Chapter 40: I Regret It

The evening the college entrance exam concluded was, for the restaurants surrounding the school, nothing short of a grand festival. Almost every establishment was packed to capacity, their business booming to an explosive degree. In Dongping County, there are four public high schools, each with a graduating class of roughly ten thousand students. One can easily imagine the scene: high school graduates wandering the streets everywhere, many still wearing their uniforms.

Unlike the lifeless exhaustion they usually displayed during school holidays, they now felt an unprecedented sense of lightness, as if the heavy shackles they had carried for so long had finally been smashed and cast aside. The air was filled with constant laughter and conversation.

"Thank you, everyone, for giving me the honor of attending our Class Three Science graduation party," Li Wenhui said, standing up to address the several tables of classmates in the dining hall. After a few heartfelt, concise words, he tilted his head back and finished the Sprite in his glass. As he sat back down, a wave of cheers and applause rippled through the hall.

Li Wenhui had booked the venue a month in advance, sparing everyone the trouble of hunting for a place to eat. He had originally wanted to invite their homeroom teacher, Wang Qingtao, but Wang had politely declined, not wanting to spoil the atmosphere; he had only emphasized that they should avoid excessive drinking. The students had just finished the grueling exam and were in a state of high nervous excitement; if they were further stimulated by alcohol, accidents were likely. No one wanted to leave behind bad memories at a time like this. So, when Li Wenhui proposed a toast with sour plum juice and soda instead, everyone agreed unanimously.

At the table near the counter, Xu Ming sat with his roommates, including Qian Hong, with Chen Lu, who had been pulled over by Yang Huijuan, sitting to his left. The main topic of conversation at the table was where everyone planned to spend their summer vacation.

"My dad already bought my train ticket. Once I finish submitting my college applications, I’m heading to Shenzhen to meet him and go to the beach," Yang Huijuan said, maintaining her characteristic chatterbox personality, gesturing animatedly as she spoke of her plans. Her words immediately drew agreement from others.

"I’ve never even seen the ocean."

"I plan to go to Guangzhou to find a summer job. I want to save up enough money to buy a smartphone before school starts."

"I really envy you guys. I’m almost certain I’ll be repeating the year."

Yang Huijuan noticed that Chen Lu, sitting beside her, hadn't said a word, so she nudged her. "What about you, Chen Lu?"

"I want to help my mother sell fruit," Chen Lu replied calmly, setting down her chopsticks.

The others clearly didn't know about Chen Lu's family situation; even Yang Huijuan was momentarily stunned, though she quickly changed the subject to avoid prying. Xu Ming, who heard her answer, instinctively glanced up. He hadn't expected Chen Lu to be so open about it. Given her usual reserved demeanor in class, he had assumed she wouldn't want others to know about her home life.

As he pondered this, Yang Huijuan turned her gaze toward him with a smile. "And what are the plans for our top student?"

"Self-study at home. I had the principal get me some university-level textbooks so I can get a head start," Xu Ming said, popping a piece of spicy chicken into his mouth.

Yang Huijuan looked horrified. "You're still studying during the summer?"

"Now you see how much of a freak he is. I’ve been used to it for a long time," Qian Hong chimed in, sounding like a weary veteran.

As time passed, some suggested heading out to sing karaoke. After a few people left, the rest, including Xu Ming, continued to finish their meal. Since everyone had split the bill, Xu Ming felt that leaving without finishing the food was a shameful waste. Besides, he wanted to head home for the night and had no interest in listening to the noise at a karaoke bar.

When Qian Hong and Yang Huijuan left the table to use the restroom, Chen Lu suddenly stopped eating and looked at Xu Ming. She hesitated for over ten seconds before finally speaking.

"Xu Ming, do you have a college you're planning to apply to?"

Xu Ming swallowed his food and answered straightforwardly: "Peking University."

Since he had decided to focus on mathematics, he had to choose a university with a top-tier math program, and in China, Peking University was considered the temple of mathematics. Its School of Mathematical Sciences was even affectionately dubbed the "Insane Asylum." Having heard many stories about the legends of that department in his past life, he felt the atmosphere would be perfect for him.

Chen Lu nodded slightly, saying nothing more. Xu Ming didn't ask her anything further; whether she chose to apply to Peking University was her own decision, and he had no intention of interfering with anyone else's life path.

Yang Huijuan, who had caught a glimpse of their conversation, felt a surge of gossip-fueled excitement. She immediately grabbed Qian Hong as he walked past and asked eagerly, "Hey, don't you think Xu Ming and Chen Lu have been getting a bit closer lately?"

"That's normal," Qian Hong replied, giving her a look. "Xu Ming’s heart has been sealed in concrete for ages. If he loves anyone, it’s probably 'studying'." He said this with such certainty that it seemed beyond doubt. As for where he got this confidence, the sight of Xu Ming appearing in the classroom at four every morning was the best proof.

Yang Huijuan couldn't help but doubt herself. "Could it be that I'm just overthinking it?"

At the same time, a group of nearly ten people pushed open the door and entered. The tall boy in the lead spoke to the proprietress behind the counter. Zhang Yingxin, standing in the crowd, glanced toward the dining area and suddenly froze when she spotted a familiar figure.

"Xu Ming," she whispered.

Although her voice was barely audible, Zhao Xin heard her. She turned, and upon confirming it was Xu Ming, she felt a sudden tension. She silently decided that if Zhang Yingxin tried to stir up trouble, she would drag her away immediately, as a way of apologizing for their previous misunderstanding of Xu Ming.

Zhang Yingxin didn't know what her friend was thinking, but she was overcome with heartbreak, regret, and a sense of injustice. Since the day her homeroom teacher had spoken to her, she hadn't approached Xu Ming again, and she had even kept her distance from the class monitor who had been trying to curry favor with her. She was still a little afraid of Yang Xing.

It wasn't until today, when the exams ended, that she finally accepted the class monitor's invitation to eat with a few people from their two dorms. She hadn't expected to run into Xu Ming. Looking at the pretty girl sitting next to him and hearing him mention his intention to apply to Peking University, a thought couldn't help but surface in her mind: if she had truly liked Xu Ming back then, maybe she could have aimed for a university in Beijing and shared in the glory he was now achieving. But, unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret.

"Xinxin, I regret it so much," she whispered, turning to grab Zhao Xin's hand.

Just as Zhao Xin was at a loss for what to say, their class monitor’s voice rang out: "There are no tables here. Let's go try the place next door."

Xu Ming didn't know Zhang Yingxin had been there, and he certainly didn't care. After the meal, everyone went their separate ways. Because they were headed in the same direction and it wasn't far, he and Chen Lu walked home together. Under the bright moonlight, the walk felt remarkably relaxed, a stark contrast to the tension of the day.

The following few days were dedicated to the estimation of scores, a process involving candidates, parents, and teachers alike. Because the accuracy of these estimates was crucial for successful university applications, it required the students to have a sharp memory.