The day after winning the championship, on Monday, Sun Yinglong called Qiao Qingyu to his office to discuss university independent recruitment again.
“If you’re still set on Peking University, you could take a gamble,” he said. “Use the New Concept competition as a stepping stone. If you win first prize in the finals, it’ll give you an advantage.”
“Of course,” he continued, “the prerequisite is that your grades remain stable.”
Qiao Qingyu pondered this.
“Based on this semester, you should have no problem getting into Renmin University. But with the college entrance exam, nothing’s certain until the end,” Sun Yinglong said. “If you want to aim for Peking University… do you want to take a shot with the New Concept competition? It’s another path. However, I’ll tell you upfront, if your exam scores aren’t high enough to get into Peking University even with the New Concept win, you’d be looking at the Chinese Literature department.”
The Chinese Literature department wouldn’t be bad.
“Okay,” she agreed.
Sun Yinglong smiled. “Many people are fixated on Peking University. I figured you’d want to give it a try. It’s good to have dreams.”
The words “Peking University” energized Qiao Qingyu. That night, she told Qiao Lusheng about her plan to apply for independent recruitment at Peking University. Hearing about the New Concept finals, Qiao Lusheng frowned slightly and shook his head uncertainly. “Weren’t we talking about Renmin University before? Who can say for sure if you’ll win an award in the finals? What if you don’t win and don’t do well in the college entrance exam? Then you won’t be able to go to Peking University at all.”
“Then I’ll go to whatever school I can get into,” Qiao Qingyu replied. “I’ll accept that.”
Qiao Lusheng shook his head more firmly. “Apply for independent recruitment at Renmin University. Get the extra points first. If you perform normally in the college entrance exam, even if you make a small mistake, with the extra points, you’ll still have a good chance of getting into Renmin. Isn’t Renmin good enough? Didn’t Mumu, who used to live across from us, go to Renmin?”
“But,” Qiao Qingyu felt annoyed by her father’s usual conservatism, “Peking University isn’t impossible for me. I want to try.”
“Why not try both?”
“I have a specific goal. Trying for one is enough. Trying for both would waste energy and might affect my performance in the college entrance exam.”
Qiao Lusheng waved his hands repeatedly, his expression almost disgusted. “That’s so time-consuming! Just apply to Renmin and forget about the writing competition finals. Save that time for focused revision. If you apply to Peking University and go to the finals, it’ll interfere with your studies. In the end, it might all be for nothing!”
“Of course, I’m going to the New Concept finals.”
“There, I told you,” Qiao Lusheng said, looking displeased. “You want everything and might end up with nothing. Do what you’re capable of. People shouldn’t be too greedy, especially girls…”
This isn’t about greed at all, Qiao Qingyu thought angrily. It’s about daring to accept challenges and push oneself.
“Call your mom and ask her,” Qiao Lusheng said, handing over his phone. “If she says it’s okay, then it’s okay.”
Taking the phone, Qiao Qingyu felt anxious. She tried to reassure herself that her mom was the one who most supported her in getting good grades and standing out, so there was no need to be afraid.
The call connected. Li Fanghao seemed about to go to sleep; it was very quiet on her end. Qiao Qingyu explained everything about the independent recruitment application and the New Concept finals. She could sense the breathing on the other end becoming increasingly tense.
“Qingqing,” Li Fanghao’s urgent tone was amplified by the night’s silence, “the New Concept finals are in Shanghai and last three days. Don’t go.”
Qiao Qingyu remained silent.
“And you mentioned that even if your scores aren’t high enough, you could still enter Peking University’s Chinese department. What can you do with a Chinese degree?” Li Fanghao said, barely containing her anger. “You won’t be able to find a job. You won’t even be able to support yourself!”
“How could it be impossible to find a job…”
“Apply for independent recruitment at Fudan or the University of Finance and Economics. Study finance,” Li Fanghao interrupted decisively. “I’ve asked around. The university isn’t as important as the major. Finance makes the most money. Your grades might not even be high enough for finance at Renmin… Your grades are good enough for Fudan, but you need to keep working hard. Don’t slip up. Finance programs all have high score requirements… Focus on finance for independent recruitment too, try to get those extra points.”
