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// Graduation Notes
#import "/template-en.typ": doc-template

#doc-template(
title: "Graduation Notes",
date: "June 21st, 2017",
body: [

Suddenly, I just graduated like this.

Because of the outdated curriculum and the rigid campus atmosphere, I used to have a very negative evaluation of this university on a daily basis, silently thinking "it's doomed" countless times. But when the time to graduate actually arrived, there was still a feeling of reluctance to leave. Perhaps, in many aspects, this university is terrible, but at this moment, none of that matters anymore. I was lucky enough to meet a group of interesting people here, and as the time to say goodbye to them comes, all that remains in my heart is the reluctance to part.

We went to the new campus and took many photos wearing academic gowns. This was probably the event with the most complete attendance from our small class. However, strictly speaking, this can only be considered cosplay, since we hadn't actually received our degree certificates yet. During lunch, the food on the third floor of that canteen felt exceptionally delicious—there might be a bonus brought by memories in there. As the photo session neared its end, I also took a photo with the "Hang Gai Me" (Aviation Introduction Girl). If I don't become a teaching assistant during graduate school, I probably won't have many chances to visit Shahe. Two years have passed, and it hasn't changed much here, but the big building is finished and will probably be put into use soon.

Near graduation, I also participated in the filming of a graduation micro-movie, playing a supporting role. When I first saw the script, I wasn't very optimistic about it, feeling the time-travel plot was cliché. However, at the department graduation party, when I saw the edited final version for the first time, I felt an indescribable emotion. The most impressive person must be the all-around director, who also served as the screenwriter, storyboard artist, and post-production editor; additionally, the music director handled the background music perfectly. Perhaps because most of the actors were playing themselves, everyone's slightly amateur acting also looked good. This micro-movie was later renamed the Graduation Feature Film and received many cheers and laughs at the graduation party. After being uploaded to Bilibili, the comment section was also full of praise, instantly making me feel that all our efforts were not in vain.

Also, seeing people in the comments saying they liked "me" made me a bit happy, even though I don't know who they are.

During the graduation ceremony, the president's speech was very interesting. He was very perfunctory when reading the script, but occasionally interspersed some interesting impromptu remarks. After the graduation ceremony, it was time for the real graduation group photo. Three hundred people—it really is a super large department. But this time, we didn't throw our hats.

The day after the graduation ceremony, I had dinner with some close friends. The place chosen wasn't very good—a very cramped "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant. After eating, we felt it wasn't enough, so we went to a 24-hour hotpot restaurant and carried on until 2 AM before returning to the dormitory. On the way back, I took a photo under the dim yellow streetlights and then silently walked past the New Main Building. Although I know we will definitely meet again, no one knows when the next such dinner will be.

The night of the 18th was my last night in the student apartment. While showering that night, I sang "What Kind of Man" (算什么男人) loudly in the bathroom for the last time. No audience, no lights, no stage effects, but this time it was slightly different, because my eyes were slightly moist when I finished singing.

In winter, looking towards Wudaokou from the north-facing dormitory balcony, one could see the glowing logo of the Kuaishou company. But by June, after the trees on the west side have grown, the lush foliage blocks the view. Half a year later, in early winter, the leaves will fall again, but I will no longer have the chance to look towards Wudaokou from that same spot.

On the 19th, we cleared out the dormitory and everyone went their separate ways. Although I will return to this campus in a month or two, by then, many familiar faces will be missing from this campus.

And so, these four years of time passed quickly, like a fleeting white horse.

])