Study Group

The lingering warmth of winter vacation hadn't yet faded, but the battle drums for the second semester of senior year had already begun. The countdown board on the back wall of the classroom was alarming, and exams were pouring in like snowflakes. It was in this tense atmosphere that the homeroom teacher announced the decision to relaunch the study groups.

"Each group will have four people, with both strong and weak students working together to help each other." The homeroom teacher pushed up his glasses. "This is the final sprint. I hope everyone can make progress together."

When Lin Weixi heard that she and Chen Wang were assigned to the same group, her heart beat so fast that it seemed to jump out of her chest. What surprised her even more was that Chen Siyu and Zhou Xu were also in the group. This was simply the most ideal combination.

The first group study session was scheduled for Wednesday in an empty classroom after school. The spring sunset shone through the windows, casting dappled light and shadows on the blackboard. Lin Weixi arrived ten minutes early, carefully wiped each desk, and arranged the chairs in a circle for discussion.

Chen Wang was the second to arrive. He was holding a thick stack of reference books, with beads of sweat on his forehead. "Sorry, I'm late because I was discussing a problem with the physics teacher."

"It's okay, I just arrived too." Lin Weixi said softly, handing him a tissue.

Chen Siyu and Zhou Xu came in almost at the same time, still arguing over the solution to a math problem. Seeing the already decorated classroom, Chen Siyu exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Wei Xi is really attentive! This is like a VIP study room!"

The four of them sat together, each spreading out their study materials. Chen Wang naturally became the core of the group, not only because of his status as a recommended student, but also because of his clear problem-solving ideas and patient explanations.

"The key to this electromagnetics problem is to understand the application of Lenz's law." Chen Wang drew a diagram on the whiteboard, and the chalk danced flexibly at his fingertips.

Lin Weixi listened attentively, occasionally raising questions. She found Chen Wang's teaching style unique, always able to explain complex physics concepts with the most realistic metaphors. For example, he compared electric field lines to water flow and potential difference to water level difference. These vivid analogies made her suddenly enlightened.

"Wei Xi, your solution is very clever," Chen Wang suddenly said, pointing at her draft paper. It turned out that while she was distracted, she had unconsciously written down a different approach to the problem.

"I...I just wrote it casually." Her cheeks felt slightly hot.

"No, this idea is very good." Chen Wang picked up her draft paper and showed it to the other two. "Look, she broke away from the conventional framework of problem solving."

This feeling of being recognized made Lin Weixi's heart ripple. With Chen Wang's encouragement, she began to express her ideas more confidently, and sometimes even came up with solutions that surprised him.

As the group study progressed, the four of them developed a better understanding of each other. Chen Siyu was responsible for regulating the atmosphere, telling jokes when everyone was tired; Zhou Xu was good at summarizing and always grasping the key points of knowledge; Chen Wang was an expert in solving problems; and Lin Weixi was good at spotting problems in details.

One evening in March, a sudden rainstorm trapped them all in the classroom. The rain pounded against the windows, and the sky was so gloomy that it seemed as if evening had arrived early.

"It seems like it won't stop anytime soon." Zhou Xu said, looking out the window.

Shen Siyu suggested: "Why don't we take this opportunity to discuss volunteer applications?"

This topic suddenly made the atmosphere tense. Chen Wang had already been admitted, while the other three were still striving for their dream university.

"Wei Xi, where do you want to apply to?" Chen Siyu asked.

Lin Weixi glanced at Chen Wang subconsciously and said softly: "Maybe... University A." This is the university that Chen Wang recommended, although there is still a big gap with her current grades.

Chen Wang looked at her thoughtfully. "The Physics Department at University A is indeed very good, but you are stronger in the humanities. Why don't you consider the Journalism Department at University B? Their photography program is very famous."

These words made Lin Weixi stunned. She never thought that Chen Wang would know her strengths so well.

"Yeah, Wei Xi," Chen Siyu agreed, "You're so good at taking pictures, it would be a shame if you didn't become a photographer."

The rain gradually subsided, and a faint rainbow appeared in the sky. After the study group ended, Chen Wang offered to take Lin Weixi home because it was "on the way."

The air after the rain was exceptionally fresh, and the streets were filled with the scent of earth. The two walked side by side, their shadows stretching long across the wet ground.

"Do you really think I'm suitable for learning photography?" Lin Weixi asked with courage.

Chen Wang nodded. "My sister has always treasured that photo from the art festival. She said she could feel the photographer's intentions from the photo."

These words flowed into Lin Weixi's heart like a warm current. It turned out that every moment she carefully treasured was also being treasured by others.

That night, Lin Weixi posted a study group photo in her diary - it was taken by Shen Siyu during a break in study. In the photo, Chen Wang was pointing at her draft paper and explaining, while she looked at him intently, her eyes sparkling.

Alongside the photo, she wrote:

"Today he said he could feel my feelings from the photos I took. This sentence suddenly made me realize that liking someone doesn't necessarily mean following in their footsteps. What's more important is to become a better version of yourself. Perhaps this is the greatest meaning of the study group - not only for the college entrance examination, but also for seeing the direction of the future."

Closing the diary, the moonlight outside the window was exceptionally bright. Lin Weixi remembered Chen Wang's serious expression when he said this, and the evening when they walked side by side under the rainbow.

This spring, thanks to the study groups, the heavy atmosphere of senior year has been tinged with warmth. And some important decisions are quietly taking root in the soil of youth.