Liberal Arts and Science
The turmoil of the midterm exams hadn't yet subsided when the homeroom teacher announced something even more significant at the class meeting: the division between arts and science. Each student was handed a form expressing their interest in the subject. These thin sheets of paper seemed to carry a tremendous weight.
"Submit the form by next Monday at the latest," the homeroom teacher said, pushing up his glasses. "This is an important decision concerning your future development. Be sure to discuss it carefully with your parents."
Lin Weixi held the form, her fingertips slightly cold. She had heard that Chen Wang would definitely choose science, because his ideal university and major required a science background. As for herself, her liberal arts grades had always been much better than her science grades.
"Wei Xi, what are you choosing?" Shen Siyu came over, the form in her hand already had the liberal arts selected. "Let's choose liberal arts together, so we can still be in the same class in the future!"
Lin Weixi forced a smile and didn't answer. Her eyes drifted involuntarily to the front. Chen Wang was discussing something with the boy in the back row, twirling a pen between his fingers, looking relaxed.
"Is that even a question?" the boy in the back row said with a smile, "Chen Wang will definitely choose science. He wants to be a scientist."
Chen Wang smiled noncommittally, revealing his signature dimple. This smile was like a needle, gently piercing Lin Weixi's heart.
After school, she was left alone in the empty classroom, staring blankly at the spreadsheet. Arts or science? Her mind told her to choose arts, as that was her area of expertise. But a voice inside her whispered: If I choose science, maybe I could still be in the same class with him for a year.
"Are you still here?" a familiar voice called out from the doorway. Chen Wang was standing there, his schoolbag casually slung over his shoulder.
Lin Weixi hurriedly stuffed the form into the textbook: "Leave immediately."
Chen Wang walked into the classroom and took out the basketball he had forgotten to bring from his desk. "Are you struggling with the choice between arts and science?"
"A little bit." Lin Weixi admitted honestly.
"I think it's better to choose according to your own interests and strengths." Chen Wang patted the basketball, making a dull sound. "But this is just my personal opinion."
Looking at his leaving back, Lin Weixi's heart became even more confused.
During dinner, her parents also asked about her major. "Weixi has always been good at liberal arts," her mother said, helping her with a piece of pork chop. "Choosing liberal arts will give you a lot of room for development in the future."
Her father looked through her report card and said, "Although her science scores aren't as good as her liberal arts scores, they're not bad either. It all depends on what the child enjoys."
What do you like? Lin Weixi smiled bitterly in her heart. She likes the one who chooses science.
Over the weekend, she made a special trip to the bookstore and spent a long time wandering the supplementary textbook section. The science workbooks looked particularly difficult, and she casually opened a physics workbook and was dazzled by the complex circuit diagrams.
"Would you consider this version?" a familiar voice called out from the side. Chen Wang had appeared beside her at some point, holding another workbook. "This one has more detailed explanations, suitable for those with a weaker foundation."
Lin Weixi's face flushed all of a sudden: "I, I was just taking a look."
"Science is a good choice," Chen Wang smiled. "You can ask me if you have any questions later."
These words were like a stone thrown into a lake, creating ripples in her heart.
On Sunday night, Lin Weixi finally made a decision. She took out the slightly wrinkled form and ticked the "Science" column. The sound of the pen tip scratching across the paper was particularly clear in the quiet room.
On Monday morning, she was the first to arrive in the classroom and stuffed the form at the bottom of a stack of exercise books, as if hiding a secret.
"What did you choose?" Chen Siyu asked impatiently as soon as she arrived.
Lin Weixi lowered her eyes: "Science."
"What?" Shen Siyu raised her voice in surprise, "Are you crazy? Your liberal arts grades are so good!"
"I want to challenge myself." Lin Weixi made up an excuse, her voice so low that it was almost inaudible.
Her hands trembled slightly as she handed in the form. When the head teacher saw her choice, he looked at her in surprise but said nothing.
During the break, she overheard the conversation between Chen Wang and his friends.
"I didn't expect Lin Weixi to choose science," said a friend, "She seems to be good at liberal arts."
Chen Wang looked back at her, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Maybe everyone has their own considerations."
At this moment, Lin Weixi suddenly felt guilty. Her "consideration" was so childish and so shameful.
After school, she went to the playground alone. The setting sun stretched her shadow long, and she walked slowly, feeling a mixture of emotions. Was this the right choice? Was it worth risking her future for someone who might not even be her friend?
"Hey!" a familiar voice came from behind. Chen Wang chased her with a basketball in his arms, "Why are you sitting here in a daze?"
"Nothing," Lin Weixi forced a smile, "I was just wondering if choosing science would be too difficult."
"It might be a little confusing at first," Chen Wang said, "but if you have any questions, you can ask me. We'll probably be in the same class in the future anyway."
The word "maybe" was like a ray of light that illuminated her gloomy mood.
That night, she wrote in her diary:
"Today I made a very important decision. I chose science, not because I like it, but because I wanted to be closer to him. I know it's silly, but thinking that I might see him every day for the next year makes it all worth it. Starting tomorrow, I have to study science even harder."
Having written this, she opened her newly purchased science reference book. Under the light, her eyes were remarkably determined. Having chosen this path, she must persevere. Even if she couldn't ultimately attend the same university as him, at least for this year, she could confidently sit in a classroom where he might appear.
Only time will tell whether this choice is right or wrong. But at this moment, Lin Weixi is willing to make every effort for that "possibility".
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