Chapter 24 – School Entrance Examination and Playing

A few days earlier than the official begin of the faculty entrance examination, Furong No. 3 Excessive Faculty gave the scholars a while off. The intention was to let the faculty entrance examination college students go residence and modify their feelings in order that they wouldn’t be too nervous in the course of the examination, which could have an effect on their efficiency.

After listening to that Shen Shao was going to take the faculty entrance examination, a few of his fellow college students thought it was unusual. Shen Shao had such good grades and had participated in a number of competitions. Shouldn’t he be on the assured record already? That needed to be the case, proper?

Shen Shao didn’t care what the remainder of the world thought. In actual fact, Zhang JiaHe, his class trainer, had requested him about it, however Shen Shao had already turned down early admission as a result of it wasn’t the varsity he wished to go to. What’s extra, he wished to be like the opposite college students. He wished to make up for the remorse of his earlier life and expertise what it felt wish to battle via the faculty entrance examination.

Subsequently, when he stuffed out his faculty choice type earlier than the examination, he stuffed within the title of a college he may solely dream about in his earlier life. Every thing that occurred in his earlier life informed him that he was dreaming an excessive amount of, however since he had the prospect to come back again and do it over once more, he needed to battle to make his dream a actuality.

One month earlier than the faculty entrance examination, Liang Cheng’s household started to prepare dinner all types of soup for Shen Shao and their son to nourish their our bodies and brains. If Shen Shao hadn’t insisted on not transferring in with them, they’d have cared for Shen Shao like their very own youngster.

Shen Shao was touched by the kindness of the Liang household. After three years, he’d gotten used to consuming at Liang Cheng’s home, similar to Liang Cheng was used to consuming at his place.

In the course of the remaining dash, Shen Shao intentionally drilled a variety of information factors with Zhou ZeYu and Liang Cheng that may seem on the examination. Due to this, each the Liang and Zhou mother and father had a extra cordial angle in the direction of him.

On the day of the faculty entrance examination, the 2 units of fogeys personally took the three to the examination room, after which waited for them within the scorching solar.

The primary a part of the examination was the Chinese language take a look at. When the primary part was over, the mother and father didn’t dare to ask the three youngsters how they did. They only took out some umbrellas for shade and handed them water to drink.

That was very true of Zhou ZeYu’s mother and father. Perhaps as a result of Zhou ZeYu had grown up so tall and durable, the Zhou mother and father gave the impression to be extra anxious about Shen Shao than their son. Mrs. Zhou, who’d at all times been tough-minded, intentionally lowered her voice and gently requested Shen Shao if he was scorching or thirsty.

Their lunch at midday was additionally made by the mother and father. Any meals that may trigger an adversarial response weren’t allowed on the desk. Ice cream was unimaginable, spicy issues weren’t allowed, and greasy issues have been prohibited. The thought was: nutritious, inexperienced, and wholesome.

Luckily, the three boys weren’t choosy eaters. After lunch, they chatted for some time, then went to take a nap. As for the 4 mother and father, they have been filled with power, staring on the clock on the wall, ready for the proper time to get up their youngsters.

They couldn’t name them too early, as a result of the kid may not have sufficient power, they usually couldn’t name them too late. What if the child was late for the take a look at or obtained a headache brought on by an excessive amount of sleep?

With the 4 mother and father taking all the pieces so critically, the three lastly reached the tip of the two-day faculty entrance examination. After they walked out of the examination room, they noticed a variety of different candidates excitedly throwing their notes and workbooks within the air. The flying pages seemed like fluttering snow. The papers virtually hit the three within the face.

Shen Shao seemed on the examinees who have been delirious with pleasure and requested critically, “What occurs in the event that they throw away their notes proper now, after which they need to repeat one other yr?”

For him, these notes have been a memento of his faculty days. He merely couldn’t throw them away. Perhaps that was the psychological distinction between a young person and somebody as outdated as an uncle?

“Shao Ge, if any of them hear you say that, Liang Cheng and I gained’t have the ability to prevent.” Zhou ZeYu patted him on the shoulder. “That form of remorse can’t be understood till you truly expertise it. Don’t say something to remind them.”

Liang Cheng: …

His associates’ three views gave the impression to be skewed someway. How did that occur?

The day after the faculty entrance examination, all of the lecturers and college students of Class 15 held a commencement dinner in a resort. In the course of the first half, everybody laughed and made noise. By the tip, some ladies started to cry.

