Xue Jiao’s breath caught.
She couldn’t describe her feelings at that moment, but that scene, until the end of her life, would be impossible for Xue Jiao to forget.
The morning sunlight grew brighter, somewhat dazzling. Xue Jiao squinted her eyes as she looked at that silhouette, her eyes moist.
Tears that had just stopped began to fall again, but her lips curved into a smile. “Why did you come?”
Lin Zhihua smiled, “To let you see that I’m fine.”
His voice was very low, but in the quiet early morning, Xue Jiao could hear him.
She didn’t know what to say, just looked at him expectantly. Lin Zhihua also smiled at her. No one spoke, there was no sound.
After a while, Xue Jiao slowly opened her mouth—
“You…”
Lin Zhihua looked at her and made a sound: “Hmm?”
“Be… careful… on the… road…” Under his gaze, Xue Jiao stammered.
He smiled even more indulgently, his Adam’s apple moving slightly as he waved his hand: “Alright, I’ll drive slowly.”
Lin Zhihua stood with his back to the light, his smile making Xue Jiao forget the magnificent glow all around.
Xue Jiao faced the light, the glow shining on her small face, one look melting the heart.
Their lives resembled this moment perfectly—one growing toward the sunlight, one standing with their back to it.
With Xue Jiao, Lin Zhihua felt the warmth of sunlight.
With Lin Zhihua, Xue Jiao had a wall that shielded her from darkness.
This time, Xue Jiao watched Lin Zhihua leave. She stared at his back, rubbing her swollen eyes.
Facing the rising sun, Xue Jiao made a wish—
May this man, who in the original text had left before he could show his abilities, in this life, be safe and sound.
——
When Lin Zhihua returned to his apartment, it wasn’t yet seven o’clock. Tan Qi was standing at the door, looking anxious.
When he saw his boss walking up from downstairs, he was momentarily confused, and was even more stunned seeing his boss’s “unkempt” appearance.
Tan Qi’s first thought was—
Damn! People who look this good are handsome no matter what!
His second thought was—
I didn’t take good care of the boss; when we return to Beijing, will Secretary Chen kill me??
Tan Qi immediately rushed over anxiously: “Boss, where did you go? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Lin Zhihua tossed the keys to Tan Qi, who quickly opened the door.
“Assistant Tan, I think you should resolve your matters soon. I’m not an unreasonable boss.”
Tan Qi: “???”
You’re the kind of boss who can be reasoned with??
Oh right, you are a reasonable boss… as long as what you say is reasonable.
Can’t argue, must listen!
“Okay…” Tan Qi reluctantly agreed.
He also wanted to find a partner, but Chen Yan served the boss 24 hours a day, so he had to serve Chen Yan for 20 hours.
In their line of work, apart from money, they had nothing.
Previously, Tan Qi had been quite content—look, even the rich boss hadn’t dated anyone!
If we’re going to suffer, let’s suffer together!
But recently… his boss seemed to… be in love…
This was just heartbreaking.
Lin Zhihua nodded, arranging himself in front of the mirror: “What time is the flight?”
“Eight-thirty to Beijing.”
“Mm.” Lin Zhihua continued to tidy up.
He combed his hair in front of the mirror, thinking of one person.
Xue Jiao cried after having a nightmare about him… she must care about him, right?
Lin Zhihua’s lips curved slightly upward.
Tan Qi: “!!!”
He immediately turned away and posted in a private group chat excluding the boss and Chen Yan—
“Boss is in a great mood today!!!”
As soon as he sent it, messages flooded in.
Project Department Manager: Wang, quickly prepares the materials, and reports to the boss as soon as he arrives! Thanks, Assistant Tan!
Planning Department Director: Ah, I’ll go prepare proposals! Thanks, Assistant Tan!
Technical Department Manager: Wait for me, Xu, let’s go together! Thanks, Assistant Tan!
Finance Department Manager: There haven’t been any major projects yesterday or today, why is the boss suddenly in a good mood? Thanks, Assistant Tan!
HR Department Manager: Who cares why, the boss being in a good mood is as rare as red rain, seize the opportunity! Thanks, Assistant Tan!
…
Tan Qi displayed the smile of one sober among the drunk. These people would never guess that the boss might be… in love!
He still had professional ethics; some things could be said, and others could never be revealed even under the threat of death.
“Bang—” A towel was thrown on his head.
Tan Qi looked up. Lin Zhihua had resumed his usual cold expression. “What are you thinking about? Let’s go.”
