Li Sitong and Cheng Shuo were both stunned.
“What?”
“Direct admission,” Xue Jiao continued eating her bread.
Senior year was so exhausting that she always felt hungry, even after evening self-study sessions she needed to eat something.
“…”
“Well… it’s up to you…”
Li Sitong was excited: “Jiaojiao, you can get direct admission too?”
She was rather conservative in her thinking. Xue Jiao’s grades were certainly excellent, and she could get into a good university through regular exams too. However, Li Sitong had heard too many stories about pressure causing students to fail the college entrance exam. So if she had direct admission and then also took the entrance exam, it would be like having a backup plan—very secure.
Therefore, Li Sitong was quite happy.
Xue Jiao nodded and continued eating: “Mm, the teacher asked me to get your opinions.”
“Mom has no objection, you can choose whichever school you like!” Li Sitong smiled with delight.
Cheng Shuo thought about it seriously, then said: “If Jiaojiao wants to study mathematics, I think Peking University would be better. Tsinghua is also good, especially since they’ve improved their student intake in recent years, so there’s not much difference. Plus, your brother is there, so you’d have company, and he could look after you a bit. I think either choice would be fine, it mainly depends on your preference.”
Xue Jiao nodded: “Mm, actually I’m leaning toward Tsinghua.”
She couldn’t forget what Professor Tan had said on the podium. If she had the chance, she hoped to study at Tsinghua.
It was more like an obsession.
Especially since in her previous life, when she first entered high school, she had written “Tsinghua” on the small blackboard.
Because there was that yearning in her heart, she felt nothing else suited her.
Only that one school remained most cherished in her heart.
After dinner, Xue Jiao returned to her room.
She had just taken out her books to study a bit more when a message came from Lin Zhihua—
[Lin Zhihua: Your direct admission process should be starting around now, right?]
Xue Jiao was slightly surprised, thinking that Lin Zhihua knew so much.
As if he was omniscient and omnipotent.
She quickly replied—
[Yes, I’ve chosen Tsinghua.]
The reply from the other end came just as quickly—
[To be honest, I don’t think this is the best decision. After all, at the current stage, Peking University’s mathematics department is stronger. Plus, since you’ll be pursuing academic research in the future, Peking would be more suitable.]
Xue Jiao was momentarily stunned. This was the second time Lin Zhihua had given her advice.
Everything he said, she already knew.
Between Peking and Tsinghua, for her it was a choice between what was most suitable and what she liked most.
Life presents so many such choices, and most of them pit what everyone considers most suitable against what your heart desires most.
Such choices are numerous, and the unknown is both bewildering and painful.
After all, you’ll never know if what you’re choosing now is truly the best option.
The anxiety of the unknown is the most frightening.
Xue Jiao hesitated for a long time, and Lin Zhihua didn’t rush her.
After a very long time, Xue Jiao replied—
[I don’t know if this choice is right or wrong, but in my heart, this is the answer I want to choose. I can’t and don’t want to go against my heart.]
This second life of hers was meant to fulfill her wishes.
On the other end, Lin Zhihua smiled. He was very happy.
He never cared whether his choices were good or bad, only whether he wanted them. As long as he wanted something, even if it wasn’t good, he could make it good!
His girl was gradually growing up. Perhaps she still lacked cunning, but for life’s major directional choices, she was already making good decisions independently and staying true to her heart.
So, Lin Zhihua replied—
[Little one, your choice is excellent. Keep going.]
It didn’t matter if the path she chose now was slightly inferior. Who knew if, in the future, she might be the one to make up for that difference?
Lin Zhihua looked forward to seeing it.
——
The next day, Xue Jiao handed the completed form to Yin Fang, who was slightly surprised.
“Tsinghua?”
“Yes.” Xue Jiao smiled gently.
Yin Fang looked at her for a few moments. Although she didn’t quite understand, after interacting with Xue Jiao for over a year, she had come to realize something.
When this girl smiled gently at her, the decision she had made wouldn’t change.
She appeared soft and gentle but was quite stubborn.
