During this time, Li Baolong calmed down and focused on his final sprint before the college entrance examination. Zhou Jie, whom he liked, hadn't seen him for several months. As if she could sense the tension Li Baolong was facing in preparing for the exam, she chose not to disturb him, allowing him to concentrate on his dream without distractions.
Today, the whole class took their graduation photo, marking the imminent end of their high school career. The teacher announced a three-day break, because the battle drums of the college entrance examination will sound in three days.
Li Baolong decided to make good use of these three days to relax. On the first day, he watched several of the latest movies at a video arcade; the thrilling films dispelled the fatigue of preparing for the exam. On the second day, the sunlight gently shone on the Tuo River, creating shimmering ripples. Li Baolong went to the riverbank and found a quiet corner. There were many fishermen along the river, some sitting, some standing, each with a different posture.
Li Baolong saw an old man wearing a straw hat and simple clothes, with an old but gleaming fishing rod beside him. The old man stared intently at the water, the fishing line appearing and disappearing in the sunlight before sinking into the river. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the damp scent of the river, and the weeping willows on the bank swayed, as if dancing in accompaniment to this waiting scene.
Suddenly, the fishing line twitched slightly. The old man's eyes flashed like lightning; he swiftly gripped the fishing rod, flicked his wrist, and the line instantly tightened. Li Baolong's heart leaped into his throat, his eyes glued to the screen. The old man, unhurried, slowly reeled in the line, engaging in a battle of strength and skill with the fish underwater. Ripples spread across the water's surface as a lively fish, struggling, was pulled to the surface, shimmering silver in the sunlight. Those around him murmured their admiration, and Li Baolong couldn't help but smile. In this simple scene, he felt a power born of tranquility and patience; the pressure in his heart seemed to dissipate with the river breeze. On the last day, he went to his uncle's house to chat with the old man. In the old man's kind gaze and warm words, his soul found solace, and he prepared with renewed strength to face the challenge of the college entrance examination. Today was the day of the exam, and Li Baolong got up early. After going downstairs, he ate two eggs, his thoughts drifting back to his first-grade exam days. His mother's comforting words still echo in his ears: "Eat two eggs before the exam, and you'll get a perfect score." These simple words seem to possess a magical power, accompanying him to this day.
In the 1990s, the college entrance examination system underwent further reforms, giving rise to the "3+2" model. The three main subjects—Chinese, Mathematics, and English—plus either a humanities comprehensive or a science comprehensive exam became the core content of the test. During this period, the difficulty of the college entrance examination increased, and the examination time was extended to three days. However, regardless of the changes in the exam subjects or the increase in difficulty, students who studied diligently on a regular basis still had the possibility of standing out in the college entrance examination.
Li Baolong is a liberal arts student. Today is his first exam in Chinese, tomorrow in mathematics, and the day after in English. After these three main subjects, he will also face the challenge of a comprehensive liberal arts exam. This is a three-day journey, and he will give it his all to move towards his dream.
Three days later, the bell signaling the end of the college entrance examination acted like a magic key, unlocking the shackles that had bound Li Baolong for so long. The moment he stepped out of the school gate, it was as if a gentle breeze had swept over his soul, and the fatigue that had accumulated over a long period of time was peeled away like sand, leaving him feeling incredibly light.
He started running without thinking, his footsteps pounding the ground like drumbeats, full of youthful energy and joyful freedom. It was a kind of unbridled freedom after breaking free from constraints. He ran all the way to the Tuojiang River in one go.
The Tuo River, like a winding dragon, surges ceaselessly towards the unknown distance. Li Baolong stands alone on its banks, the river breeze gently ruffling his hair. His gaze is fixed on the surging waters, his thoughts drifting away. This river is like a long river of time, carrying the weight of countless days and nights of struggle and hard work, and symbolizing the vast and infinitely possible future. At this moment, standing at the juncture of old and new, he feels both acceptance of the past and anticipation for the future, engaging in a silent dialogue with his youth on the banks of the Tuo River.
Li Baolong woke up in the quiet after the college entrance examination, looking at the empty room with a sense of bewilderment. He had grown accustomed to solitude; in those days of solitary confinement, studying was his only companion. Now, with a large amount of free time laid out before him, he felt somewhat lost.
He tried to recall his past interests, but found only vague shadows. He wanted to go to lively places, but was afraid of the bustling crowds; he wanted to contact his classmates, but didn't know where to begin. He was like a lone boat adrift on a vast ocean, having lost the lighthouse he usually had called "the college entrance examination."
Perhaps he could try to take that first step, starting with a simple walk, searching for new directions in the streets and alleys, letting the sunlight shine into the long-closed windows of his soul.
His fingers trembled slightly as he pressed Zhou Jie's pager number, each keystroke heavy and powerful like a heartbeat. The pager, carrying his anticipation, traversed space and flew towards Zhou Jie. Soon after, the two agreed to meet on the banks of the Tuo River.
Li Baolong entered the fruit shop with a heart full of joy, carefully selecting kiwis, Zhou Jie's favorite fruit, from the dazzling array of selection. When the two arrived at the riverbank as planned, the familiar bamboo grove came into view. The bamboo grove was still lush and green, the leaves rustling in the breeze. After not seeing each other for several months, Li Baolong's eyes sparkled with excitement, a thousand words welling up in his heart. His words flowed like a rushing river, endlessly. He told Zhou Jie about the experiences, laughter, and tears of the past few months, about their longing for each other. On the banks of the Tuo River, amidst the bamboo grove, time seemed to stand still for their reunion.
The afternoon sun lazily shone on the banks of the Tuo River, where Zhou Jie and Li Baolong sat facing each other. Zhou Jie took a sip of water and slowly began, "Baolong, I have something to tell you. Your cousin Huang Jian's ex-girlfriend, Jiang Xiaomei, has opened her own shop."
Li Baolong raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Really? What kind of shop does it run?" "It's a barbershop." Zhou Jie put down her cup, her eyes somewhat complicated. "A while ago, she suddenly contacted me, saying she wanted to borrow money to open a shop. Although we haven't been in touch for a long time, we still have a connection from before, so I lent her two thousand yuan."
Li Baolong nodded slightly, the image of Jiang Xiaomei appearing in his mind. "She'd be suitable to be a boss; she's beautiful and capable." Zhou Jie smiled slightly, leaning forward into Li Baolong's arms. She looked up at him, her eyes full of tenderness. "By the way, which university are you planning to apply to?"
Li Baolong put his arm around Zhou Jie, his gaze hardening. "I plan to major in computer science; it's a very popular major right now. If computer science isn't an option, accounting is fine too. I estimated my score after the exam; it's around 500, which is about what I expected."
Zhou Jie gently patted Li Baolong, "No matter which one you apply for, I support you." Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Li Baolong's young face, as if gilding his future with a golden glow.
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