With that, he strode out.
Tan Qi put away his phone, clutched his briefcase, and hurried to catch up.
——
“Jiaojiao, we’re going to accompany Mingze for the college entrance exam. Hurry and get ready!” Li Sitong called out while changing her shoes.
Xue Jiao put down her pen and poked her head out from the second floor: “I’m going too?”
Li Sitong glared at her, “This is a big event for the whole family!”
“Oh, okay, I’ll get ready right away!” Xue Jiao pulled her head back, quickly changed clothes, packed two books, and then came clomping down the stairs.
Cheng Mingze sighed: “You don’t need to go to so much trouble.”
“This is our whole family’s big event. Next year when your sister takes the college entrance exam, you’ll have to come back too!” Cheng Shuo put down his newspaper.
“Alright, alright, whatever you want. It’s hot today, so just wait in the car when we get there.” Cheng Mingze continued to instruct.
“Fine.” Cheng Shuo agreed.
The family got ready and left an hour and a half early.
When they arrived at the school gates, many parents had already gathered. Teachers wearing badges maintained order.
“Mingze, do your best, just maintain your usual level, don’t feel pressured,” Cheng Shuo smiled encouragingly.
Li Sitong also hurriedly joined in, seeming even more nervous than Cheng Mingze: “Mingze, you really shouldn’t feel any pressure, don’t be nervous, after all, you’ve already been assured admission to Tsinghua.”
Upon hearing this, a parent accompanying a student nearby suddenly turned around and muttered: “If you’re already assured admission, why even take the exam…”
Then their eyes showed envy.
Parents on the other side also heard and immediately turned around.
“Student, student, hehe.” It was a middle-aged man, and Xue Jiao’s group immediately looked over.
“What is it?” Cheng Mingze looked confused.
“Um… you’ve been assured admission to Tsinghua?”
Cheng Mingze continued to nod in bewilderment.
“Hehe, shake hands with my son!” As he spoke, the man grabbed his son’s hand and pulled him over.
Cheng Mingze: “…”
He stiffly extended his hand and shook it.
“Pfft—” Xue Jiao burst into laughter.
Then she stepped forward, patted Cheng Mingze’s shoulder, “Brother, go on in now, good luck!”
“Okay.” Cheng Mingze reached out and ruffled her hair, then turned and left.
In contrast to their calm situation, nearby parents kept calling out instructions, even after their children had gone inside—
“Don’t be afraid, son! Mom is cheering for you!”
“Remember to use the bathroom first!”
“Daughter! Remember to check if you’ve filled in the answer sheet!”
“Fill in the answer sheet first! And check it again at the end!”
“Don’t panic, just treat it like a regular exam!”
…
After almost all the students had gone in, Li Sitong took several items out of her bag.
Three flags with “College Entrance Exam Success” written on them, three red headbands also inscribed with “May You Top the Scholar List,” and three red ribbons.
“What are these for?” Cheng Shuo asked, puzzled.
Li Sitong put on a headband, tied a red ribbon, and held a flag.
Then she handed the rest to Xue Jiao and Cheng Shuo: “Come on, put them on.”
Cheng Shuo: “…”
Xue Jiao: “…”
Li Sitong glared: “These have been blessed! They’ve been quite popular these past two years!”
The two exchanged a glance, glumly accepted the items, and put them on.
At that moment, Xue Jiao felt they looked like three idiots. Cheng Shuo thought the same.
But on their way to sit under a tree, they encountered countless parents with the same gear, and Xue Jiao and Cheng Shuo immediately held their heads high.
Since everyone looked equally foolish, there was nothing to say.
The three of them struggled to find a spot to sit under the shade, each holding a small fan, sitting together with the other parents.
On such a day, regardless of whether you owned a company or were a high-level official, everyone was the same—all were parents of college entrance exam students.
Students continued to run by, and some were driven in by police officers.
June 7, June 8—these two days felt different every year, especially for those who had experienced the college entrance exam. Each year at this time, there was a profound sense of emotion.
This was a turning point in many people’s lives.
On this day, it seemed the entire nation made way for these students who had studied diligently. Police officers came and went on electric scooters, transporting students on the road. Parents dared not speak too loudly; all voices became whispers. No honking was allowed within several kilometers, and the road lined with several high schools was even blocked off.
This day represented the efforts of a student from age five or seven to seventeen or eighteen—more than a decade of daily and nightly hard work, as well as a family’s decade-long expectations.
In the college entrance exam, these two words themselves carried a heavy weight.
