At the start of senior year, Li Wu officially entered Class 3(1), becoming classmates with his three new roommates. He no longer traveled to and from school alone, usually walking together with them.
The atmosphere in the new class was different from before. If Class 10 had been like cubs playing around, this was a jungle full of carnivores, with natural selection churning silently beneath the calm surface.
Li Wu felt the urgency and pressure within. He loved this uncompromising atmosphere, his heart filled only with excitement and belonging.
Qi Sixian was the homeroom teacher of the reorganized science experimental class. He didn’t have a long heart-to-heart talk with Li Wu; on the first day, he just gave a simple greeting at the classroom door: “Kid, I knew we’d meet again.”
The first monthly test of senior year was a battle of the gods, and Li Wu fell out of the class top ten for the first time in his life.
His total score of 687 was higher than before, but at the pyramid’s peak, it only ranked fifteenth.
Returning home on the weekend, he handed his score sheet to Cen Jin as usual.
Cen Jin was dumbfounded, exclaiming: “Wow, with these scores you’d probably be the top scholar in liberal arts!”
But Li Wu wasn’t satisfied, his face clouded over. He muttered “I’m going to study” and shut himself in the study room for self-reflection.
Watching him leave, Cen Jin pondered for a while. She opened WeChat, thinking to send some encouraging words, when unexpectedly Teacher Qi messaged her about Li Wu’s student registration. He said the administration hoped parents could find time soon to transfer Li Wu’s registration to Yi Middle School, ending his visiting student status to become an official student.
This was undoubtedly a form of recognition.
Outstanding students were precious medals for any school, each one to be firmly pinned to their chest.
Cen Jin said: I’ll ask him later. He seems to be in a bad mood because of this test.
Teacher Qi wasn’t surprised: That’s normal. Among students like Li Wu that I’ve encountered, none are content being the head of chickens when they could be the tail of phoenixes. He won’t be satisfied with this. The competition pressure in my class is indeed intense—all top students aiming for Peking and Tsinghua Universities, and no one is willing to give way. You need to guide him well. Some kids might become discouraged from such a setback, others grow stronger from adversity—it’s hard to say.
Teacher Qi’s advice was worth pondering.
That night, Cen Jin tossed and turned, forming an idea.
Senior year only had three days of National Day holiday, so they were released early. Cen Jin called Li Wu at the perfect time.
After the youth answered, the receiver was quiet. Cen Jin asked, “Are you home?”
Li Wu replied: “In a vehicle.”
Cen Jin heard something off: “On the subway?”
“No, long-distance bus.”
Cen Jin: “Huh? Where are you going?”
Li Wu said: “Back to the village for a bit. It’s almost the anniversary of my grandfather’s death, and I only have this holiday.”
Cen Jin paused: “Sudden decision?”
Li Wu replied: “No, booked the ticket mid-month.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Didn’t want to trouble you.”
Puzzlement escalated to anger as Cen Jin raised her voice with three rapid questions: “So I’m supposed to feel better with you going alone? How old are you to be taking long-distance buses by yourself? What if your aunt catches you and takes you back?”
Her tone dropped to freezing: “Still treating me like an outsider, not saying a word about something like this?”
Li Wu was silent for a moment: “You didn’t want to come either.”
Cen Jin found it incomprehensible: “How do you know I didn’t want to go?”
Li Wu replied: “You said so the day you came to pick me up.”
“What?”
He said solemnly: “You said you didn’t want to come to this place again.”
Cen Jin paused, searching her memories but finding nothing: “I said that?”
Li Wu was certain: “You did.”
Cen Jin had no recollection: “I don’t remember at all, I didn’t say that!”
“Mm…” the youth didn’t know how to respond, only answering softly.
Cen Jin asked: “Where are you now?”
Li Wu said: “Just left fifteen minutes ago.”
Cen Jin glanced at her wristwatch: “Which terminal are you heading to?”
“Nongxi.”
“Then what, how will you get back?”
“Walk, or find a tricycle.”
“And then what, sleep rough?” she said sarcastically.
“Find a place to stay down the mountain, take the bus back tomorrow.”
Hmph, it all planned out so nicely.
Cen Jin closed her eyes briefly, taking deep breaths to filter out her anger: “Did you know I was planning to take you to Shengzhou this holiday for a change of scenery?”
She tried to keep calm: “One is your grandfather’s death anniversary, and one is wanting to transfer your student registration—you’ve completely disrupted all my plans now.”
She had wanted to give him a surprise but didn’t expect this kid to be so deep in thought, already having his plans.