Chapter 4
On June 9th, after finishing the last exam, it also meant that many people’s youthful days had come to a complete end. The students could finally shed their rigid constraints, take off their uniform pants, and change into their own clothes. The girls put on their favorite little dresses, and their hair, tied up all year round, could finally fall freely over their shoulders.
Some were already eager, trying to exchange feelings with the people they liked.
Shi Yu and Gao Lulu were the teachers’ main focus. The last time Haidi High School had students admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University was ten years ago, when a senior barely got into Peking University’s Medical Department. Whether the school could gain honor this time depended on how these two performed.
Gao Lulu answered the teachers obediently, reporting: “The Chinese essay topic was about chasing ideals and reality, how to make choices. My theme was to keep looking at the stars while staying grounded. The last big math problem was somewhat complicated, but we had practiced similar problems during mock exams, so although it took some time, I managed to solve it smoothly. As for the science comprehensive…”
Gao Lulu hesitated for a second, then quietly looked at Shi Yu beside her: “I’m not very confident about physics, but biology and chemistry should be fine.”
The teachers nodded, feeling much more relieved. “Physics alone isn’t too bad. This year, many people struggled with math, so that might pull down scores. How about Shi Yu?”
Shi Yu responded with a simple “Hmm.” “As long as it’s done, it’s fine.”
The teachers: “…”
“No matter what, you two did great, well done. After the results come out, the school will apply for scholarships for both of you, so you don’t have to worry about tuition or living expenses. Also, once the results are out, the most important thing is the application for schools and majors, so make sure to communicate with us in time…”
“Thank you, teachers.” Shi Yu looked up quietly and said, “After graduating high school, I won’t need to apply for scholarships anymore. I’m about to turn eighteen and can work part-time.”
Gao Lulu was a little anxious and tugged at his shirt hem, whispering, “Shi Yu, what are you doing? University is so busy, there’s no time for part-time jobs.”
The teachers knew he had a stubborn personality and didn’t say much. If he got admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University smoothly, the government would also provide scholarships enough to cover his tuition.
Soon, it was late June, the time to check results. The teachers’ office was crowded with people, all eager and ready for this moment.
“Alright! Shi Yu’s candidate number is xxxx, ID number is xxxxx, Gao Lulu’s candidate number is xxxx, ID number is xxxx…”
Gao Lulu nervously clenched her sleeves, her heart pounding extremely fast, thumping loudly: “Shi Yu, do you think we can score over 700?”
Shi Yu casually leaned against the wall, one leg bent, the other supporting his body. His bangs had grown long, covering half his eyes. He just lowered his head and said calmly, “Yes.”
The keyboard clicked rapidly. Everyone held their breath, as if not daring to even breathe. Then, as the mouse clicked to confirm, a series of confused “Ah?”s broke out.
“No results?”
“Yeah, why aren’t there any results?”
Soon they randomly checked another student’s score on the list, which appeared smoothly — 482 points.
“What’s going on? Why can’t we find Shi Yu’s results?”
Many teachers started to panic. They had never encountered a situation where a student’s results couldn’t be found, until the head counselor came in from the door, still on the phone, urgently shouting, “Shi Yu’s results can’t be found?! Are they hidden?”
“Ah…? Yes.”
“The admissions office at Tsinghua just called me! Shi Yu’s score is in the top 50 of the entire province, and actually in the top ten!!! They’re asking me about his preferred major!!”
“Ah!!!!”
The whole room erupted in excitement. Countless teachers shouted joyfully — this was the best result Haidi High School had seen in nearly ten years!
“Quick, check Lulu’s now!”
The teachers hurriedly entered Gao Lulu’s candidate number, but just like before, her results also couldn’t be found — hidden.
“Fantastic!!!!!!”
Almost all the teachers cried with joy, overwhelmed by emotion. They never expected these two students to perform so well. Their three years of hard work had not been in vain — they created the best results and records!
Gao Lulu stood there in a daze, unable to believe it: “I… I made it into the top 50 of the province?”
Soon, the head counselor came back on the phone: “Peking University’s admissions office also called me. They said Shi Yu’s results are outstanding, and he basically has a guaranteed spot at both Guanghua and Yuanpei colleges! He can choose whichever he prefers! Lulu’s results are good too, but if she wants to go to Peking University, she’ll need to consider a minor language major.”
“Shi Yu, which one do you want to go to?”
All eyes focused on Shi Yu. The young man standing before them wore the simplest white shirt and black pants, yet carried the weight of everyone’s expectations, hopes, and envy. Being in the top ten of the province meant that the country’s best universities had opened their doors to him — and he could choose any major.
Shi Yu straightened his body, leaning against the wall. Tall and upright, with a neat appearance, when he sat properly with seriousness, his presence made it impossible for anyone to look away.
