Li Sitong and Cheng Shuo were both taken aback.
"What?"
"Direct admission," Xue Jiao continued eating her bread.
Senior year was exhausting, making her constantly hungry. She always needed a snack even after evening self-study.
"..."
"Well... it depends on your own thoughts..."
Li Sitong was thrilled: "Jiao Jiao, you can get direct admission too?"
She was rather conservative in her thinking. Xue Jiao's usual grades were indeed excellent, and she could definitely get in through the college entrance exam. But Li Sitong had heard too many stories about students crumbling under pressure and failing the exam. If Xue Jiao secured direct admission first and then took the exam, it would be like having a safety net—a guaranteed backup.
Thus, Li Sitong was overjoyed.
Xue Jiao nodded and kept eating: "Mm, the teacher asked me to get your opinions."
"Mom has no objections! You can choose whichever university you like!" Li Sitong beamed.
Cheng Shuo, however, gave it serious thought before saying, "If Jiao Jiao wants to study mathematics, I think Peking University would be better. Tsinghua is also great—especially in recent years, as their student quality has caught up, the gap isn't that big anymore. Plus, your brother is there, so you'd have company, and he could look out for you. So I think either choice is fine—it really depends on your own preference."
Xue Jiao nodded: "Yeah, actually, I’m leaning toward Tsinghua."
She couldn’t forget Professor Tan’s words on the podium. If given the chance, she wanted to study at Tsinghua.
It was almost like an obsession.
Especially since, in her past life when she first entered high school, what she wrote on the back of the small blackboard was "Tsinghua."
Because her heart held onto that dream, nothing else seemed to fit.
Only that one school remained the one she longed for the most.
After dinner, Xue Jiao returned to her room.
She had just taken out her books to study a bit more when a message from Lin Zhihua arrived—
[Lin Zhihua: Your direct admission process should be starting soon, right?]
Xue Jiao paused, surprised by how much Lin Zhihua seemed to know.
It was as if he was omniscient, omnipotent.
She quickly replied—
[Yeah, I chose Tsinghua.]
The reply came just as swiftly—
[To be honest, I don’t think that’s the best decision. At this stage, Peking University’s math department is stronger. Plus, since you’re planning to go into academic research, Peking would suit you better.]
Xue Jiao froze. This was another instance of Lin Zhihua offering her advice.
She already knew all of this.
Between Peking and Tsinghua, one was the most suitable, the other the most beloved.
Life presented too many choices like this—where the options before you were often what everyone deemed the most suitable versus what your heart truly desired.
Such choices were endless, and the unknown was both bewildering and agonizing.
After all, you could never be sure whether the choice you made now was truly the best.
The fear of the unknown was the most terrifying.
Xue Jiao stayed silent for a long time, but Lin Zhihua didn’t rush her.
After a long while, she replied—
[I don’t know if this choice is right, but right now, my heart is set on this answer. I can’t—and don’t want to—go against it.]
This second life of hers was meant for fulfilling her dreams.
On the other end, Lin Zhihua smiled. He was happy.
He never cared whether his own choices were good or bad—only whether he wanted them. As long as he wanted something, even if it wasn’t the best, he could turn it into the best!Her little girl was gradually growing up. Perhaps she still lacked cunning, but when it came to major life choices, she had already learned to make good decisions independently and stay true to her heart.
So, Lin Zhihua replied to her—
[Little girl, your choice is excellent. Keep it up.]
It didn't matter if her chosen path was slightly imperfect now. Who knew if she might be the one to bridge that gap in the future?
Lin Zhihua would wait and see.
——
The next day, Xue Jiao handed her completed form to Yin Fang, who looked slightly surprised.
"Tsinghua?"
"Yes." Xue Jiao smiled lightly.
Yin Fang studied her for a moment. Though she didn’t fully understand, after interacting with Xue Jiao for over a year, she had come to realize one thing: when this girl smiled at her like that, the decision she had made wouldn’t change.
She might seem soft and gentle, but in truth, she was incredibly stubborn.
