Chapter 27: College Entrance Exam

Candidates 5 and 6, proceed to your examination rooms.

Stepping onto campus, Xu Qingzhou felt overwhelming emotion—the once-bustling grounds were now silent, no one playing basketball or soccer, only countless figures holding admission tickets, searching for their rooms.

At this time, although some first- and second-year boarding students lived far from home and stayed on campus, they had all been warned to remain quiet, and the examination zones were strictly off-limits.

After searching for a long time by room number, Xu Qingzhou finally found his examination room in Class 3, Grade 1.

Around him were three or four others, also studying the room assignment map, all strangers.

After viewing the room and locating his seat, it was only 11:00; Xu Qingzhou decided to stroll around campus, as he might never return.

High schools traditionally have a custom for graduating seniors.

Of everyone, the ones most nervous about Xu Qingzhou’s college entrance exam were undoubtedly his parents.

Read! {

He closed his eyes, his breathing gradually steadied, and he fell asleep. The next morning, Xu Qingzhou was woken by low voices outside—6:30 a.m.

At the school gate, fire trucks stood parked, emergency power generators were set up, police maintained order, and rings of parents gathered behind barriers, watching their children enter the examination halls.

Since the 5th, Wang Xiaping had taken leave to stay home; when buying groceries, she carefully selected every item, afraid of serving spoiled food that might upset her child’s stomach, and even when presenting a fruit platter, she spoke in hushed tones, terrified of disturbing Xu Qingzhou’s state of mind.

When Xu Shou returned from work, he did the same—both moved with extreme caution, speaking only in hushed voices.

Xu Qingzhou focused his attention and began answering seriously.

Breakfast was unchanged—steamed buns and congee; Xu Qingzhou had eaten only two when Wang Xiaping ordered him to stop, saying greasy food would make him drowsy.

Before the college entrance exam: Welcome students to visit home often.

“Ding~”

“This must be our last meal together in high school,” Xu Qingzhou said in surprise—he hadn’t expected Song Yao to be so sentimental.

The girl was beautiful, wearing a white dress, tall and slender, revealing a sliver of smooth, fair skin on her calves; a few strands of hair fluttered in the breeze; simply standing there, she could dazzle the entire summer.

The loudspeaker broadcast examination instructions; proctors individually checked each candidate’s ID and admission ticket.

Minutes ticked by, and the examination hall announcement sounded.

“Check for missing pages, verify no printing omissions, ensure legibility of text.”

In memory, he never returned to school after the exam; the closest he came was when the school invited him to give a lecture to underclassmen, but he was unable to go—he was at a critical stage in his experiment.

The first subject was Chinese, 9:00–11:30.

Proctors displayed the sealed test packets to candidates before distributing the papers.

That night, Xu Shou came in again to inspect Xu Qingzhou’s exam supplies: five 0.5mm pens, two 2B pencils, erasers, and his admission ticket and other essentials.

Xu Qingzhou had insisted his mindset was excellent, telling them not to fuss—but it made no difference.

After the college entrance exam: Non-students prohibited from entering.

He yawned as he stepped out and saw Xu Shou had also risen early.

“Proctors, please guide candidates into the examination hall. Proctors, please guide candidates into the examination hall.”

At the second bell, the exam began.

Xu Shou and Wang Xiaping nodded—they had already agreed not to say “good luck” when sending their son off, to avoid adding pressure. At 11:30 p.m., Xu Qingzhou lay in bed and could still hear his parents whispering outside; the feeling was finally familiar.

“Alright.”

The broadcast continued.

Passing candidates couldn’t help glancing over.

Over the past decade, Xu Qingzhou had forgotten what an essay even was, let alone the other exam questions—but overall, these questions posed no difficulty for him.

“Dad, Mom, I’m going in.”

Just as Xu Qingzhou reached for his chopsticks, Song Yao stopped him, pulling out her phone: “Let’s commemorate this.”

No different from usual.

At 11:30, the cafeteria opened; due to many students going home for vacation, only three windows were open.

On the road, countless families like Xu Qingzhou’s moved together.

“Mm,” Song Yao nodded lightly and followed Xu Qingzhou toward the playground.

“Yes,” Song Yao nodded, took two photos, seemed dissatisfied, then handed her phone to Xu Qingzhou: “Photographing just the tray is too plain—you take a group photo.”

After passing security, entering the exam hall, Xu Qingzhou sat smoothly at his assigned seat, then checked whether the room number on the desk matched his admission ticket; after a while, the teacher returned to verify his identity again.

After eating, during the hottest part of the day, Xu Qingzhou and the others didn’t foolishly linger outside—they each returned home.

Few windows, but the food was excellent—even braised pork belly was available; the two of them carried their trays and found any empty seat.

He briefly scanned the test paper; answer sheets hadn’t been distributed yet, but most candidates had already begun mentally answering.

Xu Qingzhou walked over and asked: “You’ve seen your room?”

!.

Downstairs.

At 7:45 a.m., the family set off in full force.

Xu Qingzhou snapped two quick photos.

Xu Qingzhou showed his admission ticket, passed through the gate, waved to his parents standing at the school entrance, then strode toward the examination hall.

“Xu Qingzhou, treat me to lunch,” Song Yao pointed to the cafeteria ahead.

After breakfast, the two parents meticulously checked all the items Xu Qingzhou needed to bring: his water bottle filled with warm water, chocolate, even anti-diarrheal medicine.

Xu Qingzhou paused, then smiled and nodded, declaring grandly: “Alright, I’ve got exactly 32 yuan left in my account.”

Read the following passage and write an essay according to the requirements.

A person only belongs to the world after he stands on his own.

What thoughts does this statement evoke in you? Choose your own angle and write an essay of at least 800 words: 1) Title and genre self-selected; 2) No plagiarism or fabrication; 3) Use standard Chinese characters. From its meaning, the statement embodies a profound spirit of self-reliance and self-strengthening, while also emphasizing the relationship between the individual and the world, guiding candidates to reflect deeply on the value of life.

Xu Qingzhou briefly contemplated, then picked up his pen and wrote the title: Embracing the World with a Standing Posture.

(End of chapter)