Chapter 24
The second semester of her second year of high school progressed steadily amidst the busyness. Academic pressure tightened like a spring, each student absorbed in their own pursuits, unable to spare a moment for anything else. Zhao Jinglu's life was filled with a growing pile of exams and increasingly thicker exercise books. Occasionally, when she looked up from the sea of exams to catch her breath, she would recall the brief Spring Festival text message she had sent, and a faint, peaceful warmth would fill her heart. Then, she would quickly dive back into her books.
Meanwhile, Ling Peng's life was undergoing a significant change. Due to plans for a new subway line, his old residential complex was included in the demolition area and was currently undergoing the building clearance phase. The entire area was filled with a complex atmosphere of excitement and reluctance.
Over the weekend, Ling Peng was packing up at home, preparing for a move. He was overwhelmed by old belongings, and the rummaging through them was filled with memories. In a dusty cardboard box, he unearthed the review materials he'd used during his senior year of high school. There were piles of densely written notes, error books frayed at the edges, and stacks of yellowed test papers, the marks of red and blue pen markings still visible.
He flipped through a few pages, and those days and nights of hard work seemed to resurface before his eyes. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he thought of Zhao Jinglu.
She is about to enter her third year of high school. These materials, which embody his hard work and methods, should be more useful and direct to her than any reference books available on the market.
Without much hesitation, he dusted off the documents, took out his phone and sent her a text message:
"I was packing up and came across my senior year review notes and summary materials. They're quite comprehensive. Do you need them? They should save you a lot of trouble."
Not long after the text message was sent, the phone rang.
"Really?! I need it! I need it so much! Thank you, senior! You are just a timely help!" Zhao Jinglu's undisguised and joyful gratitude could be felt even through the screen.
Ling Peng looked at the text message, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously: "Okay, how should I give it to you?"
"I'm fine with either! It's up to you!"
"Then let's go after school on Friday. I'll be back just in time and can take you to the school gate."
"Okay! Thank you very much!"
On Friday afternoon, shortly after the school bell rang, a stream of people began to pour out of the Chaoyang Middle School gate. Ling Peng, carrying a heavy, bulging reusable bag, waited in a spot that wasn't in the way.
He didn't have to wait long before he saw Zhao Jinglu trotting out, schoolbag on her back. She spotted him immediately, her eyes sparkling, her face flushed from running, and a bright smile. "Sorry, I've been waiting for so long, haven't I?"
"Just arrived." Ling Peng looked her over. After not seeing her for a few months, she seemed to have grown a little taller. In her summer school uniform, she looked fresh and full of energy. He handed her the heavy bag. "Here, it's all here. It's a little heavy, take your time to look through it."
Zhao Jinglu took it and felt it sink so hard in her hand that she almost dropped it. "Wow, it's so heavy! How much effort must have gone into this!"
"Those are the norm in high school." Ling Peng found her grinning and found it a little funny. "How do I get it back?"
"Uh..." Zhao Jinglu tried to carry it, but it was indeed very difficult. "I... can just take the bus back."
Ling Peng looked at her thin arms and legs, then at the huge bag of information, and then thought about the crowded buses during the evening rush hour. Without thinking, he said naturally, "Forget it. It's so heavy, it's not convenient to squeeze into the bus. I'll take you home. I don't have anything to do."
"Ah? No, no, it's too much trouble for you!" Zhao Jinglu waved her hands quickly.
"No trouble, come on, I'll help you carry some of it." Ling Peng's tone was very normal, with a naturalness that could not be refused. He naturally took the heavy bag and motioned for her to go with him.
Seeing this, Zhao Jinglu no longer refused. Feeling warm in her heart, she followed him towards the bus stop.
The glow of the setting sun enveloped the two of them. As they walked, Ling Peng briefly explained the "instructions" for the materials in the bag to her:
"That thickest blue book contains physics questions and topic summaries. I spent quite a bit of time on electromagnetism, so you should be able to use it."
"Math notes mainly contain ideas and variations of classic problem types. When reading, focus on the key points of the ideas annotated in red pen next to them."
"Pick out the test papers and focus on the wrong questions. I have corrected them all."
"There are Chinese and English, but I don't think they're as valuable as math and science. You can decide."
His voice was steady and clear, as if he was giving her a very important assignment. Zhao Jinglu listened attentively, nodding from time to time, her heart filled with gratitude and a sense of being valued. He didn't just give her the old books casually; he really hoped they would help her.
"In short, senior year of high school is all about constant repetition and summarization. Don't be afraid of boredom. I hope these can help you avoid some detours." Ling Peng concluded, his tone carrying the confidence and light encouragement of someone who has been through it.
"Yes! I will definitely take a good look and will never let them down!" Zhao Jinglu nodded vigorously. Her tone was serious at first, and then her smart eyes turned, and the ending of her voice rose playfully. The intention that was originally directed towards him temporarily took a detour and cleverly fell on the bag of information.
Ling Peng was stunned at first, then realized her cunning and couldn't help but chuckle. He looked at the girl's slightly smug, lively profile beside him, and suddenly felt that giving her this information was the right decision.
The bus lurched towards them, packed with people. Ling Peng, guarding the bag of documents, subconsciously placed himself beside Zhao Jinglu to protect her from the throng. They wobbled along, chatting about studies and their upcoming senior year, and soon arrived at the bus stop near Zhao Jinglu's home.
Get off the bus and walk downstairs to the community.
"Thank you for sending me back." Zhao Jinglu took the heavy bag, and this time she was well prepared and held it firmly in her arms.
"It's okay, go up quickly." Ling Peng nodded.
"Bye then! Be careful on the road!"
Watching Zhao Jinglu walking briskly into the building with a large bag of information in her arms, Ling Peng turned and walked towards the bus stop, ready to return.
The evening breeze was warm, and his mood inexplicably brightened. Those old papers, once soaked with his sweat, seemed to have been given new meaning and value by a new owner. And that new owner was even more lively and interesting than he had remembered.
For Zhao Jinglu, what she held in her arms wasn't just a heavy bag of review materials; it was the weight of trust and expectation from someone she looked up to. The pressures of her senior year seemed to become more tangible thanks to this "gift," yet the companionship and encouragement also gave her a warm and resolute courage.
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