Chapter 001 A Brief Release (Part 1)
Finally, the exam is over! At the thought of the upcoming two and a half months' vacation, and what's more, there is no homework, Su Ran feels as if he is so happy that he could almost fly. These three years in junior high school have been like a time of imprisonment for him. At this moment, it's just like a prisoner getting a general amnesty. However, he also knows in his heart that this is just the senior high school entrance examination. Compared with the college entrance examination three years later, it can only be regarded as a small pardon.
Today, they are going to estimate their scores and fill in the college entrance examination application forms. This matter seems to be related to the future of the classmates and appears to be particularly important. But for Su Ran, there is nothing to worry about. After all, the key senior high schools have a 10% admission rate, while the ordinary senior high schools account for 90%. Nowadays, the admission rate of the senior high school entrance examination is quite high. On average, it can reach 76% in the whole city, and it is incredibly high in the urban area, nearly 87%, which is almost the same as the average admission rate of the college entrance examination last year. Su Ran doesn't study in a key junior high school, but since the third year of junior high school, his grades have always been steadily in the top six of the class, so there is naturally no problem with his further education. Although there have been repeated instructions emphasizing that there should be no division into fast and slow classes and no score discrimination, in fact, most schools find ways to divide classes in different forms.
Take their school as an example. As soon as the third year of junior high school started, the classes were divided into different levels according to the students' grades. Class One and Class Two are the "fast classes" with the goal of key senior high schools; Class Three and Class Four are the "ordinary classes" striving for ordinary senior high schools; Class Five and Class Six are the "slow classes", mainly for students who will take the entrance examinations for vocational high schools and technical schools, and most of those who can't go to senior high schools are in this class. Su Ran is in Class Three and is considered to have relatively excellent grades in the ordinary class. Oh, the top six mentioned earlier refers to his ranking in Class Three. Well, people always have a bit of vanity, and it's not an exaggeration for Su Ran to say so. Moreover, from primary school to the third year of junior high school, his student number has always been No. 6. Because the student numbers are arranged according to the number of strokes of the surname, and his surname is Su, he naturally ranks relatively high. Currently, only surnames like Ding, Wang, Fang, and Tian are ahead of him. Theoretically, surnames like Niu, Mu, Bai, and Shi should also be ahead of him, but so far he hasn't met anyone with these surnames. Just because of this student number, he was almost given the nickname "Liu'er". You know, in the local dialect, this means calling someone a fool. He quickly nipped this dangerous tendency in the bud by force. If he really got such a nickname, how embarrassing it would be!
It's just a little past eight o'clock now, and it's Saturday. The teacher hasn't come yet, and the classroom is in a noisy mess. The classmates are holding the answer keys distributed yesterday and are asking each other how they did in the exam and which school they plan to apply to. Humph, Su Ran thought to himself, what's there to argue about? They are not the top students in Class One or Class Two. Do they still dream of going to a key senior high school? People should have a clear understanding of themselves. For students in their ordinary class, unless they perform exceptionally well, generally, they will be admitted to the senior high school that their junior high school is affiliated with. Just like when they entered junior high school from primary school, they will go to a school nearby. It's only about a ten-minute bike ride away. How could they not find it? Su Ran has even gone to check the route in advance. That school is near the city library, and it will be convenient for him to borrow books in the future.
"Ran, how did you do in the exam and which school are you planning to apply to?" It was Lin Yue, the class beauty of their class, who asked him this question. Everyone was used to calling Su Ran "Ran", especially after a certain popular anime was broadcast. "I'm not sure. I have to wait until the scores are out to know. How about you?" Su Ran has the habit of forgetting things right after an exam. Once he steps out of the examination room, those exam questions are completely thrown out of his mind. If he were asked to estimate his score, even with the answer key in his hand, he couldn't remember at all what he had written. So, how could he estimate? "I did quite well this time. If I'm lucky, I might reach the admission line for key schools. My dad said that even if I'm a few points short, he'll buy me a quota for a key middle school. If you can also get into Qihua Middle School, we'll be able to be together again." "Your dad is rich, so it's definitely no problem for you. I'm both stupid and poor. I'm afraid we'll have fewer chances to meet in the future. You won't forget me, will you?" "Of course not! Your grades have improved so rapidly recently. Teacher Chen has even praised you. You're sure to get into Qihua Middle School. If you're a few points short by any chance, I'll just ask my dad to pay more sponsorship fees. Otherwise, I won't go to Qihua Middle School either. I'll go wherever you go."