Yin Fang took the form and simply said, "Xue Jiao, no matter which university you’re admitted to, with your excellent grades, you must still give your all in the college entrance exams. And with your brother achieving such brilliance last year, I hope you can surpass even that in June. So, do your best!"
Xue Jiao nodded with a smile. "Thank you, teacher. I will."
"Then hurry back to class and study," Yin Fang said warmly.
Xue Jiao nodded again and turned to leave.
Li Ping looked up at Yin Fang and sighed in frustration. "Chu Sheng doesn’t want the guaranteed admission."
Yin Fang rolled her eyes. "Then let him take the exams like everyone else. His grades are rock-solid—what school couldn’t he get into?"
"It’s not the same," Li Ping grumbled.
Yin Fang scoffed. "How is it different? You’re just upset you won’t get double bonuses like Cheng Mingze’s teacher did."
Li Ping smirked coldly. "Teacher Yin, if Gu Xue Jiao also gave up her guaranteed admission, you’d be even angrier than me."
Yin Fang: "..."
As if cursed by Li Ping’s words, news came the very next day.
"What?!" Yin Fang shot to her feet.
"Teacher Yin, there’s nothing we can do. This is Tsinghua’s arrangement, and even the school leadership is upset. Of course, we wanted Gu Xue Jiao to be admitted to Tsinghua—it would have been an honor for our school." The math department coordinator’s frown was deep enough to trap mosquitoes.
But then his expression relaxed slightly. "Fortunately, Peking University is aware of Xue Jiao’s achievements last year. They’ve offered her a spot."
Yin Fang thought about it—Peking University’s math department was actually stronger than Tsinghua’s—and immediately went to find Gu Xue Jiao.
Only to hear...
"No Tsinghua spot?" Xue Jiao’s brows furrowed slightly.
Yin Fang nodded. "Yes, our school wasn’t allocated a math department spot for Tsinghua—only engineering. But Peking University and Fudan, among others, have math spots reserved for you, given your first prize in last year’s math competition. So, Gu Xue Jiao, will you apply to Peking University instead?"
Xue Jiao’s expression smoothed into a smile. "Then I won’t bother."
"Exactly, Peking’s math program is even—wait, what did you say?!" Yin Fang had assumed she would agree without hesitation, but when she processed Xue Jiao’s words, she wondered if her ears were failing her.
"Teacher Yin, if there’s no spot, then let’s just forget it," Xue Jiao said calmly.
Yin Fang felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. If this were her own child, she would have smacked her by now.But this was her most outstanding student, not her own child.
"Student Gu Xue Jiao, I think... Peking University's mathematics department is much better. You—"
"Teacher Yin, I've already made up my mind," Xue Jiao said firmly.
"But really, won't you reconsider? Or at least discuss it with your family?" Yin Fang still looked incredulous.
Xue Jiao nodded. "No need, they'll support me."
Cheng Shuo would support her, and Li Sitong would follow Cheng Shuo's lead.
Yin Fang was still dumbfounded.
Xue Jiao added, "Teacher, time is tight, so I won't say more. I'll go back to the classroom to continue reviewing."
"Go... ahead..." Yin Fang said blankly.
After Xue Jiao left, Li Ping laughed.
"Hahaha, Teacher Yin, isn't it simple then? Just take the college entrance exam directly. With Gu Xue Jiao's stable grades, what university couldn't she get into?"
He twisted his neck, mimicking Yin Fang's earlier "comforting" words to him.
Yin Fang: "..."
She was so angry it hurt her liver!
Nearby, the Chinese teacher, Teacher Yuan, chimed in with a smile—
"You two are worrying for nothing. Gu Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng aren't bookworms; they both have very clear minds. Others get chosen by universities, but with their grades, they're the ones choosing universities. Stop worrying and focus on supervising the students' review."
Yin Fang: "..."
Li Ping: "..."
——
That evening, after returning home, Xue Jiao recounted the entire incident to Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong.
"So, I chose to take the college entrance exam myself and gave up the guaranteed admission," Xue Jiao said with a smile.
Li Sitong was stunned. "But why—"
"Jiao Jiao, Dad supports you," Cheng Shuo interrupted Li Sitong, smiling at Xue Jiao.