Yin Fang put away the form and said: “Xue Jiao, regardless of which university you get direct admission to, with your excellent grades, you must still try your best in the college entrance exam battlefield. Plus, with your brother’s brilliant achievement last year, the teacher hopes you can achieve even better results on the June battlefield. So, keep going!”
Xue Jiao nodded and smiled: “Thank you, teacher. I will.”
“Now hurry to the classroom and study,” Yin Fang said with a smile.
Xue Jiao nodded and turned to leave.
Li Ping looked up and told Yin Fang dejectedly: “Chu Sheng doesn’t want direct admission.”
Yin Fang glanced at him and said casually: “Then just take the regular exam, what’s the problem? Chu Sheng’s grades are so stable, what university couldn’t he get into?”
“Sigh, it’s not the same.”
Yin Fang rolled her eyes: “What’s not the same? Aren’t you just upset that you can’t collect two bonuses like Teacher Cheng Mingze?”
Li Ping looked at Yin Fang and sneered: “Teacher Yin if Gu Xue Jiao also decided not to accept direct admission, you’d probably be angrier than me.”
Yin Fang: “…”
As if cursed by Li Ping’s words, more news came down the very next day.
“What?!” Yin Fang stood up abruptly.
“Teacher Yin, this can’t be helped. It’s Tsinghua University’s arrangement. Our school leaders are also very upset. Of course, I hope Gu Xue Jiao could get direct admission to Tsinghua—it would bring honor to our school.” The mathematics department head’s brows were so furrowed they could trap mosquitoes.
But he soon relaxed them and said: “Fortunately, Peking University knows about Xue Jiao’s performance last year and has offered a spot.”
Yin Fang thought this made sense—Peking’s mathematics department was better than Tsinghua’s—so she immediately went to find Gu Xue Jiao.
But unexpectedly…
“Can’t apply to Tsinghua?” Xue Jiao’s brows furrowed slightly.
Yin Fang nodded: “Right, our school doesn’t have any spots for Tsinghua’s mathematics department, they only gave us engineering spots. Fortunately, Peking University and Fudan University both have mathematics department spots, given your first-prize performance in last year’s mathematics competition. So, student Gu Xue Jiao, will you apply to Peking University?”
Xue Jiao’s brows relaxed, and she smiled: “Then there’s no need.”
“That’s right, Peking’s mathematics is still… wait, what did you say?!” Yin Fang had assumed she would change her choice, but when she realized what Xue Jiao had just said, she felt as if her ears had gone deaf.
“Teacher Yin, if there’s no spot, then forget it.” Xue Jiao smiled.
Yin Fang felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. If this were her child, she would have given them a beating.
But this was her most promising student, not her child.
“Student Gu Xue Jiao, I think Peking University’s mathematics department is much better, you…”
“Teacher Yin, I’ve made my decision,” Xue Jiao said firmly.
“No, can’t you think about it again? Or ask your family?” Yin Fang still looked incredulous.
Xue Jiao nodded: “No need. They will support me.”
Cheng Shuo would support her, and Li Sitong followed Cheng Shuo’s lead.
Yin Fang was still stunned.
Xue Jiao added: “Teacher, time is tight, so I won’t say more. I’ll go back to the classroom to continue reviewing.”
“Go… then…” Yin Fang said in a daze.
After Xue Jiao left, Li Ping laughed.
“Hahaha, Teacher Yin, then why not just take the regular exam? Gu Xue Jiao’s grades are so stable, what university couldn’t she get into?”
He twisted his neck, mimicking Yin Fang’s earlier “consolation” to him.
Yin Fang: “…”
Her liver ached with anger!
Nearby, Language teacher Yuan poked his head in and said with a smile—
“You two are worrying unnecessarily. Gu Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng aren’t just bookworms, they have strong minds. Others are chosen by universities, but with their grades, they choose universities. Stop worrying and focus on helping the students review.”
Yin Fang: “…”
Li Ping: “…”
——
That evening, after Xue Jiao returned home, she told Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong everything that had happened.
“So, I chose to take the regular exam and gave up direct admission,” Xue Jiao said with a smile.
Li Sitong was stunned: “No, why…”
“Jiaojiao, Dad supports you,” Cheng Shuo interrupted Li Sitong and said to Xue Jiao with a smile.
