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While other test-takers were nervously reviewing their papers, Fang Yi was agonizing over whether to attend Jinda University or Dongda University.
Forget it, his college entrance exam score would decide. If the last digit of his score was odd, he'd go to Jinda. If it was even, he'd go to Dongda. Yes, that's the happy decision.
Having wasted half an hour, Fang Yi finally picked up his pen with satisfaction. To be honest, Chinese language scores were a bit of a mystery, belonging to the unpredictable category. Because, besides poetry fill-in-the-blanks and multiple-choice questions, reading comprehension and essays were far too subjective. There's a good joke circulating online in later generations: reading comprehension isn't about understanding the author's original intent, but understanding the intent of the test setter. But the problem is, who the hell knows who set this question?
Of course, for Fang Yi, who had a "perspective hack," this wasn't a problem. He finished in half an hour, but Fang Yi didn't want to seem too extraordinary. After reviewing the paper once more, he waited until 20 minutes before the end of the exam before submitting it. On the other hand, leaving too early would mean he'd still have to wait for Zhao Wanqiu and Shen Hao. Where was he going to wait? The classroom at least had electric fans, wasn't that more comfortable than outside?
As soon as he stepped out of the school gate, a huge crowd swarmed around him. Among the crowd, anxious parents chattered, asking him question after question.
"Young man, was this year's test difficult?""Young man, how did you do on the exam?""How many points do you think you scored?"
...
Just then, a reporter appeared out of nowhere, holding a microphone and approaching. "Hello, student. I'm a reporter from Jiangzhen Daily. I'd like to interview you, if that's convenient?"
He miscalculated! Fang Yi hadn't expected that even after delaying for 20 minutes until near the end, he would still be the first one to finish. Damn it... Fang Yi saw the situation and figured he couldn't leave without saying a few words, so he could only nod, "Alright!"
Seeing him agree, the lady reporter asked, "First, do you think this year's Chinese language paper was difficult?"
"It was alright, many knowledge points seemed familiar."
"It seems this student is quite confident. So, how many points do you think you scored?"
"Around 120 points, I guess! Chinese is quite subjective, so it's hard to estimate the score accurately."
"120 points is very good. Did your parents not accompany you?"
"They wanted to, but I persuaded them not to."
...
"Finally, is there anything you want to say?"
For the first few questions, Fang Yi answered in a very standard manner. Facing the last question, he couldn't help but be a little playful. He looked seriously at the camera and said, "Remember to buff Irelia!"
Lady reporter: ???Onlookers: ???
Taking advantage of their stunned reactions, Fang Yi quickly slipped out of the crowd. He bought a bottle of soda at a small convenience store and drank it while waiting for Zhao Wanqiu and Shen Hao. He waited until the exam was completely over before the two emerged from the exam hall.
The three discussed the test questions as they rode their bikes home. For the next two days, to avoid being surrounded again, Fang Yi simply waited until the exam time ended before handing in his papers.
When the last English exam ended on the third day, one could clearly feel the atmosphere in the entire exam room change. It was like a taut string that had suddenly been released. This feeling was very strange. Some people were crying on their desks, some were cheering... From this moment on, everyone would embark on different paths in life.
"Brother Yi!" Walking out of the exam hall, Zhao Wanqiu came towards him, her smile as bright and warm as spring sunshine. As she reached Fang Yi, Zhao Wanqiu was about to speak when she suddenly began to cough violently and uncontrollably. Patting her back, Fang Yi subtly asked, "Brother Qiu, are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Zhao Wanqiu waved her hand, suppressing her cough, and explained, "Maybe I had too much fan blowing on me these past two days, my throat feels a bit uncomfortable!"
Hearing this, Fang Yi chuckled, "Brother Qiu, tomorrow I'm taking you to a good place."
"What place?" Zhao Wanqiu blinked, her expression full of anticipation.
"You'll know tomorrow, let's go home first!"
Upon returning home, before he even had a chance to sit down, Zhuang Shufen eagerly asked, "Son, how did you do on the exam?" For the past two days, Fang Yucheng had told her not to put pressure on the child, so she had been holding back from asking. Now that the college entrance exam was completely over, she couldn't hold back anymore.
"Done and dusted!" Fang Yi made an "okay" gesture and began drinking cold tea straight from the cup. This time, Zhuang Shufen didn't lecture him; instead, her expression was one of pleasant surprise. "Really? How many points do you estimate you scored?"
"I don't know the exact score, but getting into Jinda University is definitely not a problem!"
"Once your dad gets back, our whole family will go out for a good meal! And we'll call Wanqiu and her mom to celebrate together!" Even at this moment, Zhuang Shufen hadn't forgotten Zhao Wanqiu. How much she must want a daughter...
Dinner was at a restaurant, with Fang Yi's family plus Zhao Wanqiu and her mother. The meal was thoroughly enjoyable for both hosts and guests, and Wang Juan even shed tears at the end. A woman raising a daughter alone, the bitterness of it all was something outsiders couldn't comprehend. Now she had finally made it through; her daughter was about to go to university. In another four years, once Zhao Wanqiu graduated from university, she would be completely free.
The only regret, perhaps, was that Zhao Wanqiu and Fang Yi, two childhood sweethearts, had somehow ended up as good brothers, good confidantes. In fact, both families had previously considered becoming in-laws, though it was never explicitly said, it was an unspoken understanding. Both families worked at the same factory, and they had watched each other's children grow up, knowing them inside and out. It was just a pity that the two children played and played until they became like brothers...