After the starting bell rang, the parents’ hearts tightened, and their expressions became tense.
Li Sitong wanted to say something and turned her head, “Ming…”
Xue Jiao took out a textbook, and Cheng Shuo pulled out his newspaper.
Li Sitong: “…”
She pouted and turned away.
Someone immediately engaged her in conversation: “Is that your daughter? She’s so pretty!”
Li Sitong immediately smiled: “Yes, that’s my daughter.”
“She’s even prettier than a celebrity! What grade is she in?”
“Eleventh grade.”
“Already in eleventh grade, then today’s exam taker is…” Several people around joined the conversation.
Before long, everyone talking with Li Sitong knew that her son inside was taking the college entrance exam and had already been assured admission to Tsinghua. Her daughter was in eleventh grade, also at the Seventh High School, ranked first in her grade. Both her son and daughter had won first prize in this year’s mathematics competition in early spring!
Immediately, a large group gathered around her to discuss education issues.
Li Sitong slightly raised her chin, her eyebrows dancing with excitement, more enthusiastic than when she shopped for luxury goods.
Xue Jiao rolled her eyes, exchanged a glance with Cheng Shuo, and quietly moved a bit further away.
Then—
Xue Jiao continued reading her book, and Cheng Shuo continued reading his newspaper.
——
When Cheng Mingze first came out and saw the three of them, he was stunned by their appearance and couldn’t help taking several photos with Cheng Shuo’s phone.
None of them asked Cheng Mingze how the exam went; they just took good care of him.
This continued until the second day when the college entrance exam ended.
With the first student running out of the exam room crying and laughing, this year’s college entrance exam concluded.
The next college entrance exam would be for Xue Jiao’s class!
Cheng Mingze walked out of the exam room with a smile, his steps neither hurried nor slow.
Seeing his expression, Xue Jiao immediately felt relieved.
In the original text, Cheng Mingze had been disturbed and unsettled, and with his goal being only the local Finance University, he might not have performed to his full potential.
This time, Xue Jiao hoped he would soar like an eagle, freely conquering his own sky.
“How did it go?” Li Sitong rushed over, unable to contain her nervousness.
Cheng Shuo grinned confidently: “Full potential.”
Xue Jiao also smiled, her eyes slightly moist.
She had taken over Gu Xue Jiao’s life, possessed all her memories, and was already half Gu Xue Jiao.
In the original text, almost none of the people she cared about had truly fared well.
Even Cheng Mingze had walked a path he didn’t want to take.
In this lifetime, Xue Jiao hoped that her small influence could help everyone do better and live happier lives.
——
As soon as the college entrance exam ended, Cheng Mingze’s college choice was clear, and since he didn’t need to stay home researching options, he packed his things and went traveling.
He left with a face full of smiles.
In this life, Cheng Mingze had all the qualities a young man should have, rather than being prematurely mature, forcing himself to grow up.
And on this day, Xue Jiao began school again.
It was also the last monthly exam before the final exam.
As usual, she walked toward the bulletin board with her backpack, listening to audio recordings.
Before she got close, someone said—
“Chu Sheng finally beat Gu Xue Jiao!”
Xue Jiao was stunned. Chu Sheng’s score was higher than hers?
Actually, Xue Jiao had been somewhat prepared for this, but it still hurt. She had been somewhat distracted at the beginning of the month, while Chu Sheng had consistently worked hard…
Her chest felt tight, somewhat bitter, but she quickly shook her head and lifted her spirits.
Victories and defeats are common in battle; she would work harder next time!
At this moment, Chu Sheng walked out from inside, his cheeks slightly red.
He walked toward Xue Jiao, who also managed a smile, “Congratulations.”
Chu Sheng stammered: “No… it’s because you weren’t in a good mood before…”
Xue Jiao smiled helplessly: “But the college entrance exam won’t consider your mood. You did better than me this time, but I won’t be discouraged!”
She clenched her fist, her cheeks puffing up slightly.
Chu Sheng scratched his head awkwardly, “You were just one point behind me… I’ll continue to work hard too!”
After saying this, he ran off, probably to continue studying.
Xue Jiao shook her head and also walked toward the classroom.
She wasn’t the type who couldn’t accept defeat. Chu Sheng had always been impressive; Xue Jiao was “cheating” with an extra lifetime of knowledge, while Chu Sheng’s abilities were genuine.
But she wouldn’t give up either. One failure wasn’t frightening; she could admit defeat, but she wouldn’t accept it as final.