Three years wasn’t a very long time, nevertheless it additionally wasn’t quick. These teenage ladies had hung out with one another each day for lengthy sufficient to develop a honest friendship with their classmates. Now that they’d graduated, everybody would scatter in all instructions to do various things. Anybody can be unhappy to consider it.

Even Shen Shao was contaminated by his classmates’ feelings, and he felt somewhat solemn and unhappy.

For Zhang JiaHe, this was the category he was essentially the most pleased with in his ten years of instructing. These college students have been about to graduate and enter the halls of higher academia. As a category trainer, he felt relieved but additionally somewhat regretful to see them go.

When he seen that the scholars have been in low spirits, he raised his glass stuffed with orange juice and stated, “Though we’re about to separate, if we keep in contact, these friendships gained’t fade with time.” In actual fact, he knew very nicely that loads of highschool college students who thought they’d be associates for the remainder of their lives ended up breaking off contact and even turned enemies after they grew up. However he was reluctant to say such heartbreaking issues in entrance of this group of youngsters. In addition to, there have been additionally individuals who remained associates from early childhood. Though that sort of pure friendship was uncommon, that didn’t imply it didn’t exist.

Maybe Zhang JiaHe’s phrases had an impact. The scholars’ temper stabilized and the ambiance turned extra full of life.

A number of ladies came to visit to clink glasses with Shen Shao. It was potential they’d some concepts about him, or perhaps they only thought Shen Shao was good-looking. Regardless of the rationale, it was a uncommon alternative they didn’t wish to miss.

After they got here as much as take footage with him or made ambiguous jokes, Shen Shao maintained a clean expression on his face. It made a number of ladies who had ideas about him quit on emotions that hadn’t but sprouted. All through the dinner, nobody went over to Shen Shao to admit their emotions.

Afterwards, Shen Shao, Zhou ZeYu, and Liang Cheng walked out of the resort shoulder to shoulder. After strolling for some time, the three have been stopped by Liu Shuang.

Liu Shuang was the literature and artwork class consultant for the previous three years. She was forthright in addition to stunning. Lots of boys in class had ideas about her, however they have been somewhat intimidated by her brashness.

“Shen Shao.” Liu Shuang walked as much as Shen Shao and checked out him for a very long time. Lastly she stated, “Take care.”

Shen Shao smiled. “Take care additionally.”

Liu Shuang checked out him rigorously, then smiled and took a couple of steps again. “Goodbye.” After saying this, she circled and left with out hesitating. In life, who hasn’t had a crush on one or two individuals? It was simply that the individual she secretly appreciated had little interest in her, which was why she had no illusions about it.

It wasn’t painful to say goodbye like this. At the very least it wouldn’t be awkward in the event that they met once more sooner or later. There was nothing improper with it.

Zhou ZeYu and Liang Cheng checked out Liu Shuang strolling away, after which they checked out Shen Shao, who appeared the identical as ever. For a second, they couldn’t determine whether or not Shen Shao knew about Liu Shuang’s emotions.

“Shao Ge, you…”

“I what?” Shen Shao smiled with a honest expression and checked out Zhou ZeYu.

“Overlook it, it’s nothing.” Zhou ZeYu touched his nostril and fell silent. Within the face of Shao Ge’s sensible smile, he couldn’t convey himself to inform Shen Shao that Liu Shuang may secretly have a crush on him.

He someway felt that this form of factor wasn’t applicable for Shen Shao. Unusual, the place did such an unexplainable instinct come from?

“Shao Ge, now that the faculty entrance examination is over, what are you going to do for summer season trip?” Liang Cheng didn’t really feel bothered like Zhou ZeYu. Anyway, he was filled with unconditional admiration for Shen Shao. “Our household goes to journey overseas this summer season. Why don’t you include us?”

Shen Shao shook his head. “That’s OK. You guys have enjoyable. I’m going again to my hometown quickly.”

“Oh.” Liang Cheng knew that Shen Shao had his personal concepts, so he didn’t insist. He simply requested Shen Shao to name him usually.

In actual fact, Shen Shao didn’t return to his hometown. As an alternative he went to the well-known playing metropolis of Haishi.

Haishi was as soon as made a colony by a international aggressor. After it returned to China, with a purpose to present respect for the customs of the native individuals, China designated it as a particular space and let Haishi govern itself to a sure extent.

