Chapter 43
The 2016 college entrance examination happened to coincide with the Dragon Boat Festival that year.
Therefore, although those three days were holidays, the entire Xijing City was much quieter than usual, and even the shouts of street vendors disappeared.
For high school seniors, everything has to give way to the college entrance examination.
During the three days of the college entrance examination, the entire Xijing was making way for the senior high school students that year.
As soon as the bell rang, symbolizing the end of the college entrance examination, a large number of high school students rushed out of the classroom.
The entrance of Jincai Middle School was also filled with anxiously waiting parents.
It was not until they saw their children coming out of the school gate that they felt reassured and stopped pacing anxiously.
The examination numbers for the college entrance examination that year were arranged according to the candidates' scores and the initials of their names, so Shen Yuqing and Xia Ruirui's examination rooms were not in the same room.
There was a corridor between the two examination rooms.
As soon as Shen Yuqing came out, he saw her.
Xia Ruirui was wearing a royal blue sweater jacket that day, which made her very eye-catching in the crowd. Shen Yuqing saw her at a glance.
She lowered her head, and it was hard to tell whether she was happy or unhappy from her expression.
Shen Yuqing followed her silently, neither overtaking her nor stopping her.
He was like a silent bodyguard, following the young lady silently.
It was not until he was almost at the school gate that he mustered up the courage to find her and ask her clearly.
Three months ago, Xia Ruirui's parents were called to the hospital because her grades had dropped, but when she returned home, they wanted to abandon him.
She said she would never talk to him again. Shen Yuqing asked her why, but she always avoided answering.
He wanted to ask her, now that the college entrance examination was over, could they reconcile?
At that time, Shen Yuqing was undoubtedly inferior, and he was afraid that Xia Ruirui would give a negative answer.
She was also afraid that as an orphan, he would not be able to give her a better life.
That's why he was so hesitant on the way from the classroom to the school gate.
Until he was only one step away from Xia Ruirui and could touch her shoulder with his hand.
Instead, he saw Xia's father and mother waiting at the school gate, dressed in their best.
As if he had lost his courage, Shen Yuqing's steps became smaller and smaller, and the distance between him and Xia Ruirui became farther and farther.
He stood not far away, watching Xia's father and mother gently take the schoolbag from Xia Ruirui's hands, and then the family walked to their car.
Shen Yuqing didn’t know much about cars, and he didn’t know what kind of car it was, but based on the appearance of the car alone, he could estimate that it was a very expensive car.
He stood there, watching Xia Ruirui's car driving farther and farther away, his heart aching as if meat was being stewed with a slow knife.
Chen Yuqing had Xia Ruirui's cell phone number. Because he had a photographic memory, he remembered the number the moment Xia Ruirui told him.
But he never fought once, instead he was always suppressing his longing.
It seems that this way he will like Xia Ruirui less.
Less than half a month later, the class monitor called to talk about the teacher appreciation banquet and asked him if he would like to attend.
He tried to test the waters and found out that Xia Ruirui would also be going, so he said without hesitation that he would go too.
The teacher appreciation banquet that day was very grand. Since the classes of Senior 3 (18) and Senior 3 (16) had the same schedule, they were simply held together.
Because the teacher for math and chemistry is the same, and most of the students in Class 18 and Class 16 know each other, no one was too restrained.
The League branch secretaries of the two classes pushed the head teachers of each class and asked them to go up and say a few words.
"Teacher Xuan, don't be shy. Go up and say a few words."
"Yo yo yo, say a few words~"
The classmates were laughing and the crowd was bustling, but two of them were absent-minded.
Xia Ruirui was in a daze, and Shen Yuqing's gaze was always on the dazed Xia Ruirui.
Without the restriction of 'no early love in the third year of high school', he looked at Xia Ruirui with no concealment in his eyes.
It's really not innocent.
He stared at her straight, just like when someone teased him, with the clear expression of "I like you" in his eyes.
The two of them were immersed in their own worlds, while Shen Qingli and Gu Zijin, on the side, were watching the undercurrents between them with great interest.
The college entrance examination results were announced half a month before the teacher appreciation banquet.
As the top scorer in the Xijing City high school entrance examination, Shen Yuqing had been interviewed by major newspapers long before the scores were announced.
Because he was the top scorer, even the principal of Jincai Middle School came to the teacher appreciation banquet.
When the teacher appreciation banquet was almost over, the head teacher of Class 18 also came over and sat down.
In that college entrance examination, he taught Gu Zijin, the top scorer in liberal arts, and Shen Yuqing, the top scorer in science.
Looking at his two favorite students, he naturally felt proud from the bottom of his heart.
Even Shen Qingli, who had always been lazy, and Xia Ruirui passed the first-tier line.
He looked at the four people with such satisfaction that he couldn't help but take credit for it with them.
He drank a little and his tongue was swollen, but his mind was clear as day, and he kept saying that his decision to break up Shen Yuqing and Xia Ruirui was the right one.
