The Reincarnated Science Whiz

Chapter 33: The College Entrance Exam Ends

At 5:00 p. m. on June 8, the bell signaling the end of the English exam rang. “Holy crap, I’m finally free!” “I’m going to sleep like a log—until the end of the world!” “I’m going to have fun—I’m going to the Magic City, I’m going to the Forbidden City, I’m going to the Great Wall…” “College, here I come!” The students skipped and jumped, letting loose. Over the three years of high school, the academic pressure was far greater than in middle school—and far more intense than at most universities! As soon as the college entrance exams ended, all that pressure vanished into thin air, and what the students wanted most was to let loose. Qin Yuanqing had long since put his clothes away. Through the window, he watched the students at the school gate—some crying, some laughing—as if he were a complete nutcase. But Qin Yuanqing understood—only here could you truly experience this bittersweet emotion. So what if it’s a 996 work schedule—can it really compare to high school life? Without high school, would any tycoon dare claim that the 996 work schedule is a blessing? With the college entrance exam over, the students scattered in all directions, each returning to their respective schools. In Fujian Province, the grading of college entrance exam papers begins on June 9; students won’t be able to check their scores until two or three weeks later—that is, at the end of June. Qin Yuanqing recalls that this year’s college entrance exam scores weren’t available until the afternoon of June 25; at that time, students could check their scores either by phone or online. This is the convenience brought by the internet. A few years ago, when the internet wasn’t as developed, the only option was to check scores by phone. Of course, after the college entrance exam scores are released, the college application process doesn’t begin until July. This is another benefit of the college entrance exam reform—unlike in the past, when students had to submit their college applications first and only found out their scores afterward, which led to many students with high scores ending up at ordinary universities. Qin Yuanqing wasn’t worried—after all, his scores this time wouldn’t be too bad. Unless the Chinese essay grader had a complete lack of conscience and gave him a low score on his essay, the title of top science student was practically in the bag. Besides, with so many acceptance letters in hand, Qin Yuanqing wouldn’t even have to submit a college application. Should he go to Shuimu University? Or Yan Da University? Or perhaps Fudan University or Zhejiang University? This is so frustrating! Just the thought of choosing which university to attend made Qin Yuanqing feel overwhelmed. No wonder people say that the reason we worry is simply because we have too many choices. As night fell, the tense and solemn atmosphere of the college entrance exams dissipated in an instant. Walking into the campus of No. 1 High School, Qin Yuanqing saw students everywhere with beaming smiles on their faces. He headed toward the basketball court when he suddenly heard a series of shrieks and looked toward the dormitory building. He saw white “snowflakes” swirling through the air, so numerous they were almost blinding. Nature would not let snow fall in June, even if there were a case as unjust as Dou E’s, because it was the hottest part of the year. The beautiful “snowflakes” in the air were actually made of shredded paper. “This is crazy—absolutely crazy!” Qin Yuanqing stood there speechless as he watched the seniors living on the fifth and sixth floors tearing up their books and textbooks, shredding exam papers and workbooks. Shreds of paper kept raining down from above, swirling through the air. It wasn’t just the boys—the girls were doing it too. Whether male or female, they were all engaging in utterly疯狂 behavior. Qin Yuanqing sighed. Although he knew textbooks were important—they contained priceless knowledge— But he understood his classmates’ need to let off steam. Three years of hard work—no matter how bitter or exhausting—required them to grit their teeth and persevere; if they didn’t, they’d be weeded out and have no chance at college. Missing out on college meant missing out on better job opportunities. In the real world, how many job postings specify “at least an associate’s degree” or “bachelor’s degree or higher,” leaving you without even a chance to get started? But now, with the college entrance exams over, all of that was behind them, and all the pressure had finally dissipated. We’re free! Long live freedom! High school seniors are saying goodbye to exam-oriented education in this way. They no longer have to take a test for every subject every day, nor do they have to deal with endless textbooks and never-ending test papers. They no longer have to get up early every morning and stay up late at night. No more using a rechargeable desk lamp after lights-out in the dorm just to solve a few more problems and earn a few more points! To hell with the college entrance exam! From now on, I’ll never have to take the Gaokao again! On the basketball court, the students who had been playing all stopped and watched quietly as their classmates let off steam. The college entrance exam is like a narrow plank bridge—thousands of students are trying to cross it, with the paradise of happiness waiting on the other side. What gives you the right to cross that bridge faster than anyone else? If you don’t study hard every day, how can you possibly make it across to the other side? One more point means a thousand are eliminated! Neither the dorm supervisors nor the teachers intervened. Let them vent—and may their resentment vanish into thin air from this day forward! Qin Yuanqing began to understand why high school students don’t stay close to their teachers after graduation. It’s not because