten more beautiful!"

The familiar greetings were all warm despite hidden judgments. Qiqi smiled politely at everyone - especially those with smug expressions, whom she assumed worked successfully. For the visibly distressed ones likely broken up or jobless, she offered appropriate consolations.

Searching for Bai Ge who'd claimed to have business last night, Qiqi was suddenly dragged away by an unknown force...

"Qiqi."

She found herself seated beside her roommate Duan Xiaomin instead of Bai Ge. "Evening plans?" The question made Qiqi hesitate - she wanted to decline and mention family dinners.

"I'm returning to Sichuan for work," Xiaomin announced, her voice carefully controlled though Qiqi sensed disappointment. She had longed to stay in Beijing despite the job offer requiring relocation.

"Congratulations!" Qiqi genuinely felt happy for this classmate's rare employment success. Though she doubted promises of future transfers back to headquarters would materialize given fierce competition...

Xiaomin studied Qiqi's sincere expression and sighed - they were simply on different paths now. "Let's gather tonight while we still can!"

Worried about Bai Ge's absence, Xiaomin asked others. Li Xin mentioned seeing her at a business networking event last night among impressive professionals.

"Busy as ever," Xiaomin muttered. From tutoring to student council, their academic journeys had diverged - Bai Ge now owned property in Beijing beyond what anyone expected.

As the class gathered for the procession, Qiqi waited with Bai Ge who looked sleep-deprived from her late-night engagements. Just before departure...

"Qiqi!"

Jiang Xin finally caught up after earlier interruptions from Duan Xiaomin. With graduation ending their interactions indefinitely, she needed to ask about studying abroad despite knowing Qiqi's likely resistance.

"Considering UK options," Qiqi hedged, unwilling to help Jiang's ulterior motives involving a certain ex-boyfriend through her friend.

Jiang quickly pivoted to Commonwealth countries and Australia. "QQ me anytime!" Qiqi offered vaguely as they parted ways...

"End-of-month flight," she added when asked about departure date - no need to mention the extra days actually planned for sightseeing in London.

After exchanging a few words, Wang Qiqi and Jiang Xin parted ways. White Ge, who had been silently sitting on the sidelines, muttered under her breath, "Something about her just doesn't feel right." Though she masked it well, there was an unmistakable calculating glint in her eyes that made people uneasy.

Wang Qiqi's thoughts spiraled inward - "It won't be easy for her to succeed. She doesn't think straight."

RS