“Mom, I’m not interested in finance…”
“I see you’re only interested in reading useless books and writing pointless articles. Can writing make money?” Li Fanghao couldn’t contain her anger anymore. “Participating in New Concept once was enough. Why keep going? And now you want to go to Shanghai for three days? Do you think I’d let you go to Shanghai alone? At this critical time, you’re still wasting effort on these thankless tasks… If you have what it takes, be like He Feihai. Score in the top ten in the province, go study finance at Peking University. Then I’ll let you go to Peking. Otherwise, going there is just a waste of money! Do you know how hard it is for your parents to earn money?”
“So you’re saying I can’t go to Shanghai for the finals, and I must study finance.”
“Don’t you understand that earning more money makes life better?” Li Fanghao was breathing heavily with anger. “You’re still reading those useless books? Stop it! You’ll ruin your mind!”
“I stopped reading them long ago,” Qiao Qingyu said, angry and hurt, tears welling up.
“We went through so much trouble to transfer you to Second High, not for you to waste time on these useless things!” Li Fanghao shouted. “All these years of study, if you’re heading in the wrong direction, it’s all been in vain! Your parents’ efforts will have been wasted!”
Even Qiao Lusheng couldn’t bear to listen anymore. He took the phone from Qiao Qingyu.
“Alright, alright,” he said, gesturing for Qiao Qingyu to go take a shower. “Qingqing is being good.”
“You don’t know how her head’s in the clouds! Always thinking about useless things! You can’t see it!”
“We’re just asking for your opinion,” Qiao Lusheng said helplessly, letting out a deep yawn.
“When I’m not there, you just let her run wild!”
“She’s doing great when you’re not here! Look at her grades this semester!”
“Hmph, you’re all happy without me. Am I in the way of your family now?”
They started arguing over the phone, completely ignoring Qiao Qingyu’s presence. She retreated to the bathroom to shower. When she came out, she saw Qiao Lusheng staring blankly at the TV.
“Dad, I’m going to bed.”
“Go to the New Concept finals if you want,” Qiao Lusheng said as if defying Li Fanghao. “I’ll give you whatever money you need. Don’t let your mom know.”
“Oh.”
“Apply for independent recruitment at Renmin University,” he turned off the TV with the remote. “Don’t listen to your mom’s nonsense. The university is more important than the major.”
Qiao Qingyu said nothing, walked into her room, and quietly closed the door.
She refused to listen to anyone. The words “Peking University” had taken root in her heart like a seed, sprouting into an unshakeable desire. However, according to Li Fanghao, getting into Peking University meant studying finance—an incredibly daunting task. She didn’t consider herself particularly clever; her success relied on diligence, and she was already pushing herself to the limit in her studies.
Even Sun Yinglong couldn’t solve her dilemma. He advised Qiao Qingyu, “You can consider your parents’ suggestions, but ultimately, the decision is yours. You’ll soon be an adult, and this is your life.” He urged her to decide quickly and start preparing, rather than wavering back and forth.
On a clear, windless early winter afternoon, Qiao Qingyu went to the library’s computer room to research universities and majors. As usual, the room was full, except for the computer nearest the door. A bookmarked that spot, its cover emblazoned with “Chemistry.”
The familiar scene irritated Qiao Qingyu. After hesitating at the doorway, she turned to leave, only to see Ming Sheng. He stood on the stairs, his gaze moving past her to the empty seat in the computer room.
Qiao Qingyu lowered her eyes and walked forward.
“Hey,” Ming Sheng raised his hand slightly, halting her hurried steps. “Isn’t there an empty seat?”
“Isn’t that your spot?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied, shifting his gaze to her reddening ears, “but you can use it.”
Two freshman girls exiting the reading room noticed them blocking the stairs. They exchanged surprised glances, hurriedly squeezing past while repeatedly looking back.
