A Young Woman's Heart

"What kind of preferential treatment did I receive in my time? Huh?"

"The preferential treatment at that time was that everything was in ruins and every industry needed talent. As long as you had a little strength, you could accomplish many things."

"What kind of preferential treatment is this? When I was bleeding and sweating back then, you were still... a little kid!" The vice principal tried hard to swallow his less-than-pleasant words. "Besides, didn't I share the joys and sorrows with the students? Look at me, I didn't even turn on the air conditioning or the fan in my office, and my old bones could hold on. Why can't they?"

"Publicizing suffering as something beautiful is only a temporary measure, but you, and many others, are wrong. We shouldn't continue this kind of propaganda. Providing a good environment for students, talents, and the future of our country is the only way to retain their hearts. Our education system has failed miserably in terms of character development." Mo Kong didn't give him a chance to continue speaking, simply shaking his head as he walked out of the office. His voice drifted back from outside, "Is the opportunity to become a top-tier high school really that important? Can't you see the future ahead, or the ordinary students beneath your feet..."

“Other top high schools do it this way, Mo Kong! Do you really think you’re always right?” The vice principal chased after him and shouted at him, but there was no anger in his eyes. Instead, it seemed as if he wanted to get some answers from him. “I can’t change much by myself. I think that if this continues, this school, and many other newly built schools, rebuilt schools, and others that have already followed this model, will only get the wrong answer.”

"You always think you're right, don't you?" the vice principal asked repeatedly.

“I don’t think I’m always right, but I do know that if the world can’t achieve equality for all, then the pyramid of social classes will inevitably exist. Do you think this pyramid might be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom?” Mo Kong stopped and turned his head slightly to look at him. “Do you think it’s possible for every individual, every school, and every organization to strive to be the strongest and best? It would be better to divide the work and cooperate. That way, those kids won’t have worked in vain, and they won’t feel like they’ve fallen into an abyss when they enter society.”

The vice principal finally fell silent.

He remained silent, it was unclear whether he agreed with the statement or was thinking about how to refute it.

In any case, Mo Kong walked away, turned the corner, and went up the stairs, and the sound of his footsteps gradually faded away.

He leaned against the doorframe, thought for a long time, and finally laughed, as if mocking someone: "You always think you're right..."

As he said this, he didn't look at Mo Kong who had walked away, but at his own reflection in the glass: "But if everyone does it this way, how can we judge that the majority is wrong?"

……

(three)

"Heave-ho! Wow, it's so cool!" Hua Yinyin practically burst into the band room. She fiddled with her sticky bangs as she walked to the air conditioner vent, lifting her head to let the cold air blow on her neck.

Wang Jiale sat on a chair to the side, gently poked Yu Shu's shoulder, and smiled, "Shu'er, did you miss us?"

"Hmm..." Yu Shu's eyes darted away.

"Hello, seniors!" Jiang Yuruo's voice was clear and loud.

"Ruoruo is here too." Mo Xueyao walked over and saw Wu Shanshan sleeping on Jiang Yuruo's lap. "You're all here."

"Hmm... Hello, seniors..." Wu Shanshan squinted her eyes, her voice muffled as if she were in a dream, and then she went back to sleep.

"The band room is still pretty clean." Mo Zhuyou quickly ran to where the drum set used to be, but she had moved it home. These days were the college entrance exams, so she didn't need it and didn't bring it back. The empty space made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Would you all like some herbal tea?" Mr. Xue put down his backpack, opened it, and was surprised to find four large thermos flasks inside...

"Huh? It's iced?"

"It should still be ice-cold."

"I want to drink!" Mo Xueyao nodded vigorously, picked up her cup and was about to let him pour it when she noticed that it was already quite dusty. "Ah, wait, I'll go wash the cup!"

"Little Yao Yao, can you help me wash up too?"

"Me too~"

Me too~

"Hey, you guys, you're pushing your luck..."

Despite saying that, Mo Xueyao still picked up everyone's cups and staggered out the door.

The heat wave outside made her take two steps back, hesitate for several seconds, and then go out again.

The scorching heat of the furnace scorched her skin once again.

……

(four)

"So the senior students haven't actually been studying much these past few days?"

"Ahem! Relax... Relaxation is more important. I'll definitely study when I get back today..."

"What's the point of reviewing today?"

"Get back into the swing of things... After all, the exam lasts for three days, so I need to get serious first..."

"Hey, I'm saying, how about we have a concert on graduation day! A farewell concert!"

"On a big stage again? Ugh... isn't that unnecessary?" Mo Xueyao rested her chin on her hand. "It's happened so many times already. The graduation ceremony should just end quietly..."

"It's a rare graduation ceremony, so it should be grand and lively! Hmm...right, how about we hold a concert in the classroom?"

"Huh? A performance only for our class?" Mo Zhuyou's eyes widened. "Great! That's wonderful!"

“You, who doesn’t have to take the college entrance exam, should shut up.”

“I agree too!” Wang Jiale raised her hand. “Xiaoyao, we might not be able to get so many people together for our next class reunion.”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Hua Yinyin nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, let's have one, a farewell concert for our class," Mr. Xue said with a smile.

Mo Xueyao looked at them with suspicion: "You guys, thinking about all this nonsense before the college entrance exam, be careful you don't do well on the exam."

