After years of hardship and devotion to her studies, Lin Wei finally received her diploma last spring. To celebrate this important milestone, her family planned a cosy outdoor barbecue in their garden on a warm Saturday afternoon. Lin Wei took an aeroplane home from her university city, feeling proud and looking forward to reuniting with everyone she had missed.
When she arrived, her mother had already arranged a beautiful vase of fresh flowers on the dining table and lightly sprayed her favourite perfume throughout the house. Lin Wei was delighted to see that her father had decided to enlarge the outdoor area to make room for more guests. Colourful strings of lights formed a pyramid shape above the grill, and the warm smell of sizzling meat drifted upward into the evening air.
Among the guests was Mr. Chang, Lin Wei's elderly neighbour, who was a heavy smoker. He had arrived by tram, as he was simply not accustomed to driving through busy city streets. On the long table sat baskets of freshly sliced loaf, small dishes of mustard for dipping, and several salads wrapped in nylon film to keep them cool. Lin Wei's old friend Mei arrived wearing elegant nylon stockings, but she politely let everyone know that she was allergic to strong perfume, so Lin Wei's mother quickly moved the flower vase to the garden path.
Though tired from the long aeroplane journey, Lin Wei managed to enjoy every moment of the evening. Due to a sudden clap of thunder, the guests quickly moved their chairs under the large garden tent, which only made the gathering feel warmer and more cosy. Everyone laughed and shared stories about the past year, swapping old memories and whispering about future plans.
As the evening wore on, guests began killing time with card games and lively jokes. However, Lin Wei noticed that her younger cousin Tony had barely looked up from his phone since arriving. She quietly pointed out that it seemed rather selfish to ignore everyone at a celebration meant for the whole family. Surprised by her gentle honesty, Tony put down his phone and joined the group, and by the end of the night, he was laughing louder than anyone.
Before going inside, Lin Wei discovered an old compass in her jacket pocket — a gift from her high school teacher. As she turned it over in her hands, she thought of her future as something pointing steadily upward, full of unknown but exciting possibilities. Though the path ahead remained uncertain, she felt ready to face it with the same devotion and courage that had carried her through years of hardship. That warm summer evening reminded her that earning a diploma was only one step — what mattered most was the people who walked beside you along the way.