Xue Jiao happily smiled back and said, "Thank you, Mom and Dad!"
Although she knew Cheng Shuo would support her, she was still deeply moved when he voiced his support with a smile.
She smiled, ate something, then happily went upstairs with her backpack to study.
Li Sitong turned to Cheng Shuo. "Old Cheng, why not choose another school? Why insist on this one path?"
Cheng Shuo shook his head at her with a smile and said, "Sitong, we don't actually need Jiao Jiao to strive so hard to make her own way. But the child is ambitious and wants to pursue her dreams—that's already a good thing. In fact, I'm very happy about Xue Jiao's decision. She's grown to the point where she can choose a path others might not approve of. Having this kind of courage is more important than just following the crowd. Moreover, she has the capability—she's not recklessly choosing the wrong path. This path isn't wrong, and she's determined and brave. Why wouldn't we support her?"
Li Sitong paused, then nodded blankly.
As Xue Jiao grew older, Li Sitong gradually realized she wasn't very good at parenting.
So, perhaps all she could do was offer her support...
"Sitong, the college entrance exam is getting closer. The company relocation is already underway, and I'll be very busy. I'll leave Jiao Jiao in your hands. Let's make sure she can celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony in Beijing after the exam. Mingze is a boy, and his 18th birthday coincided with the critical exam period, so we didn't do much. But Jiao Jiao is a girl, and it’s right after the exam—we should celebrate properly then," Cheng Shuo said with a laugh.
Perhaps fathers everywhere dote more on their daughters. Since treating Xue Jiao as his own, Cheng Shuo's affection for her had far surpassed that for Cheng Mingze.Li Sitong nodded earnestly.
In the coming days, the household would be bustling with activity. As the lady of the house, she had to put in her best effort!
After returning to her room, Xue Jiao also sent a message to Lin Zhihua about the matter.
His reply was simple—
[Lin Zhihua: Actually, it’s quite good. But this means you’ll have to work even harder.]
A warmth spread through Xue Jiao’s heart.
No matter what decisions she made, her father and her "mentor" always supported her unconditionally.
It felt wonderful.
——
"Classmates! Classmates! There are only a hundred days left until the college entrance exams! A hundred days! Everyone, pull yourselves together—this is the final sprint! Those who’ve reviewed well, don’t get complacent! There’s still room for improvement! Those who haven’t reviewed well, don’t give up! There’s still time!"
"Classmates! The college entrance exams are approaching! Only a hundred days left!"
"Others are already ahead of you—you must hurry to catch up!"
"Identify your weaknesses and fill the gaps! There’s still time to master what you don’t know! The college entrance exams—this might be the exact question that appears!"
"Classmates! Let’s make these last hundred days count, so we don’t waste over a decade of hard work!"
"Seniors in high school! Keep fighting!"
"Charge forward—!"
……
When only a hundred days remained until the college entrance exams, the third mock exam began and soon concluded.
After this round of rankings, the teachers analyzed the problems of nearly every student.
This was the time when everyone was pushing themselves to the limit.
But at the same time, it was also when many felt the most exhausted and overwhelmed.
Liu Jiaxue’s grades had been steadily improving since the start of the semester. Her foundation was solid, so her progress was rapid.
"Jiao Jiao…"
"Hmm?" Xue Jiao didn’t look up, still focused on her calculations.
"Sometimes I wish the college entrance exams were tomorrow—just get it over with and be free." Liu Jiaxue slumped over the desk, utterly drained.
It was truly exhausting.
"Same," came Yi Tianyu’s voice from behind.
He was also exhausted—more than he’d ever been.
On top of studying, he was still playing basketball to earn his National First-Class Athlete certificate during this critical period.
Xue Jiao patted Liu Jiaxue’s head. "Hang in there. Your grades haven’t returned to their peak yet—you can’t afford to take the exams now."
The moment her hand touched Liu Jiaxue’s head, the latter instantly revived.
Yi Tianyu’s eyes lit up as he lifted his head—
Pat me, pat me!
Xue Jiao rolled her eyes at him and tossed a notebook his way.
