June 7, 2011.
For all the graduating high school students in the country, this was a special day. In fact, for countless families and even for the entire nation, it was a special holiday.
The Gaokao had arrived.
Wang Yue woke up early, but his parents had risen even earlier.
"Son, come eat an egg. Drink this milk," Pan Huiying called out.
"What time do you finish? Your mother and I will pick you up later," Wang Jianguo said.
"9:00 AM - 11:30 AM," Wang Yue replied while peeling his egg.
"Don't be nervous when you enter the exam hall. Just perform as well as you can," Pan Huiying advised.
"Got it," Wang Yue responded.
"Wait for my good news, Mom and Dad!" Wang Yue waved goodbye after finishing his breakfast and left.
"Be careful on your way! Did you check your admission ticket, ID, and everything?"
"Yes, I have them all!"
After leaving the house, Wang Yue headed straight for the First High School.
Their exam venue this year was at the First High School. The graduating students from the First High School were sent to other high schools.
On the way, Wang Yue encountered many students taking the Gaokao. Some were even walking while clutching small notebooks, reciting their notes. Such last-minute cramming could sometimes be effective; perhaps a question they had just memorized would appear on the exam. However, the probability of such a perfect coincidence was extremely low, akin to winning the lottery.
Wang Yue carried no communication devices. After all, bringing any communication device into the exam hall could be considered cheating.
Upon arriving at the school entrance, Wang Yue easily found his school's gathering point. Zuo Yue was holding a large sign: "Class 1, Grade 3." This was a prearranged plan. Before entering the exam hall, teachers would organize the students to ensure everyone was present and that no unexpected issues arose. Several classmates were already standing beside Zuo Yue, including Zhang Tao and Zhang Xiang.
"The 'God Yue' is here!" Zhang Tao was the first to spot Wang Yue and quickly exclaimed. The others turned their gazes toward him.
As Wang Yue approached, Zuo Yue asked with concern, "Did you have breakfast? If not, I still have a few eggs prepared."
"I've already eaten eggs, Teacher Zuo," Wang Yue said with a smile. Qiao Zixuan was going to bring him breakfast later, so he needed to pace himself.
"Good. Don't be nervous during the exam. Just treat it like a mock test," Zuo Yue nodded and said.
"Don't worry, Teacher Zuo, I definitely won't be nervous," Wang Yue replied.
He chatted with Zuo Yue for a while. More and more classmates arrived, and it wasn't even 8:00 AM yet. This was also the school's requirement: arrive at the exam venue at least an hour in advance to ensure no one would be flustered and forget important matters.
"Wang Yue, I'm here!" At this moment, Qiao Zixuan shouted. Many heads turned, and they were instantly captivated. Qiao Zixuan was dressed simply today in a T-shirt and shorts with sandals, her hair tied in a high ponytail. Yet, this attire perfectly accentuated her beauty. Her pure, invincible face, combined with her clear features, made countless students who hadn't seen Qiao Zixuan before swallow hard. Qiao Zixuan held a sandwich in her hand and smiled as she handed it to Wang Yue.
"I made this myself. If you eat it, you'll surely perform exceptionally well." Wang Yue took it and found it looked quite presentable, not much different from store-bought ones.
"Class monitor, you're playing favorites! Why don't we get any?" Hu Qianhao chimed in teasingly.
"You talk too much. What's her status and what's yours?" Zhang Xiang kicked Hu Qianhao.
Wang Yue took a bite of the sandwich and praised, "It's really good."
At 8:00 AM sharp, all the classmates had arrived. Many teachers and students had already gathered at the school gate. Such a scene was rarely seen.
"When you take the exam later, remember to read the questions carefully. Don't be careless, especially you, Hu Qianhao," Zuo Yue said, glaring at Hu Qianhao.
"Teacher Zuo, I'm very meticulous now," Hu Qianhao replied.
"Yes, Hu Qianhao is the most meticulous man in our dorm now!" Yang Yongkang added from the side.
"I knew there was something between you two. You already know he's meticulous," Zhang Xiang teased from the side.
"Oh, those who understand, understand. Don't make him blush," Chen Ke also joked from the side.
"Get lost, get lost!" Yang Yongkang said irritably, "This is such bad luck."
Qiao Zixuan and Wang Yue were whispering. Because they were standing close, Wang Yue could smell the faint fragrance on Qiao Zixuan, which reminded him of body wash. As a result, he didn't hear a word Qiao Zixuan was saying, focusing instead on identifying the scent.
"What are you smelling?" Seeing Wang Yue's nose twitch, Qiao Zixuan blushed and asked.
"Did you take a shower before you came?" Wang Yue asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" Qiao Zixuan replied.
"Because you smell of body wash," Wang Yue said with a smile. "Was it Safeguard?"
"No," Qiao Zixuan said. "It's a Japanese brand. I don't recognize it either."
"Recommend it to me next time. I'd like to try it too," Wang Yue said with a smile.
After Zuo Yue finished speaking, the school gate also opened, and students could now enter the exam halls. Zuo Yue encouraged everyone, "Come on, classmates! Teachers will be waiting for you outside!"
"Teacher Zuo, we'll bring you good news!"
"I'm going to get a perfect score this time!"
"That's exaggerated. I just hope the Chinese exam isn't too difficult."
Wang Yue and Qiao Zixuan walked together; they were in the same exam venue. On the way, Wang Yue noticed sly eyes repeatedly glancing at Qiao Zixuan. Today, Qiao Zixuan's innocent schoolgirl appearance was truly captivating, mesmerizing those who hadn't seen such beauty.
Upon reaching the exam hall, they were not yet allowed to enter. They had to wait outside. After being scanned with a metal detector, they would be permitted to enter the exam room. Wang Yue and Qiao Zixuan waited outside. During this time, he noticed several boys looking restless, seemingly wanting to strike up a conversation, but they backed away upon seeing Wang Yue beside her.
"A bunch of cowards who have wicked intentions but no guts," Wang Yue thought to himself.
"I'm going to the restroom," Wang Yue said after standing for a while, feeling the urge to urinate.
"Okay," Qiao Zixuan nodded.
After Wang Yue finished in the restroom, he returned to find a boy chatting with Qiao Zixuan. These guys were truly insidious; as soon as Wang Yue left, they swarmed her like flies. Qiao Zixuan maintained a polite smile, merely shaking her head in refusal. Seeing Wang Yue return, the boy immediately walked away.
"Getting chatted up, Boss Qiao?" Wang Yue asked.
"Yes, didn't you see it?" Qiao Zixuan said with a smile.