College Entrance Examination
On the last night before the exam, Chen Yu spread his review materials all over the table, his fingers tracing across his densely packed notes when he suddenly heard the familiar sound of a motorcycle outside the window. He drew aside the curtains and saw Jiang Yizhou leaning against the sycamore tree downstairs, waving two cans of iced Coke.
"Come up." Chen Yu pushed open the window, his voice softened by the summer night breeze.
Jiang Yizhou jumped onto the second-floor balcony in two or three steps, stuffed the Coke into his hand, and glanced at the documents on the table, frowning: "Still reading? You'll go blind if you keep reading."
"Let's go over the formula one last time." Chen Yu opened the Coke, and the bubbles exploded in his throat, bringing a slightly numb and refreshing feeling.
Jiang Yizhou didn't try to persuade him anymore, but just sat quietly with him, leaning against the balcony railing. Moonlight fell on Shen Yu's drooping eyelashes, casting a small shadow. Jiang Yizhou suddenly reached out and gently brushed away the loose hair from his forehead. "Don't think too much, just do your best. Even if you fail the test, the worst that can happen is that you come with me to learn how to repair cars. My dad's friend's auto repair shop is in need of an accountant."
Shen Yu was amused by him and nudged his arm with his elbow: "You are the one who is learning to repair cars."
"Sure," Jiang Yizhou said with a frank smile, "I'll go wherever you go, whether it's keeping accounts or tightening wrenches."
On the day of the college entrance exam, the examination hall was packed with people. Jiang Yizhou walked Chen Yu to the security line, pulled out a small red cloth bag from his backpack, and shoved it into his hand. "This is the amulet my grandma asked for, it's been blessed."
Chen Yu pinched the cloth bag, and his fingertips could feel something like cardboard inside, probably a talisman. "Keep it for yourself."
"I don't need it," Jiang Yizhou held his hand, his eyes shining. "I'm tough, I'm afraid it will harm me. You take it, I guarantee everything will go smoothly."
Before entering the examination room, Chen Yu suddenly turned around, quickly hugged Jiang Yizhou, and buried his voice in his chest: "Wait for me to come out."
Jiang Yizhou was stunned for a moment, then raised his hand and patted him on the back, very lightly: "Silly boy, hurry up and go in."
After each exam, Shen Yu would always see Jiang Yizhou first. He would not squeeze in the front, but would lean against the camphor tree in the distance, holding a cooler bag in his hand, and wave to everyone who came out.
"How did you do on the test?"
"good."
"Here, this is mung bean soup, made by my mom. It helps me cool down from the summer heat."
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the final English exam, Chen Yu put down his pen and watched the birds fly by outside the window. Suddenly, he felt a sense of relief, as if the dust had settled. Leaving the exam room, the sun was blinding. Jiang Yizhou ran towards him, his face dusty, as if he'd just had an argument.
"What's wrong?" Shen Yu frowned.
"It's okay," Jiang Yizhou grinned, revealing two small canine teeth. "Just now, a parent cut in line for a parking space, and I argued with him. Come on, I'll take you to eat hot pot to celebrate the liberation!"
He took Chen Yu's hand and ran towards the intersection, through the crowd. Chen Yu could feel the sweat on his palm and the tight grip. The wind was filled with the fragrance of gardenias. In the distance, someone was tearing up a book, and the scraps of paper flew like snow. The whole world was cheering for the end of this.
"Jiang Yizhou," Chen Yu suddenly stopped, "Let's apply to the same university in the same city."
Jiang Yizhou turned around, the light in his eyes brighter than the sun: "I have already filled it out on the application form."
It turns out that some people have already quietly planned their future into each other's orbit.
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