Chapter 13: Not Admitted, Approaching the High School Entrance Examination

The two found a place to sit and took out the notes they had brought to review. Seeing that Zhang Wanyuan was also reading, Feng Ying stopped worrying. Not long after, Ding Juncai arrived. With an extra boy around, it became less convenient for them to discuss things. After joking around for a while, Feng Ying forgot all about Zhang Wanyuan’s stomachache.

After three days of exams, they returned to their normal classes.

The grading process for this private school’s entrance exam didn't take as long as the city’s mock exams; results were usually out by the third day after the test, and schools would receive the news by about the fifth day.

When the admission results were announced, both Feng Ying and Ding Juncai were stunned.

The two stared at Zhang Wanyuan, speechless.

Zhang Wanyuan felt her scalp tingle under their gaze and explained helplessly, "Don't doubt it, I really didn't do well this time. I wasn't feeling well that day, so I didn't write the essay properly and didn't check my calculations."

"But it shouldn't have been that bad!" Ding Juncai blurted out.

Feng Ying snapped, "Ding Juncai, what are you getting so worked up for! If anyone should be worked up, it’s me!"

After saying this, Feng Ying’s eyes turned red. "You only missed it by a few points, and you were still more than twenty points above their internal cutoff score. You..."

Zhang Wanyuan shook her head earnestly at Feng Ying. "You know my family's situation. We can't afford to owe that kind of favor. Perhaps it just wasn't meant to be for me and Yucai Middle School. Since I didn't get in, I have to work hard for the high school entrance exam. But congratulations to you both, really. From now on, you're liberated and don't have to come to school anymore."

Hearing this, Feng Ying wanted to cry again; even getting into Yucai Middle School didn't make her feel particularly happy.

Seeing her reaction, Zhang Wanyuan felt quite comforted. Their friendship was excellent now, and even if they drifted apart in the future, they would still remember these good times. It wasn't like her past life, where they grew distant but still felt awkward every time they met because they were at the same school.

As Zhang Wanyuan was comforting Feng Ying, Su Yuxing walked in holding a stack of papers and passed them out one by one. When he reached Zhang Wanyuan, he asked seriously, "Zhang Wanyuan, I don't think you should have failed to get into Yucai Middle School based on your grades. Did something happen?"

Zhang Wanyuan looked at Su Yuxing in surprise, hesitated, and said softly, "I wasn't feeling well that day, so I didn't perform at my best."

A flash of disappointment crossed Su Yuxing’s eyes upon hearing this. "I got in."

Ding Juncai immediately chimed in, "Hey! Class monitor, we're schoolmates again! Please take care of me!"

Feng Ying was so angry she stomped her feet. "Pah! How many people are you planning to cling to so they can help you cheat on exams?"

Zhang Wanyuan laughed. Seeing that Su Yuxing still looked serious, she sighed helplessly and smiled. "Regardless, congratulations. Yucai Middle School is a good school."

"It's a pity I won't be able to compete with you anymore." After saying this, Su Yuxing turned and left.

Zhang Wanyuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

During the last study hall, the homeroom teacher made a rare appearance. Upon entering, he scanned the students with a look of satisfaction and said in a deep voice, "Today, I received the admission list from Yucai Middle School. Congratulations to the ten students in our class. Starting tomorrow, you don't have to come to school; you can start your summer vacation early. Of course, if you want to come back for class, you are welcome to."

Ding Juncai shook his head violently upon hearing this—only a fool would come back to suffer!

The homeroom teacher laughed at his reaction. Under normal circumstances, he would have lectured him, but today he looked kinder than a doting mother, which scared Ding Juncai so much he didn't even dare to swallow his saliva. It seemed that spending three years under this homeroom teacher had turned his fear into a conditioned reflex.

Zhang Wanyuan figured it out after a moment of thought. Of the ten students in the class who got into Yucai Middle School, only three had good grades; the other seven were mediocre. If they took the high school entrance exam, they would only drag down the class average, so it was better for them to go to Yucai Middle School!

After speaking for fifteen minutes and encouraging the students, the homeroom teacher let everyone return to their studies. Zhang Wanyuan was just about to start on her papers when she noticed her view was blocked by a shadow. She looked up and said, "Teacher!"

The homeroom teacher patted her shoulder, crouched beside her, and asked in a low voice, "What happened with your Yucai Middle School results? I didn't see your paper, but that score is definitely not your level."

Zhang Wanyuan lowered her eyes and whispered, "I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't do well. It won't happen next time."

The homeroom teacher stared at her seriously for a long time before standing up. Before leaving, he dropped one last sentence: "Remember, one lesson like this is enough."

Zhang Wanyuan nodded quickly.

For the next two weeks, Zhang Wanyuan lived a very peaceful life at school. Since Feng Ying and the others weren't coming, she was able to study and do exercises in comfort. Her days were blissful. During this time, whenever someone came over to ask questions, she patiently explained them, instantly winning the affection of the whole class. Only then did they realize that Zhang Wanyuan, whom they had always considered a bookworm and an invisible person, was actually very easy to get along with and very laid-back. She could even hold her own in conversations about music and sports; her hobbies were beyond their imagination.

They now regretted not reaching out to her sooner. With the high school entrance exam approaching, there wouldn't be many opportunities to "rekindle their friendship."

After explaining the problem to the last student, Zhang Wanyuan felt lighthearted. She packed her bag in a leisurely manner and left the school humming a little tune. Starting tomorrow, they would have a week off to study at home, and a week later would be the high school entrance exam. Just thinking about it made her excited—the first turning point of her life had arrived! This time, she would give it her all and make her family proud.

It was not yet six o'clock when she returned home. Summer days were long, and the six o'clock sun was still quite scorching. Zhang Wanyuan was drenched in sweat as she reached her door and was about to open it when the iron gate opposite her slammed open, startling her so much she almost dropped her keys. Immediately after, she heard Wang Chunhua’s loud, booming voice: "If you dare to step out of this house, don't you ever come back! Just go starve to death outside!"

An eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy frowned fiercely upon hearing this, slammed his door shut in frustration, and ran off after glancing at Zhang Wanyuan.

Wang Chunhua didn't see anyone when she opened the door, only Zhang Wanyuan. She asked in an unfriendly tone, "Where is Xu Zhiqiang?"

Zhang Wanyuan’s face darkened. Too impatient to answer, she simply pointed toward the stairwell.

Wang Chunhua immediately flared up, pointing at Zhang Wanyuan’s forehead and scolding her, "Didn't your mother teach you to answer when an elder asks you a question? You have no manners, no upbringing!"

Zhang Wanyuan’s expression grew even uglier. She ignored Wang Chunhua entirely, entered her home, and before closing the door, said coldly, "Auntie Wang, has anyone ever told you that you should be polite before asking someone something? We aren't related, and you're overstepping your bounds!"

With that, the door slammed shut.

(End of chapter)