Haishi wasn’t massive, nevertheless it turned a well-liked tourism vacation spot due to its distinctive playing tradition. Many individuals passing via the town would purchase some chips and play a couple of video games of roulette or poker to expertise the thrill of playing.

Nevertheless, there have been additionally individuals who turned obsessed. They might both make a fortune or lose some huge cash, however more often than not it was the latter.

When Shen Shao arrived in Haishi, the World Cup had been occurring for greater than ten days. By this time, the group stage of the match was close to its finish. He wagered on a number of video games the place he remembered the outcomes and intentionally made a shedding guess on considered one of them. Though the percentages weren’t excessive as a result of it was solely a bunch match, he made sufficient cash to cowl all of his college bills.

When the quarterfinals started, there have been a number of sudden outcomes as a result of the referees’ selections on the sector stored fluctuating. It made Shen Shao a good-looking sum. In fact, he didn’t overlook to additionally make a improper guess.

Particularly, the sport between Xiya Nation and Simi Nation made Shen Shao some huge cash. Some individuals didn’t consider that Xiya would lose to Simi till the very finish of the sport.

The gamblers have been upset. They stated the sport was shady and scolded the referees for making suspicious calls, however the results of the match couldn’t be modified.

Shen Shao stayed in Haishi for many of the month. On the floor, he had wins in addition to losses. In actuality, due to the percentages on the bets he gained, he took in a substantial sum of money. Subsequently, he didn’t dare to remain very lengthy. After withdrawing his winnings, he left Haishi in a rush. He’d gained a couple of million, and with a purpose to confuse whoever could be watching, he intentionally switched the kind of transportation he was utilizing and traveled to a number of completely different locations. After confirming that nobody was following him, he flew again to Furong Metropolis, modified from the garments that have been completely different from his traditional fashion, and took a automobile again to Peng County.

When he made it to Peng County, he remembered that he’d forgotten to do one thing vital—that’s, examine his rating on the faculty entrance examination. By the point he considered it, he was standing exterior his uncle’s condominium constructing with a bag of items. He determined to name from his uncle’s home to examine his rating.

He sighed as he climbed the steps. Cash actually was one thing that corroded the soul. He forgot about such an vital factor with a purpose to earn cash.

However… making a living… felt fairly good….

Shen Shao knocked on the door of his eldest maternal uncle’s home, and the door opened from inside. The one that opened the door was his eldest aunt. The second she noticed Shen Shao, his eldest aunt’s eyes lit up with a burst of pleasure, which was so shiny that Shen Shao couldn’t assist however take a step again.

“Xiao Shao is right here! Are available, are available.” As she let him in, his eldest aunt scolded Shen Shao for getting so many presents. Then she neatly peeled some fruit and turned on the TV. She was so enthusiastic that Shen Shao may hardly sit down.

Eldest Aunt had at all times been form to him, however she wasn’t normally as excited as at the moment, which made Shen Shao marvel if he’d gone to the improper home.

Did one thing occur that he didn’t learn about?

TL Notes:

three views – 三观 – Usually refers to 1’s outlook on the world (for instance, idealism vs. materialism), outlook on life (the aim and which means of human existence), and values (Baidu)

group stage – The ultimate match of this FIFA World Cup had two levels: a bunch stage adopted by a knockout stage. Within the group stage, groups competed inside eight teams of 4 groups every. In these teams, groups participated in a round-robin match the place they performed a match in opposition to each different crew within the group (Wikipedia)

quarterfinals – 八分之一决赛 – “eighth-finals” – Perhaps as a result of there are eight groups left

fluctuating – 忽高忽低 – alternately hovering and plunging

the sport between Xiya Nation and Simi Nation – The match between South Korea and Spain within the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals was a serious upset due to some incorrect referee selections

making suspicious calls – 黑哨 – black whistle – (soccer and so forth) corrupt officiating / doubtful name

Transliterated names, locations, and titles—new on this chapter:

Mrs. Zhou – 周母 – Zhōu mǔ – Alternatively: Mom Zhou

Haishi – 海市 – Sea Metropolis – Almost definitely refers to Macau (澳门), a middle for playing tourism often known as “the Las Vegas of the East” (Wikipedia)

Xiya Nation – 西牙国 – AKA Spain (西班牙)

Simi Nation – South Korea. Seek advice from the observe in Ch. 21

eldest uncle – 大舅家 – eldest maternal uncle

eldest aunt – 大舅妈 – spouse of eldest maternal uncle