It's still the fifth watch! I hope my hard work will earn your recognition!
Gradually, Liu Jingze began to take things more seriously. Sometimes, after much deliberation, it was better to just go with the flow; that was much better.
The two played a few more games, then Zhang Hongmei threw down the chess pieces and let out a long sigh.
"I'm done playing, I'm tired."
"Okay, I'll go cook. We still have to go to school in a bit."
"Hongmei, I've always wanted to know where such fine chess pieces came from? I'd like to find a set for my master too."
"This one was given to us by Zhang Xingguo. We'll keep looking for it; maybe we'll find it. This set won't do; it was a gift from someone else."
"That's not what I meant. I thought you bought it from somewhere else."
Okay, you can get ready now, I'm going to cook.
Although we were eating leftovers, the dumplings were pan-fried and crispy.
"Let's have potstickers next time."
"Sure, there's a really authentic potsticker place in the capital. I'll take you there when we get there."
"That's great! I've changed my mind. My dream from now on is to eat all the famous local delicacies in the country."
Liu Jingze smiled helplessly, "This ideal is too great, I support you."
"Hehe, I also think it's really great."
After dinner, Liu Jingze packed up his things, while Zhang Hongmei went inside to pack her belongings.
Liu Jingze entered the room. "Hongmei, shall we go now?"
"Let's wait until 1 o'clock before leaving; leaving too early will disturb the teacher's rest."
"I think you just don't want to deal with too many people. Well, the principal probably hasn't come back yet. You should lie down and rest."
Liu Jingze lay on his kang (a heated brick bed), face up with his hands folded under his head and his legs crossed. He stared at the ceiling, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Liu Jingze reflected a lot after playing chess this morning. Was he being too hesitant and lacking drive?
However, it's easy to make mistakes without thinking things through. But sometimes, even after careful consideration, success isn't guaranteed.
It's quite difficult, but Zhang Hongmei has an exceptionally accurate intuition; you can tell just by watching her play chess.
Then I remembered the girl's annoyed and regretful expression, and I found it quite funny. She wasn't acting like a composed adult as usual.
Having gone through countless exams and waits in her previous life, Zhang Hongmei wasn't particularly nervous anymore. She didn't lie on the kang (heated brick bed), but instead sat on a stool with a book in her hand, flipping through it.
The house was unusually quiet, and Zhang Hongmei's mind was entirely focused on the book, an autobiography written by the highest-ranking leader himself.
Zhang Hongmei hadn't read many autobiographies, but the leader's writing was superb, and she learned the story of a wealthy young man who was able to give up his privileged life and devote himself to the revolution.
Ideals are the greatest driving force, inspiring ambitious young people to realize their aspirations.
"Hongmei, we should go now. Should we walk or cycle?"
"We're here, let's walk."
"Coward, what are you afraid of? How could I let you get hurt?"
"Hehe, I'm just a coward. Let's go." Zhang Hongmei slung her bag over her shoulder and followed behind Liu Jingze.
The two arrived at school in half an hour. At that time, the first-year high school students had not yet started their summer vacation and were currently attending tutoring classes.
The two went directly to Chen Sheng's dormitory.
"Teacher, are you home? This is Liu Jingze."
"So it's the two of you? Come in and have a seat." Chen Sheng warmly welcomed the two, offering each of them a bowl of tea.
"Did you come here today for something?"
"Teacher, we're waiting for the principal to come back. I want to fill out my college application after I find out my grades today."
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just want to go back tomorrow. Is that okay?" Zhang Hongmei couldn't very well say that she knew her grades and didn't want to face outsiders because they were so good, could she?
"It should be possible. I estimate the principal won't be back until after 3 PM, and driving is slow on the road."
Based on Chen Sheng's understanding of Zhang Hongmei, there should be more reasons than this. However, he didn't inquire further.
"You'll definitely get into the Capital University this year. The principal will bring your application form back with him. Don't worry, there won't be any problems."
"Teacher, where are my teacher's wife and younger siblings?"
"Hehe, they've all gone back to their hometowns. I'll be going back in a couple of days too. The first year of high school will be on break soon. Our high school has a tradition of having extra classes. I don't have classes in the afternoon. They're much luckier than you guys this year. I don't know if they'll have textbooks, but at least they have your experience. They don't have to figure it out on their own."
"Yes, it's much easier and less stressful for us."
“If Zhang Hongmei could also get into Capital University, the two of you would have company.”
"Yes, now the two of us can look after each other. I felt quite lonely in the capital. This is much better."
"It's good that you have someone to look after you. It's not easy being out here, unlike at home. The Capital University is full of talented people, so you two can't slack off. You have to work even harder. You are our pride."
Of course, given your character and integrity, there's no problem with either of you, especially since Teacher Zhang Hongmei has a very high opinion of you.
"Hehe, teacher, you think so highly of me. Actually, I'm quite lazy."
"It's not just laziness, but also a lack of discipline, but these are minor issues. You can distinguish between what's important and what's urgent, and you're down-to-earth and not complacent."
"Thank you for the praise, teacher. I won't let you down."
"As for Liu Jingze, we have no worries at all. Your self-discipline alone is enough to make you invincible."
"Teacher, you're too kind to me. I just know what I want."
"That's good. Don't live your life in a daze. What I envy most is that you can go to the Capital University. That's my lifelong dream."
Although I didn't achieve it, my students helped me realize my dream. Maybe I'll even be able to visit the Capital University someday.
This is the highest ideal of all students, and you have made my dream come true.
In her previous life, Zhang Hongmei had also received similar words from her homeroom teacher. Back then, she was at Tsinghua University, and seeing the teacher's gratified smile, she felt that all the hardships were worthwhile.
I was the only one in my year to get into Tsinghua University, so it was no exaggeration to say that it caused a sensation. Back then, I felt like a monkey being watched by everyone, which is why I wanted to fill out my college application early this time, so I wouldn't be as embarrassed as I was in my previous life.
The three of them were chatting and laughing when they suddenly heard a commotion outside.
"Chen Sheng, Chen Sheng, good news!" The principal, who is over forty, still managed to run in.
"So Zhang Hongmei is here. Congratulations on being the top scorer in the province. I'm thinking you'll be the top scorer in the country too."
"Really? That's great! Hahaha!"
"Principal, can I fill out the application today and not come back tomorrow?"
Chen Sheng smiled as he looked at Liu Jingze and Zhang Hongmei, who both appeared calm. "So that's why you came here today. You already knew your results and didn't want to stand out."
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