Target gap
The June sun streamed through the classroom windows, casting dappled shadows on the blackboard. The homeroom teacher walked into the classroom, clutching a stack of university admissions brochures, a rare, relaxed smile on her face.
"Students, today we're going to talk about filling out college applications." The teacher distributed the brochures to each row. "Everyone should choose the appropriate target college based on their actual situation."
Lin Weixi took the prospectus from the front row and lightly ran her fingertips across the smooth coated paper. When she turned to the introduction page of University A, her breath caught in her throat—beautiful campus scenery, first-class laboratory equipment, and those glamorous alumni introductions. This was the school Chen Wang had recommended her to, and it was also the place she had secretly longed for.
"Wei Xi, have you decided where to apply?" Chen Siyu leaned over, holding the prospectus for University B. "I think the journalism department at University B is pretty good, and it's especially suitable for you."
Lin Weixi forced a smile, but her eyes drifted unconsciously to the window. At the window of Class 4, Chen Wang was discussing something with a few recommended students. The sunlight fell on his smiling face, so bright, so distant.
After school, she went alone to the school bulletin board. On the red poster, Chen Wang's name was prominently listed at the top of the list of recommended students. "A University, Department of Physics," with a small "(Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Program)" following it. And in a recent mock exam, her ranking had slipped to 120th in her grade.
This gap is like an unbridgeable chasm.
"What are you looking at?"
Chen Wang's voice suddenly sounded from behind. Lin Weixi was startled and turned around hurriedly, meeting his smiling eyes.
"No, nothing." She subconsciously blocked the ranking on the bulletin board.
Chen Wang, however, had already seen it. He was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Everyone has their own time zone. There's no need to compare with others."
This sentence was like a needle, gently piercing Lin Weixi's heart. She knew he meant well, but this comfort made her more aware of the gap between them.
At the weekend university admissions consultation meeting, Lin Weixi watched from afar as Chen Wang consulted in front of the booth of University A. The admissions teacher enthusiastically introduced the school's training program to him, and he listened attentively, asking questions from time to time.
At that moment, Lin Weixi suddenly understood that they were about to embark on completely different paths in life.
"Student, are you interested in learning more about our school?" a gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. The admissions officer from University B smiled and handed her a brochure. "Our School of Journalism and Communication is quite unique."
Lin Weixi took the brochure. The cover showed a scene of students working in front of a camera. She flipped open the inside page and her eyes lit up when she saw the introduction to the photography major.
"Your work is very inspiring." Chen Wang came to her side at some point and picked up another brochure to look through. "B University's media program is indeed very famous."
Lin Weixi looked at him in surprise. It turned out that he had always remembered her love for photography.
"But my parents want me to study at a normal school." She said softly, with helplessness in her voice.
Chen Wang closed the brochure and looked at her seriously: "Lin Weixi, this is your life. You should choose the path you really like."
After the consultation, they walked together on campus, the early summer breeze, carrying the scent of gardenias, ruffling her hair.
"Actually," Chen Wang said suddenly, "I envy you."
Lin Weixi was stunned.
"You can choose your favorite major and experience life in different cities. As for me..." He smiled, a hint of helplessness in his smile, "It seems like my path has been set since a long time ago."
This sentence made Lin Weixi realize for the first time that the seemingly perfect Chen Wang also had his own troubles and limitations.
During dinner, Lin Weixi had an argument with her parents.
"What's wrong with a normal school? You can become a teacher after graduation. You have a stable job and winter and summer vacations." said my father with a frown.
"But I want to learn photography." Lin Weixi retorted in a low voice.
"Can photography be used to make a living?" Mother put down her chopsticks. "Look at Chen Wang. He was admitted to University A. That's a legitimate career path."
This name was like a heavy hammer, leaving Lin Weixi speechless. It turned out that in the eyes of her parents, her dream was so insignificant.
Late at night, she sat alone at her desk, two university prospectuses spread out before her. On one side was the teachers' college her parents had hoped for, a safe but boring prospect; on the other was the communications major she longed for, full of unknowns but exciting.
The phone suddenly lit up, and it was a message from Chen Wang:
"I heard that University B's photography program requires a portfolio. Do you want me to take a look?"
Lin Weixi's eyes suddenly became moist. It turned out that there were still people who remembered her dream and believed in her choice.
She turned on her computer and began to organize her photography. Behind each photo, there was a story about youth - figures on the basketball court, sunshine in the classroom, umbrellas in the rain...
When the first rays of sunlight shone into the room at dawn, Lin Weixi finally made a decision. She wrote in her diary:
"Maybe we will go in different directions in the end, but at least, I once fell in love with him and was brave enough to pursue my dream. That's enough."
Outside the window, birds began to sing, and a new day began. Lin Weixi knew that the road ahead was still long, but this time, she wanted to listen to the voice of her heart.
Because the shining person once told her: Everyone deserves to shine in their own place
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