NOVPUBAt the end of October, Hong Kong was still experiencing the sweltering summer days, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 29 degrees. Although it wasn’t hot enough to need air conditioning, a constantly rotating ceiling fan was essential.
The five girls at home were dressed very lightly, in pure white tank tops and shorts that exposed a lot of skin, with tatami mats made of bamboo mats laid on the living room floor. They sat back-to-back, with their legs stretched straight out.
If anyone asked Xu Qingfan what the most beautiful scenery in the world was at that moment, he would definitely answer, "Right in front of me."
...
The mid-term exams were scheduled from Monday to Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon, after the last biology exam, many of the tests from the previous days had already been graded.
The first results to be announced were for physical education since, from the first year of junior high, PE, which included a long-distance run and an elective, was part of the exam scope.
In their first year, they had chosen rope jumping because it was easy to score full marks. Almost all students at Licheng Middle School chose rope jumping for their middle school physical education exams, except for the very few talented in shot put or long jump.
The full marks for rope jumping were based on skipping 176 times or more per minute. Since they had specialized training, Xu Qingfan and the five girls all scored a perfect 60 points.
Then, the results for the mathematics exam they had taken the next day were released. Xu Qingfan, Xia Xiaoxiao, and Wu Lingyu scoring full marks was not surprising at all. Given that Grade 7 mathematics had not yet covered plane geometry and the coordinate axis, and the final question was an application problem of a system of linear equations with two variables, even Lin Wanning, who was the weakest in mathematics, managed to solve it, hence all six maintained full points, 150.
As more and more papers were graded and returned, history, all six full marks; geography, all six full marks; biology, the six were still perfect.
The whole class was already buzzing, discussing whether the six could continue to achieve full marks in the remaining subjects: Chinese, English, and politics.
"Next is the mid-term English test paper. Our class did well this time. We have six students with full marks in the class. As I read out the names, students come up and collect your papers. Xu Qingfan, one hundred fifty points, Xia Xiaoxiao…" The English teacher, unsurprisingly, announced the six names and scores, while for the remaining students, only the names were read out.
Once all the test papers were distributed, the homeroom teacher continued, "All subjects’ scores have been totaled and calculated. Our class performed very well this time. Many subjects’ average scores are the best in the grade, and the total score is also the highest in the grade. Even the top six ranks are from our class," she paused and then added, "I believe everyone has guessed who the teacher is talking about. Xu Qingfan, Xia Xiaoxiao, Lin Wanning, Zhang Yiyi, Wu Lingyu, Xiao Ruawen, please follow their example!"
After she finished speaking, the homeroom teacher led the applause, which quickly turned into enthusiastic clapping form the class.
Lin Wanning cupped her cheeks with both hands, her heart pounding erratically, mouth slightly agape forming an ’o’ shape, her face a mixture of surprise and joy.
Always playing the role of the academically challenged in their small group, Lin Wanning had long desired to stand on stage with Xu Qingfan and the others to receive awards and to pose for a photo next to her brother Qingfan just like Yu and Xiao Xiao.
She longed and yearned, spending time studying diligently every day after school, but unfortunately, Experimental Primary School had too many exceptionally talented students, and in all six years of primary school, Lin Wanning had never ranked within the top fifty, let alone alongside grade leader Xu Qingfan.
However, she had never expected that this day would come so easily after entering junior high. Lin Wanning secretly pinched her own cheek to feel the pain and confirm that she was not dreaming.
Friday, the mid-term ceremony.
"Please, the students whose names were called come up to receive the awards. First place, Grade 7 Class 6 Zhang Yiyi; Second place, Grade 7 Class 6 Xia Xiaoxiao, Wu Lingyu; Fourth place, Grade 7 Class 6 Xiao Ruawen; Fifth place, Grade 7 Class 6 Lin Wanning, and Sixth place, Grade 7 Class 6 Xu Qingfan…"
Amid the stunned and noisy reactions of other classes, the six young adolescents confidently walked up to the awards podium.
For adolescents, topping the grade was undoubtedly the coolest thing during school, and after today, no matter what stunning achievements these six made, their classmates would probably not be surprised anymore.
Lin Wanning took two steps to the right, standing close to Xu Qingfan, as the camera captured this moment with a click. The girl’s six-year-long dream was finally realized on this day...
...
To celebrate their remarkable achievements at the start of the new academic year, all six families gathered at a beautifully scenic farm restaurant on Sunday. Even Li Mei Juan and Wu Suowei, who hadn’t been seen for a while, also came.
As the years passed, Li Mei Juan seemed to become younger and younger. Her once dull and gray hair had become lush and black again, and with her hair grown out, one could vaguely see traces of her daughter, Lingyu, in her features.
Yu’s father, although he hadn’t undergone the kidney transplant surgery yet, was continuously taking expensive imported medication, and his complexion almost looked normal. n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
While waiting for the dishes, Xiao Ruawen’s mother, Zhao Yuemin, joked, "How come it was always Xiao Fan who ranked first before, but this time he’s at the bottom?"
"Hehe~ Did he spend all his time tutoring Xiao Xiao and the others and not review well himself?" Lin Jing joked as well.
"I think this lazy boy just slacked off and got overtaken by others!" Yao Jinping playfully hit her own son on the head with her hand.
