While the entire nation made way for the college entrance exams, Pei Haobin’s family welcomed a new life.
Cao Li had given birth successfully. Pei Haobin stared at his newborn son, who had just entered his second day of life, and remained speechless for a long time.
The baby, swaddled in blankets, was only half a month old on the day of Pei Chuan’s college entrance exam. His face was small and soft, as light and delicate as a cloud.
Pei Haobin gazed blankly at the sleeping infant, his mind drifting back to the day Pei Chuan was born nineteen years ago. It was his first time becoming a father, and he had been beyond excited for that child’s arrival. From the first signs of fetal movement, he would press his ear against Jiang Wenjuan’s belly, listening to the tiny kicks of his child’s hands and feet against their mother.
Back then, Pei Haobin was in his twenties, filled with joy every day as he headed to work because of the new life on the way. When people asked, he would puff out his chest and say, “Juan’er is due soon. I want to set the best example for my child.”
The year Pei Chuan was born, the Pei family had modest assets, far from the comfortable life they enjoyed now. Pei Haobin had washed his diapers, cherishing the child with the same vigor as any proud father in the world.
When Pei Chuan was born, he was just as tiny and delicate. The first time Pei Haobin reached out a finger toward his small fist, the baby grasped it. Pei Haobin flushed with excitement, his spirits soaring. At that time, he loved Jiang Wenjuan deeply. Their married life was harmonious, and even their struggles and dreams for the future were filled with hope. True to his promise, Pei Haobin poured all his energy into becoming a good police officer, and eventually, he succeeded. The case he solved over a decade ago had saved countless lives.
But his child was ruined.
Jiang Wenjuan could vent her pain through tears, but Pei Haobin felt lost for the first time in his life. She was afraid to see their child’s severed limbs, and so was he—so much so that he once fell into despair. It was a memory he would never forget, one that still made him tremble years later.
Sometimes, Pei Haobin felt life was like a dream. He wished Pei Chuan had never been born, or that it had been him who lost his legs that day. But there was no going back.
He was terrified of having another child.
Yet, in 2009, Pei Chuan’s younger brother was born—a healthy child, as healthy as Pei Chuan had been when he first entered the world.
~
On June 8th, the college entrance exams came to an end, bringing joy to some and sorrow to others. Trash bins overflowed with test papers, and paper airplanes—symbols of youth—soared from one end of the teaching building to the other.
In the dormitory, Chen Feifei and Yang Jia were packing their belongings. There would be a graduation banquet once the exam results were released. As she packed, Chen Feifei remarked, “Yang Jia, I didn’t like you much back then, but now I realize you’re actually a good person.”
Yang Jia retorted playfully, “It took you this long to figure that out?”
Chen Feifei chuckled. “Finally, it’s over! Freedom feels amazing!”
No one asked how the others had performed. As soon as the exams ended, the standard answers for each subject were released, allowing students with good memories to estimate their scores.
Bei Yao hadn’t performed well. On June 8th, she happened to be on her period. She endured stomach cramps all morning, forcing herself to finish the exam despite the pain, her face pale and strained. The morning session was English, and in her dazed state, she could barely make out the listening comprehension section.
Life was always full of anxiety and unexpected turns.Before the results were announced, Bei Yao couldn't resist calling Pei Chuan: "Pei Chuan, I'm a bit scared. I didn't do well in English, and I'm afraid I won't get into University B."
The young man's voice on the other end was low and hoarse: "It's okay, Yaoyao, don't be afraid. Wherever you apply, I'll apply too, alright?"
His gentle tone brought tears to her eyes: "No, I don't want to be a burden to you."
He chuckled: "Yaoyao could never be a burden. You're my pride."
Bei Yao was also concerned about another matter: "Did you do well?"
Pei Chuan naturally wouldn't lie to her: "Quite well."
After thinking seriously, Bei Yao said: "Pei Chuan, if your score turns out to be much higher than mine, you should apply to the best university. At worst, we'll just... be in a long-distance relationship for four years."
Listening to this silly girl planning their future, he smiled faintly.
She said: "I mean it. If you choose a university beneath your score because of me, I'll owe you a good university for life."
Hearing the girl's sweet voice, Pei Chuan pushed open the window and looked toward her home.
The sky was high and blue.