Xue Jiao happily broke into a smile, then said: “Thank you, Dad and Mom!”
Although she knew Cheng Shuo would support her, she was still moved when he smiled and expressed his support.
She smiled, ate a little, then happily went upstairs with her backpack to study.
Li Sitong turned to Cheng Shuo: “Old Cheng, why not choose another school? Why hang on to just one option?”
Cheng Shuo smiled and shook his head at her, then said: “Sitong, we don’t need Jiaojiao to strive so hard on her own, but the child is motivated and willing to pursue her dream, which is already wonderful. I’m very happy with Xue Jiao’s decision. The child has grown to the point where she can choose to walk a path others don’t approve of. She has that courage, which I think is more important than blindly following others. Moreover, she can back it up, rather than randomly choosing the wrong path. There’s nothing wrong with this path, and she’s determined and courageous, so why shouldn’t we support her?”
Li Sitong was stunned, then nodded uncertainly.
As Xue Jiao grew older, she gradually realized that she wasn’t good at raising children.
So, it seemed all she could do was offer support…
“Sitong, the college entrance exam is getting closer, and the company relocation is already in progress. I’ll be very busy, so Jiaojiao is in your hands. Let’s try to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for her in Beijing after this year’s college entrance exam. Mingze is a boy, and at 18 he was at a crucial point for his exams, so we didn’t do much. But Jiaojiao is a girl, and it will be right after the exam, so let’s celebrate properly.” Cheng Shuo laughed heartily.
Perhaps all fathers depend more on their daughters. Ever since treating Xue Jiao as his daughter, Cheng Shuo’s love for her far exceeded that for Cheng Mingze.
Li Sitong nodded seriously.
Everyone at home would be busy in the coming days, so as the lady of the house, she needed to work hard!
After returning to her room, Xue Jiao also messaged Lin Zhihua about this.
His reply was simple—
[Lin Zhihua: That’s quite good, but now you’ll need to work even harder.]
Xue Jiao felt a warmth in her heart.
For the decision she had made, her father and “mentor” continued to support her consistently.
That was wonderful.
——
“Students! Students! There are only one hundred days left until the college entrance exam! One hundred days! Everyone, pay attention, we’re in the sprint stage now! Those who have reviewed well, don’t get complacent, there are still knowledge points to cover! You can do even better! Those who haven’t reviewed well, don’t give up, there’s still a chance!”
“Students! The college entrance exam is approaching! Only one hundred days left!”
“Others are already ahead of you, you must hurry to catch up!”
“Review what you’ve missed, there’s still a chance for what you don’t understand! Never give up on difficult knowledge points! The college entrance exam might test exactly that!”
“Students! Let’s not waste our decade-plus of effort in these final hundred days!”
“Senior students! Keep going!”
“Charge forward—”
…
With only one hundred days left until the college entrance exam, the third mock exam began and quickly ended.
After this ranking, teachers analyzed problems for almost every student.
This was when everyone was pushing hard.
But at the same time, it was when many people were most exhausted and distressed.
Liu Jiaxue’s grades have been steadily improving this semester. She had a good foundation to begin with, so her improvement was fast.
“Jiaojiao…”
“Hmm?” Xue Jiao didn’t look up and continued calculating.
“Sometimes I wish the college entrance exam was tomorrow, so we could be free after it’s over.” Liu Jiaxue lay on the desk, looking powerless.
It was truly exhausting.
“Me too,” came Yi Tianyu’s voice from behind.
He was also very tired, feeling like he couldn’t possibly be more exhausted.
Recently, to obtain his national first-class athlete certificate, at this crucial time, he not only had to review but also play basketball.
Xue Jiao patted Liu Jiaxue’s head: “Keep going, hang in there. Your grades haven’t returned to their peak yet, so you’re not ready for the exam.”
Her hand on Liu Jiaxue’s head instantly revitalized her.
Yi Tianyu’s eyes brightened as he raised his head—
Pat me too!
Xue Jiao gave him a side-eye and tossed a notebook at him.
“These are my recent review notes. Look at them quickly and return them to me.”