"Here are my recent review notes. Read them quickly and return them when you’re done."
Yi Tianyu: "..."
Xue Jiao wasn’t without her own troubles, either.
With only a hundred days left until the college entrance exams, emotions were running high.
She had initially been puzzled by the sudden flood of love letters filling her desk—letters she had never received before.
Every morning, her first task was clearing out the love letters.
She never opened them, simply throwing them away immediately. Nothing could be allowed to distract her now.
But the nuisance had begun to affect her studies—so much so that she lost to Chu Sheng by a single point in the third mock exam.
One day, Yi Tianyu happened to witness the scene and was furious.
But he didn’t have time to clear them out daily either, so he went straight to Yin Fang.
That lit the fuse.
Xue Jiao was Yin Fang’s treasure—the student she pinned all her hopes on for the college entrance exams!
So, Yin Fang called a meeting with all the grade’s teachers, forbidding students from other classes to send love letters to Class 1. In Class 1 itself, she imposed strict prohibitions.Finally, Xue Jiao managed to put the love letter incident behind her.
——
"Classmates!! Only fifty days remain until the college entrance exams! Stay focused!"
"We are now generals about to march onto the battlefield. Whether we achieve greatness or mediocrity depends on this final push!"
"Everyone must keep their composure! All school administrators and teachers are here to support you! Report any problems or difficulties to your teachers immediately! Don't panic! And absolutely don't do anything rash!"
"Students! Seniors! Just fifty more days! Persistence means victory!"
"There's still time to catch up if you start pushing yourself now!"
"In the college entrance exams, a single point can mean the difference of an entire playground's worth of students!"
"Calm your minds and study! There's still time! Identify your weaknesses and fill the gaps—make every minute count!"
"May all our senior students achieve outstanding results and get admitted to their dream universities!"
...
When there were only fifty days left, Yi Tianyu obtained his first-class athlete certification.
By this time, all students in Classes 1 and 2 had stopped everything else, devoting every ounce of energy to studying.
Later, many students would recall this period with discomfort.
Waking at five every morning, they entered an endless cycle of tedious review—tests, explanations, tests, explanations...
This monotonous, painful routine grew increasingly oppressive as the number in the upper right corner of the blackboard kept shrinking.
Sometimes, being unable to solve a single problem could reduce someone to tears.
Familiar classmates barely greeted each other in the hallways—one might be memorizing texts, puzzling over problems, or simply zoning out.
Every teacher competed for time. PE classes disappeared, practical sessions vanished, even morning exercises were canceled...
Nothing remained except core subjects.
Before one teacher finished class, the next would already be waiting at the door.
"Teacher Yin, hurry up! It's my turn now!"
"Teacher Yuan, just a moment! Almost done! Class, remember—this long sentence must be broken into three parts with postpositive attributes!"
...
"King of Overtime Li! You're dragging class again!"
"Class hasn't officially started yet, be patient!"
...
As the countdown numbers dwindled, teachers grew irritable, and some students began giving up.
Classes 1 and 2 fared better, but several students from parallel classes dropped out, with one even running away from home.
Police, parents, and school authorities searched everywhere, though few in other classes noticed.
Because they only had one thing left to do... study.
Their awareness of outside events diminished. Weekends shrank from a full day to eight hours, then six.
Eventually, those six hours barely sufficed to complete all the test papers while remaining seated in the classroom.
Repetitive problems. Numb, oppressive routines.
"What day is it today?"
"50 days until the college entrance exams."
"What's today's date?"
"50 days until the college entrance exams."
Some teachers jokingly called this existence "the darkness before dawn."
As the numbers kept decreasing, they would eventually emerge from this unforgettable chapter of life.
Within this "darkness before dawn," hopeful sprouts quietly took root.
Then grew vigorously upward, reaching for dreams and futures.
For some, this might become the most memorable period of their lives—or the hardest they'd ever worked.5:30 AM, 11:30 PM.
And now, there are only 50 days left until the college entrance exam.
——
"Classmates! Classmates!! Only 30 days left until the college entrance exam!! 30 days! Just one month remains!"
