Chapter 33: A Bright Future and Promising Prospects

The next morning.

Xu Ming, lying in bed, opened his eyes, awakened as usual by his well-established internal clock. After a long, deep sleep, his body felt incredibly light and refreshed, as if no matter how exhausted he had been the day before, waking up restored him to his peak state.

The June weather was beginning to turn hot. The best thing about it was that getting dressed was simple. He skillfully pulled on a short-sleeved shirt and black trousers, put on his shoes, and left the dormitory.

He followed his routine, heading to the playground for a few laps before wiping himself down with a towel and returning to the classroom to continue the derivations from the day before. Soon, he was immersed in weighted Gram matrices, rapidly scribbling down mathematical symbols.

Perhaps because they were about to leave, the classroom where they had spent nearly three years was exceptionally quiet during morning study. Neither the homeroom teacher nor the Chinese teacher had appeared. It wasn't until the bell rang for lunch that the classroom finally became lively.

At that moment, prompted by Qian Hong, Xu Ming stopped his work, a faint smile finally appearing on his face. His gaze fell upon the panel before him.

—
【Through diligent study, your [Mathematics] level has improved. You have gained 8 experience points.】

"Finally, more progress."

Indeed. After over two hours of calculation, by applying the properties of Gram matrices through congruence transformations, he had successfully pushed the proof of the new inequality under weighted matrices a few steps further. Beyond gaining subject experience, it gave him even more confidence in completing the proof entirely. This sense of accomplishment was even more enticing than mastering any single knowledge point.

"Let's go eat."

He stood up immediately, called out to Qian Hong, took his lunch box from his desk, and headed toward the school cafeteria. It is worth mentioning that because the school had arranged his room in the comprehensive building, it was quite close to the cafeteria. After getting their food, they would always go there to eat; after all, it was far more comfortable than squatting on the ground.

Not long after, Xu Ming and Qian Hong returned to the classroom after eating. Just as they reached the corridor, they spotted an acquaintance standing at the classroom door from afar. Seeing the figure, before Xu Ming could even speak, Qian Hong, standing beside him, couldn't help but grumble, "Is he here to issue you another challenge?"

"Probably." Xu Ming nodded helplessly and walked toward him.

As the student who had topped the school's grade rankings for two years, Zhou Junhao seemed to have turned this into a weekly ritual ever since the second mock exam. Every time Xu Ming took an exam, Zhou would repeat his previous words, declaring that he would definitely overtake him next time. Unfortunately, not only had this goal failed to materialize, but the gap between his and Xu Ming's scores had only grown wider.

Though it was only twenty or thirty points, at their level of academic achievement, every point was like a chasm.

"Just say it." Xu Ming stopped two meters away from Zhou Junhao, his expression blank as he threw out the short words.

Although Zhou Junhao felt a flash of embarrassment, he gritted his teeth and followed through with the decision he had made to motivate himself. "Congratulations on getting first place in the grade again for the third mock exam, but I will absolutely not admit defeat just like that. The college entrance exam is the final showdown. I believe that this time, my score will definitely exceed yours."

Xu Ming listened to every word, then, under the other's gaze, gave an encouraging gesture. "Good luck."

With that, he stepped into the classroom.

Just then, Yang Huijuan and Chen Lu returned. Having likely seen Zhou Junhao’s back, they couldn't help but call out before they even reached their seats: "Is Zhou Junhao here again?"

"I think this must be the fourth or fifth time. At the very least, his perseverance is impressive."

"You can only blame Zhou Junhao for being too unlucky to run into someone with Xu Ming’s monstrous talent and constitution. Never mind wanting to surpass him in the college entrance exam; even if he chose to repeat a year, I doubt he could ever achieve that kind of score," Qian Hong said, taking over for Yang Huijuan and shaking his head in sympathy.

Chen Lu didn't speak, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she cast several stolen glances at Xu Ming.

According to the traditions of Dongping No. 1 High School, the morning before the holiday on the 3rd was designated for class group photos to commemorate graduation. Therefore, the second period of the morning became the final lesson of high school.

Beyond the various subject teachers coming to say their goodbyes, the person feeling the most sentimental was undoubtedly the homeroom teacher, Wang Qingtao. When the bell rang, as soon as the teacher stepped into the classroom, Li Wenhui was the first to call for the class to stand, and they all rose to say those three words with deep emotion:

"Hello, Teacher!"

"Hello, students," Wang Qingtao responded with his usual humor. "You’re graduating, not saying goodbye forever. If you make such a big deal out of it now, are you planning not to come visit me in the future?"

"Everyone, sit down."

The class broke into smiles, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

"We won't cover too much in this lesson. We'll go downstairs to take photos later so you can head home early to rest. Before we part ways, let me offer you some of my life experience."

Wang Qingtao paused, perhaps moved by the emotions surging in his chest. Despite trying to act casual, his voice changed, and as he continued to speak, images of their time together flashed through his mind.

"First, congratulations on completing your studies. No matter the result, you have persisted until the end. This perseverance will be your most precious wealth in life..."

"Whether you enter university or step into society, I only have four words for you: Conduct yourselves well. Now I can say that you are the best group of students I have ever taught. I wish you a bright future and endless possibilities!"

As he finished the last word, Wang Qingtao’s eyes moistened, and he had to turn his head to wipe away his tears. Many sentimental female students in the class were sobbing quietly. Although most of the boys remained expressionless, their reluctant and sorrowful eyes expressed their feelings more than words ever could.

At this point, Wang Qingtao stopped delaying. He stood straight at the podium and uttered the two words they were all too familiar with:

"Class dismissed."

...

Xu Ming’s class was the first to go out for photos. Regardless of gender, everyone rushed to the mirrors to tidy their hair. When taking the picture, the principal and the teachers sat in the front row, while the girls stood beside and behind them. Xu Ming, thanks to his height, managed to stand in the back row.

As the photographer shouted "Cheese!" and pressed the shutter, the high school career was officially frozen in time. All the memories and beautiful moments were sealed within that photograph.

After the photos were finished, as everyone began to move their books and pack their belongings, the bell rang. But unlike the usual voice broadcast, this time it was a song.

"Every time."
"I find strength in lonely wandering."
"Every time."
"Even when deeply hurt, I shed no tears..."

Xu Ming stood outside the teaching building, listening quietly for a while until he had composed his emotions. Then, he went home to get a small tricycle and returned to the classroom to load up his books.