Although he felt that it was a bit of a waste of talent for Shen Yuqing, a top scholar, to apply to Xijing University, he felt a little sorry for him.
Although Xijing University’s liberal arts majors are well-known throughout the country, its engineering majors seem to be somewhat lacking.
Gu Zijin was the top scorer in liberal arts and chose Xijing University, which did not surprise him at all.
But as a science champion, Shen Yuqing would naturally be better off going to a first-class university.
But since he chose Xijing University, he must have his considerations, and as a teacher, he naturally couldn't say anything.
I am just happy for these students from the bottom of my heart.
"...Xia Ruirui also changed her mind a few months before the college entrance exam and was admitted to Beiyi University..."
"Beiyi University is also good..."
The head teacher was still talking, but the three people who heard this seemed completely dumbfounded, and they all looked at the silent Xia Ruirui opposite them.
The four of them had clearly agreed from the beginning to apply for Xijing University together.
Shen Qingli had confirmed with her in advance and received a positive response. Seeing that Xia Ruirui had applied to Beiyi University on her own and kept it a secret from her, she looked a little disappointed.
Gu Zijin on the side didn't react much, but just looked a little surprised.
Among them, Shen Yuqing had the biggest reaction.
He looked at Xia Ruirui without saying a word, his eyes showing a rare look of helplessness.
Shen Qingli had clearly told him that she had asked Xia Ruirui which university she wanted to apply for.
And her score is high enough, so she shouldn't be rejected.
It didn't matter where Shen Yuqing went. The reason he applied to Xijing University was to be with Xia Ruirui.
Yesterday was the last day to submit applications. Even if he wanted to change his mind now, the deadline had already passed.
It will never change again.
The straight-line distance between Beiyi and Xijing is several hundred kilometers, and it takes several hours to fly there.
Thinking of this, Shen Yuqing turned his head mechanically and looked at Shen Qingli beside him, wanting to confirm whether he had heard it wrong.
There was also some discomfort in Shen Qingli's eyes, but she still forced herself to shake her head at him. It was not until she shook her head that Shen Yuqing understood the truth.
In order to deceive him, Xia Ruirui even deceived Shen Qingli, just to stay away from him.
Shen Yuqing laughed at himself, wondering what virtue or ability he had to make the young lady want to avoid him so much.
He had originally wanted to confess his love to her today, and he even had the passbook his mother left him before she died in his pocket.
Unexpectedly, after hearing the bad news, Xia Ruirui chose to go to the unfamiliar Beiyi University in order to escape from him.
He suppressed the urge to question her and tried to regain his composure.
After the family misfortune, Shen Yuqing has been living with forbearance and restraint.
He doesn't vie for the spotlight or provoke the people who are the center of gossip in the class.
Even if a girl confessed to him, he would avoid her if he could, or treat her coldly if he couldn't avoid her, but he still couldn't avoid Xia Ruirui.
She was an unexpected event in his life. She was bright and flamboyant, like a queen of flowers, domineeringly invading his life and occupying his entire mind.
But he could accept Xia Ruirui's unprovoked provocations, but he could not tolerate her abandonment without any reason.
Yes, abandon.
All of Xia Ruirui's actions are called abandonment.
She provoked him, but abandoned him halfway.
Shen Yuqing felt that he was going crazy and could only rely on his remaining rationality to think.
After the teacher appreciation banquet was over, he said to Xia Ruirui in front of everyone, "Let's talk."
Xia Ruirui also agreed.
The two of them walked together to an open space behind the restaurant. The summer evening breeze blew on them, but Shen Yuqing felt a little cold all over.
He wanted to ask Xia Ruirui why she abandoned him, but the words did not come out of his mouth.
"Why didn't you apply to Xijing University? Why did you apply to Beiyi University instead?"
Because of his inferiority complex and the fact that he felt he had no right to question Xia Ruirui, his voice was so soft that it seemed as if it would be blown away by the wind in the next second.
Shen Yuqing has always hated his own personality of not speaking directly and liking to beat around the bush.
What he wanted to ask was not these, what he really wanted to ask was - does Xia Ruirui still like him? Is she willing to be with him?
If she simply wanted to go to Beiyi University, he could work a few more jobs during the summer vacation.
He could visit Beiyi every now and then during the holidays. Just as he was thinking about his future with Xia Ruirui, Xia Ruirui on the opposite side spoke.
She did not answer Shen Yuqing's previous question, as if it was irrelevant, and answered what he really wanted to ask: "Shen Yuqing, I don't like you anymore."
“…”
After hearing this, Shen Yuqing took a step back and looked at Xia Ruirui with disbelief in his eyes.
He stared into her eyes intently, as if he couldn't believe she could be so heartless.
Until she met those heartless eyes, there was no emotion in her eyes, not even the sparkle she had in her eyes when she saw him before.