“I don’t need it,” Qiao Qingyu said softly, trying to maintain composure as she looked at Ming Sheng, her blush spreading from her ears to her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“What are you trying to research?” he inquired.
She hesitated, feeling no obligation to answer, but replied, “Just… which is more important: the university or the major.”
Ming Sheng looked at her thoughtfully. “Are your parents prioritizing the university?”
“They disagree on the matter.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why not look it up?” Ming Sheng’s tone was gentle, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and confidence. “You don’t want to be controlled, right?”
Qiao Qingyu nodded slightly.
“Use that computer,” he said, his tone more commanding. “Pretend I’m not here.”
As her classmates’ gazes followed her, Qiao Qingyu sensed a change in the school’s atmosphere. It was no longer harsh and biting, but softening day by day, much like this unexpectedly warm early winter.
She thought it might be related to her essay that had been shortlisted for the New Concept Writing Competition. Published in the school newspaper under her name, it occupied half a page. Sun Yinglong’s comment below read, “Sincere, open, fearless, with emotions as full and clear as dewdrops.” Two other articles shared the page: one about AIDS awareness and another by the school counselor, Le Fan, stating, “Discrimination and exclusion are more frightening than disease.”
But it wasn’t just the essay. Ming Sheng’s gesture of waiting for her during the class photo and saving her a spot in front of him sparked a wave of gossip throughout the school. In the cafeteria or at the bus stop, people would curiously observe Qiao Qingyu as if she were new to the school. Unlike the disdain she faced a year ago, their gazes now held admiration and even reverence, sometimes making her feel dizzy with the attention.
Once, while waiting for the bus after school, she noticed a group of freshman boys looking at her and whispering among themselves. Feeling uncomfortable, she tried to hide behind the bus stop sign when one of the boys was pushed forward by his friends.
“Senior,” he said with a shy smile, “you’re Qiao Qingyu, right?”
Qiao Qingyu nodded.
“We all think you’re very pretty and have a great aura,” he continued, gesturing to his friends. “Gu Haoyi says he wants to pursue you.”
“Qi Yuan, are you trying to kill me?” a bespectacled boy from the group shouted, held back by his laughing friends. “You’re going to be the death of me…”
As the boy retreated, Qiao Qingyu heard the term “Brother Sheng” mentioned several times amidst their laughter.
It seemed that overnight, everyone had come to believe in an unspoken relationship between her and Ming Sheng. Reflecting on the previous year, when her conflict with Ming Sheng had led to silent but complete isolation at school, she marveled at how quickly things could change. Ming Sheng’s dark eyes flashed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but smile.
After researching “school vs. major importance” for nearly half an hour that day in the computer room, Qiao Qingyu found Sun Yinglong and told him she had decided to apply for Peking University’s independent recruitment program.
Ming Sheng had accurately said she “definitely didn’t want to be controlled.” Was Peking University her long-standing dream? Not really. The idea of “Peking University” had only recently emerged, stemming from her improved grades and meeting everyone’s expectations—a prestigious dream that could be seen as going with the flow out of vanity.
She loved writing, so studying Chinese literature suited her well. She wanted to pave her way and take control of her life.
Sun Yinglong strongly supported her choice. “In the six months your mother’s been away, I’ve noticed you’ve been improving in every aspect. That’s rare for a high school senior,” he smiled. “Your test scores are stable, you’re participating in group activities, and you even found time to secretly enter the New Concept competition.”
Qiao Qingyu smiled bashfully.
“Your mother will be proud.”
“But I’m going against her wishes…”
“Don’t worry,” Sun Yinglong waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll explain it to her. Young people should have higher aspirations. I believe in you. You have potential in writing.”
Qiao Qingyu was deeply moved.
The small notebook she had bought at the stationery store to record her feelings was almost full. That day, she carefully wrote down the events of that warm week on the last page.
The wings of sunlight were snow-white, and the future hung high in the blue sky, shimmering with promise.