they lack gratitude, but because those years, though unforgettable, were not happy ones—few people would actually look back on them with fondness. Why are all teen romance dramas set in college? Because only college students have that much time to date and live freely. In high school, how many students actually date? Even going on a date is difficult—it has to be done on the sly. How could you film that? The classrooms were pitch-black; no students went there—not for evening study sessions, not to do homework. Across the entire campus, aside from the dormitories and streetlights, everything else was shrouded in darkness. Later, I finally learned how to love But alas, you’ve long since drifted away, lost in the crowd Later, through my tears, I finally realized Some people, once missed, are gone forever White gardenia petals fell onto my blue pleated skirt “I love you,” you whispered I lowered my head and caught a whiff of fragrance That eternal night Midsummer at seventeen That night you kissed me Let the days to come whenever I feel moved I’ll always recall the starlight of that day Why was love so simple back then? And why is it that when we’re young, do we always have to hurt the ones we love deeply On a late night like this Are you, too, quietly filled with regret and sorrow If only we hadn’t been so stubborn back then, we wouldn’t have so many regrets now How would you remember me With a smile, or in silence Has anyone come along over the years to keep you from feeling lonely Later, I finally learned how to love But alas, you’d long since drifted away, lost in the crowd Later, through my tears, I finally realized Some people, once missed, are gone and will never come back There was a boy who loved that girl I don’t know who it was, but as soon as the first line was sung, it sparked a mass sing-along. The singing echoed throughout the campus—without any backing track, yet filled with genuine emotion—it was deeply moving and touched the very core of one’s heart. The song “Later” has become the heartfelt expression of so many people; every time I hear it, I can’t help but shed tears. Even though it’s so moving, and even though we know that once we miss someone, they’re gone—and they’ll never come back—how many of us truly have the courage to confess our feelings to the other person? Most people choose to keep this fondness and naive love hidden in their hearts, where it matures over time, eventually becoming a memory and a symbol of a certain moment in life. Even though I understand this, I can only let it drift away with the wind! Qin Yuanqing arrived at the garden, where only a few classmates remained—a boy and a girl, some holding hands, others nestled in each other’s arms. These are the brave souls of high school—they’re enjoying life’s joys ahead of schedule and experiencing the wonders of romance. They’re all emotionally intelligent, though perhaps they don’t realize that graduation season is also breakup season. No matter how solemn your vows, if you’re not attending the same university and end up living apart, most will ultimately choose to part ways and walk hand in hand with someone else. They experience joy earlier than others, and they’ll also experience the pain of breakups earlier than others. Perhaps this is precisely what is meant by the saying: “The way of heaven is to take from the surplus and give to the deficient! Qin Yuanqing noticed the light was still on in the principal’s office. Curiosity piqued, he wondered: Why wasn’t that old man home so late? Had he had a fight with his wife? Or was some kind of office romance unfolding in the office late at night? Curiosity got the better of Qin Yuanqing. As the saying goes, “Curiosity killed the cat.” He crept quietly up the stairs, his footsteps so light they were almost inaudible. The door was ajar, and a sliver of light seeped out from inside. Qin Yuanqing closed one eye and peered through the crack in the door with the other, while straining his ears to listen for any delightful sounds coming from inside. Unfortunately, there were no unusual sounds at all! Qin Yuanqing was suddenly overcome with a sense of guilt. How could he harbor such thoughts about a principal who had devoted so much effort to the school? Over the past year, the school had built a beautiful synthetic-surface running track and a gymnasium—though the gym wouldn’t open until September 1, meaning their graduating class was destined to miss out on using it. As for the two dormitory buildings, land preparation had already begun. Rumor had it that construction would start and be completed during the summer vacation, so that new students could move into the new dorms when they registered on September 1. Among the students, the principal was highly regarded. Though short in stature, he embodied the saying “less is more”—he was an outstanding educator! Qin Yuanqing quietly made his way downstairs. Once at the bottom, he patted his chest, blended into the night, and vanished. What Qin Yuanqing didn’t know was that back in the office, Fang Jianguo was wiping the photos on his desk, tears welling in his eyes. Among them were pictures from their very first meeting when they had just entered their freshman year, photos from the “Three-Good Students” awards ceremony, and photos of Qin Yuanqing winning the CMO and IMO competitions. The end of the college entrance exams meant this class was leaving school to venture out into the world! And this was the 17th class he had seen off. The camp remains, but the soldiers come and go! Every time he bid farewell to his students, Fang Jianguo was always in tears! Unfortunately, he could only face all of this alone that evening, bidding them a silent farewell by himself. People say women are emotional, while men are heartless and cold. In reality, it’s not that men are heartless or cold—it’s just that they aren’t good at expressing their emotions.