Yi Tianyu: “…”
Xue Jiao actually wasn’t without worries of her own.
With one hundred days left until the exam, people’s hearts were clearly in turmoil.
Xue Jiao had found it strange that her desk drawer, which had never before received love letters, was now filled with them every day.
Her first task each day was to clear out the love letters.
Xue Jiao never opened them, just threw them away directly. At this time, nothing could be allowed to distract her focus.
She was somewhat troubled by these things that affected her studies, to the extent that she lost to Chu Sheng by one point in the third mock exam.
Until one day when Yi Tianyu returned and caught this happening, he became furious.
But he didn’t have time to clear them out every day, so he went directly to Yin Fang.
This ignited a bomb.
Xue Jiao was now Yin Fang’s treasure, the student on whom she placed all her hopes for the college entrance exam!
So, Yin Fang held a meeting with all the teachers in the grade, prohibiting other classes from sending love letters to Class 1, and enforcing various restrictions in Class 1 itself.
Finally, Xue Jiao was freed from the task of clearing out love letters.
——
“Students!! There are only fifty days left until the college entrance exam! Everyone, pay attention!”
“We are now like generals about to go into battle. Whether we achieve great merit or mediocrity depends on this one time!”
“Everyone must stay calm! All the school leaders and teachers will be at your service! If you have any problems or difficulties, you must tell your teachers!! Everyone, don’t be anxious! And don’t do anything rash!”
“Students! Senior students! Only fifty days left! Perseverance is victory!”
“Start catching up desperately now, there’s still a chance!”
“In the college entrance exam, one point can make a difference of a field full of students!”
“You must calm down and study! There’s still time! Review what you’ve missed, everyone must seize the time!”
“I hope all our senior students can achieve honor and get into their dream universities!”
…
With only fifty days left, Yi Tianyu received his first-class athlete certificate.
By this time, no students in Class 1 and Class 2 were doing anything else—everyone was studying with all their might.
Later, many students recalled that period with distress.
Waking up at five every day, they were constantly engaged in monotonous review, exams, discussions, exams, discussions… an endless cycle.
These tedious and painful days, accompanied by the ever-decreasing number in the upper right corner of the blackboard, became increasingly oppressive.
Sometimes, not being able to solve a problem could make them cry in frustration.
Every day, even familiar classmates passing each other rarely greeted one another. They might be reciting material, pondering a problem, or just staring into space.
Every teacher was fighting for time—no more physical education, no more practical courses, no more between-class exercises…
Nothing remained except for the main subjects.
The teacher of the previous class hadn’t left before the next one arrived.
“Teacher Yin, come out quickly, it’s my class now!”
“Teacher Yuan, wait a bit longer, just a moment! Students! Have you understood clearly? This long sentence must be broken into three, with post-attributive structure!”
…
“Time-dragging King Li! You’re dragging into my class time again!”
“Class hasn’t even started yet, don’t rush, don’t rush!”
…
As the numbers grew smaller, teachers began to get irritable, and some students started to give up.
Class 1 and Class 2 were still okay, but in the parallel classes, several students had dropped out, and one student had run away.
Police, parents, and the school were all searching, but few people in other classes knew about it.
Because now they only had one thing left… studying.
They received less and less information. Weekend breaks shrank from one day to eight hours, and finally to just six hours.
In the end, even six hours was barely enough to sit in the classroom and finish all the papers.
Repetitive and boring questions, numb and depressing life.
“What day of the week is it today?”
“50 days until the college entrance exam.”
“What’s the date today?”
“50 days until the college entrance exam.”
Some teachers jokingly called this life “the darkness before dawn.”
As the numbers grew smaller, they would pass through this unforgettable period of their lives.
In this “darkness before dawn,” it was as if hopeful sprouts were quietly germinating.
Then growing upward vigorously, for our dreams and future.
This might be the most memorable period in some people’s lives, and possibly the most hardworking time as well.
Five-thirty in the morning, eleven-thirty at night.
And now, there were 50 days until the college entrance exam.
——
“Students! Students!! Only 30 days left until the college entrance exam!! 30 days! Just one month left!”
“What can be done in a month? Can we still work hard? Is there still time?”