This fall from first place also made Xue Jiao realize that she couldn’t always be first. Even with a second chance at life, others could still surpass her.
So she had to work even harder. Last month, the incident with Gu Shiyun had affected her—this was a problem with her mindset.
She was now at a critical time preparing for the college entrance exam and couldn’t let anything affect her studies!
Xue Jiao quickened her pace and returned to the classroom.
“Umm… bookworm… you…” Yi Tianyu stammered. He already knew Xue Jiao’s results and was concerned, wanting to comfort her.
He was afraid she would be upset or discouraged…
Xue Jiao raised her hand, made an X sign, and then said—
“Study!”
With that, she buried her head and got to work!
Yi Tianyu: “…”
Well, he had worried for nothing.
The world of top students was still beyond his understanding.
——
Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng seemed to be competing, continuing until the end of the semester. Both put in 120% effort, wishing a day had forty-eight hours to work with.
Only when the final exams ended could they both finally catch their breath.
Rubbing her tired eyes, Xue Jiao was about to say something when Chu Sheng had already turned around—
“Gu Xue Jiao, my mom signed me up for a tutoring class. Do you want to join?”
Xue Jiao: “…”
She paused, “I’ll see when I get home…”
Chu Sheng was a good opponent. He not only hoped for his own progress but also for his competitor’s improvement, so they could continue to compete…
Returning to their respective classrooms, after packing up their things, Yin Fang entered carrying a large stack of test papers.
“Quiet!”
Immediately, silence fell.
“These are twenty-five sets of mock exams. Remember to do one set every day during the break.”
“Oh—” A collective groan.
Yin Fang frowned and slapped the desk hard.
“Are twenty-five sets of papers a lot? Your vacation is a full 40 days! You don’t even need to do one set per day! Also, redo your previous error collections. Record them in a workbook and submit them all when school starts.”
“Oh—”
She looked at the students below, with an expression of disappointment: “In this year’s college entrance exam, eleventh grader Cheng Mingze achieved the outstanding score of provincial science champion! This is our school’s pride and also pressure for our grade! Don’t relax everyone, the principal has ordered that our grade must continue the glory!”
Yes, Cheng Mingze was the provincial science champion, scoring 718 points, an impressive score even nationally.
The school had already held three rounds of commendation ceremonies, though Cheng Mingze hadn’t attended any of them, just recording a brief video message.
“Oh—” The students wore dead-fish eyes.
Indeed, twenty-five papers averaged less than one set per day.
But then…
The Chinese teacher brought twenty papers;
The math teacher brought twenty-five papers;
Physics…
…
The students had no expression left. High school had this ability—making your vacation feel like being at school, non-stop.
This wasn’t a problem for Xue Jiao. At her pace, these papers wouldn’t be enough for her vacation.
“Damn, it won’t fit!” Yi Tianyu cursed as his backpack could no longer hold all his homework!
Xue Jiao was placing her books one by one into a box on the ground. All these had to be moved since they would soon be changing to the legendary high school senior building with the best feng shui.
“If it doesn’t fit, carry it in your arms.”
Yi Tianyu looked at her, his handsome face wrinkling as he leaned closer—
“Hey, bookworm, we won’t see each other for forty days again, and you won’t come out to play…”
Xue Jiao glared at him: “What play? The college entrance exam is coming!”
Yi Tianyu’s eyebrows drooped as he muttered continuously: “Not listening, not listening, tortoise preaching…”
Xue Jiao: “…”
She paused, then said: “Remember to finish the papers, I won’t let you copy mine.”
Yi Tianyu: “…Don’t be like that!”
Xue Jiao looked serious: “Really, so do it yourself.”
“Oh—” Yi Tianyu wore a dead-fish expression.
Xue Jiao had packed her books, and Yi Tianyu had packed his as well.
She bent down and hugged the box, barely managing to lift it.
It was too heavy!
Suddenly her hands felt lighter as another pair of hands took over.
Yi Tianyu held the box and said: “Come on, with your small arms and legs, don’t get crushed.”
“Forget it, you have your own box too, give it back to me.” Xue Jiao glared at him.
Yi Tianyu wouldn’t let go, stacking the box on top of his own. “I’ll carry this, you take the other things.”
Xue Jiao was stunned, looking at him stupidly: “What else is there?”
Besides books, what else was there? She couldn’t remember.
Yi Tianyu handed her the two cups from the desk, then picked up both boxes and walked out—
“You take the cups, I’ll carry these to the school gate.”
