funbook-pk Chapter 149 The Great Test
Chapter 149 The Great Test
The afterglow of the release of the college entrance examination results has not yet dissipated, and the entire city seems to be immersed in a complex and subtle emotion.
Some people cheered and jumped for joy, as if the whole world was making way for them;
Some people were heartbroken and brooded over their loss alone in the dead of night.
Lu Yuan and his group undoubtedly belonged to the former category.
Taking advantage of Ye Yixian's rare vacation, the four good friends gathered once again at that familiar milk tea shop.
The homeroom teacher has sent several messages in the class group, repeatedly reminding everyone to pay attention to the deadlines for filling out college applications.
About three days after the results are released, the application period for the early admission batch will end, followed by the application period for the first-tier undergraduate batch.
Lu Yuan and Ye Yixian both scored well above the first-tier university admission line, which means they will face the most crucial choice in the next few days and must complete all their college application forms within a week.
However, what stood in their way was a difference of a full fifty points.
These fifty points are like an invisible chasm.
If they want to attend the same university, the only way is for Lu Yuan to be assigned to a lower-ranking university.
After all, Lu Yuan could easily get into any of the schools that Ye Yixian could attend; but Ye Yixian might not be able to access the top universities that Lu Yuan could choose.
"Brother Yuan, are you and Ye Yixian... planning to go to the same university?"
With his straw in his mouth, Gao Zhe couldn't help but ask the question that everyone knew the answer to yet avoided asking.
This question was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing both Lu Yuan and Ye Yixian to fall into deep thought.
They certainly wanted to go to the same university.
In countless nights spent working late into the night, in those times of encouraging and supporting each other, they had already sketched out countless blueprints for the future in their hearts.
University is so free. Without mountains of exam papers and strict school rules, they can not only study together, but also openly hold hands and stroll around campus, having a relationship that is not interfered with by anyone.
But reason also reminded them that a fifty-point difference meant that Lu Yuan would have to give up a broader platform and better educational resources.
Is it really worth making such a sacrifice just for the sake of spending time together?
"We're still discussing it." Lu Yuan's lips curled into a gentle smile, but his eyes were so deep that they were unfathomable.
This matter definitely requires careful consideration and cannot be decided on a whim.
Ye Yixian understood Lu Yuan too well; she understood the concerns and struggles behind his smile.
To avoid making the atmosphere heavy, she subtly changed the subject, turning her gaze to the other two: "What about you two? Your scores are so close, are you planning to apply to the same university?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Qingyu's cheeks instantly flushed red. She lowered her head awkwardly, took a sip of milk tea, and tried to hide her fluster, remaining silent for a long time.
Gao Zhe, being straightforward, didn't notice the subtle ambiguity in the air and bluntly scratched his head, saying, "I haven't thought about it yet. To be honest, before this, I never even considered that I would be qualified to choose any good university."
"Although a second-tier university degree is not as good as a first-tier university degree, it still leads to a legitimate bachelor's degree. In the current job market, there is definitely a fundamental difference in the treatment and entry requirements between bachelor's and associate's degree holders."
Lu Yuan put away his joking thoughts and explained seriously. He knew better than anyone that in 2010, a bachelor's degree was far more valuable than it would be ten years later.
Although the tuition fees for second-tier universities are relatively expensive, both Gao Zhe and Wang Qingyu come from well-off families.
For families like theirs, the fact that their child gets into a university, even if it's just a second-tier one, makes the parents so happy they'd throw a three-day feast.
"Qingyu, what about you? Do you have a school you like?" Ye Yixian asked softly.
"Uh... I've already done my research." Wang Qingyu pushed up her glasses, her eyes gradually hardening. "Within the province, Jiangbei College offers the best value for money. Not only do its admission scores match ours, but it also has a wide range of majors to choose from, and the job prospects are good."
As she spoke, she turned her head, her eyes sparkling with undisguised anticipation, and looked straight at Gao Zhe: "Brother Zhe, let's apply to Jiangbei College together! With our scores, Jiangbei College is definitely the best choice for us."
"Jiangbei College..."
Gao Zhe muttered to himself, lost in thought.
Lu Yuan listened quietly from the side; he also knew something about the school.
Jiangbei College, as a second-tier university in the province, boasts a tranquil campus environment and comprehensive teaching resources. If it weren't for the "second-tier" label, it would definitely be a popular choice for students.
More importantly, it's located within the province, and the round trip by car only takes a few hours, making it very convenient to go home for holidays.