“There is! We still have thirty days! We can push a bit harder! Everyone listen carefully! What will be the result of a decade and more of hard study? It all depends on this period!”
“The weather is getting hot! I know some students are getting restless! But please remember! Stay calm! Do your best!”
“Remember these four words firmly! It doesn’t matter if you can’t live up to your teachers’ expectations! But you must live up to your parents’ expectations! And live up to yourselves!”
“The college entrance exam! Why go through it twice if you can pass it once?”
“So! For the final thirty days! Full steam ahead!”
“Students! Keep going! Charge forward!!”
…
Actually, by the thirty-day mark, many things were already fixed. Some people who worked hard could break through like dark horses.
They could rise from 300 points to 500 points, from 500 points to 600 points.
But it was impossible to rise from 500 points to 700 points.
Seven hundred was a threshold.
In the entire senior grade, throughout two years of exams, only Gu Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng consistently scored above 700 in every test.
At this final stage, many people began to ask them questions, one after another, even imitating their routines and study habits.
Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng weren’t selfless people; sometimes they would explain, but when they felt it was a waste of time, they wouldn’t.
During this period, Chu Sheng and Xue Jiao began discussing with each other, exchanging review notes to fill in gaps in their knowledge.
During this time, people started borrowing Xue Jiao’s notes.
As long as she wasn’t using them, she was willing to lend them to others, but when she needed them, they had to be returned immediately.
“Jiaojiao, don’t you mind others taking your hard work directly?” Liu Jiaxue asked curiously.
Xue Jiao smiled lightly: “These notes are just materials. The most important thing is here.”
She pointed to her head.
Liu Jiaxue was stunned for a moment, then smiled with admiration.
From behind, Yi Tianyu excitedly tugged at Xue Jiao—
“Bookworm! I think I’ve seen this problem before, why can’t I solve it again?!”
Xue Jiao turned to look, and said coldly—
“Volume 2, page 73, look it up yourself.”
Yi Tianyu: “…”
——
When there were 21 days left until the college entrance exam, a student at No. 1 High School attempted suicide by jumping off a building.
He was rescued, but it sent shockwaves through other schools.
The school leaders’ rhetoric began to change…
“Students!! The college entrance exam is a major gate in our lives! But it’s not the only gate! All roads lead to Rome—if this one doesn’t work, there’s another!”
“As long as you’ve tried your best, students, no one will blame you!”
“Don’t do anything rash! You’re still young, you haven’t truly grown up yet, and you haven’t really seen the world outside!”
“So never have extreme thoughts! Before making any decision, think about your parents!”
“You’re all in the prime of your youth, don’t do anything rash on impulse!”
“The school’s psychological counseling room is just above the academic affairs office. When you’re feeling uncomfortable, troubled, depressed, or even stressed, you can all go there! The two teachers inside are professionally trained to help you!”
“Finally, I hope that while taking care of yourselves, you’ll study hard and make the most of these final 21 days!”
“Wishing everyone excellent results!”
…
After this incident, teachers were constantly in meetings—one today, another tomorrow—with the focus on:
Ensuring students’ safety while pushing them to study.
Afterward, all teachers became more relaxed in class, trying not to pressure everyone.
“We just need to do our part, the rest is up to fate.”
“The college entrance exam isn’t that scary. Haven’t you taken enough exams over the years?”
“Mindset is most important. What’s more important than being alive?”
“If anyone notices something wrong with themselves or those around them, make sure to tell a teacher!”
…
As the weather turned hot, electric mosquito repellents were plugged in throughout the classrooms.
The teachers were trying to provide a better environment for the seniors. Mealtimes were also adjusted—seniors were already eating before juniors and sophomores, and now there were even various extra meals.
At school, the teachers all became gentle as water; at home, Li Sitong smiled every day as she took care of everything for Xue Jiao.
During this period, they conducted the fourth mock exam. As if afraid of damaging students’ confidence, the fourth mock was ridiculously easy.
Students scoring 700 points in Classes 1 and 2 were plentiful.
Even Yi Tianyu scored over 690 for the first time, a very high score!
Then the teachers praised them extensively, fearful that students might lose confidence.