Xue Jiao: “…”
Staring blankly at the two cups in her hands, she hurried to catch up.
“Hey! Yiyu, it’s too heavy! Let’s carry it together!”
She called out as she ran outside, holding the two cups, her light blue backpack swinging back and forth.
She chased him all the way to the school gate but couldn’t catch up.
Yi Tianyu placed the boxes on the ground, and Xing Uncle and Yi Tianyu’s driver immediately came forward to pick them up.
The school didn’t allow outsiders to enter, so they only needed to carry everything out to be free.
“I’m exhausted!” Yi Tianyu wiped his sweaty forehead.
“That’s what happens when you insist on running while carrying them!” Xue Jiao rolled her eyes, handing him two tissues.
Yi Tianyu took them, wiping his sweat while sticking out his tongue. His basketball uniform was soaked through.
“It’s alright, this is… the power of knowledge…”
Just as he finished speaking, he couldn’t help adding—
“Damn! The power of knowledge is really fucking heavy!”
“Pfft—” Xue Jiao laughed.
Yi Tianyu froze for a moment, his hand stopping mid-wipe, feeling even hotter, his face burning more.
Then, he stammered: “Bookworm… you should laugh more often…”
Xue Jiao: “…” This idiot.
But actually, Yi Tianyu was her favorably-remembered deskmate who had always helped her.
Xue Jiao was grateful, so she reminded him: “Remember to study during the break!”
Yi Tianyu: “…”
“Oh…”
——
Xue Jiao was reciting vocabulary as she walked toward her home’s gate. Cheng Mingze hadn’t returned yet. His score had successfully allowed him to switch from mathematics to the computer science department.
After the scores came out, he went to Silicon Valley in the United States to meet some friends, then stayed there to help them, and hadn’t returned.
As a result, media and the school couldn’t find him.
However, the photo posted on the school bulletin board went viral—
A scholar as handsome as this.
Cheng Shuo said the national news had even mentioned it briefly. Until now, every day when returning home, the atmosphere was jubilant.
When Xue Jiao entered the door, Li Sitong was on the phone, looking very happy.
“Really? That’s great, good, good, I’ll tell her right away!”
Seeing Xue Jiao come in, Li Sitong said to the person on the phone: “Thank you, Sister Qin. Jiaojiao’s back, I’ll talk to you later.”
Then she hung up.
“You’re back!”
“Mm.” Xue Jiao nodded while changing her shoes.
Li Sitong came over and took her backpack: “Chu Sheng’s mother contacted a teacher, a famous tutoring teacher who used to create college entrance exam questions. Now retired, he’s preparing to tutor a few students this summer vacation. I’ve already signed you up, so you and Chu Sheng will go to class together.”
Xue Jiao was stunned for a moment but still said: “…Okay.”
She hadn’t attended any tutoring classes in her previous life and didn’t know what they were like.
“That teacher is really famous. If it weren’t for his age, students seeking him would be endless each year. Mrs. Qin also said to keep it low-key, as the teacher doesn’t have much energy left and can’t take many students.” Li Sitong looked jubilant.
Cheng Mingze’s results this year had made her extremely happy and had earned her considerable face. Naturally, she hoped to continue the momentum.
Xue Jiao thought for a moment, then suddenly asked: “Can we add one more person?”
Li Sitong was surprised, “Who?”
“Yi Tianyu.”
——
Xue Jiao sent a message to Yi Tianyu—
[Are you there?]
On the other end, Yi Tianyu was in the middle of playing basketball when he saw his phone vibrate. He jumped up excitedly.
The bookworm had texted him!
Was she inviting him to hang out?
Yi Tianyu excitedly rubbed his hands, his fingers trembling slightly, pretending to be calm as he replied—
[What’s up? I’m here.]
[Bookworm: There’s a good tutoring class with one more spot available. Do you want to sign up?]
Yi Tianyu: “…………”
Author’s Note: Yi Tianyu (tsundere face): The bookworm is so good to me!
Lin Zhihua (coldly): How good?
Yi Tianyu (guilty): Well, well, well… she doesn’t let me copy her homework…
Lin Zhihua (coldly): Hehe.
Yi Tianyu: She even did something for me!
Lin Zhihua (coldly): What?
Yi Tianyu (guilty): Just… just… just signed up for a tutoring class…
Lin Zhihua (calmly): She treats you like a little brother.
Yi Tianyu (angry): She treats you like a master!
Lin Zhihua: ………
Yi Tianyu: Come on, let’s hurt each other!