"What can you do in a month? Can you still work hard? Is there still time?"
"There is time! There are still thirty days! We can push ourselves a little harder! Listen up, everyone! The results of over a decade of hard work depend on this final stretch!"
"The weather is getting hot! I know some of you are feeling restless! But remember—stay calm and give it your all!"
"Engrave these four words in your minds! It doesn’t matter if you let your teachers down—but you must not let your parents down! You must not let yourselves down!"
"The college entrance exam—if you can pass it in one go, why suffer through it twice?"
"So! For these last thirty days—give it everything you’ve got!"
"Classmates! Go for it! Charge forward!!"
……
Truthfully, by the thirty-day mark, many things are already set in stone. Some who work hard can emerge as dark horses.
They can surge from 300 points to 500, from 500 to 600.
But no one can jump from 500 to 700.
700—that’s a threshold.
In the entire third-year cohort, across two years of exams, only Gu Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng have consistently scored above 700 every time.
As the final stretch approaches, many start seeking their advice, one after another, even mimicking their schedules and study habits.
Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng aren’t self-sacrificing saints—sometimes they’ll explain, other times, if they feel it’s a waste of time, they won’t.
During this period, Chu Sheng and Xue Jiao begin discussing problems together, exchanging review notes to fill in gaps.
Around this time, people start borrowing Xue Jiao’s notes.
As long as she isn’t using them, she’s willing to lend them out—but the moment she needs them back, they must be returned immediately.
"Jiao Jiao, don’t you mind others just taking the fruits of your labor?" Liu Jiaxue asked curiously.
Xue Jiao smiled lightly. "These notes are just notes. The most important thing is here."
She tapped her temple.
Liu Jiaxue froze for a moment, then smiled enviously.
Behind them, Yi Tianyu tugged excitedly at Xue Jiao—
"Bookworm! I think I’ve seen this problem before—why don’t I know how to do it now?!"
Xue Jiao glanced back and said coldly—
"Page 73 of the second volume. Look it up yourself."
Yi Tianyu: "……"
——
When there were 21 days left until the college entrance exam, a student from First High jumped off a building.
They survived, but it sent shockwaves through other schools.
The school administration’s rhetoric began to shift slightly…
"Classmates!! The college entrance exam is a major gate in life! But it’s not the only one! All roads lead to Rome—if one doesn’t work, there’s another!"
"As long as you’ve tried your best, no one will blame you!"
"Please, don’t lose hope! You’re still young—you haven’t even truly grown up yet, and you haven’t even had a proper look at the world outside!"
"So don’t let your thoughts spiral into extremes! Before making any decisions, think of your parents!"
"You’re all in the prime of your youth—don’t let impulse lead you to tragedy!""The school counseling office is located right above the academic affairs office. Whenever you feel uncomfortable, upset, depressed, or even under too much pressure, you can go there for help! There are two professional teachers ready to assist everyone!"
"Finally, I hope all students will take good care of their health while studying hard and making the most of these last 21 days!"
"Wishing everyone outstanding results!"
...
After this incident, the teachers frequently held meetings—one today, another tomorrow—with the main focus being:
Ensuring students' safety while pushing for academic progress.
Afterwards, all the teachers became more relaxed during classes, trying their best not to add pressure.
"As long as we've done our best, the rest is up to fate."
"The college entrance exam isn't that terrifying. Haven't you taken enough tests over the years?"
"Mindset is the most important thing. What could be more important than being alive?"
"If anyone notices anything wrong with themselves or others, they must inform the teacher immediately!"
...
As the weather grew hotter, electric mosquito repellents were plugged in around the classroom.
The teachers did everything they could to provide a better environment for the senior students. Even meals were prioritized—seniors already ate before the freshmen and sophomores, and now extra dishes were frequently added.
At school, the teachers became gentle and caring. At home, Li Sitong cheerfully took care of everything for Xue Jiao.
During this period, the fourth mock exam was held. As if afraid of crushing the students' confidence, the questions were absurdly easy.
Scores above 700 were common in Classes 1 and 2.
Even Yi Tianyu scored over 690 for the first time!