He raised his head, his expression firmer and more determined than ever, and said clearly, word by word: “Teacher, please help me decline Tsinghua University and Peking University, thank you. I want to go to Jiang University to study finance.”
“What???” If his excellent results were a huge surprise, his words now were a huge shock, striking like thunder on the ground and in everyone’s hearts.
“That’s Tsinghua and Peking University, do you know that?” The head counselor was almost furious, his face turning an unnatural shade of red. He shouted angrily, “Choosing your application is not something to take lightly or do as you please! It can be said that the college application is the most important thing about the whole gaokao. So many people score high but don’t apply properly, regretting it for their entire lives — do you understand?!”
“Yes.” Gao Lulu bit her lip tightly. “Shi Yu, don’t you want to go to Tsinghua or Peking University? They have the best education resources in the country, the best classmates and teachers. You’d have the brightest future. Haven’t we worked so hard all these years for this?”
“The future should depend on what I do, not on the environment I’m in,” Shi Yu said, placing both hands calmly at his sides, showing no hint of playfulness. “Tsinghua University and Peking University are great, but they’re just platforms—and I can choose not to use them. Jiang University is also excellent, its finance program is one of the top four in the country. I have thought about this decision for a long time. I don’t like the climate in the northern cities — it’s too bleak, just like Haishi. Jiangcheng has spring all year round, very warm.”
The office fell into an unprecedented silence. Everyone seemed helpless against his firm, well-reasoned words. Shi Yu was known for his strong will, once he made a decision, it was difficult to change. It was precisely because of this resolve that he had achieved such outstanding results.
After much hesitation, the homeroom teacher finally said, “Shi Yu, if you go to Tsinghua or Peking, the government will give you a 100,000 yuan scholarship to cover your tuition and living expenses…”
“I know, thank you, teacher,” Shi Yu smiled. “But I can also earn that 100,000 yuan myself, can’t I?”
In the end, Shi Yu went to Jiang University to study finance, while Gao Lulu, under strong encouragement from the teachers, went to Peking University for a minor language major. The school had already lost one Tsinghua or Peking student and couldn’t afford to lose the other. Besides, Gao Lulu herself was eager to go.
On the day of returning to school to take graduation photos, the sun was shining brightly, and the campus was filled with the sounds of students laughing and playing. With the applications over and admission letters finally received, this was the relaxing and joyful sound after all the dust had settled.
Everyone now had a clear path ahead, no longer confused but focused. The future was full of hope, and the road ahead was bright and smooth.
Shi Yu sat on a bench in the campus, sunlight shining on his hair, giving it a light golden chestnut hue that softened his sharp features. His face was very handsome and his features deep, but when he didn’t smile, he gave off a distant and unapproachable vibe.
He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun melting on his skin, recalling that dazzling woman on stage that day—dressed in a long gown, smiling gently as she wished them good luck on their exams.
And he had finally taken the first step to get closer to her.
A girl quietly approached, gathering her courage to hand him a black marker, whispering, “Shi Yu, can you… sign my school uniform?”
During graduation season, it was very popular for everyone to sign each other’s school uniforms, leaving a memory of their youth. Having the signature of someone you liked was also a wish for many.
Hearing this, Shi Yu looked down at her, took the pen, and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Ah…?” The girl’s cheeks immediately flushed a light red, seemingly a little stunned. “I… I’m from Class 3 next door. My name is Ma Xue.”
Shi Yu grabbed the sleeve of her uniform jacket, took off the pen cap with his mouth and clipped it to the back end, then casually wrote her name “Ma Xue (马雪)” in flowing strokes on a blank spot.
He didn’t need to leave his own name on someone else’s youth, but out of courtesy, he could leave hers.
The girl seemed stunned by his action, not expecting it to be like that, but felt it made the moment even more special. She hugged the sleeve of her uniform happily, gave him a deep bow, then ran away excitedly.
Gao Lulu watched for a while, then walked over and threw her own uniform jacket at him: “I want one too.”
Shi Yu did the same, writing “Gao Lulu (高露露)” on the sleeve.
Gao Lulu: “???”
Gao Lulu felt a bit angry: “Why are you doing that? Why don’t you write your own name?”
Shi Yu said, “Isn’t it the same?”
Gao Lulu stomped her foot and said again, “Then give me your uniform. I want to sign your name.”
Shi Yu didn’t respond. He bent his legs and lay back on the campus bench, his two clearly knotted hands folded to support the back of his full head. The sunlight was a bit dazzling, and he squinted, looking off into a seemingly distant direction.
“When you get into Peking University, there will be many better male classmates. Their names will be more worth remembering than mine.”
Shi Yu’s calm voice drifted away in the breeze.
Gao Lulu stared at his sharp half-profile. She often looked his way when she was tired from studying, and seeing his jawline always made her feel better.
But now, looking down at him from above, she actually felt a little sad.