Chapter 509

On July 7th, the national college entrance examination descended once again upon Shenzhou.

Ten years of grinding a sword, now its edge is tested; over a million candidates, after a decade of bitter study, finally reached the most intense moment of competition.

The college entrance exam is a filtering system: only by eliminating a million can one rise above the rest; at this moment, everyone is an opponent, with no room for sentiment.

At Qingshui County No. 2 Middle School, the vast campus was nearly silent, save for the invigilators occasionally reminding students how much time remained.

Principal Chang paced slowly, hands clasped behind his back, circling the new teaching building again and again.

This teaching building was newly completed last year and was being used this year as the exam venue; every classroom had fans, making it the best-equipped in all of Qingshui County.

But outside, there were no fans.

The July sun blazed fiercely; others either huddled under tree shade without moving or cowered beneath electric fans, yet Principal Chang moved like a slow, dull ox, dragging his steps forward with unwavering determination.

Only when passing by a classroom on the first floor did he pause, peering through the window at a little girl inside.

【Sigh, daughter, whether you prove yourself this year rests entirely on you.】

This girl was an excellent student; her junior high graduation score ranked among the top five in the entire county and had long been targeted by County No. 1 High. Yet she stubbornly chose County No. 2 High.

In Qingshui County, the teaching quality was still highest at County No. 1 High.

Although County No. 2 High had made a splash in 1982 by sending eight students to national key universities, by 1983 and 1984 it had settled back into its role as the "steady #2."

So the director of County No. 1 High had sneered at County No. 2 High, accusing them of using underhanded competitive tactics.

But later, the girl herself openly declared that she refused to attend County No. 1 High because they had once rejected her older brother.

【I'd rather die than go to County No. 1 High.】

Her older brother was Li Ye, the provincial top scorer of 1982; she was Li Juan, his younger sister.

After Li Juan enrolled at County No. 2 High, Principal Chang arranged special tutoring for her and sternly instructed her homeroom teacher to give her special attention.

If any troublemaker dared disturb her studies, he was dragged straight to the principal's office for punishment without question.

Little Li Juan indeed proved worthy; she consistently held the top rank in the entire school and was a strong contender for the county's top spot. Whether County No. 2 High could finally outshine County No. 1 High this year truly rested on this girl.

Before the exam, several of Li Juan's teachers told Principal Chang that the girl had been extremely nervous lately; though pre-exam anxiety was normal, Principal Chang was deeply worried.

But now, seeing Li Juan's calm expression and steady handwriting, he felt she was likely fine.

A teacher's confidence still came down to student performance.

Think back to after the 1982 exam—how glorious County No. 2 High had been! The request for a new teaching building was approved immediately—all thanks to Li Ye's cohort.

Principal Chang smiled with satisfaction, turned to begin another lap, then suddenly noticed something unusual near the school gate.

Far off, the gatekeeper Old Liu was stiff-necked, pointing and shouting at someone—clearly in an argument.

The fifty-something Principal Chang surged forward like a furious old ox, eyes bulging, tail bristling, charging over while muttering low, angry "moo-moo-moo" sounds.

【I want to see who dares sabotage this!】

【Who gave you the nerve to disrupt the students' exam???】

Back then, no parents accompanied their children to exams, so Principal Chang immediately assumed someone was causing trouble.

But when he reached the scene and saw who was arguing with Old Liu, his anger instantly melted into delight.

【What are you yelling about? I'm talking to you, Old Liu—why are you shouting so loud? If you disturb the students, I'll punish you.】

Old Liu, suddenly scolded, whined: 【Principal, it's Li Ye causing the disturbance! I followed your orders and told him not to loiter at the gate, but he won't leave no matter how many times I tell him.】

Principal Chang blinked, about to make an excuse for Li Ye, when Li Ye spoke up, clearly annoyed.

【I parked my car neatly under the tree shade, didn't honk, didn't ask to enter—Old Liu insists on chasing me away. I thought, this road isn't your private property, so I argued a bit.】

【No, no, you didn't honk, but your car keeps making a sudden "whirrr" noise—how can that not disturb the students?】

Li Ye laughed bitterly. The Santana's AC compressor had some noise, but it was nearly a hundred meters from the teaching building—how could it possibly reach the exam rooms?

【Old Liu, be honest—how could that sound possibly reach the teaching building?】

【I don't care. You said no one can loiter at the gate, no one can interfere with the students' exam. Even if this goes to the county, I'm still in the right.】

The feud between Li Ye and Old Liu had begun four years ago; the footprint that Jin Peng left on Old Liu's backside was probably etched into his memory forever.

