18 graduation photos.

Xiaohang is leaving, plus the March hot pot and mahjong game and this time of separation, we have met each other four times this semester.
Their graduation photos were taken in mid-May, and on that day, after taking the class photo, Xiaohang and her husband insisted on taking a few photos with me alone. I knew they wanted to keep a memento and also admired my photography skills, haha.

"After lunch, I'm a bit busy in the morning."
"Okay, it's up to you, but we must finish shooting today. I have to return the bachelor's gown tomorrow!"
"Alright, no problem." I just found out that the bachelor's gown was borrowed.

"The question is where to take the photos. Do you have any good places in mind? How about right here in school."
"Let's go to the Graffiti Square, we might get some good shots there."
"Great, it's settled then. See you in the afternoon on the 18th!"
The graffiti square is located to the south of the second canteen, right in front of the exit of our dormitory building. Speaking of which, that square is quite magical, with three randomly winding paths intersecting each other, breaking the entire square into several triangular areas of different sizes. Each area is enclosed by weather-resistant steel plates of varying heights, filled with yellow soil, and gradually sloping from the periphery to the center. The slopes are planted with various green plants, ranging from wildflowers to large oil pines, creating a unique and picturesque scenery.
The plaza center is a triangular stone bench, surrounded by steel plates that form a closed fortress. Especially at night, except for the faint light coming from the three roads and the jungle, it is almost isolated from the world. Even at the highest point on the northern slope, there are two dense pines standing, like natural barriers, protecting the secret of the plaza center.
Classmates in the department have discussed the design of this square many times: is this design intended to make people pass through, or deliberately attract people to stay? The conclusion is unknown, but the fact is that although there are few people during the day, there are surprisingly many lovey-dovey couples talking and dating in the center of the square and on the surrounding slopes at night.
Later, the construction department construction society carried out various anime graffiti on the weathering steel plate in order to liven up the square. The name of the graffiti square only spread among classmates.
After two o'clock in the afternoon, my husband Xiaohang and I appeared successively at the Graffiti Square. Unfortunately, just a few minutes later, a few drops of raindrops fell from the sky.
"Eighteen, what should we do? If we don't finish shooting today, there won't be any graduation gowns tomorrow!" Xiaohang anxiously stomped her feet.
In a hurry, I had Miaozhou hold Xiaohang in front of the graffiti on the north side of the steel plate. I squatted on the opposite stone chair, and the flowers rising in front of the camera happened to block their lower bodies. Xiaohang was holding a bouquet of flowers in her left hand, and at that moment a drop of rain fell down along her bangs. Xiaohang smiled and lowered her head, busy using her right hand to block it. In that instant, inspiration struck and I shouted, "Don't move!" and instantly pressed the shutter.
In the photo, Xiaohang had a slight curve in her upper body, holding a bouquet of flowers in her left hand, and her right hand covering her forehead. Despite the imminent separation, their faces showed a slightly naive smile from their first meeting. The rain that day had washed the green plants behind them clean, and left speckles on the red steel plate. Miao Zhou stood tall in front of the steel plate, her lips slightly pursed, a shy smile on her face, with her right hand tightly hugging Xiaohang's waist. It reminded me of a verse I once wrote:
You dig out the hidden wedding dress
Smiling, you say who to marry is a secret
I chase after you and shout my wife
You roll your eyes and act spoiled
Memories in the hot pot bubbles
Walking the distance of a street
You hold me tight and say I love you
Didn't leave any room for my hand
The heavens didn't give me another chance to press the shutter. The rain poured down from behind, and we hurriedly ran towards the boys' dormitory.
Miaozhou didn't bring an umbrella, so she hurriedly took shelter in the laundry room opposite the dormitory. I held an umbrella and brought Xiaohang into the lobby of the apartment building.
"Eighteen, go and bring Miao Zhou over." Xiaohang stood in front of the glass door, staring blankly across the street.
I responded and pushed open the door, only to find that the water had risen to ankle-deep. Helpless, Xiaohang had to dial Miao Zhou's number and started a video call.
The rain that came quickly, went quickly too, but today the ending was a bit long, drizzling without any intention of stopping. Watching the rain become lighter, Xiaohang picked up my umbrella and went to the laundry room, with me following behind, capturing the silhouette of the two of them holding the umbrella. Later, the three of us only took a few more photos in the dormitory lobby.
"Eighteen, have you watched 'Cleaning Up the Dark'? I want to watch it, would you accompany me tonight?" Xiaohang's sudden invitation caught me off guard.
"What about Miao Zhou?"
"We've already agreed. They have a dormitory dinner tonight, so they won't be available to accompany me."
I turned my head to take a look at Miaozhou.
"What are you looking at me for? Listen to Xiao Hang's arrangement!" Miaozhou suddenly smiled generously.
"Alright then."
That night, we rode Miaozhou's small electric donkey to Nanyue.
"It seems like we haven't watched a movie together yet." The next day, I mentioned this to Muzi.
"Wait until this busy period is over, I'll treat you to a movie!"
But unexpectedly, this delay became a four-month heartache. In these four months, Muzi watched two movies with her best friend, and by the time it was my turn, we were already in that situation.