Free Web NovelChapter 122: Chapter 122: Gaokao
Su Li spoke with Little Tang Mo for over ten minutes, then started packing her bags.
To Mrs. Tang’s utter disbelief and fury, Su Li, who had only been back in Xinghua Village for two hours, left the Tang Family and Xinghua Village once again.
She was returning to the county town to prepare for the college entrance exam.
As Su Li walked the path out of the village, Mrs. Tang followed close behind, begging her not to go and cursing at her relentlessly the entire way.
Even Little Tang Mo’s attempts to stop her were useless.
The commotion was a bit much. All along the way, people came out of their houses to watch the spectacle. Su Li remained unfazed. When someone she didn’t mind talking to asked, she would casually reply that she was going to take the college entrance exam.
By the time she left the village, everyone knew that Su Li was taking the college entrance exam against Mrs. Tang’s wishes.
Everyone was chattering about it, and some even tried to console Mrs. Tang. It was quite a lively scene.
Qin Shanshan listened to the gossip, pursed her lips, then went back home to pack her things and set off on the road back to the county town as well.
The sun sets late in the summer. Although Su Li had left Xinghua Village late, she still managed to reach the county town by dusk.
After eating dinner and taking a shower, Su Li lay on her bed and took a deep breath.
’Time is passing too quickly.’
In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed since her rebirth.
The college entrance exam was also just around the corner.
Soon after the exam, her six-month agreement with Tang Yuanxiao would also be up.
’Once I’m divorced, my new life can finally begin...’
Lost in these hopeful thoughts, Su Li drifted off to sleep.
Su Li slept very soundly that night. She had walked for six or seven hours on the mountain path and was exhausted.
For the next two days, Su Li, whose limbs were a bit sore, stayed home with Grandma Li. She did one final review of her studies and didn’t even step out the door.
On the fourth and fifth days, Su Li put her books away completely and rested properly for two days.
In between, she went to check out the exam location and worked with Grandma Li to plan a menu for the exam period.
Grandma Li was very serious when she learned Su Li was taking the exam. She promised to take charge of Su Li’s meals and rest during the exam period.
"You made the right choice renting my place. It’s close to the high school, so you can come back for meals and even get some rest at noon..."
With Grandma Li’s warm support, the day of the college entrance exam arrived right on schedule.
At six in the morning, Su Li woke up right on time. She lay quietly for a few seconds before getting up to wash her face, get ready, and check the items she needed to bring three times over.
Grandma Li was up as well and made her breakfast.
"Eat these two eggs and score a perfect hundred."
Su Li finished her loving breakfast and arrived early at the entrance of the high school.
Even more people had arrived earlier than Su Li. The entrance was already crowded with students and parents who had come to see them off.
Qin Shanshan, her uncle and aunt, and Aunt Li were among those who had arrived before Su Li.
Su Li didn’t notice them, but they spotted her the moment she appeared.
Qin Shanshan glanced at the school uniform Su Li was wearing and sneered.
"Just focus on your exam. Don’t worry about anyone else," her uncle advised from the side.
Qin Shanshan nodded obediently.
As the time drew nearer, both parents and students grew nervous. The moment the school gates opened, a constant buzz filled the air as parents reminded their children to do well on the exam.
Of course, there was also a large group of students who, like Su Li, had come on their own.
Su Li entered the school with them. Even after walking some distance inside, she could still hear the sound of crying from behind—some students were so scared they had started crying before the exam even began.
’Well, not everyone has the same mental fortitude as I do.’
She found her seat. Amidst her classmates’ deep breaths and nervously shaking legs, the college entrance exam... officially began.
The period people describe as both agonizingly slow and over in a flash must be the college entrance exam.
Su Li was now experiencing it firsthand.
The grueling yet hopeful exam period slipped away without her noticing.
After the last exam was finished, Su Li walked out of the examination hall. Standing at the school gate, she looked up at the sky and finally let out a slow, deep breath.
The anxiety she had been holding onto was finally released, and she could at last relax. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
For this exam, from her prior studies to the actual test-taking, Su Li had given it her all.
No matter the result, she would have no regrets.
Now, all that was left was to wait for the results.
"I didn’t do well, what am I going to do?"
"That last question... I swear I’ve seen it somewhere before. It’s all because I didn’t review properly..."
Amidst the chatter of her fellow students, Su Li closed her eyes and rolled her neck.
After a few rotations, just as Su Li was about to leave, she heard Qin Shanshan call out to her.
"Su Li, how do you think you did?" Qin Shanshan asked bluntly.
Su Li glanced at her without breaking her stride. "It was what it was."
"What do you mean, ’it was what it was’? Are you scared to say whether you did well or not? Are you afraid of losing?" Qin Shanshan pressed, chasing after her.
Qin Shanshan felt pretty good about her own performance. She thought she knew how to answer most of the questions, so she was feeling quite confident.
Su Li could tell as much just from the look on her face.
"So you think you did well and couldn’t wait to come mock me and put me down? Qin Shanshan, let me give you a piece of advice. No matter how impatient you are, you should at least wait for the results to come out before you start gloating."
Su Li looked at Qin Shanshan and shook her head. "Being so impatient will only make you a laughingstock."
With that, Su Li walked away.
Qin Shanshan was furious but found herself speechless.
"Hmph, I’ll let you be smug for a few more days! Just you wait!" She stomped her foot and finally left.
After the high school entrance exams, it’s customary to celebrate wildly and blow off some steam. Tearing up textbooks, pulling all-nighters, howling at the moon—take your pick.
Su Li also went with the flow and celebrated.
But her celebration didn’t involve tearing up textbooks or caterwauling. She celebrated with good food.
Instead of heading straight back to Grandma Li’s, Su Li first went to the wet market. She bought a rich selection of meat and vegetables, then went home and personally cooked a feast to celebrate and thank Grandma Li.
"Grandma Li, thank you for taking care of me all this time!"
Full and content, Su Li slept comfortably and peacefully.
The next day, Su Li went to the factory. After handling matters there all morning, she returned to Xinghua Village in the afternoon.
When she returned to the Tang Family home, Little Tang Mo greeted her with a smiling face, while Mrs. Tang, without exception, wore a foul expression.
But the exam was over, and there was no use saying anything more. So, Mrs. Tang didn’t nag; she just scowled.
Su Li paid her scowl no mind.
She also didn’t care what the people of Xinghua Village said behind her back.
The following day, she returned to the elementary school to fulfill the last of her duties.
The elementary school’s final exams arrived as scheduled. After the exams ended and the students were let out for break, Su Li spent a day grading papers. Her work as a substitute teacher officially came to an end.
After handing over her work to the principal, Su Li formally thanked the unassuming old man.
"Thank you so much for your care and support during this time."
"I should be the one thanking you. The doors of this elementary school will always be open for you. You can come back anytime you want."
Su Li thanked him again and said her goodbyes to the principal.
The principal watched Su Li’s departing figure, his eyes filled with regret.
’Talent is hard to come by, and even harder to keep.’
Su Li left the school. After walking some distance, she turned back for one last look and silently mouthed one word.
"Goodbye."
Everything was wrapped up. Mrs. Tang’s hands and feet had healed, so she could now take care of Little Tang Mo. The time to leave had finally come.
