A Literary Life Starting from the First Year of High School

On Friday, the last day of September, before dawn, Lin Shubai was awakened by the sound of rain outside the window.

The rain was light, a fine patter against the window, making a soft rustling sound. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling, his mind going over the events of the month: his manuscript had been published in *Story Club*, and he had written over ten thousand words of *Charlotte's Web*.

Both things are good news.

Today is the last day of school before National Day. The magazine should be ready to go out by the time we get back from the holiday. Old Chen mentioned last time that the results of the citywide essay competition would be released around this time as well.

After getting dressed, she pushed open the door and went outside. The aroma of porridge was already wafting from the kitchen. Wang Xiulan stood in front of the stove, stirring the pot with a spoon in her hand.

"You're up? It's a bit chilly today, wear more clothes."

"Um."

Lin Shubai walked into the bathroom. The bar of Shanghai-brand sulfur soap on the sink had shrunk even more.

Breakfast consisted of plain congee, salted duck eggs, and leftover fried dough sticks from yesterday. Wang Xiulan cut the fried dough sticks into sections and placed them on a plate.

"Your dad has already left. He said there's something going on at the factory today, so go early." Wang Xiulan sat down.

Lin Shubai peeled the salted duck egg, picked out the yolk with chopsticks, and mixed it into the porridge.

"Mom, the magazine should be published after the holiday."

"Is it the book that published your article?" Wang Xiulan put down her chopsticks.

"Yes, 'Story Club,' the first half of October issue."

"Then we'll keep an eye out for it."

"No need, the magazine's social issues sample will be delivered later." Lü Jia had told him about this before.

Wang Xiulan thought for a moment and asked, "Your dad doesn't know yet, does he?"

"I haven't told him yet."

"Let's tell him when the magazine comes out, and give him a surprise," Wang Xiulan said with a smile.

"it is good."

When I arrived at school, the rain hadn't stopped.

Lin Shubai walked towards the teaching building with his umbrella. The newsstand at the school gate was already open. He glanced into the newsstand and saw that the shelf still displayed the second half of September's issue, with a woman in a red dress on the cover.

He looked away and continued walking towards the teaching building.

When he arrived at the classroom, Su Wan was already in her seat. She was wearing a white long-sleeved T-shirt with a light blue light jacket over it. Su Wan had told him yesterday that it was her turn to be on duty today and that she should come to school early.

"Good morning." Lin Shubai put the umbrella in the bucket at the back of the classroom.

Su Wan looked up at him and asked, "Are you soaked?"

"no."

She pushed a pack of tissues on the table toward me: "Wipe your hands."

Lin Shubai took a tissue and sat down.

Liu Yang turned around from the front row, a straw in his mouth, drinking a bag of milk. He mumbled, "Shubai, is your magazine published during holidays?"

"The first half of October issue should be available when I get back from my holiday."

The last class in the morning is Chinese.

Old Chen came in as the bell rang, placed his enamel mug on the podium, spread out his lesson plan, and then glanced at the whole class.

"We'll have a seven-day holiday starting tomorrow. Don't just play around during these seven days. There will be a monthly exam after the holiday. The Chinese exam will cover Units 1 to 3. You need to start memorizing the classical poems and prose."

A chorus of wails erupted from below.

"What are you howling about?" Old Chen glared at him. "Seven days off, memorize one passage a day, and you've memorized all seven."

Liu Yang muttered under his breath, "Memorizing one passage a day? Is that even human?"

Old Chen's ears must have been somehow trained in a way; he heard him from seven or eight rows away: "Liu Yang, what are you muttering about?"

"No, it's nothing. I just think the teacher is right."

The whole class burst into laughter.

Old Chen glared at him and continued, "Also, we'll know the results of the citywide essay competition when we get back from the National Day holiday. The school will issue a unified notification then."

His gaze swept over Lin Shubai, pausing for a second.

"There's something else. The school has sent out a notice about the National Middle School Students' Innovative Writing Competition. This competition is very prestigious; it's a national event, not at the same level as the previous city-wide competition. Interested students can voluntarily register to participate."

The area below quieted down considerably.

"Let me tell you about the competition schedule." Old Chen opened the notice in his hand. "The preliminary round is a set essay topic. I'll tell you the topic when you come back from the National Day holiday. You have about a week to write it and submit it before October 15th. Those who pass the preliminary round will then participate in the regional finals."

He paused, then emphasized, "The regional finals are on October 25th, held in Shanghai. The topic will be given on-site, and participants will write on the spot. Those who win second prize or higher in the regional finals can participate in the national finals. The national finals are on November 1st, and this year they will also be held in Beijing. In other words, from the preliminary rounds to the national finals, it will only take about a month, which is a very fast pace."

People below started whispering among themselves. A national competition, divided into three rounds—it sounded very distant and unapproachable.

"So you need to think this through," Old Chen said. "This competition is very difficult. Although you can take the essays home and have plenty of time for the preliminary round, the questions won't be easy. The organizing committee's questions test creativity, critical thinking, and reasoning skills. Writing those formulaic, predictable essays will definitely not pass. Interested students, come back during the holidays and contact me to register."

The bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class. Old Chen closed his textbook and walked out. "Lin Shubai, come here for a second."

Su Wan whispered from the side, "It must be about that innovation competition."

Lin Shubai stood up and followed Lao Chen out of the classroom.

In the office, Old Chen sat down and handed the notice to Lin Shubai.

"Notice regarding the National Middle School Students' Innovative Writing Competition. Please take a look."

Lin Shubai took it; it contained the organizers, schedule, and entry requirements for the competition.

Preliminary round: The organizing committee will set a unified theme, and entries must be submitted before October 15th.

Regional finals: October 25th, held in Shanghai, with an on-site essay prompt.

The national finals will be held in Beijing on November 1st.

"This competition is different from the previous city-wide competition, which focused on basic skills. This competition focuses on innovation—whether you can write something that others can't. Moreover, the schedule is very tight, with preliminary rounds, regional finals, and the grand final all completed within a month. How far you go depends entirely on your own abilities."

He glanced at Lin Shubai: "So? Interested?"

Lin Shubai thought for a moment: "Yes."

"Okay." Old Chen nodded. "I'll tell you the topic for the preliminary round when you get back from the National Day holiday. You have more than a week to write it and polish it repeatedly. Submit it before October 15th, and I'll send it to the organizing committee."

"I see."

"We'll know the results of the citywide competition when we get back from the holiday." Old Chen glanced at him. "The language arts teachers all thought your essay, 'The Back View,' was good. But there are so many schools in the city, and there are many talented students. It's hard to say whether you'll win an award. No matter what the result is, don't take it too seriously. The innovation competition later on is the main event. If you pass the preliminary round, you'll be going to Beijing for the competition on October 25th. The school will organize the trip."

"Go back and prepare well. Don't be idle during your vacation; read more. If you have knowledge in your mind, you won't be afraid of any questions."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Chen."

"Alright, let's go back."

Lin Shubai walked out of the office, clutching the notice in his hand. Three rounds of competition within a month, each more difficult than the last.

He took a deep breath, folded the notice, and stuffed it into his pocket.

It's challenging, but he's not afraid.