Just like in many places, the middle school named after the local area is usually a key school, and generally, it's the No. 1 Middle School. But in their place, Qihua Middle School, which has a history of a hundred years, is even more renowned. It was established at the end of the Qing Dynasty, and its admission score line is about 10 points higher than that of No. 1 Middle School every year. Apart from No. 1 Middle School and Qihua Middle School, the educational quality and enrollment rates of the other middle schools are also quite good, but compared with these two schools, they can't be considered key schools.
"I really don't deserve that. How could I delay the future of Miss Lin? Otherwise, won't your dad drive to run me over?" "Bah, bah, bah. Nonsense. Ran, where are you planning to work during the summer vacation? How about coming to my dad's company with me? I've already told my parents, and my mom especially hopes that you'll come." "I plan to go out to work and, by the way, take a look at the magnificent rivers and mountains of our motherland and experience the joys and sorrows of life. After all, only those who endure hardships can become outstanding people." "Great! I'll go wherever you go." "Miss Lin, I'm going to work, not to travel. If you go to work, I'm afraid the money you earn in a month will be less than what you spend in a single day."
"Ran." A fragrant breeze wafted over. Su Ran turned his head and saw the stunning beauty Xia Yao approaching. She was wearing a light blue dress, with her long hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, and exuding a subtle and luxurious perfume scent. The fragrance was so appealing that Su Ran couldn't help but take a deep sniff. He smiled and teased, "Classmate Xia Yao, as the president of the Student Union, you're so elaborately made up, which actually violates the student code of conduct. Your leading example isn't really that good, is it?" Xia Yao was a well-known figure in the school. Not only was she the president of the Student Union, but she also bore the title of "the school belle". Wherever she went, she could draw the attention of a large group of boys. As soon as she stepped into the classroom, the eyes of many boys immediately shifted from Lin Yue to her.
Xia Yao smiled and said, "Today is the last day of junior high school. The teacher won't care. Ran, does it smell nice?" Just like Lin Yue, Xia Yao was in the same class as Su Ran during the first and second years of junior high school. When the classes were divided in the third year, since her grades had always been among the top three in the whole school, she was assigned to the key class. This time, she was even recommended to Qihua Middle School for senior high school without taking the entrance exam. "Chairman Xia has already been recommended to Qihua Middle School. Why do you have the time to come to our class today? Are you here to convey some school instructions again?" Lin Yue said sourly. When beautiful girls meet, there is always a bit of a hidden rivalry. With Su Ran in the middle, the atmosphere became even more lively. It's not that Su Ran is being boastful. Although he can't be described as suave and handsome, he really does have good luck with girls. Ever since primary school, girls have liked to get close to him. But now, the only girls who are really close to him are Xia Yao and Lin Yue. Other girls have gradually been pushed away by these two. It's hard to say what they're thinking. When they're together, they can't stand each other, but if other girls talk to Su Ran or pass him a note, the two of them will immediately unite against the outsiders. One of them is the president of the Student Union and the school belle, and the other is the class belle and the secretary of the Youth League branch. Their deterrence to other girls is quite significant.