Of course, if Gao Zhe harbors a dream about distant places and yearns to see a bigger world in other provinces, then that's a different story.
"I need to go home and discuss it with my family," Gao Zhe finally gave a safe answer.
It's understandable that he didn't agree immediately, since he's never been a particularly opinionated person who dares to make decisions on his own.
"Okay, then let me know when you've made your choice so I can have a suggestion." Wang Qingyu wasn't disappointed by his hesitation; instead, she smiled with relief.
Their college application process seems to be going very smoothly; as long as they follow the steps, there is a high probability that they will not be at a disadvantage.
After finishing their business, Lu Yuan casually brought up his next plan: to treat everyone to an outdoor barbecue tomorrow.
This proposal contains two profound implications:
First, he kept his promise and accepted the consequences. He had promised that if his college entrance exam score was lower than Li Xian's, he would treat the whole class to a good meal. Naturally, he would set the standard for what constituted a "good meal." An open-air barbecue would satisfy everyone's appetite and provide a relaxed social environment.
Secondly, he needed to take this opportunity, in a relaxed atmosphere, to find out the secret that Gao Ya had been unwilling to reveal.
The gathering is scheduled for tomorrow. While eating, drinking, and having fun, everyone can exchange ideas about filling out college applications and share information, which is a wonderful thing.
After settling everything, the four of them sat in the bubble tea shop for a while longer before parting ways.
Lu Yuan and Ye Yixian walked side by side on the road. The relaxed atmosphere in the store had gradually faded, and the two fell into a silent silence.
"Lu Yuan..." Ye Yixian finally broke the silence. Her voice was soft, but it trembled slightly. "We probably won't be able to go to the same university."
"..." Lu Yuan did not answer immediately, but stopped and turned his head to quietly look at Ye Yixian.
The afternoon sunlight shone on her profile, outlining her gradually fuller figure.
Ye Yixian took a deep breath, as if making a decision, and explained softly, "The difference in our scores is too great. You have better options and shouldn't let me hold you back. To be honest, I really want to be with you for the next four years of university, and ideally see you every day. But I absolutely do not want you to compromise for me."
Her eyes reddened slightly, but her voice grew increasingly firm: "Giving up better options just to go to the same university as me. If you really make that choice, I might be happy for a while, because that would prove you care about me. But I know that after the happiness, I will definitely regret it. If my existence prevents you from making the best choices in life, or even causes you to regret it at some unfortunate moment in the future, then for me, that would be a sin."
At this point, her eyes dimmed slightly, revealing a deep sense of loss: "So I hope you will think carefully about filling out your college application, pursue the place you most want to go, and become the person you want to be."
After Ye Yixian finished speaking, Lu Yuan still didn't rush to reply. He looked at her, as if trying to etch her image into his very bones.
After walking for a while, a gentle breeze blew by, carrying the fragrance of unknown flowers and plants from afar.
Lu Yuan spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice low: "As far as I know, five out of ten long-distance couples don't last more than six months, seven don't last more than a year, and nine don't last until they finish college."
"..." Ye Yixian understood the weight behind his words and fell into a long silence.
But when she looked up again, her eyes still shone with optimism. "Aren't there still two couples that made it through?"
"Can we make it through?" Lu Yuan asked rhetorically, his eyes blazing.
"I don't know." Ye Yixian shook her head honestly, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "Four years is too long, Lu Yuan. Look, we started dating after knowing each other for only two months. Just two months can change our lives so much, let alone four years, right?"
"Yes, that's what I think too."
Lu Yuan nodded, his gaze fixed on the deep night sky.
Previously, he didn't feel the power of time and always thought there was plenty of time ahead.
But now, he feels very clearly the cruelty and ruthlessness of time.
A few months can transform a person, shedding their naivety and growing armor; let alone several years.
University is completely different from high school; it is a much larger and more complex small society.
Without the constant guidance of teachers and without the shared goal of the college entrance examination, there will be more temptations and greater confusion.
If two people are in different places, separated by thousands of miles, no one can guarantee that they won't gradually lose confidence because they can't see each other or hug each other when the other needs them most.
Distance is a deadly knife; it can silently and without leaving a trace kill a once passionate relationship.
Lu Yuan and Ye Yixian were both thinking about the future, and at this moment, they seemed to be facing the first and greatest test in their relationship.
If this test cannot be passed, then there is no such thing as forever.
Lu Yuan was caught in a dilemma, racking his brains to find a solution that would satisfy both sides.