Sunlight shines through the tall glass windows in the magnificent ballroom. Zhang Qiang stood in the crowd with a somewhat complicated mood. Today is the wedding day of his college classmate Zhang Wei, and under the colorful lights, the bustling crowd is talking and laughing. Li Qiang was slightly distracted, he was not a person who liked to be lively, especially after seeing her.
As soon as he picked up the wine in the glass and was about to drink, his eyes unconsciously fell on her - Zhou Ying. She wore a simple black dress, which contrasted with the gorgeous guests around her, and looked particularly dazzling. The face that had kept him awake at night, on which the years had not left a trace, but the eyes, which were full of indifference and contempt.
"Zhang Qiang, what's wrong? Xiao Liu, an old classmate at the same table, patted him on the shoulder and asked with concern.
Zhang Qiang came back to his senses, smiled awkwardly, and was embarrassed to tell the truth: "It's nothing, it's just a little uncomfortable with this kind of lively scene." ”
Xiao Liu nodded understandingly: "You're still the nerd who would rather spend the weekend in the library." ”
Zhang Qiang sighed softly, and his eyes involuntarily found Zhou Ying's figure again: "Yes, there are things that may not be changed in a lifetime." ”
Zhou Ying also seemed to notice Li Qiang's gaze, and after exchanging glances for a moment, she immediately turned around and chatted with a lady beside her. Li Qiang couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could see that the lady was looking at him frequently, as if she was talking about something.
"Hey, Zhang Qiang, don't you see that is your ex-girlfriend Zhou Ying? Why, you haven't said hello yet?" Another old friend, Wang Mei, also noticed his weirdness.
"No, nothing. Zhang Qiang quickly diverted the topic: "By the way, how are you doing? I heard that you changed careers to do graphic design?"
Wang Mei was diverted from the topic by him and began to talk about her recent situation: "There is no way, it is all forced by life, but the changes are not bad, and now at least I can deal with the things I like." ”
Zhang Qiang smiled and listened to her, but he was thinking about how to face Zhou Ying in his heart. He knew that this would not be the last time they met, and that he needed a way, an opportunity, to face the past and look forward to the future. As the banquet progressed, Zhang Qiang's thoughts began to drift back to those vague college days, when he and Zhou Ying were an enviable pair. But his inferiority complex and inadequacy in his heart left regrets in this young relationship. He remembered that when they broke up, Zhou Ying once said: "You always lack self-confidence, and what I need is someone I can rely on." ”
In the noisy banquet hall, Zhang Qiang drank quietly alone, feeling more and more naïve that he was really naïve. He made up his mind, no matter what, at least let Zhou Ying see that he was no longer the teenager with low self-esteem.
Zhang Qiang straightened his waist and plucked up the courage to walk towards Zhou Ying. "Zhou Ying, long time no see. He tried to make his voice sound calm and confident.
Zhou Ying turned her head and was slightly surprised: "It's you, Zhang Qiang." yes, long time no see. ”
The conversation between the two was like ice accumulated over the years, beginning to melt slowly. Zhang Qiang tried to talk about work and life, "You know, I'm working in a start-up company now, and although I'm quite busy, I've learned a lot. ”
Zhou Ying seemed to move, "Sounds good, at least you have found your own direction." ”
Zhang Qiang smiled, so sincere, so relieved, "Yes, I think I did find it." What about you, I heard that you are now working in a foreign company?"
The conversation between the two seemed to restore time, they talked about their progress and changes, and also recalled some good old days together. Between the words, Li Qiang invisibly showed his maturity and self-confidence, which also made Zhou Ying gradually realize that Li Qiang was no longer the boy who disappointed her at the beginning.
However, just as the two found a rhythm to talk and the atmosphere gradually warmed up, a waiter accidentally knocked over the cart used to serve the food, and the sharp collision sound cut through the laughter of the banquet. Without thinking, Zhang Qiang rushed forward to help clean up the tableware and food scattered all over the place, and his actions won the unanimous approval of everyone present.
A trace of surprise flashed in Zhou Ying's eyes, as if she realized that this man was no longer the Li Qiang she once knew. His calmness and timely response impressed everyone present, including her.
"You've changed a lot, Zhang Qiang. Zhou Ying's tone was filled with a hint of admiration, "Your current performance really impresses me." ”
After Zhang Qiang cleaned up, he returned to her side and said with a light smile: "Everyone is growing, and I am just trying to become a better version of myself." ”
The banquet returned to its usual hustle, but the air between Li Qiang and Zhou Ying became more subtle and gentle. There was more understanding and respect in the eyes of the re-exchange. In the waiter's rush to clean up the overturned dishes, a sharp plate fragment accidentally scratched a little girl's arm. The little girl cried out in pain, and her screams made the atmosphere of the whole banquet freeze instantly.
