"Yes, we found out the results yesterday. It's because Hongmei is shy."

"Hehe, you guys are really amazing. The results were only released the night before last, and you already knew about them yesterday."

“My brother has been keeping an eye on this, and since he happened to know, we found out in advance.”

"Okay, early is fine. But you have to speak to the freshmen later and set a good example for them."

"Do we have to do it this way? Principal, I'm shy and embarrassed."

"This is a lifelong dream for so many people, what's there to be embarrassed about? Liu Jingze is here too, perfect, you two should both go. Maybe with your encouragement, our school can produce students for the top university again."

Zhang Hongmei glanced helplessly at Liu Jingze; there was no escaping it now.

The four of them arrived at the principal's office, and all of Zhang Hongmei's teachers had also arrived by then.

Zhang Hongmei was drowned out by a chorus of congratulations.

Zhang Hongmei stood in the middle, bowed deeply, and remained bent over for a long time. "Thank you to all the teachers. Thank you for your guidance and support this past year. Thank you for your hard work and help. Thank you everyone."

Without you all, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today. No words can express my gratitude or my excitement; only this simple "thank you" can convey it.

The principal helped Zhang Hongmei up.

The teachers waved their hands, saying, "This is all the result of your own hard work."

"Alright, let's skip the formalities and fill out the application forms first. After that, we need to gather the first-year students together and have the two of them share their learning experiences with these students."

The principal cautiously pulled out report cards and college application forms from his briefcase. "This year, all fifteen of our students are quite good. Although they didn't do as well as Zhang Hongmei, they can all go to university. One of them will even go to Shanghai University."

"Teachers, hurry up and write these recommendation letters, one for each of you, so you can get some exposure too," the principal joked.

All the teachers were willing, as this was a letter of recommendation for a student from the capital city, which was of great significance.

Zhang Hongmei poked Liu Jingze's waist with her finger to get his attention. "Brother Jingze, what should we say? Should we tell them that I spend all day reading?"

Are you nervous?

"No, it's not that. The main problem is that I'm afraid that telling the truth will corrupt them, but I don't know how to tell a lie."

"It's okay, I'll go first, and you can just repeat what I say when you go up."

Is this okay?

"Just let them perform on the spot, don't try too hard. It's just to encourage them."

"Alright, we'll see when the time comes. I dislike this the most; everyone has their own way of doing things."

"You're just telling them about yourself. They're capable of discernment, so there's nothing to worry about."

The principal handed Zhang Hongmei a volunteer form, saying, "Fill it out, and I'll sign it after you're done."

Zhang Hongmei took it and filled it out carefully. After that, the principal signed it, and then he took the recommendation letters from the four teachers, stamped them with the school's seal and the principal's personal seal, and put them in a document bag. That was it.

"Liu Jingze, Zhang Hongmei, you two wait a moment. I'll go tell the first-year students to go to the cafeteria. You can go there in ten minutes."

After giving his instructions, the principal left with a smile.

Zhang Hongmei walked up to Chen Sheng and said, "Teacher, I wrote the school as the mailing address for the admission notice, but you're going back to your hometown. Which teacher can I ask for help?"

“Principal, he lives here and doesn’t go back to his hometown.”

"Okay, I'll talk to the principal in a bit. Also, I've prepared thank-you gifts for the three teachers and the principal. When would be a good time to give them to them?"

You're leaving tomorrow?

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll go home tomorrow."

"Then let's do it tonight. All the teachers live in the dormitories. Come to me and I'll take you there."

"Okay, thank you for your help, teacher."

"It's no trouble, it's not a big deal."

Chen Sheng checked the time. "Let's go, the first-year students should be here soon."

Zhang Hongmei was forced to go to the cafeteria, where more than forty students from two first-year high school classes sat and waited.

As the principal saw them arrive, he said, "Let's welcome your senior classmates with applause."

Zhang Hongmei followed behind Liu Jingze, and the two walked to the principal's side.

The principal adjusted his glasses. "Come on, let me introduce you all. This is your senior from the year before last, Liu Jingze. Please welcome him."

Liu Jingze took half a step forward and said, "Hello, fellow students. I am Liu Jingze, a graduate of the Class of '59. I am currently studying at Capital University."

Another round of enthusiastic applause followed. "Today I've come to my alma mater, and I'm honored to have the principal and teachers here to share my learning methods with you."

Actually, this is something that can only be understood intuitively and cannot be explained in words. Everyone has their own methods. Today, I'm just telling you that there are no shortcuts to learning. You reap what you sow. Only by putting in the effort can you have a clear conscience in the days to come.

As for the methods, all I can say is that you should follow the teachers' arrangements. They are all very experienced teachers, and they can help you avoid many detours.

Let me share my experience. I'm not particularly bright, but I listen attentively to the teacher in every class. I make the most of every spare moment to study. I frequently review and redo the problems I got wrong.

At that time, I firmly believed in my heart that I could definitely achieve my wish.

I hope you will also set goals for yourselves, and then work hard toward those goals, believe in yourselves, and believe that you can do it!

Alright, I won't take up any more of your time. Now, let's have your senior say a few words.

Liu Jingze stepped back, and the applause below was particularly enthusiastic. This was the advice of his senior from the most prestigious university.

Zhang Hongmei stepped forward and said, "Hello everyone, I am Zhang Hongmei from the previous year. I am younger than all of you, and I don't know if my study methods will be useful to you. I will just say a few words."

The results for this year are out. I was eight points short of my target score in four subjects. I applied to Capital University, but I haven't received the acceptance letter yet. I don't know if I'm considered a student at Capital University.

Thunderous applause erupted from below.

"Brother Liu has already given his encouraging words, so I have nothing to add. My viewpoint is the same as his. You reap what you sow. As they say, the harder you work, the luckier you get."

As for my study methods, I can share them for your reference. I listen attentively in class and take notes that I believe are very comprehensive. I never daydream or get distracted in class; I always follow the teacher's train of thought closely.

In my spare time, I repeatedly recite important paragraphs in Chinese class, and I can even write them from memory. I never make mistakes with punctuation.

I got a perfect score in math this time, and I don't think I had any special tricks up my sleeve.