Chapter 37: Youth Adjourns, Each to Their Own Battlefield

June 9th.

According to the school's original schedule, all students were supposed to be able to leave yesterday.

In other words, once the final English exam was over, the senior high school students would have no further connection to the school; at most, they would only need to return once to collect their admission notices.

As for estimating scores and filling out college applications, those matters were left entirely to the students and their respective families.

However, because Anshui High School had produced a dark horse like Wang Donglai this year, the senior grade leadership decided to wait until the answers were released the following day to let Wang Donglai estimate his score once more in front of everyone.

It wasn't that people didn't trust Wang Donglai, but rather that his results carried too much weight.

If a liberal arts top scorer truly emerged from this batch, people from the top down would benefit from it.

Since Wang Donglai planned to go home the next day, he did not refuse the school's arrangement.

Thus, Wang Donglai spent the night in the dormitory. When he arrived at the classroom the next day, he found that in addition to many of his classmates, his subject teachers and substitute teachers from other classes were also present.

"Wang Donglai, come here quickly! These are the printed reference answers. Check them against yours."

Seeing Wang Donglai, Meng Fang called him over with a beaming smile.

In truth, Wang Donglai was very confident in his performance, but seeing the eager and expectant looks on the faces of the teachers subbing for him, he stepped forward, took the printed materials, and began to look through them.

"This question is wrong; they recorded it incorrectly."

"Mm, they got this one wrong too."

After taking them in hand and reviewing them for a moment, Wang Donglai set them down.

"Congratulations, teachers. You have produced a liberal arts top scorer this year!"

With a hint of a smile playing on his lips, Wang Donglai spoke to the crowd with confidence.

Radiant and spirited!

This was the collective feeling that surged through everyone in the classroom upon seeing Wang Donglai in that moment.

"Good!"

"I never imagined I could teach a liberal arts top scorer. I never could have dreamed of this..."

"A liberal arts top scorer... I fear I'll only get this once in my lifetime."

"Our county has never produced a liberal arts top scorer. The neighboring county only had one seven years ago. Our county has been at the bottom of the rankings for so many years; this finally allows us to hold our heads high."

The faces of the teachers showed both pride and a hint of shame.

They felt they were unworthy of Wang Donglai's achievement. One could say that their role in him becoming a liberal arts top scorer was minimal.

"Then, what is your estimate? How many points do you think you got?"

The grade leader, Wang Yuhua, had entered the classroom at some unknown point and suddenly spoke up to ask.

"I've looked through them. The questions weren't difficult this time. At least 730 points."

As soon as Wang Donglai spoke, the crowd was first stunned, followed by waves of applause.

"With that score, you aren't just the provincial top scorer; you'd be the national liberal arts top scorer. I refuse to believe anyone could score higher than that."

"I'm calling right now to tell the school to prepare banners and firecrackers. On the 25th, when the results come out, I will personally set off the crackers and hang the banners."

Wang Yuhua's eyes were incredibly bright, and her tone carried a trace of excitement.

Below her, the students of Class 14 were left in a daze.

No matter how poor their own studies were, they understood the concept of a 730 on the Gaokao.

The maximum score was 750, and Wang Donglai had scored 730 at the very minimum—and he might even score higher.

Liberal arts exams naturally had many subjective questions and many opportunities for point deductions; scoring above 650 already made one a "god" in the liberal arts.

Scoring over 700 was something one wouldn't even dare to imagine.

If it weren't for the fact that Wang Donglai had already brushed against the 700-mark in previous exams, and that his scores had been getting higher each time, no one present would have dared to believe his estimate.

Even so, after the initial shock, many people in the room still had doubts swirling in their minds.

"Alright, alright. Before the results come out on June 25th, we must remain low-key. Regardless, our school will definitely shine this year and become famous throughout the city."

After calming down, Wang Yuhua first spoke to the group to settle them.

Then, she turned to Wang Donglai and said, "Whether you are the national top scorer or not, the school will definitely give you a large red envelope as a congratulation."

Wang Donglai smiled. "Then I'll thank the school in advance."

Soon, after learning of Wang Donglai's estimated score, the many teachers left the Class 14 classroom.

Wang Donglai sat down in the seat next to Chen Mengni and Guo Xing.

"How many points did you two estimate?"