"Quick, is there a doctor here?" said one guest.
The joy of the banquet was suddenly replaced by nervousness and worry. Li Qiang quickly squatted down, took out a napkin and gently pressed the wound for the little girl, trying to stop the bleeding. "Don't be afraid, it'll be fine soon. He whispered comfortingly.
The little girl's mother anxiously squeezed over, "Are you a doctor?
"I'm not a doctor, but I do basic first aid and the ambulance should be there right away. Zhang Qiang replied calmly, and in this case he unexpectedly appeared calm.
Some of the guests at the banquet who knew how to treat the little girl also gathered around and began to help treat the little girl's wounds. Thanks to their joint efforts, the child's condition was stabilized and doctors and ambulances arrived at the scene.
In this accident, Zhang Qiang undoubtedly became a hero in the eyes of everyone. His timely actions and firmness and calmness were praised by everyone, which allowed Zhou Ying to see his growth and changes.
Zhou Ying found Zhang Qiang in the crowd, "Zhang Qiang, you were so brave just now, praise for your calmness and intuition!"
"Thanks, I just did what I was supposed to do. Zhang Qiang said with a smile, but his heart was full of warmth and satisfaction.
Their emotions and perceptions are quietly changing during the conversation. Zhou Ying began to have a new perspective on Zhang Qiang and regretted her previous prejudices. Zhang Qiang's attitude made her more aware that he was no longer the young man who needed others to soothe his inferiority complex.
The tension at the scene gradually eased, and the atmosphere of the banquet that had been broken was also restored to normal with the efforts of everyone. As the music of the banquet sounded again, people began to return to their seats to continue the dinner, but their impression of Li Qiang completely changed.
After the banquet, Zhang Qiang sent Zhou Ying out of the banquet hall. Under the night sky, the pace of the two slowed down.
"Thank you so much today. Zhou Ying said shyly. "I was surprised to meet a new you today. ”
"Actually, thank you for giving me the opportunity to show myself. Zhang Qiang's words were full of sincerity, "I did have a lot of shortcomings in the past, but I have been trying to get better." ”
The two looked at each other and smiled in the night, regaining the innocence and warmth they once had. The end of the banquet slowly fell in a burst of laughter. Zhang Qiang and Zhou Ying walked out of the hustle and bustle and came to the peaceful outdoor garden. With a light breeze, the two of them found a bench to sit down, facing the swaying shadows of the trees and the gentle night in the moonlight.
Zhang Qiang opened his mouth to break the peaceful night, "Zhou Ying, you may not believe it, I have imagined countless times that we can sit down and talk like this again. ”
Zhou Ying smiled lightly, her gaze softened a lot, "I'm also surprised, I didn't expect us to have such an opportunity." ”
In the moonlight, the conversation between the two was natural, as if the years had not separated them. Zhang Qiang mentioned the past: "I used to be so inferior and ignorant. However, I'm glad I didn't give up and kept moving forward. ”
Zhou Ying's answer was full of agreement, "And I, maybe I was too eager for perfection at the beginning, and my evaluation of you was too harsh." I am very relieved to see you now. ”
"We've all changed, we've all grown. Zhang Qiang stared into Zhou Ying's eyes and said what he thought from the bottom of his heart, "I always hope to win your respect one day." ”
"Not only have you earned my respect, but your performance tonight has made me reacquainted with you. Zhou Ying looked at Zhang Qiang affectionately, her tone carried an indescribable tenderness and appreciation, "You have become a man worthy of anyone's respect." ”
This night, the two seemed to have crossed the long river of time and returned to that beautiful starting point, but with a new self. In each other's eyes and words, there is no longer doubt and misunderstanding, but full of appreciation and support.
"Maybe we all need some frustration and time to help us become better people. Zhang Qiang's words are full of moisturizing and silent philosophy.
Zhou Ying nodded, her eyes also flashing with a revelation-like light, "Yes, the road to growth is always full of tribulations, but they are all weights that make us stronger. ”
The two smiled tacitly, their hearts full of emotion and relief. For each other's growth and changes, they have given their most sincere blessings and affirmations. In the end, Li Qiang quietly asked the question in his heart:
"Looking back, do you think we... Have you really let go of all your burdens?"