Orange Storm chapter 81
The College Entrance Examination
When the cicadas’ chirping could be heard outside the window, June was finally approaching.
At this time, Tang Yi, along with most of the other teachers, suddenly began to slow down, urging the students to consolidate their basic knowledge, not to overdo it with practice tests, and not to be overly anxious. They reminded them to pay attention to their eating habits, prevent heatstroke, and rest early…
Basically, everything that could be thought of was said in class.
At this time, teachers usually become very gentle, and the few most mischievous students in the grade also suddenly become more obedient, willing to listen attentively to the teachers’ long talks.
“Tomorrow you will all be on vacation. Remember to combine review and rest. Don’t relax too much or be too nervous. After all, it’s just these two days left. Pay attention to eating lightly. Some students like to eat ice cream in hot weather, so endure it for now. Don’t forget to bring your admission ticket, ID card, and stationery. There will be teachers from our grade at the entrance of each exam center, so you can come to us if you have any questions…”
Tang Yi rambled on for a while and couldn’t help but laugh.
“I guess I’m talking too much again, and you’re all calling me Tang Monk in your hearts, right?”
The students in the class burst into laughter, and Xu Hang bravely shouted, “Teacher, so you know!”
“Teachers know everything,” Tang Yi replied with a smile, then looked at each student in the class one by one.
There were a total of 45 students, which should have been 46, but Tan Zhuo took a leave of absence. A few days ago, Tang Yi had just called his father and said that he had already started seeing a psychologist and was preparing to take a break for a while. He would join the senior year again next semester.
Tang Yi sighed inwardly and said, “Alright, it’s almost time to get off school. Let me say one last thing.”
“The college entrance examination cannot determine your future, but it is indeed the first major turning point in your life. No matter what your future life will be like, at least in these last few days—respect yourself for these three years and don’t leave any regrets.”
There was a moment of silence below, followed by applause, one after another. Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Tang Yi waved his hand with a smile and threw in a catchphrase.
“Brave youths, go create miracles!”
There was laughter again below.
On the last day of class, there was no evening self-study, and school was dismissed in the afternoon. The seniors had to take everything home. Everyone was busy packing up their things, and Fang Xing took a moment to look at his phone.
Jiang Zhijin sent him a WeChat message asking, “Do you want me to come in and pick you up inside?”
Fang Xing quickly typed back, “No need, I’ll be out soon.”
His things had been gradually brought home over the past few days, and now they all fit in one backpack. Fang Xing put on his backpack and got up from his seat.
Xu Hang, who was packing up his things beside him, asked, “Desk mate, are you leaving?”
“Yeah,” Fang Xing nodded.
Xu Hang stopped packing and patted Fang Xing’s shoulder, saying earnestly, “Good luck! Our school relies on you to shine.”
Fang Xing smiled and also said, “Good luck to you too.”
Chen Yao and Jiang Xinxin, who were busy packing their things, didn’t have time to talk. They turned their heads and waved to Fang Xing.
Tang Yi was still standing at the door watching them pack up. When he saw Fang Xing come out, he asked, “Is Jiang Zhijin coming to pick you up?”
“Yeah, he’s outside.”
“Relax and don’t be nervous. I think it won’t be a problem for you to rank in the top three in the province. The school will give you a special section in the promotional column then.”
“…Thank you, it’s not necessary,” Fang Xing said somewhat helplessly.
Tang Yi smiled and patted his shoulder. “Alright, off you go, and good luck.”
There were quite a few parents waiting at the school gate to pick up their children. Jiang Zhijin found a place near the entrance and stood there, waiting for Fang Xing to come out. When Fang Xing appeared, he immediately saw him.
On the way back, Jiang Zhijin asked Fang Xing, “How about eating something light tonight? Want to go for Cantonese cuisine?”
Before Fang Xing could respond, Jiang Zhijin continued, “Forget it, I’ll cook. It’ll be cleaner.”
“I feel like you’re more nervous than I am,” Fang Xing couldn’t help but smile. “Didn’t you used to take me to eat barbecue late at night?”
“It’s a special time,” Jiang Zhijin also laughed. “After all, you’re a college entrance examinee.”