Pei Chuan said: "Yaoyao, a good man wouldn't make a girl wait for him year after year." Watching birds fly past his window, his pupils dark, he continued, "Someone who loves you wouldn't abandon you. They'd carry you through mountains of knives and seas of fire."
It sounded like a lesson, but felt more like a love confession.
Propping her chin, she watched roses climbing outside her window and couldn't help laughing: "Like you?"
He pressed his lips together.
Not him. Without legs, he couldn't even carry her ten meters.
～
The college entrance examination results were announced on June 23rd, with tension hanging over the entire nation.
Bei Yao had warned Zhao Zhilan in advance that she hadn't performed well this time, advising both her and Bei Licai not to set their expectations too high.
Zhao Zhilan had been anxious lately after reading news about students jumping from buildings over disappointing scores. She told Bei Yao: "Listen, grades are just a small part of life. Good results are icing on the cake, poor results don't matter much. Your health and happiness are all your father and I care about."
Bei Yao nodded with a smile.
Ironically, the parents became the most nervous ones.
When Bei Yao received her scores, she felt a surge of joy.
They were much higher than she'd expected. After all her years of hard work, Bei Yao cheered - this score should get her into University B!
While her English score wasn't high, her other subjects were excellent. For the first time, Bei Yao felt profoundly grateful for her previous efforts. Having given her all without holding back, even if the final result wasn't as expected, it far exceeded her predictions.
She wouldn't be a burden to Pei Chuan anymore!
The national statistics came out the next day.
Zhao Zhilan was still immersed in her daughter's good results when the statistics left her stunned.
"What? Honey, look who our city's top scorer is!"
Bei Licai leaned over and was equally shocked: "Pei Chuan!"
In 2009, Pei Chuan was C City's top scorer in the college entrance examination.
That summer, media outlets scrambled to interview this top scorer. They all knew about Pei Chuan's misfortune from recent posts, yet this unfortunate young man had grown up to become their city's science stream champion.
The city's number one!
When the Honor Roll was displayed, Pei Chuan's name shone in gilded characters.
The scrolling golden text at Third High's entrance overflowed with pride for Pei Chuan. When Jin Ziyang first saw it, he felt like he was dreaming too."Holy shit! Damn, Brother Chuan is awesome!"
Pei Chuan, the science top scorer who achieved a perfect score in mathematics, suddenly found prestigious schools from everywhere extending him olive branches with his inspiring life story.
He could freely choose any top university across the country.
Pei Chuan even received an admission offer from a renowned foreign university.
He locked it away in a drawer and earnestly filled out his college applications online.
First choice: University B.
Whether it was electronic technology, mechanical engineering, or computer science - he could master any of these fields.
Three years ago that autumn, he had deceived that pitifully anxious young girl, nearly causing them to miss three years together. Now three years later, he had promised her they would definitely attend the same university.
~
After receiving college entrance exam results, graduation banquets honoring teachers would be held one after another.
Coincidentally, Class 9 of Third High and Class 6 of Sixth High held their banquets at the same restaurant. Wu Mo didn't attend the banquet - it was said she performed poorly in the exams and planned to repeat her final year. After being entangled in romantic affairs for two or three years without putting any effort into studies, she only realized her regret after seeing her terrible results.
Bei Yao's homeroom teacher Li Fangqun was delighted - five more students from her class had been admitted to first-tier universities than originally projected. When students achieved success, teachers shared in the glory.
"Teacher, can we drink alcohol today?"
Li Fangqun put on a stern face: "Not today. Today you're all still my students. Use beverages when toasting the teachers - nobody will mind."
The students collectively groaned "Awwww~"
No matter how many years passed, Teacher Li remained the same principled traditionalist.
Li Fangqun tapped the table: "Students! The college entrance exam isn't your finish line, but another starting point. You should live fulfilling and valuable lives. No matter which university you attend, I hope you won't seek immediate pleasures but strive hard, keep moving forward, and see the broader world."
Seeing the students' inattentive expressions, Teacher Li sighed helplessly: "Really now..."
Then she smiled. Such carefree youth.
Being young after all, they could never understand the wisdom that only comes with age.
Hadn't their teachers been exactly the same back in their day?
City lights began illuminating the evening.
In a small city like C City, even the streetlights cast a gentle glow.
In another private room sat Jin Ziyang and several others.
They were naturally drinking alcohol - even teachers couldn't stop them. Ji Wei wept while cleaning his glasses, the young man's face streaked with tears.
