Parade Review

The next morning, before daylight had fully awakened, the pale blue horizon glimmered with the faint white of dawn, and the world's outlines gradually emerged in the hazy morning light.

Chen Xi had long since gotten ready. His dark suit was impeccably pressed, making his already upright figure appear even taller.

Standing on the soft carpet in the corridor, he lightly knocked on the neighboring door. The instant his knuckles touched the wood, he felt an unusual flicker of tension—a foreign emotion he had not experienced in years.

A moment later, Li Jingyi opened the door.

She was clearly ready as well. Her light beige trench coat was simple yet elegant, complementing her graceful figure.

In the faint morning light, her eyes were especially bright, carrying the freshness of early morning and a trace of barely concealed excitement.

When she saw Chen Xi, the corners of her lips naturally lifted. "Morning."

"Morning." Chen Xi returned her smile, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment as he noticed the faint shadows beneath her eyes. "Didn't sleep well last night?"

His voice was gentler than usual.

Li Jingyi raised a hand to brush the corner of her eye and smiled. "I was a little excited, so I didn't sleep deeply. I kept imagining what today would be like."

She spoke candidly as she closed the door and walked beside him toward the elevator. "But I feel fine. Something this grand might only happen once in a lifetime."

The elevator descended steadily, its mirrored doors reflecting the well-matched pair.

Li Jingyi unconsciously adjusted her collar, while Chen Xi noticed the soft curve of her slightly curled hair glowing in the morning light. A few loose strands fell beside her ears, adding a touch of gentle elegance.

The elevator was filled with