After laughing for a while, Fang Xing finally said, “You’ve been tired these days too.”
Fang Xing usually studied until 1 or 2 in the morning. Before, at this time, Jiang Zhijin would either be at Cloud Seven or already asleep. But since the beginning of the second semester, Jiang Zhijin had usually been at home, staying in the living room wearing headphones to watch movies or play games, trying to rest at the same time as Fang Xing.
“Father’s love is as steady as a mountain,” Jiang Zhijin said with a smile.
“…” Fang Xing glanced at him and slowly opened his mouth. “I’ll deal with you after the college entrance examination.”
“Wow, I’m scared,” Jiang Zhijin laughed in response.
In the last two days, Fang Xing adjusted his rest time, going to bed an hour and a half earlier at midnight, but the time he woke up remained the same. He reviewed the key points from start to finish once again.
As the crucial moment approached, he didn’t feel particularly nervous. He felt quite smooth when reviewing the key points.
On the evening before entering the examination room, Zhou Ling called him and gave him a lot of instructions, also comforting him not to be nervous and to rest well.
The phone call lasted for more than half an hour. After hanging up, Fang Xing noticed that Fang Chenglin had also sent him a message.
He didn’t call, just sent a message on WeChat, telling him to take the exam well, check his answers carefully after writing, and finally said, “Dad has always been proud of you.”
Fang Xing looked at it for a while and didn’t reply.
If it were during the initial period, he might have felt annoyed or depressed, but now, these things didn’t affect his mood much.
Early the next morning, he packed up everything he needed to bring into the examination room in his bedroom alone, then thought for a moment and opened the drawer of his desk.
In the drawer was a navy blue box. He opened it, revealing the safety charm Jiang Zhijin had given him.
Since receiving the gift, Fang Xing had always felt that this safety charm was quite important, so he had kept it here all along. But today…
He took out the safety charm from inside and fastened it around his neck.
Jiang Zhijin got up early in the morning to make breakfast for him, shrimp wontons, small and fragrant. For this breakfast, he woke up earlier than Fang Xing, which surprised Fang Xing a bit.
“I’ve been living here for so long, and this should be the first time I’ve seen you up early. When I saw you in the kitchen, I thought I was still dreaming,” Fang Xing said on the way to the exam center.
“…Consider it as my encouragement for your exam today,” Jiang Zhijin said, giving him a glance. “After the exam, we’ll see if I continue to wake up early for you.”
Fang Xing laughed all the way, but he stopped laughing when they were about to enter the exam hall.
At the entrance, there were parents seeing off their children and students about to enter the exam hall.
“Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes, I do.”
Fang Xing shook the transparent stationery bag in his hand, then reached out and pulled out the safety clasp hanging around his neck.
“And this.”
Jiang Zhijin was caught off guard at first, but then he smiled.
“Okay, go in. I’ll wait for you here.”
“Find a cooler place to wait, like a bubble tea shop or a teahouse,” Fang Xing advised. “It’s too hot.”
In June, in Shaojiang, the hot air had already risen early in the morning, and the sun had been shining for a long time, making it a bit unbearable.
“You’re still worrying about me,” Jiang Zhijin sighed, then suddenly reached out his hand towards Fang Xing.
Fang Xing hesitated for just a second before immediately reaching out and hugging him.
There were quite a few people outside, and it was so lively that no one paid any attention to their embrace. Sunlight streamed down in circles, cicadas chirped from the trees, and there was hustle and bustle all around.
Jiang Zhijin whispered, “Go. I’ll be waiting for you to come back.”
Fang Xing smiled briefly and whispered back, “Okay.”
After he entered the exam hall, Jiang Zhijin stood there for a while, until he heard the bell signaling the start of the exam from inside, before turning around.
He didn’t go far, just found a random bubble tea shop. There weren’t many people in the shop early in the morning. The cashier, who looked to be in her twenties at most, smiled and asked while taking his order, “Waiting for your kid to take the college entrance exam?”
“Yeah,” Jiang Zhijin smiled back in response, without giving a direct answer.
Not really.
Waiting for his boyfriend.