Jin Ziyang teased him: "Alright there, Brother Wei. Men crying like that looks so girly."
Ji Wei retorted: "What do you know? What could you possibly understand?"
"Fine, fine, I don't get it, okay?"
Zheng Hang also found it both funny and exasperating: "If you really want to study abroad, can't you just talk to your dad about it?"
Ji Wei shook his head: "That's different. Getting in through my own efforts is completely different from using connections to audit classes."
Jin Ziyang couldn't comprehend any difference - his family were businesspeople who only valued results and benefits. As long as the outcome was good, didn't the process become irrelevant?
Yet Ji Wei, despite his gentle temperament, remained stubborn.
Pei Chuan said: "Ji Wei, repeat your final year."
Ji Wei looked at him: "Brother Chuan..."
Pei Chuan nodded: "No amount of years spent pursuing what you love counts as wasted."
Ji Wei nodded with reddened eyes: "Next year! I'll definitely get into Cambridge next year."
Jin Ziyang: "...Yeah right, you'd be lucky to get into 'Home-Squat University'."
Ji Wei's face flushed crimson with anger.However, just before the banquet ended, Jin Ziyang patted Ji Wei’s shoulder with emotion and said, “Wei, among us brothers, you’re the only one with a dream. Honestly, sometimes I really envy you. I’d like to know what it feels like to have a dream. Keep it up, I believe you can get into Cambridge.”
Both Jin Ziyang and Zheng Hang were destined to follow the same path: leveraging connections to enroll in business-related schools, then joining their family companies after graduation.
Zheng Hang remarked, “Sometimes I feel like a man doesn’t need to live too long. Having a decent career, the one woman he truly loves, and coming home to his wife and kids after work—that’s enough to satisfy anyone. When you’re not pushing yourself, you feel relaxed, but once the relaxation fades, you’re left with emptiness. Those in our class who’ve worked hard, whether they cry or laugh, at least experience genuine emotions. We haven’t put in the effort, so we can’t even laugh or cry properly.”
Pei Chuan said, “At least your mind is clear. It’s not too late.”
Zheng Hang smiled bitterly.
Pei Chuan added calmly, “Starting from a higher point makes everything easier. As long as you stay this clear-headed, things won’t go too badly.”
“Brother Chuan, let’s have a drink! To a future as bright as brocade!”
The young men clinked glasses.
Pei Chuan downed his drink, watching as they all gradually matured. Three years had passed so quickly, shaping each of them into distinct individuals with sharp edges.
For the first time, he believed in friendship.
~
Bei Yao never expected to receive a confession after the graduation banquet.
It was a boy from Class 12 of the same grade.
He was visibly nervous, clearly confessing for the first time. Yang Jia smirked mischievously before walking away.
The boy mustered his courage and said, “Bei Yao, I’ve liked you for a long time. I know you’re very dedicated to your studies, so I only dared to tell you after graduation. Would you be willing to give me a chance?”
Bei Yao had received many love letters before, but she was rarely confessed to in person.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
Under the flickering lights, she spotted a pair of dark eyes watching from across the street.
He had been drinking and wore a wrist guard on his arm, his gaze meeting hers through the darkness of the road.
Just a few steps away, Pei Chuan stood silently, watching someone else express their affection for her.
The confessing boy was so nervous he didn’t even notice the “outsider” observing them.
The boy grew more agitated. “I… I’ve worked hard too. I did really well on the exams this year. Which university are you going to? I can go with you. If you’d be my girlfriend, I’d treat you very well.”
Bei Yao bit her lip, her eyes fixed solely on Pei Chuan across the street. She needed him to step up and claim his place.
Pei, you big jerk, if you don’t come over soon, your girlfriend will be gone!
Pei Chuan told himself he couldn’t go.
He could stop it for now, but he couldn’t hold her back for a lifetime.
Yet under the streetlights, the girl’s shimmering eyes were fixed only on him. The world seemed to fall into a hushed stillness.
Before the boy could reach out to grab Bei Yao’s hand, Pei Chuan strode over and positioned himself in front of her.
The boy’s hand was knocked aside by Pei Chuan’s wrist-guarded arm.
Pei Chuan practiced boxing and had a solid, muscular build. The impact left the boy’s hand red.
The boy stared at Pei Chuan in surprise.
Pei Chuan said coldly, “I’m not dead yet.”
So, how dare you lay a hand on her?
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