Xia Yao ignored Lin Yue and directly sat down beside Su Ran. She took out an ID card from her pocket and handed it to him, saying, "Ran, your ID card is ready. How are you going to thank me?" A few days ago, Su Ran had asked Xia Yao to help him get an ID card. They had originally agreed that he would go to her place to pick it up today, but unexpectedly, she brought it to him directly. Su Ran's birthday had just passed not long ago. According to the normal procedure for getting an ID card, he would have to wait for another month to receive it. But since he needed it urgently, he had no choice but to ask Xia Yao to help expedite the process. Xia Yao's father was the deputy director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. With the daughter of the bureau chief making the request, the local police station naturally showed her respect. After all, Su Ran wasn't trying to get a fake ID card; he just wanted to shorten the processing time, and for them, it was just a piece of cake. "So, what do you think I should do to thank you? Don't be too greedy. I'm as poor as a church mouse and don't have the money to take you to a luxury hotel." "We're going on vacation this afternoon. I want you to go shopping with me this afternoon." Goodness, an entire afternoon, Su Ran thought. Wouldn't his legs be about to break? He had experienced several times the hobby of women going shopping. Every time it was as tiring as a long march, and most of the time they just window-shopped without buying anything. He really couldn't understand why they were so obsessed with it. When Lin Yue heard this, she wasn't happy. She grabbed Su Ran's hand and said, "No way, Ran. You promised to go shopping with me before." Su Ran was stunned. When on earth did he promise that? They could have their little squabbles, but they shouldn't drag him in as a scapegoat.
At this moment, the class suddenly fell silent, and everyone stared at these two beautiful girls squabbling over Su Ran. Several boys had their mouths open, almost drooling. "Ran, you're so amazing. You're truly the nemesis of beauties and the enemy of men. What's your secret trick? Teach your brother, will you?" "Ran, my admiration for you is like a surging river..." Humph, it's hard to believe they could say such clichéd words. "Teach you nothing." The two girls said in unison. After saying that, they looked at each other and found it funny. Suddenly, the whole class burst into laughter. The so-called "love triangle" among Su Ran, Xia Yao, and Lin Yue was no longer a secret in the school. It was said that even the school principal knew about it. Fortunately, the academic performance of the three of them hadn't declined, and Xia Yao and Lin Yue were still student cadres. The school didn't dare to deal with it lightly; otherwise, they would have been called to the office long ago. In fact, there was really nothing serious between them. It was just about accompanying them to go shopping, holding hands, and at most, stealing a few kisses. Su Ran's eldest sister and second sister were both great beauties. He could see them every day at home, so he still had some resistance to these young girls who were just starting to develop. The school spirit of their school was quite strict, unlike the nearby schools where there were couples everywhere on campus. According to his sisters, every time after the vacation, there were always girls who looked like middle school students going to the hospital for abortions. Su Ran couldn't help but sigh that the social customs were really deteriorating.
Why hasn't the head teacher come yet? Su Ran was getting impatient. These two girls were chattering non-stop beside him. One moment they were asking about the exam situation, the next moment they were inquiring about where to go for fun, and then they were asking about clothes and perfume. His head was almost splitting from the noise, and he still had to catch a train at noon. When the teacher came, he guessed that the teacher would probably just help them estimate their scores, give some suggestions on filling out the college entrance examination application forms, hold a class meeting, and then these three years of junior high school would be completely over. There wouldn't be anything new. He might as well go to the office and fill out the application form first. After all, there were only those few schools, and it didn't require much thinking. It wasn't like the college entrance examination, which had so many choices. The key schools in the city were No. 1 Middle School and Qihua Middle School, and he had to choose one of the two. Besides the key schools, for the remaining middle schools, apart from some people choosing the second-tier key schools, generally, students would fill in the senior high school that their junior high school was affiliated with. For those with slightly worse grades, they would also apply for a vocational high school or a technical school. When the two girls saw Su Ran stand up, they asked simultaneously, "Where are you going?" "To the restroom." It seemed that he could only use the "excuse of going to the toilet" to get away from them. Otherwise, not to mention going out, just the problem of whom to accompany to go shopping at noon could drive him crazy with indecision.
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