As soon as he sat down, Wang Donglai asked about their scores.

"I can't even believe it. I estimated over 570."

"Me too. I estimated over 580."

Guo Xing and Chen Mengni spoke in low voices, leaning in to whisper to Wang Donglai.

The two girls were not foolish; they had felt that the entire exam didn't seem particularly difficult when they first received the papers.

It felt strangely familiar, and solving the problems felt effortless.

This feeling wasn't limited to just one subject; it was the same for every single one.

After discussing it privately, they immediately guessed the reason.

It was precisely the question bank Wang Donglai had prepared for them that had deepened and consolidated their foundational knowledge.

At this moment, the two girls were filled with immense joy and, at the same time, profound gratitude toward Wang Donglai.

Based on their estimates, they were guaranteed admission to a Tier 1 university.

"570 and 580 are good scores. You'll likely meet the Tier 1 cutoff. Next, you'll need to carefully consider what major to take and which school to attend."

Wang Donglai nodded, not taking undue credit for the question bank.

"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I wouldn't even make it into a Tier 3 school."

"Exactly. If you hadn't lectured us and explained the core principles, our grades wouldn't have improved so quickly. Especially that question bank—we can never repay such a great kindness. How about I introduce a partner to you? What do you think?"

As Chen Mengni spoke, Guo Xing's expression shifted slightly, and she immediately looked over.

"I'm being serious with you. Majors and schools are very important. The speed of social development in the future will exceed your imagination. To achieve your dreams, you'll need at least financial freedom, and for that, you need to choose a good major."

"Chinese Language and Literature, Law, and Computer Science—these three are the top choices for liberal arts students. You can either prepare for civil service exams or pursue postgraduate studies and even work in industry. For ordinary people, they are very good choices."

"Your learning abilities are average. If you can apply the same attitude you had during revision to your actual studies, I would recommend Computer Science. Female coders are quite popular and have certain advantages; the social circles are decent, and the future development is good."

"Chinese Language and Literature is more suitable if you want to take the civil service exams. While in school, you must obtain your teacher's certification, and once you get to university, you must start reviewing for the administrative aptitude tests and essay writing. Don't relax. Strive to pass the national civil service exam as a fresh graduate; that is the optimal path."

"That's roughly the roadmap. You can discuss it with your families when you go back to see how they plan things out and if there are any resources or connections you can utilize. Plan ahead. Don't wait until the last minute; don't choose a school or major randomly, or you'll regret it."

Wang Donglai ignored Chen Mengni's half-serious probe. His expression remained calm, but his tone carried a hint of gravity as he cautioned the two girls.

Seeing Wang Donglai's serious expression, the two girls realized the importance of the matter and nodded obediently.

Wang Donglai was actually quite satisfied with them.

Although their academic performance wasn't great, they were capable of being determined, persisting in hard study every day just like him, and maintaining a serious attitude.

Secondly, they were obedient and well-behaved, lacking the petty or temperamental flaws found in other girls.

Of course, if they had possessed such flaws, Wang Donglai wouldn't have indulged them, nor would he have written that question bank specifically for them.

"What about you? What major will you choose? Will you go to Tsinghua or Peking University?"

Guo Xing's eyes were fixed on Wang Donglai, wanting to know his plans.

"Exactly. If you go to Tsinghua or Peking, I'll find a school in Beijing that I can apply to, so we can be in the same city. If you aren't around, I won't feel at ease. What if I fail a course in university? If we're in the same city, I can find you to help me review my lessons. Is that okay?"

Chen Mengni smiled brightly, waiting for Wang Donglai's answer.

"I haven't decided yet. Once the results come out on the 25th, I'll see what the admissions offices of those schools offer. I'll go wherever is most suitable. I'll let you know then. I also welcome you being in the same city as me; after all, we are comrades-in-arms who fought through the Gaokao together."

Wang Donglai did not deflect; he accepted directly.

"Okay, it's a deal!"

"Remember to stay in touch!"

For some reason, after the Gaokao ended, the atmosphere between the two girls became somewhat strange.

The Gaokao ended, youth dispersed, and everyone rushed toward their own battlefield.

Perhaps some would dream of these chaotic times in the middle of the night, but they would never be able to relive them.

Time, like a rushing river, never flows backward.