Now, there were twenty days left until the college entrance exam.
——
“Only seven days left until the college entrance exam. Everyone relax, haha, it’s fine, believe in yourselves.”
“Do the questions you know quickly, skip the ones you don’t know, then come back to check after finishing everything else.”
“Never, ever get stuck on one question, and then for the sake of a few points, waste the score for the entire paper!”
“Try to keep your handwriting neat. If the grading teachers can’t read it, how can they give you points?”
“Remember to fill in the machine-readable card. Every year there are students who forget or run out of time.”
“What’s the most regrettable thing in the college entrance exam? It’s when I actually knew how to do it but made a mistake! It’s when I got it right, but forgot to write it on the answer card!”
“Also, after finishing, make sure to leave time for checking, to look for detail errors, and most importantly, to check if you’ve filled in the machine-readable card!”
“When writing each answer on the answer card, double-check the question number to avoid writing in the wrong place. Otherwise, where would you find space to rewrite?”
“Lastly, make sure you bring everything you need for the exam, have a backup for each item, and don’t forget anything. Arrive at the exam site early, definitely arrive early.”
“Haha, don’t feel pressured, everyone. The dawn is just ahead!”
…
Xue Jiao looked up at the smiling man on the podium—the principal.
It was hard to imagine that he had previously stood there, shouting himself hoarse for everyone to work harder and fight harder!
At this stage, none of the teachers were fighting for every second anymore, because they knew—it was too late.
Too late.
Four simple words, yet also four terrifying words.
——
“Hahaha, students, today’s plan is to go to the park in the south for an outing! The whole grade will go! After returning, you’ll have a three-day break. Everyone go home and rest well!” Yin Fang smiled as gently as water.
The students below looked indifferent.
Four days left until the college entrance exam… hmm… many students had become… detached.
After leaving the school.
“Jiaojiao, I’m still a bit scared.” Liu Jiaxue held Xue Jiao’s hand, squeezed in the advancing crowd.
Xue Jiao smiled gently: “You’ve prepared quite well, don’t worry.”
Liu Jiaxue sighed slightly. To say she wasn’t afraid—how could that be possible?
Yi Tianyu, who was walking at the back, darted forward and nudged up next to Xue Jiao.
“Hey hey, why are you holding hands in such hot weather?!”
Liu Jiaxue glared at him: “We’re close, what business is it of yours!”
Yi Tianyu glared back at her, then looked expectantly at Xue Jiao.
Xue Jiao turned her head toward Yi Tianyu: “Depression—”
Yi Tianyu’s eyes brightened, and he moved even closer.
“What is it? What?”
Xue Jiao said: “When you get home, don’t forget to review the Chinese textbook passages.”
Yi Tianyu: “……”
“Those in front, slow down a bit, don’t catch a cold! In this final critical period, everyone must avoid getting sick or catching a cold!” Yin Fang shouted from behind.
The students walking quickly in front slowed their pace.
Liu Jiaxue pulled Xue Jiao around Yi Tianyu, then said in a low voice: “Jiaojiao, I feel like you’re especially harsh with Yi Tianyu.”
Xue Jiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: “Because he’s stupid.”
“Hahaha!! That’s true!”
“What are you talking about?” Yi Tianyu approached again.
Liu Jiaxue replied with a laugh: “We’re saying you’re stupid! Haha!!”
Yi Tianyu: “……”
They didn’t dare go too far or spend too much time on the outing, so after playing for two hours, Teacher Yin led them back.
“This is the last time you’ll all sit in the classroom listening to me before the college entrance exam. When you go home, there’s no need to review much more, just take care of your health! Remember to bring backups of your exam materials. For those whose parents are accompanying them, give one set to your parents. And most importantly, there might be traffic jams, so everyone must arrive early!”
“Okay—”
——
As the college entrance exam drew closer, Xue Jiao had trouble sleeping.
It was almost the time she had died in her previous life…
In her previous life, she hadn’t done well in the exam, and she died before even seeing her scores.
In this life, she felt she had studied well, but unfortunately, those who had helped her before couldn’t see it now.
Grandpa, do you know?
Your granddaughter is so fortunate to have another chance at life, and now she even has a… very warm family.
