Aside from doing decently in Chinese, I couldnât manage much in math, English, or science. Naturally, I had to rely on Xu Xin.
That girl wasnât bad at all. She always found chances to let me copy her answers, and the invigilators werenât as strict as I had fearedâthey turned a blind eye most of the time. But apart from Xu Xin, none of the other students were helpful. They kept their papers tightly covered. It frustrated meâwhy act like this when weâre all from the same place?
After the final English exam ended, the students from other schools left, while all the senior students from our school returned to their classes.
Sister Qian looked at everyone with a pleased expression and said, âEveryone… youâre free!â
“Yeah!!!” The class erupted. Both the boys and girls cheered excitedly, tossing the study materials they had spent hundreds of yuan on into the air.
âWe’re free!â Sun Jing’s little face was flushed with excitement.
I instinctively hugged her. “Weâre finally free!”
It wasnât until I felt something press against my chest that I realized I might have made a mistake.
Seeing Sun Jing’s face turn red as if it were bleeding, I quickly let go and apologized awkwardly. “Sorry, I got too excited…”
But the excitement was short-lived. Some of the closer friends started hugging and crying together.
âClassmates…â Sister Qian, as a woman herself, seemed moved by the emotional scene, almost on the verge of tears. When she spoke, the previously noisy class fell silent.
âIâd like to give you all one last lesson,â she said. Everyone listened attentively, without making a sound.
âThis lesson isnât about textbooks or grades… This lesson is about life.â As she spoke, Sister Qian wrote two large characters on the blackboard: “Life.”
âLife wonât always be smooth or free of setbacks. The college entrance exam is just the first challenge in your journey…â she continued, her words clear and deliberate. The entire class listened intently, no one interrupting.
Although Sister Qian could be strict, we werenât kids anymore, and we understood the care behind her words.
âThe bell hasnât rung yet. Take out your textbooks and look at them one more time…â As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. âYou look at your books… and Iâll look at you… one last time.â
The girls began sobbing at their desks, and even the boys’ eyes turned red.
âWhy does it have to be so emotional…â I muttered, wiping away the tears from the corner of my eyes with a smile.
Suddenly, one of the girls ran to the podium and hugged Sister Qian. âTeacher!â
Seeing this, the entire class rushed toward the podiumâboys and girls alike.
Damn! Sister Qian was mine. I couldnât let the other guys take advantage!
Thanks to my quick reflexes, I made it to her side first, ahead of all the others except two or three girls who were closer. Fortunately, they were girls. But still… with so many youthful girls here, how could I miss out on hugging a few?
“Hey! Who just touched my chest?!” A girl suddenly shouted. The moment she spoke, a boy followed with an indignant cry, “What the hell! Who touched my butt? Not even the guys are safe!”
Despite everything, everyone burst into laughter. As the dismissal bell rang, we all returned to our seats. Then Zhao Kai shouted, âStand!â
âGoodbye, teacher!â Though it was just a small class, our voices boomed, loud enough to shake the walls. This would be the last time weâd say goodbye like this.
âSister Qian!â As half of the students left, I walked over to Sister Qian.
She was wiping her tears with a wet tissue. Seeing me approach, she smiled. âWhatâs up?â
âFatty, Zhang Yu and I are planning a party, and Iâd like to invite you to join us. Consider it a small thank-you banquet, even though our grades werenât exactly stellar…â I scratched my head awkwardly.
âSure!â she responded warmly.
Hearing her agree, I sighed in relief, having worried she might decline. I grinned and said, âThank you, homeroom teacher, for honoring us with your presence!â
âYou and your smooth talk!â she teased with a playful scold.
“Hey, seatmate! If youâre throwing a party, take me with you!” Sun Jing, overhearing my conversation with Sister Qian, chimed in with a bright smile.
âOf course! The more, the merrier! Iâll invite one more person, and we can all have a great time!â Since Sun Jing was coming, I figured I should also invite Xu Xin. After all, she helped me a lot during the exams, and it would feel wrong not to include her.
âCount me in too!â Just as I pulled out my phone to call Xu Xin, Zhao Kai’s voice rang out.
Whatâs this guy butting in for?
âXia Tian, you and Zhang Yu are the only real friends Iâve made during these three years of high school. Please let me join the party this time!â
What? When did we become friends? Does this guy not realize we pranked him last time?
âI, uh…â Just as I was about to find an excuse to refuse, a middle-aged man appeared at the door and called out, âKai Kai, arenât you coming home? Your mom has dinner ready and is waiting for you!â
âComing, Dad!â Zhao Kai answered. Turning back to me, he added, âSorry, Xia Tian. Iâll treat you to a meal next time to thank you for everything!â With that, he left with his father.
Well, that solved my problem.
âXu Xin, how about dinner? My treat!â I said into the phone, realizing too late how awkward my words sounded. Before she could react, I quickly added, âSince the exams are over, Iâd like to treat you to a meal. Are you in?â
âOf course! Why wouldnât I be? Iâll meet you at the school gate!â she answered excitedly, either not hearing or ignoring my earlier slip-up.
I breathed a sigh of relief. âAlright, weâll head over now.â
âLetâs eat!â I shouted in clumsy English, and Sister Qian, Sun Jing, Zhang Yu, and the others followed me out of the classroom.
âDamn it, whyâd you invite the âtigressâ? How are we supposed to have fun now?â Zhang Yu whispered, pulling me aside.
I gave him a smug look. âCome on, weâve already graduated. Whatâs there to be scared of?â
âYouâre right. Still, that was some emotional farewell from the âtigress.â No wonder she teaches Chinese,â Zhang Yu mused.
âLetâs go!â I chuckled and waved him off.
We met up with Xu Xin at the school gate, completing our group. But now came the tricky partâwhere to eat.
As usual, Xu Xin suggested KFD. I seriously wondered if she lived in that place, considering how often she brought it up.
Sun Jing and Sister Qian left it up to us guys to decide. But neither Zhang Yu nor Fatty knew where to go.
After thinking it over, I suggested we visit Liu Zhanqianâs barbecue stand, remembering how good it was last time.
Everyone agreed, and we crammed into Sister Qianâs car, heading toward the stand. Honestly, the real reason I chose that spot was because it was close to my house.
When we arrived, I shouted, âUncle Liu, customers are here!â
Right after I said it, I realized how weird it soundedâ’customers are here’ sounded like something from an old brothel!
Just as I finished, Liu Zhanqian rushed out with a knife in hand. For a moment, I thought I had pissed him off and he was coming to chop me. But to my surprise, he dropped to his knees in front of me, tears streaming down his face.
âBenefactor!â he cried.
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