Chapter 17: The Approaching Second Mock Exam [Please Continue Reading]

Seeing that Xu Ming did not respond immediately, Wang Qingtao sat down and continued speaking.

“You have a great talent for mathematics, but unfortunately, you were too lax in your studies the past two years and couldn’t fully show it. Otherwise, I would have definitely supported you to participate in the math competition, taking a different path to secure a guaranteed spot at a prestigious university.”

“But for now, just focus on preparing for the college entrance exam.”

“If your exam results aren’t ideal, you can always retake the year and try again.”

His words were sincere, reflecting genuine concern and thoughtful planning for Xu Ming’s future.

Xu Ming listened patiently before confidently replying, “Thank you, Teacher Wang, for your care. I will study hard to improve my grades in the other subjects.”

“I won’t let you down in the upcoming second mock exam.”

“As long as there’s progress, that’s a good thing,” Wang Qingtao said with satisfaction. “Take these textbooks and get back to class quickly. Don’t be late.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Xu Ming nodded without ceremony, then picked up the few copies of “Five Years of College Entrance Exam, Three Years of Simulation” from the desk and headed toward the classroom.

Wang Qingtao watched Xu Ming’s figure until it completely vanished from sight before lowering his gaze and sighing quietly, a trace of regret still etched on his face.

With just three months left until the college entrance exam, relying solely on review could only improve scores to a limited extent.

Even if he managed to reach the passing score, there was still a wide gap to reach Qinghua University or Yan University.

Otherwise, if he were in a regular science class but ended up producing two top university candidates, Wang Qingtao would have a lot more confidence—especially when facing off against Cui Zhibang.

Xu Ming was unaware of his homeroom teacher’s thoughts. After returning to class, he checked the “Five Years of College Entrance Exam, Three Years of Simulation” books in his hands.

Besides the physics book he had already purchased, the others were all there.

In terms of price, they cost about two hundred yuan in total.

Though he would have to return them to the school after the exam, for now, they were a great help.

Chemical formulas were easy to grasp, but the knowledge points involved required a lot of memorization, especially in biology—covering molecules, cells, genetics, evolution, and countless other things to memorize.

Just relying on the textbook meant he had to summarize and organize everything himself, which was far less efficient than using these review textbooks.

“What did the homeroom teacher want with you?”

At that moment, Qian Hong, unable to contain his curiosity, whispered low.

Xu Ming glanced briefly at the Chinese teacher, Sun Zhiqiang, on the podium before pointing to the textbooks and explaining, “The homeroom teacher gave me these books to study well and said the second mock exam is coming soon.”

“Looks like the homeroom teacher has high expectations for you,” Qian Hong smiled.

He quickly added, “I’ve seen these ‘Five Years of College Entrance Exam, Three Years of Simulation’ books at the Xinhua Bookstore. At the time, I thought my grades didn’t require them, so I pocketed the money instead.”

“I heard many people in the city buy them.”

“I don’t need the math one for now. You can take it and have a look,” Xu Ming said, handing over a math book.

Qian Hong accepted it without hesitation and began flipping through it.

So, during Chinese class with Sun Zhiqiang, the two of them studied math and chemistry respectively.

Xu Ming’s expression was notably serious.

[Through diligent study, your Chemistry level has improved, gaining 3 experience points.]

…

Time, like a wild donkey, ran relentlessly.

In the blink of an eye, it was the weekend.

During the last self-study session that morning, Xu Ming worked on biology past exam questions from the “Five Years of College Entrance Exam, Three Years of Simulation,” gaining subject experience while familiarizing himself with question types to improve accuracy.

With the second mock exam approaching next week, he wanted to take the chance to assess the fruits of his recent hard work.

After these days of revision, his chemistry experience had already reached the target. He just needed to supplement biology to boost his combined chemistry-biology skill to level 1, which would allow him to draw a new skill entry—a prospect he eagerly anticipated.

[Through diligent study, your Biology level has improved, gaining 2 experience points.]

Before long.

Noticing it was almost time to leave, Xu Ming stopped and looked at the screen in front of him.

Checking the experience points under the combined Chemistry-Biology category:

[Chemistry-Biology: Lv0 (94/100)]

“Not bad progress today. I should be able to reach level 1 soon.”

He muttered quietly to himself, then began packing up his things.

March came, and the temperature gradually warmed.

With a few hours of rest on Sunday, he planned to go back home briefly to swap for lighter blankets and clothes.

Qian Hong lived in town and could only take the rural bus home after the second mock exam.

Having learned from last time, when the class bell rang, Qian Hong didn’t invite Xu Ming to the internet café again. Moreover, he didn’t let Li Wenhui’s usual evening roll call catch wind of it, instead darting out of the classroom like a cheetah.

Xu Ming was no longer surprised by this and headed straight to the dormitory.

The thick cotton quilt was folded with the sheet laid beneath, tied diagonally like a bundle and slung over his shoulder.

As for the urea bag placed on the bed board, he didn’t bring that along—it was meant for packing books after the college entrance exam.

By noon, the warmth of the sun was already noticeable. Xu Ming didn’t intend to carry the quilt all the way back and, upon exiting the school gate, eyed the tricycles waiting outside.

Just as he was about to wave down an old driver, he heard a familiar voice nearby.

“Driver,”

“I’ll get off at the road near Xinhua Bookstore. Is three yuan okay?”

He looked toward the voice and saw Chen Lu, also carrying a transparent plastic bag with a quilt inside, standing next to a red tricycle with a canopy, negotiating the fare with the driver.

“You’ve got stuff with you, so it’s at least four yuan.”

Xu Ming knew Chen Lu lived in the county but hadn’t expected it to be near the Xinhua Bookstore—on the same street as their family’s handmade wonton shop.

With that thought, he didn’t hesitate and called out to the driver, “Sir, we’re heading the same way. How about five yuan for both of us?”

“Alright, get on,” the driver said reluctantly, glancing at Xu Ming before waving him in.

Xu Ming smiled and tossed his quilt onto the seat, then looked back at Chen Lu.

“Want me to help you put yours in?”

Hearing the voice behind her, Chen Lu was startled for a moment; seeing it was Xu Ming, she relaxed.

She didn’t refuse the shared ride at the agreed price but insisted on handling her own belongings.

“I can manage.”

Finally, the two sat facing each other inside the cabin, each with a quilt by their side.

Though classmates who had interacted a few times recently, perhaps due to the cramped space, neither dared to speak first. They even subtly avoided each other’s gaze.

Both stared out at the asphalt road.

The midday temperature was already high, and with the quilts beside them, sweat soon broke out.