That night Xue Jiao had some insomnia, and the next day she woke up with a cold.
Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong were immediately extremely worried.
June in the south was indeed uncomfortable—using air conditioning made it easy to catch a cold, but without it, one could get heatstroke.
In such stuffy weather, many people easily caught colds, and Xue Jiao wasn’t the only one.
That was the day before the college entrance exam. Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong took her to the hospital for an injection, then returned home to take medicine.
“How did she catch a cold? I definitely didn’t turn on the air conditioning last night!” Li Sitong was so anxious that she developed blisters on her lips.
Unexpected situations always made people worry.
“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Cheng Shuo forced himself to remain calm, then looked at Xue Jiao, “Jiaojiao, how are you feeling?”
Xue Jiao nodded: “I’m okay, no fever, my head is quite clear, I can take the exam tomorrow.”
Cheng Shuo nodded, hiding all his emotions so Xue Jiao wouldn’t see them, and finally said: “Health is most important.”
They were very worried about Xue Jiao, but didn’t dare show it.
Fortunately, on the day of the actual college entrance exam, Xue Jiao’s condition hadn’t improved, but it hadn’t worsened either.
No fever, but some nasal congestion and coughing.
Li Sitong and Cheng Shuo were extremely anxious. Cheng Mingze could only comfort them: “At least it’s nasal congestion and not a runny nose. Without tissues, that would be uncomfortable during the exam.”
Xue Jiao nodded with a smile, trying not to worry her parents.
“Jiaojiao, check again if you have everything—pencils, pens, admission ticket, ruler, compass, extra leads…” Cheng Shuo checked each item one by one, and only after confirming everything was in order did he say, “Go in now.”
Xue Jiao nodded: “I’m going in then.”
Nearby, almost no different from previous years, parents seemed much more excited than students.
“Son! Do your best, don’t forget to fill in the machine-readable card!!”
“Watch the time! Watch the time!!”
“Daughter! Come, quickly write your name on this golden paper! For success on the imperial examination!!”
“Hey, son, remember to use the bathroom first!”
“Do your best!! Dad and Mom will be waiting outside! We’re your spiritual support!!”
…
Xue Jiao turned back toward the three people squeezed in the crowd, who were clenching their fists to encourage her.
“Jiaojiao!! Health is most important!!!” Cheng Shuo reminded her.
He was very worried that Xue Jiao, this girl who put studying first, would focus entirely on the exam and completely ignore her health.
“Okay—” Xue Jiao waved her hand and turned to walk away.
The college entrance exam—this year’s students had arrived.
——
After the fingerprint verification, Xue Jiao sat in her assigned seat.
She didn’t look around, just focused on calming herself.
Today was her most important day, the beginning of making up for regrets and realizing her dreams.
The cold did affect her somewhat.
But in the June weather, few students were calm inside.
Outside, the sun blazed high. Xue Jiao took a deep breath, minimizing the impact.
Soon, as the bell rang, the proctors entered with the test papers.
Then they inspected, unsealed, and distributed the papers in front of the students.
They verified each paper and attached barcodes.
Until the bell rang again, signaling the start of the exam.
Xue Jiao held a pen in one hand, pressed the test paper with the other, and took a deep breath.
When she opened her eyes, they were bright and shining, filled with light.
Bursting forth with unprecedented power.
She began writing, moving through question after question.
——
Li Sitong took out the familiar three-piece set that Cheng Mingze recognized, the supposedly blessed college entrance exam equipment.
Last year it had been the same, except then Cheng Mingze was the one taking the exam, while Cheng Shuo, Li Sitong, and Xue Jiao waited outside.
“Last year Mingze did so well, so clearly these things work. Let’s all wear them!”
After Li Sitong finished speaking, Cheng Shuo routinely took them and put them on.
Cheng Mingze: “…”
He had no choice but to pick them up and put them on too.
All three held a flag in their hands and sat down in the shade.
“Are you also a parent of a student?” someone nearby struck up a conversation.
“Yes, yes, my daughter is taking the college entrance exam this year,” Li Sitong replied with a smile.