The teachers lavished praise, terrified of students losing their self-assurance.
Now, there were only 20 days left until the college entrance exam.
——
"Only seven days left until the exam. Everyone, relax—ha ha, it's fine, believe in yourselves."
"Answer the questions you know first, skip the ones you don't, and come back to check after finishing everything."
"Never, ever get stuck on a single question and waste time for a few points, sacrificing the rest of the paper!"
"Write neatly—if the graders can't read your handwriting, how can they give you marks?"
"Remember to fill in the answer sheet. Every year, students forget or run out of time."
"What's the biggest regret in the college entrance exam? Getting a question wrong that you knew how to solve! Or solving it correctly but forgetting to transfer it to the answer sheet!"
"Also, always leave time to check—look for small mistakes, but most importantly, make sure you've filled in the answer sheet!"
"Every time you transfer an answer, double-check the question number so you don't write in the wrong spot. There won't be extra space to fix it later!"
"Lastly, bring all necessary items to the exam, with backups for everything. Don't forget anything. Arrive early—you must arrive early."
"Ha ha, don't stress—the finish line is right ahead!"
...
Xue Jiao looked up at the man on the podium—the principal—who was smiling warmly.
It was hard to imagine that not long ago, he had stood there shouting hoarsely for everyone to push harder! To fight with everything they had!
During this time, none of the teachers were racing against the clock anymore—because they knew it was too late.
Too late.
Two simple words, yet how terrifying they were.
——
"Ha ha ha, students! Today's plan is a trip to the southern park for some fresh air! The entire grade is going! After we return, you'll have three days off to rest at home!" Yin Fang smiled gently.
The students below remained expressionless.Four days left until the college entrance exam... well... many students have started to become... zen-like.
After heading out.
"Jiao Jiao, I'm still a little scared," Liu Jiaxue said, holding Xue Jiao's hand as they walked amidst the crowd.
Xue Jiao chuckled softly. "You've prepared well enough, no need to worry."
Liu Jiaxue sighed faintly. Saying she wasn’t afraid didn’t mean she truly wasn’t.
Yi Tianyu, who had been lagging behind, suddenly darted forward and sidled up to Xue Jiao.
"Hey hey, why are you holding hands in such hot weather?"
Liu Jiaxue glared at him. "We’re close, none of your business!"
Yi Tianyu glared back before turning his eager gaze to Xue Jiao.
Xue Jiao turned her head slightly. "Depression—"
Yi Tianyu’s eyes lit up, and he leaned in even closer.
"What? What is it?"
Xue Jiao said, "Don’t forget to memorize the Chinese texts when you get home."
Yi Tianyu: "…………"
"Slow down up front! Don’t catch a cold! This is the critical period—everyone must stay healthy and avoid getting sick!" Yin Fang shouted from behind.
The students who had been walking quickly slowed their pace.
Liu Jiaxue pulled Xue Jiao past Yi Tianyu and whispered, "Jiao Jiao, I feel like you’re especially harsh on Yi Tianyu."
Xue Jiao paused, then smiled. "Because he’s dumb."
"Hahaha!! That’s true!"
"What are you two talking about?" Yi Tianyu crowded in again.
Liu Jiaxue laughed. "We’re saying you’re dumb! Haha!!"
Yi Tianyu: "…………"
They didn’t dare wander too far or spend too much time outside, so after two hours of outdoor fun, Teacher Yin led them back.
"This is the last time you’ll sit in this classroom listening to me speak before the exam. When you go home, there’s no need to cram—just take care of your health! Make sure to have backups of your exam materials and bring them with you. Those with parents accompanying you, give a copy to them as well. And most importantly, traffic might be bad, so arrive early!"
"Got it—"
——
As the exam drew nearer, Xue Jiao struggled with insomnia.
Soon, it would be the time she had died in her past life...
Back then, she hadn’t done well on the exam, and she never even got to see her results before she was gone.
This time, she felt she had studied well, but it was a shame those who had helped her couldn’t see it.
Grandpa, do you know?
Your granddaughter is so fortunate to have been given a second chance—and now, she even has... a very warm family.
