Chen Li Shu only attended elementary school for a few years in her previous life, and the middle school system was completely unfamiliar to her. Her gaze couldn't help but scan the First Middle School with curiosity.
The school wasn't large. Passing through the sports field, a three-story teaching building stood directly opposite. On the other side was a row of bungalows, which Gu Xing Ping had introduced as the student dormitories.
Both junior and senior high schools at this time were two-year programs. Coupled with people's lack of emphasis on education and the low high school admission rate, the entire First Middle School had only about two hundred students.
The graduating class of the second year of high school had three classes in total, two of which were science classes and one was an arts class.
The study class had a limited number of students, and the school did not further divide them into arts and sciences. Instead, a separate self-study room was prepared. Besides Chinese, Mathematics, and Politics, which were taught together, other subjects were taught in an interspersed manner.
After parting ways with Gu Xing Ping, Chen Li Shu and Ding Chen entered the classroom to find over a dozen students already engrossed in their studies.
The two dared not disturb them. After quietly finding two empty seats in the back row, they also took out their textbooks and began to study along with everyone else.
Soon, the class bell rang, and Ding Yong Feng walked in from outside.
His gaze swept over Ding Chen and Chen Li Shu in the back row without saying much, and he began the class.
As it was a class for gifted students, the teachers did not provide detailed explanations. The focus was on summarization and consolidation.
Chen Li Shu listened very attentively. Even if she didn't understand something, she diligently took notes and planned to ask the teacher after class.
In the evening, the school also provided a self-study room. To save electricity, the school only opened one classroom, and a teacher would be on duty. If there were any questions, they would be explained collectively at this time.
The first day was so high-intensity that by the time Chen Li Shu and Ding Chen finished their self-study and headed home, it was already past ten in the evening.
After washing up, Chen Li Shu read for a while longer before turning off the lights and going to sleep.
Throughout September, everyone was in a state of nervous excitement.
However, as time went on and the document on the restoration of the college entrance examination was delayed, many students' mental states began to crumble.
"I don't think it will be restored at all. What are we studying so desperately for?"
During class that day, someone suddenly stood up, irritably tugged at their hair, and then tore the book on the table.
"For this baseless matter, I study until late at night every day, and what's the result? I still see no hope. You fools can continue to stay here and waste your energy if you want. I'm going home!"
Saying this, regardless of the teacher's attempts to stop him, he left his textbooks behind and simply walked away.
Following his departure, the classroom fell into a brief silence. Before long, a girl's soft sobbing could be heard in the classroom: "My family is from the countryside, and they've been urging me to go back to work. I've done my best to persevere for so long, and I'm choosing to give up too."
Without any directives from above, no one could guarantee how long they would have to persevere, or if this was simply a dream that would never be realized. The teacher and classmates did not try to persuade them further. After packing her things, the girl quickly left the classroom as well.
Due to the sudden turn of events, the classroom became somewhat somber. However, the teacher soon regained their composure and continued to teach the students.
In mid-October, the school began its autumn harvest break. Two more students withdrew from the study class, and more and more people began to feel lost, unsure of the meaning of perseverance.
Chen Li Shu watched everyone like this and didn't know how to persuade them. After all, without any concrete news, all words seemed pale.
October 21st was destined to be an extraordinary day. The authorities officially issued a notice: the country was restoring the college entrance examination!
All workers, peasants, sent-down youth, returned youth, and fresh graduates who met the conditions could apply. The admission principle was a comprehensive assessment of moral, intellectual, and physical qualities, with admission based on merit!
The college entrance examination, which had been interrupted for eleven years, was to be restored. People excitedly spread the news, and some even wept with joy.
With only a little over a month left until the December examination, those who wished to take the college entrance examination began to scramble for textbooks and study materials. Although the Ministry of Education and publishers urgently reprinted them, it was merely a drop in the bucket.
On this day, Chen Li Shu was eating dinner at home and was about to go to evening self-study with Ding Chen. As soon as they reached the school gate, they were stopped by a tall, thin boy.
He was wearing a faded gray-white outfit with patches, and he was so thin that it seemed a gust of wind could blow him away.
"Hello, classmate. Are you students from the First Middle School? My name is Lin Qi, as in Qi Tian Da Sheng."
Lin Qi bowed his body low, his posture extremely humble, and said in an almost pleading tone, "I want to take the college entrance examination, but my family's financial situation is limited. Do you have any study materials or practice papers? Could you lend them to me for a day, no, for one night? I'll copy them and return them to you tomorrow morning."
Ding Chen had never encountered such a situation and subconsciously looked at Chen Li Shu.
They were all there for their studies. Chen Li Shu thought for a moment and replied, "Materials might be difficult, as my classmates are using them. But I can lend you a couple of practice papers."
Lin Qi was overjoyed to hear her agree and thanked her profusely. "Thank you, classmate, thank you."
He had asked several people standing there, and only Chen Li Shu was willing to lend him the papers.
Chen Li Shu waved her hand, went back to the classroom, took out a few practice papers she had already completed, and handed them to him.
"I'll bring them back tomorrow morning," Lin Qi said carefully, securing the papers before turning and rushing away.
Watching his hurried receding figure, Chen Li Shu smiled and turned to enter the school gate.
The next day, when she came to class, she indeed saw Lin Qi at the school gate. It was likely due to studying late after receiving the papers, as there were distinct dark circles under his eyes.
Seeing such a diligent person, Chen Li Shu couldn't help but want to help him more. Therefore, when he asked to borrow two more practice papers, Chen Li Shu readily agreed.
Lin Qi came every day for several days, and the two of them became familiar with each other.
"A classmate just returned a set of study materials, you can borrow it for two days." Chen Li Shu said one day when they met, seeing him commute back and forth every day.
"Sister Chen, you're so good to me. If I can get into university, I'll definitely repay you."
Knowing that he was just being polite, Chen Li Shu didn't take it to heart. Moreover, helping Lin Qi was just a small gesture, and she didn't expect any reward. Chen Li Shu smiled, handed him the materials she had in her hand, and then entered the school gate.
"Sister Chen, I heard that someone is secretly selling study materials near Sixth Middle School. Should we go and take a look?"
As they walked home after school one day, Ding Chen said.
It was surprising that someone could still obtain materials at this time. Chen Li Shu couldn't help but be a little curious. Since Sixth Middle School was not far from her home, she nodded and said, "Okay, let's go and see."
So, the two of them didn't go home but instead diverted their path to Sixth Middle School.
Like the First Middle School, Sixth Middle School was one of the only two high schools in the county town. Its teaching quality was slightly inferior to that of the First Middle School.
According to the address Ding Chen had inquired about, they went to an alleyway a short distance from Sixth Middle School. From afar, they saw three to five people gathered inside, engaged in a transaction.
"Are you sure these are papers from the First Middle School?"
"Why not? My sister is in the First Middle School, so it's absolutely genuine. I'm telling you, I don't have many left. Fifty cents a copy, and you won't find this deal anywhere else."