Chapter 201: A Real Summer Vacation
After their trip to Hong Kong, Yu Linna returned, the gaokao now a distant memory. Today, she could finally check her scores. Her exams had been a series of unfortunate events, including the torn answer sheet incident, but she had persevered, emerging unscathed.
With the passage of time, her online fame had subsided, her name no longer a trending topic, allowing her to finally venture outside without being recognized.
She checked her scores on her phone: 685, a respectable score in the province, a lucky number. High enough to get her into Tsinghua University.
She called Fang Jiangning, who had also done well.
“I did better than I expected, 637. Not as high as you, of course. Zhiyun also did well, 679. I can’t believe you brought so much honor to First Municipal High School! You crushed the students from the Experimental High School! Haha, the principal must be laughing in his sleep!”
It was true. Yu Linna’s high score had delighted the principal who had recruited her. The Experimental High School must be regretting their decision to let her go; three years later, she had brought immense prestige to their rival school.
Yu Linna was now a true gaokao champion. Though Huainan Province had numerous candidates, no one had scored above 700, and Yu Linna, with her score, was the highest in the province.
The principal of First Municipal High School was indeed ecstatic. It was the first time their school had produced a national gaokao champion, ensuring a surge in admissions next year.
And so, Yu Linna trended again, her title as the “Most Beautiful Exam Taker” now solidified.
Her fleeting fame rekindled, everyone discussing the new gaokao champion.
“I thought her score would be affected after her answer sheet was torn up, but she still became the champion! So impressive!”
“The scores in Huainan Province aren’t that high. Our champion got a 723.”
“Don’t compare them. Different standards.”
“This Little Yu is amazing! Of all the gaokao champions over the years, she must be the first mixed-race champion.”
“666! I agree! Beautiful, talented, and a genius! Whoever marries her will be the luckiest person in the world!”
“I would give up ten years of my life to marry her.”
In short, Yu Linna had to start wearing a mask again.
She went to school with Fang Jiangning to submit their university applications. First Municipal High School had done well, especially Yu Linna, who had outperformed the Experimental High School. And Fang Jiangning’s score was a pleasant surprise. Before senior year, she had been a mid-tier student; now, she was close to the Experimental High School’s top scorers.
“Linna, which university are you applying to?”
“I’ve decided. I’m going to Guangnan University.”
“Staying in Guangnan? Why not Tsinghua? You’re more than qualified.”
“Why would I go so far? I have no family, no relatives. Who would I be making proud? Why live such a stressful life when I can be happy where I am? Besides, university isn’t my only option.”
A year ago, she hadn’t even considered university, her focus on finding a job.
Though a good education was often seen as the key to success, she didn’t want to wait until she was in her late twenties to start her life. She had wanted a job that paid well, quickly.
Now, she didn’t have to worry about such things. She was a novelist, with money, with options. And with no family, no relatives, she was free from societal expectations, able to live her life as she pleased.
When she submitted her application, her teacher confirmed her choice several times, clearly disappointed. She had expected her to choose Tsinghua or Peking University, but she had chosen Guangnan University. Though a prestigious university, it couldn’t compare to the top two. Why was Yu Linna being so… foolish?
But Yu Linna’s decision was firm; she had no desire to go to Beijing.
Beijing… that was where Nangong Ying was. She would rather not.
“Linna, if you’re going to Guangnan University, I’ll apply there too. My score might be a bit low, but I want to go to the same university as you.”
“Okay.”
Yu Linna was surprised. She hadn’t expected Fang Jiangning to choose the same university. Though a local university, it was still a prestigious institution.
Their deskmate relationship continuing through four years of university… it wasn’t a bad thought.
Yu Linna chose her major: Theater and Film Literature, a subject she thought would be beneficial to her writing career.
Fang Jiangning, after some thought, chose the same major.
“Jiangning, you don’t have to do that. You don’t have to choose the same major as me.”