"Don't worry, Yaoyao!"

"Okay! Anyway, let's decide on this!"

"Shu'er will participate too!"

"Huh? Me? Is it...okay?"

"Of course! We're a unified snow music band!"

"That's right, the Snow Music Band!"

"Yes!" Mr. Xue nodded vigorously, but a hint of sadness showed in his usually calm eyes.

For him, this graduation marks a true farewell.

After all, even a boy like him couldn't get into Ginkgo Women's University.

……

(Fives)

At 2 p.m., the students sat back in the classroom, all feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, while Ye Wen on the stage kept nagging about the precautions.

"I've memorized everything you need to bring tomorrow. I'll repeat it again: you have two exams tomorrow, one in Chinese and one in Math. Chinese is in the morning, starting at 9:00 AM. Everyone get there by 8:00 AM, no dawdling, understand? Lunch will be provided at the exam center. In the afternoon…"

"Those with odd-numbered math numbers will take the exam at No. 14 Middle School, and those with even-numbered math numbers will take the exam at Zhejiang University High School Affiliated to Zhejiang University. Teacher Qiu and I will take you to your respective exam sites today for a firsthand look, but we can only look from the outside and not go in. Please remember your exam room number and find your classroom tomorrow according to the notices for each exam site on the day of the exam..."

"Make sure you remember the address, so you don't go to the wrong place tomorrow. Some schools have multiple campuses. If your parents are taking you tomorrow, make sure to specify which school and which campus it is..."

……

Chapter 313 The College Entrance Examination!

(One)

The 7th of the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) month arrived as scheduled.

The clouds in the sky seemed to have been evaporated by the scorching sun. Although it was only 6:30 in the morning, the world was already bright.

Mo Xueyao and Li Wanyan were not in the same examination room, so although they set off together, they rode in two different directions.

It took her almost an hour to cycle here from home; the ten-kilometer journey was quite tiring.

Fortunately, we set off early enough that there weren't many cars on the road, and our bicycles had been modified, which allowed us to arrive so quickly. Otherwise, those few uphill climbs alone would have been equivalent to the amount of exercise required for a physical education entrance exam.

On the road near the school, many people in police uniforms have begun to control traffic and maintain order. At the same time, honking is not allowed near these test centers in the next few days, in order to provide a quiet testing environment for the candidates.

Normally, Mo Xueyao would arrive much earlier than most people, but today there were already two lines at the school gate, with students waiting at the gate that was not yet open.

Mo Xueyao spotted some students wearing Yukong High School uniforms, but didn't see anyone she knew, so she had to move aside and join one of the lines.

The High School Affiliated to Zhejiang University is one of the best high schools in Hangzhou.

Those taking the exam here include not only students from other regular high schools, but also their own students.

Today, students are not required to wear school uniforms, but quite a few people still wore them.

The school uniforms of other schools are all pretty much the same, and you can basically only tell which school it is by its school badge. But Yu Kong's school uniform is quite different. The boys' uniforms are more ordinary, but the girls' uniforms are short-sleeved sailor uniforms and short skirts, making them stand out among the group of high school students.

Mo Xueyao breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she was wearing ordinary shorts and a short-sleeved sportswear today, and sunglasses on her face so that others could not see the color of her eyes.

Although she was still a pretty girl, she was less eye-catching compared to others.

During these few days of the college entrance examination, she didn't want to stand out. If she didn't perform well and didn't get into Xingda University, then she would be doomed.

She could even picture the terrible scene of everyone else already in university while she had to repeat a year. The only thing that gave her some comfort was that even if she had to repeat a year, at least Yu Shu would be there for her.

……

(two)

There is a large stone at the entrance of the High School Affiliated to Zhejiang University, which is placed right in the middle of the steps leading up to the school.

The words "Zhejiang University Affiliated High School" are engraved on the stone, and in front of the stone is a flower bed composed of several shrubs and lawn.

Compared to Yukong High School, its front doesn't seem as grand. The three teaching buildings form a triangle, making the road into the school look somewhat crowded.

The most distinctive building is the teaching building with a clock tower on the right, right next to the main entrance. It's about four or five stories high, with huge clocks on all four sides, one of which faces the road.

On the left-hand teaching building, three long banners hung, bearing a few words of blessing for the college entrance examination.

Each teaching building appears to have an exam site, which is normal, otherwise there wouldn't be enough room for so many students.

The High School Affiliated to Zhejiang University is located in the suburbs, even more remote than Yukong. It is surrounded by mountains and farmland, so it is not as hot as the city.

With no air conditioning at any of the test centers, the test centers closer to the suburbs are relatively more comfortable during the exam.

"Oh! Mo Xueyao! We're here!" Qiu Yi waved from a distance and ran over briskly. "Do you see any other classmates from our class?"

"No."

"Let me see... You, Ye Banxia, ​​and Leng Feng are in the same exam room... Duanmu Ji and Chen Cheng are too. When you see them later, give them this admission ticket. Make sure they keep it safe and don't lose it."

"Oh, oh..." Mo Xueyao hurriedly took the five admission tickets, hesitated for a moment, and then stuffed them into the backpack behind her.

There were no books in the schoolbag, only stationery and some snacks and drinks to replenish energy.

Her mother insisted on giving her an apple and two oranges.

She also had a real flower hair clip in her hair—a pink tulip.