That night, Xue Jiao barely slept. The next morning, she woke up with a cold.
Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong were frantic.
June in the south was unbearable—turning on the AC risked catching a cold, but not using it risked heatstroke.
In such stifling weather, many people easily fell ill, and Xue Jiao wasn’t the only one.
It was the day before the exam. Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong took her to the hospital for an injection, then started her on medication as soon as they returned.
"How did you catch a cold?! I didn’t even turn on the AC last night!" Li Sitong was so anxious that she developed a blister on her lip.
Unexpected situations always brought the most worry.
"It’s fine, it’s fine!" Cheng Shuo forced himself to stay calm before turning to Xue Jiao. "Jiao Jiao, how are you feeling?"
Xue Jiao nodded. "I’m okay. No fever, and my mind is clear. I can take the exam tomorrow."
Cheng Shuo nodded, hiding all his emotions so she wouldn’t see. In the end, he only said, "Your health is what matters most."They were very worried about Xue Jiao but didn’t dare to show it.
Fortunately, on the day of the actual college entrance exam, Xue Jiao’s condition didn’t improve, but it didn’t worsen either.
She didn’t have a fever, but she was slightly congested and coughing.
Li Sitong and Cheng Shuo were especially anxious, while Cheng Mingze could only console them: “At least it’s nasal congestion and not a runny nose. Otherwise, without tissues, it would’ve been even more uncomfortable.”
Xue Jiao smiled and nodded, trying her best not to worry her parents.
“Jiao Jiao, check again to make sure you have everything—pencils, pens, admission ticket, ruler, compass, spare leads…” Cheng Shuo went through each item one by one, confirming everything was in order before saying, “Go on in now.”
Xue Jiao nodded. “Then I’ll head in.”
Nearby, just like in previous years, the parents seemed far more agitated than the students.
“Son! Do your best! Don’t forget to fill in the answer sheet!”
“Watch the time! Watch the time!”
“Daughter! Come, quickly write your name on this golden paper! May you top the golden list!”
“Hey, son, remember to use the bathroom first!”
“Go for it! Mom and Dad will be right here waiting for you! We’re your emotional support!”
…
Xue Jiao turned back to look at the three of them, squeezed among the crowd, clenching their fists in encouragement for her.
“Jiao Jiao!! Your health comes first!!” Cheng Shuo couldn’t help but remind her.
He was especially worried about this daughter of his, who cared about nothing but the exam and paid no attention to her own well-being.
“Got it—” Xue Jiao waved and turned to leave.
The college entrance exam—this year’s students had arrived.
——
After fingerprint verification, Xue Jiao took her seat.
She didn’t look around but instead focused on calming her mind.
Today was the most important day of her life—the beginning of making up for regrets and realizing her dreams.
Her cold still affected her a little.
But in the heat of June, few students could remain completely calm.
Outside, the sun blazed fiercely. Xue Jiao took a deep breath, minimizing the impact as much as possible.
Soon, the bell rang, and the invigilators entered with the exam papers.
They checked the seals in front of the students, opened them, and distributed the papers one by one.
Then, they verified each student’s details and attached barcode stickers.
When the bell rang again, the exam began.
Xue Jiao held a pen in one hand and pressed the other against the exam paper, taking another deep breath.
When she opened her eyes again, they sparkled with determination, radiating an unprecedented intensity.
She began writing, swiftly answering question after question.
——
Li Sitong took out the familiar “three-piece set” that Cheng Mingze knew all too well—the so-called “blessed” exam gear.
It had been the same last year, except back then, it was Cheng Mingze taking the exam while Cheng Shuo, Li Sitong, and Xue Jiao waited outside.
“Mingze scored so well last year, so these must be effective. Let’s all wear them!”
After Li Sitong said this, Cheng Shuo smoothly picked them up and put them on without hesitation.
Cheng Mingze: “…”
No choice—he picked them up and wore them too.
All three held small flags in their hands as they sat under the shade of a tree.
“You’re here for your child too, huh?” someone nearby struck up a conversation.