“I want to. I’m a streamer; what will I do when I’m old and can’t livestream anymore? I need a respectable career, and this major seems like a good choice.”
She had her reasons. And attending the same university, studying the same major, perhaps even sharing the same dorm room… it wasn’t a bad thought.
“Studying with me will be… tough.”
“I want to see the daily life of a famous author. I can do a face reveal in university, and then I can do a livestream series about a professional writer’s life.”
“You should probably abandon that dangerous idea.”
With their university choices made, all that remained was to wait for their acceptance letters, their journey as university students beginning in September.
To celebrate their successful gaokao, Fang Jiangning treated Yu Linna to milk tea, an offer she readily accepted.
She remembered the beginning of senior year, how a single cup of milk tea had started their friendship, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. Perhaps all female friendships started with milk tea.
“This milk tea is so good! I wonder if we’ll still have time to come here when we’re in university. Linna, we’ll be together for the next four years! You have to look out for me! And I’ll share my snacks with you!”
“You’re not even in yet. Your score is so low.”
“Why don’t you have more faith in me? I’m your protégé! I’ll definitely get into Guangnan University, just like you!”
“Speaking of which, the gaokao is over. Why are you still only showing your hands on your livestreams? When are you going to do a face reveal?”
“I want to, but my parents are still hesitant… After this summer, I’ll be free! I’ll do a face reveal in university! It’ll blow my viewers’ minds!”
“If they knew the Bilibili streamer Dancing Angel was a university student, they would go crazy.”
“Probably.”
They chatted and laughed, losing track of time, their high school years now a distant memory, their future as university students beckoning. It had all happened so fast. Fang Jiangning wished she could stay a high school student a little longer, but time waited for no one. They were growing up.
Meeting Yu Linna, their friendship starting with a single cup of milk tea… a year ago, she wouldn’t have dared to imagine it.
“Zhiyun, where is she going for university? Did you ask?”
“No, I’ll call her now.”
She hadn’t spoken to Ye Zhiyun since submitting her application, unsure of her plans. She pulled out her phone and dialed.
She listened intently, nodding, sipping her milk tea, until…
“Guangnan University? Why? Your score is high enough for a better university, a 985 or 211. Why not consider them?”
Seeing her serious expression, Fang Jiangning felt a sense of unease. Something important was happening.
“Hehe.”
Ye Zhiyun’s voice was calm, her tone relaxed, as if enjoying a cup of tea in her office, a hint of her usual aristocratic demeanor in her voice.
“It doesn’t matter where I study. What matters is… you’re here. And Guangnan University isn’t a bad school. It’s a prestigious national university. It’s not like I’m going to a terrible school. And I wouldn’t choose the same major as you; I’m not interested in theater. But… we’ll be at the same university. Isn’t that a good thing?”
The Experimental High School and First Municipal High School had always been rivals, their students never interacting, until their year. And Ye Zhiyun, greedy, wanted to be closer to Yu Linna, to always be near her.
As for Beijing… she had already rejected Stanford; why would she care about Beijing?
For her, university was just a stepping stone. Her talent would carry her to the top, regardless of her alma mater. But youth came only once; she didn’t want to have any regrets. She had once chased Li Muqing; now, she wanted to be with Yu Linna.
She was truly… greedy.
“Anyway, Nana, didn’t you say you wanted to visit my hometown? We can go anytime. What do you say? Come with me.”
“Sure, why not? We can go tomorrow if you like. I’ve been to Shanghai once, but it wasn’t a pleasant memory. You have to show me a good time.”
“Of course! My mother is home, and my brother is coming back too. They’ll be delighted to meet you.”
Ending the call, Ye Zhiyun’s smile lingered, a happiness that lasted the entire afternoon. She planned their trip, a list of things to do, places to see. Yu Linna loved food; Shanghai had plenty of delicious cuisine. She would take her to all the best restaurants.
