"Many of you present here probably know what I used to be like."
Unconsciously, Xia Nuannuan was no longer nervous and awkward. She wore a sweet smile, her gaze sweeping across the guests below.
Seated at the tables in front were almost all of Xia Nuannuan's relatives from both sides of her parents, as well as some villagers from her hometown.
Hearing Xia Nuannuan's words, they all nodded in agreement.
In their memories, Xia Nuannuan was still that slightly chubby, shy, and reserved girl. The difference between her and the graceful, elegant maiden on stage was quite significant.
After everyone arrived at the hotel today, many of them didn't even recognize Xia Nuannuan when she greeted them.
"That's right, it's precisely because of Qin Tian's constant encouragement that I had the courage and perseverance to stick with it, step by step, to become who I am today."
Xia Nuannuan's gaze shifted back towards Qin Tian's direction, and with a smile as bright as a flower, she asked, "Tian Ge, do you remember the promise we made that day?"
For some reason, she suddenly changed her address for Qin Tian. She wanted to be closer to him.
All eyes in the hall were now focused on Qin Tian.
Qin Tian smiled heartily and nodded, "Of course, I remember!"
Xia Nuannuan's beautiful face became even more radiant, and she said unhurriedly, "Back then, you told me that we could become better together, attend the same university, and then have a relationship that others would envy."
The large banquet hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, only the sincere voice of the young girl on stage continued.
"Do you know that, in that moment, I suddenly felt that I wasn't as bad as I thought, that someone liked me, and it was such a good guy. So, I decided that no matter how difficult it was, I would work hard to fulfill this promise."
"The two months before the college entrance examination were the first time in my life I desperately worked hard for a goal. Fortunately, you were always by my side, encouraging me. It seems the process wasn't as difficult as I imagined."
"From the day we made our promise, my high school life seemed to gain color. And then, Class Monitor, Liao Juan, Cui Ying, and the others gradually became my friends."
"Gradually, I realized that it wasn't that everyone disliked me, but that I had become unconfident at some point and chose to isolate myself."
"During this time... I was really, really happy. I used to dread going to school after waking up, but now I look forward to going to school. I even wish this third year of high school could be longer, and I didn't want to graduate so soon!"
At this point, Xia Nuannuan's voice became a little hoarse again.
Not only Mu Nan and a few other girls, but many guests present were also moved by this heartfelt confession.
Xia Nuannuan's parents, grandparents, and her doting relatives, many of them were wiping their eyes.
At this moment, they finally realized that their child's campus life had not been happy before.
And they, as Xia Nuannuan's closest and most respected elders, had never known and had not paid much attention.
Of course, some of them did know a little.
For instance, Xia Zhengping and Su Xia, the couple, knew that their daughter had few friends at school before. They were worried and felt guilty about it but had no good way to change their daughter's situation.
"Nuannuan, it's okay. We'll always be friends. I'll be in Jiangcheng for university too, and I'll visit you often. It'll be the same."
Tian Jiajia shouted loudly, her voice also carrying a hint of tears.
At the dining table, everyone nodded in agreement.
"Okay, thank you, Jiajia, thank you, everyone!"
Xia Nuannuan smiled brightly and looked at Qin Tian, saying, "Tian Ge, the reason I can stand here and say these things now is all thanks to the courage and confidence you gave me. I... I don't want to say thank you anymore, I want to say... I like you!"
After quickly blurting out the final confession, Xia Nuannuan shyly covered her face with her hands.
"Oh, oh..."
Below the stage, the guests were like they had been injected with adrenaline, excitedly cheering.
"Hahaha... Nuannuan, well said!"
Old Master Xia shouted with a beaming face.
The other relatives at the dining table also had smiles on their faces.
"Mom, Nuannuan Jie... she's so bold, I..."
Xia Nuannuan's cousin said to her mother beside her, her eyes shining.
"What about you?"
The woman beside her instantly lost her smile and said sternly, "You've only just graduated from junior high. What do you want?"
The girl's eyes darted around, and a clever idea struck her. She pointed to the roast chicken on the table.
"I, I want to eat a chicken leg!"
"All you think about is eating!"
The woman placed the chicken leg into her daughter's bowl, her smile playful as she said, "Unless you can find a boyfriend like Nuannuan Jie, I won't object. Otherwise, you better give up this idea quickly."
"Mom, is that even possible? She's the top scorer in the college entrance exam! And so handsome!"
The girl said speechlessly, holding the chicken leg and gnawing on it.
"So, don't even think about it. Just study hard honestly, and get into Jiang University like Nuannuan Jie first."
"Heh, you think about it too simply. Then why don't you introduce me to such a boyfriend? Never mind Jiang University, even Tsinghua or Peking University would be no problem."
"You little brat, where am I supposed to find one for you?"
The woman angrily pinched her daughter's ear.
"That's your problem then!"
The girl moved her mother's hand away, pouted her lips, and mumbled.
"Hahaha..."
The others around them, hearing the conversation between mother and daughter, burst into laughter.
Old Master Xia, seated in the main seat, laughed the most heartily. He raised his wine glass and clinked it with a cousin of Xia Nuannuan beside him, then took a sip with great satisfaction.
...
...
Xia Nuannuan, who had hurried back to sit beside Qin Tian, still had a flushed face.
"Don't you say anything!"
Qin Tian glanced at Zhang Peng, who was grinning mischievously, and directly stopped him from teasing or making fun of Xia Nuannuan.
Zhang Peng's smile froze, and the words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back forcefully.
Tian Jiajia and the other girls smiled sweetly, not saying anything.
Everyone knew that Xia Nuannuan had spoken her heart out just now and had even confessed to Qin Tian in public. She must be very shy now.
"Come, come, everyone, students, eat your dishes. The dishes are too abundant. It would be a waste if we don't finish them!"
Li Yanwang called out.
Everyone nodded in agreement, picked up their chopsticks, and continued to eat heartily.
Qin Tian peeled a peony shrimp and placed the crystal-clear shrimp meat onto Xia Nuannuan's plate.
"Eat!"
"Mhm!"
Xia Nuannuan pecked her small head and obediently ate the shrimp meat with her head bowed.
"There are a bit too many dishes. I'll pack some for my mom later," Qin Tian said with a smile, finding a topic.
Xia Nuannuan looked up at him and asked, "Why isn't Auntie coming with you?"
Before this, she had invited Tang Xiu Xia and Qin Tian to her graduation banquet several times.
"The shop is too busy!"
Qin Tian smiled and lowered his voice, adding, "And your relatives are all here today. She's not quite ready yet and feels a bit embarrassed!"
Xia Nuannuan smiled charmingly and nodded, "Then I'll pack a bit more later. My dad personally sent the ingredients for these seafood dishes. I'll ask the hotel to prepare some more specially."
"No need, there's so much on the table. It won't be finished," Qin Tian said with a smile.