“Yes, yes, my daughter’s taking the exam this year,” Li Sitong replied with a smile.
“My son’s taking it today too—also at No. 7 High. Ah, we’ve finally made it to this day.”
Li Sitong nodded in agreement. “Exactly. The kids have suffered, and so have we parents.”
Another person chimed in, “Until the admission letter arrives, none of us can really relax.”Cheng Shuo took out a newspaper and began reading, while Cheng Mingze beside him pulled out a laptop and started typing away.
After a while, Cheng Shuo glanced at Li Sitong, who was chatting animatedly with someone, then at the focused Cheng Mingze beside him.
This scene… why did it feel so familiar?
A little later, Li Sitong suddenly stood up and waved—
“Sister Qin!! Over here!”
“Sitong!” Mrs. Qin’s eyes also lit up as she pulled Chu Sheng’s father over.
“Come, come, there’s still space here.” Li Sitong squeezed aside to make room.
Seeing this, Cheng Mingze stood up. “Uncle, Auntie, please take a seat.”
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 anxiously.
Cheng Shuo held him back. “It’s fine. He’s young—let him sit on the ground.”
Unable to refuse further, Chu Sheng’s parents finally sat down.
Mrs. Qin looked at Cheng Mingze enviously. “How I envy you for having such outstanding children!”
Li Sitong sighed. “I envy you for having Chu Sheng. I’m worried sick right now.”
“Xue Jiao’s grades are so good—what are you worried about?” Mrs. Qin said with a smile.
“She caught a cold.” Li Sitong forced a bitter smile.
“What?!” Mrs. Qin’s eyes widened in shock.
She then asked urgently, “How is Xue Jiao? Is it serious? Oh no, how did she catch a cold?”
Li Sitong shook her head helplessly. “Maybe it’s the hot weather. Thankfully, it’s not too severe.”
“That’s a relief. After the first exam, remember to give her some medicine. Also, be careful—some cold medicines can make people drowsy. It’s already easy to feel sleepy in the afternoon, so you must be cautious…” Mrs. Qin began advising.
Li Sitong nodded, holding her hand. “Yes, we’ve already prepared everything.”
They had been extra careful with the medicine, afraid it might affect Xue Jiao’s college entrance exam performance.
“Chu Sheng didn’t catch a cold, but he never talks about how his preparations are going. It’s quite worrying too!”
“He must be doing great. With Chu Sheng’s grades, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Finally, another parent nearby chimed in—
“Are you two the mothers of Gu Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng?”
Their tone carried a hint of astonishment.
And why not? During the several mock exams in senior year, parents received not just their own child’s scores.
Xue Jiao and Chu Sheng’s unattainably high scores had added immense pressure to many parents!
“Yes!” Both women replied casually, though their chins lifted slightly.
This was a parent’s proudest moment.
Just then, a couple approached.
“Xue Jiao’s mom! Xue Jiao’s dad!” The man was slightly plump, appearing somewhat simple but with bright eyes.
The woman seemed very capable, walking beside the man—they looked quite harmonious.
“Oh… it’s Yi Tianyu’s dad and mom…” Li Sitong responded weakly.
Cheng Shuo merely shook hands with a forced smile.
His attitude couldn’t possibly be good toward someone eyeing his daughter.
Yi Dafa wasn’t offended. If Xue Jiao were his daughter and someone dared to covet her, he’d have chased them off long ago!
Thus, Yi Dafa and Yi’s Mother continued chatting with them cheerfully.
For a while, the shade under the tree was lively.
——
In the distance, inside a car.
Lin Zhihua sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the exam venue through the window.
“Boss… would you like some water?” Chen Yan asked respectfully.
Lin Zhihua waved his hand dismissively.
His eyes remained on the scene outside, leaving Chen Yan unsure of his thoughts.Lin Zhihua simply wanted to stay by Xue Jiao's side.
The college entrance exam had been Xue Jiao's top priority until today, and he wanted to accompany her through it.
At the same time, today was also an important day for Lin Zhihua.
It meant his girl was about to grow up, that she would soon be coming to his city.
And also...
It meant he no longer had to hold himself back.
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