A man lives for his pride, a tree for its bark; but as the Li family grew into a local powerhouse in Qingshui County, Old Liu's chances of revenge grew slimmer and slimmer.

Now, with a perfectly justified reason, how could Old Liu resist letting out his long-suppressed rage?

The college entrance exam is such a huge deal! You dare interfere with it? All those parents would drown you in spit.

Sure, your Li family is powerful—but I'm in the right! Righteousness carries you anywhere—I won't let you stay here today.

【Whirrr~】

The Santana's compressor hummed again, emitting a low-frequency drone.

【Tsk~】

Principal Chang clicked his tongue and suddenly said: 【This noise really is a bit too loud.】

Li Ye was speechless, but if he were in Principal Chang's place, he'd probably complain if a fly flew past.

Old Liu nearly cried with joy—this was pure satisfaction.

But Principal Chang immediately smiled and asked Li Ye: 【You came to the school suddenly—want to see your sister?】

Li Ye nodded: 【Yes! I figured after this exam ends, I'd go in and bring her some soda. When I took the exam, she waited outside and handed me soda during breaks.】

Principal Chang glared: 【You're bringing soda? Then why are you sitting outside? Just walk in—who's going to stop you?】

Li Ye: 【...】

Old Liu: 【...】

【What are you waiting for? Where's the soda?】

【Here! In the trunk.】

【Well now, you haven't even graduated yet and you've got a car! I've devoted half my life and still don't even own a motorcycle.】

As Principal Chang grumbled, he followed Li Ye to open the Santana's trunk, revealing stacks of Pengcheng Red Bull and orange soda.

Li Ye had just grabbed a case of Red Bull and a bundle of soda when Principal Chang said: 【Come on, let me help you carry.】

Li Ye hurriedly replied: 【No, no, I can handle it myself.】

【Why are you being so formal with me?】

Principal Chang chuckled, bent down, and lifted three cases of Pengcheng Red Bull, then strode straight into the school.

He turned back and urged Li Ye: 【Hurry up! What's wrong? Can't you carry a few cases?】

【Am I really that weak? Good heavens, you're not even pretending to be polite!】

【Cough, cough—Principal, it's not that I can't carry it; all these drinks in the trunk are meant for the whole school. Even the two of us couldn't carry it all!】

Principal Chang stopped, then turned back after one second, placing the three cases of Red Bull back into the trunk.

【Drive in—but don't let the engine run once you're inside! Disturbing the students' exam is a serious matter.】

【Got it, Principal, please get in.】

Li Ye put the drinks back in the trunk, opened the door, and let Principal Chang in.

Old Liu, the gatekeeper, opened his mouth but said nothing, only cursed inwardly: 【Damn capitalist bastards. Damn sugar-coated bullets.】

But while Old Liu stayed silent, Principal Chang scolded: 【Hurry up and open the gate! What are you standing there for? Don't you see they're bringing warmth?】

【Oh, this car is so cool inside! So that's why you insisted on parking at the gate! Hmm, you really know how to enjoy life.】

【Hey, Old Liu, keep watch! No unauthorized people allowed near the gate.】

Old Liu, leaning against the gate, was utterly speechless.

【I've been screwed by fate.】

Principal Chang was disciplined; though he thoroughly enjoyed the cool air-conditioning, as soon as the Santana entered the school, he immediately turned off the engine and stepped out, forbidding any unnecessary noise.

A few minutes later, the sudden ring of the bell shattered the school's silence—like heavy raindrops bursting through long-held clouds, the campus erupted in chaotic noise.

【Ding-ding-ding~~】

【Already time? But wasn't there still half an hour left?】

【The teacher just said five minutes remained—didn't you hear?】

【Who's talking? No chatting! Anyone who speaks again loses exam eligibility!!!】

【No lingering in the exam hall. Leave no paper or items behind.】

After a flurry of activity, students filed out to use the restroom, then scattered to rest.

Some seized the brief break between exams to cram, hoping for a stroke of luck.

Li Juan walked calmly out of the exam hall and was immediately surrounded by classmates.

【Li Juan, did you answer the last question? What was your answer?】

【Was the answer to the first sub-question of the second major question three and a half?】

【The teacher said not to compare answers—it affects your mindset.】

【I'm desperate—what mindset? Hey, hey, Li Juan, where are you going?】

Li Juan suddenly broke away from the crowd and ran toward Li Ye outside, her calm face instantly brightening.

【Brother, when did you get back? How did you get in?】

【Oh oh oh, I only need one can, no need for so many.】

Li Juan joyfully accepted the drinks Li Ye offered, her demeanor transformed—her days of tension vanished instantly.