“My son is also taking the exam today, also from No. 7 Middle School. Sigh, it’s finally today.”
Li Sitong nodded in agreement: “Indeed, the children suffer, and the parents suffer too.”
Someone else chimed in: “Until we get the admission letter, none of us can relax.”
Cheng Shuo took out a newspaper and began reading. Beside him, Cheng Mingze took out his laptop and started typing.
After a moment, Cheng Shuo glanced at Li Sitong, who was chatting animatedly with people, then at Cheng Mingze, who was focused on his work.
This scene… why was it so familiar?
A while later, Li Sitong suddenly stood up and waved—
“Sister Qin!! Over here!”
“Sitong!” Madam Qin’s eyes brightened, and she pulled Chu Sheng’s father over.
“Come, come, there’s still room to sit here.” Li Sitong made space.
Seeing this, Cheng Mingze stood up: “Uncle, Auntie, please sit.”
Cheng Shuo handed him a newspaper, which Cheng Mingze spread out and sat on the ground.
“No, no! I can sit on the ground!” Chu Sheng’s father protested.
Cheng Shuo held him back: “It’s fine, he’s young, let him sit on the ground.”
Chu Sheng’s parents couldn’t refuse further and sat down.
Madam Qin looked at Cheng Mingze and said enviously: “I truly envy you for having such capable children!”
Li Sitong sighed: “I envy your Chu Sheng. I’m so worried right now.”
“Xue Jiao’s grades are so good, what are you worried about?” Madam Qin said with a smile.
“She caught a cold.” Li Sitong’s face showed a bitter smile.
“What?!” Madam Qin widened her eyes in shock.
Then she anxiously asked: “How is Xue Jiao’s condition? Is it serious? Oh my, how did she catch a cold?”
Li Sitong shook her head bitterly: “It might be because the weather is too hot. Fortunately, it’s not too serious.”
“That’s good. Remember to give her some medicine after the first exam session is over. Also be careful, some cold medicines can make people drowsy. It’s already easy to get sleepy in the afternoon, so be very careful…” Madam Qin started giving instructions.
Li Sitong nodded, holding her hand: “Yes, we’ve prepared everything.”
They had been extremely careful with the medications, afraid they might affect Xue Jiao’s exam performance.
“Chu Sheng hasn’t caught a cold, but he never says how his preparation is going, which is quite worrying!”
“I’m sure he’s doing very well. With Chu Sheng’s grades, there’s no need to worry.”
Finally, a parent nearby joined in—
“Are you two the mothers of Gu Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng?”
The voice was slightly shocked.
Of course, after several mock exams in the senior year, parents received not only their own children’s scores.
Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng’s unapproachable scores had added quite a bit of pressure on other parents!
“Yes!” Both of their voices sounded quite calm, but their chins lifted slightly.
This was the proudest moment for parents.
At this time, a couple approached.
“Xue Jiao’s mom! Xue Jiao’s dad!” The man was somewhat plump and looked a bit simple-minded, but his eyes were bright.
The woman appeared very capable, walking beside the man, and they looked quite harmonious.
“Oh… it’s Yi Tianyu’s father and mother…” Li Sitong responded weakly.
Cheng Shuo merely offered a fake smile as he shook hands.
His attitude toward someone interested in his daughter could hardly be good.
Yi Dafa wasn’t offended. If Xue Jiao were his daughter and someone was interested in her, he would have chased them away directly!
Therefore, Yi Dafa and Yi’s mother still smiled as they spoke with them.
All at once, the shaded area became very lively.
——
In the distance, inside a car.
Lin Zhihua sat quietly, his gaze penetrating through the glass toward the exam site.
“Boss… would you like some water?” Chen Yan asked respectfully.
Lin Zhihua waved his hand, indicating no need.
His gaze remained fixed outside the window. Chen Yan didn’t know what he was thinking.
Lin Zhihua actually just wanted to watch over Xue Jiao.
The college entrance exam was the thing Xue Jiao cared about most up until today, and he wanted to accompany her.
At the same time, today was also a very important day for Lin Zhihua.
It meant his girl was about to grow up, it meant his girl was about to come to his city.
And at the same time…
It meant he no longer needed to hold back.