Realizing that what the other party said might be true, Shen Yuqing's body was a little shaky.
As if he was unsteady on his feet for a moment, he bumped into the billboard behind him and staggered for a while before he could barely stand.
Although he couldn't see what he looked like at the moment, he must have been in a very miserable state. Even he felt that he was really pathetic at the moment.
'Like what?'
'Like a joke.'
Shen Yuqing laughed at himself in his heart, degrading himself to the mud.
He asked nothing and said nothing. He just gave Xia Ruirui a last, deep look and turned away.
His steps were a little messy, but he managed to keep his back from bending.
Shen Yuqing looked down at the road ahead, but saw a pair of sneakers not far away.
He looked up at the person who came, it was his former rival in love - Ji Chuyao.
At the school anniversary celebration, Ji Chuyao and Xia Ruirui were called the golden boy and jade girl, and even the school leaders praised them for being a perfect match standing together.
In his hand was a letter, a pink letter.
It is not difficult to guess that there should be a love letter inside, but as to who the letter is for.
Of course it’s for Xia Ruirui.
Ji Chuyao looked at him with some sympathy in his eyes, and seeing that he was staggering, he seemed to want to help him.
Shen Yuqing hated him from the bottom of his heart and turned sideways, not wanting him to support him.
He doesn't need his sympathy yet.
"Chu Yao, why are you here?"
Xia Ruirui, who was behind him, saw Ji Chuyao and simply ignored him and greeted Ji Chuyao.
"Ruirui, I have something to say."
“…”
Shen Yuqing suppressed the bitterness in his heart, and was mad with jealousy, but he didn't dare to look at either of them.
He didn't go back to the box, but went straight home.
It is called home, but there is not even one family member in the house. The so-called "home" is just a house he temporarily rented in Xijing.
In order to save money, he didn't even take the bus, but walked three kilometers to get home.
In the old house, in order to save electricity, even the lights were not turned on, only a small table lamp was on.
Under the dim desk lamp, Shen Yuqing took out the passbook that he had kept well on his chest.
In addition to what his mother left him, there was also the reward given by the local government when he became the top scholar in Xijing.
All these money added up to a total of 100,000 yuan.
It was a huge sum of money for him, but he didn't dare to spend it.
He originally thought that after going to college, if he wanted to take Xia Ruirui out to play, he would not let her spend money.
But he didn't expect that she didn't want him anymore.
She abandoned him too.
Shen Yuqing, who realized this, did not cry, but the corners of his eyes were a little red.
Thinking of the love letter in Ji Chuyao's hand just now, he couldn't help but wonder whether Xia Ruirui would agree to him?
Thinking of how Xia Ruirui had called him Chu Yao intimately just now, Shen Yuqing felt a pang of pain in his heart again.
She never called him Yu Qing like she called Ji Chuyao, she only called him by his full name.
Although it was just a subtle name, it could reveal her inner preference.
Every time Xia Ruirui called him Chu Yao, he would feel crazy with jealousy.
However, he was afraid that Xia Ruirui would find out about his dark and calculating inner thoughts, so he never mentioned it to her.
But only he himself knew that he was extremely jealous.
*
Thinking back to the day when his self-esteem was crushed to the bottom of his feet, Shen Yuqing's heart still ached dully.
Thinking of what Mr. Li said, that Xia Ruirui and Ji Chuyao were drinking together tonight, he felt uncontrollably irritated.
After the farewell banquet that day, he never participated in any group activities organized by his high school classmates again.
Until the start of the school year at Xijing University, he had no contact with anyone and had been working as a bricklayer at a construction site in the suburbs.
Even when Shen Qingli and Gu Zijin found him at the construction site, he only came out for a short while.
He said he still had to save money for tuition and went back to the construction site.
Thinking of Xia Ruirui's coldness when she rejected him that year, Shen Yuqing felt that fate was extremely unfair.
It was clearly her who provoked him first because of her lust, but it turned out that he was the one she loved so deeply.
After so many years, she is still so heartless.
When Shen Yuqing thought that Xia Ruirui might call Ji Chuyao intimately after getting drunk, he felt his heart suffocating.
At this moment, he didn't know whether it was driven by alcohol, but he dialed Xia Ruirui's cell phone number without hesitation.
The phone rang for a long time, and until the call was connected, there was a hint of clarity in his eyes.
Shen Yuqing stared at Xia Ruirui's number on the screen, his voice sounding aggrieved and questioning.
“Xia Ruirui, why do you keep calling me Shen Yuqing?”
“…”
There was silence on the other side for a long time, and then it took two seconds for them to quiet down.
As if she found it a little unbelievable, Xia Ruirui blinked and asked again: "What did you say?"
Her voice was a little drunk, but one could hear the shock in her words.
It wasn't until he heard Xia Ruirui's voice that Shen Yuqing seemed to come to his senses. While she was still in a daze, he hung up the phone directly...
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