Chapter 79: Friday Morning Pledge

Friday morning.

All senior-year students of Class Three gathered on the athletic field for the College Entrance Exam Pledge Ceremony.

In front of each class, banners displaying rallying cries were raised.

“Fear no long journey for the gaokao; when June comes after the exam, let our smiles shine.”

“Youth blazes like fire—surpass yourself, give it your all, conquer the gaokao.”

“Study diligently today, seize every second; tomorrow wield your pen and carve your name on the honor roll.”

…

Outstanding student representatives, teachers from every department, even logistics staff took the stage to deliver stirring speeches.

Students stood in formation below, but many minds had already drifted back to their classrooms.

At that very moment, each class was holding a simultaneous “Gaokao Parents Meeting.”

Last week’s mock exam scores and rankings were also being shared with parents in real time.

Some kids who’d hidden their true results felt especially anxious…

On stage, the speaker was the Student Union president of Tiancheng No.1 High School, ranked among the top ten in the senior year.

With a loud, heartfelt voice, he delivered a rousing speech titled “The Charge Has Begun—Now Is the Time to Fight.”

He spoke passionately from the heart, moving some to tears…

His almost elementary-school–style fervor had a strange charm, like a child professing devotion to a great general.

This student union president must have been the ancient Greek god of motivational speeches in a past life.

Many students were indeed touched; their immature eyes gleamed with resolve.

Xu Chen stood at the end of the line, yawning repeatedly.

At the ceremony’s climax, led by the student union president, all students raised their right arms and recited the “Gaokao Final Sprint Oath.”

Under those powerful, rousing words, some students visibly got carried away.

Tears welled in their eyes; voices roared hoarsely; veins bulged on their foreheads; spit flew, wetting the heads of classmates ahead.

Xu Chen remained impassive.

Perhaps he was too old for this, unable to join that almost “brainwashing” spectacle.

He muttered the oath once or twice, just wanting to escape the grand group performance.

When you get older, you don’t get hyped so easily.

…

After the pledge ceremony, the fired-up students marched toward the teaching building with steadier, more confident strides.

The rally had indeed worked its magic.

But who knew if this passion would last until this afternoon?

Having lived two lives and seen many things, Xu Chen knew that those who pierce darkness and greet dawn rely not on fleeting zeal but on enduring perseverance…

The class parents meetings had wrapped up, and many parents clustered around homeroom teachers, chatting animatedly.

Xu Chen and Chen Dahai headed back to class together.

From afar, they spotted Xu Zhiquan surrounded by several other parents.

Xu Zhiquan stood in the middle, his slicked-back hair shining, smiling happily.

“Your son has improved so much. How do you usually discipline him?”

“He’s third in the class now. That leap is too fast. Brother Xu, share your success secrets!”

“Could your Xu Chen tutor my son Huang Tao?”

“I’ll have my kid learn from your Xu Chen!”

Smiling, Mr. Xu handed cigarettes to the fathers and made modest remarks.

“I don’t really manage him. His good score must be luck.”

“Xu Chen never studies hard. He even goes to the Internet café on weekends. He loves gaming—he’s a pro!”

“I have no special advice. Just give him enough money. Mainly, he’s got great instincts…”

“What? A child betrothal? That’s not appropriate…”

Xu Zhiquan saw Xu Chen from afar and waved with pride.

Xu Chen felt speechless, unwilling to join that “discussion circle.”

But Xu Zhiquan boasted, “That’s my son!”

The parents turned to look:

“Xu Chen is really talented!”

“Yes—top scores and great looks!”

“Tall and handsome, at least six feet, right?”

…

Embarrassed, Xu Chen stepped forward and called, “Dad.”

He obediently greeted the “uncles and aunties…”

Xu Zhiquan beamed and ruffled his son’s hair.

The parents shifted focus and bombarded Xu Chen with questions about how his grades soared so quickly and asked him to help their kids.

Xu Chen leaned on his small-talk skills to keep them entertained without giving any real advice.

They loved him for it and grew more fond of him.

Two parents of his female classmates already eyed him as a future son-in-law, ready to “discuss serious matters” with Xu Zhiquan.

Frightened, Xu Chen found an excuse to drag his proud father out of the crowd.

Xu Zhiquan spotted homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun, approached, and handed him a pack of cigarettes in thanks.

Xu Chen watched from a distance and shook his head helplessly.

…

By the campus flowerbed.

Father and son sat on the steps, each eating a popsicle.

“Son, you really made your old man proud!”

“I never thought our Xu family would actually produce a college student!”

Xu Zhiquan spoke softly, full of emotion and pride.

“Dad, you’re amazing too! You’re about to go from the richest man in the village to the richest in town!”

Xu Zhiquan laughed:

“All thanks to you, my son’s good fortune!

If the electric-bike factory takes off, I might become the richest man in Tiancheng City!”

Xu Chen: “Dad, that could really happen!”

Xu Zhiquan laughed again and ruffled Xu Chen’s hair.

“I’m heading to the provincial capital this afternoon. If all goes well, I’ll be back by Sunday.”

Xu Chen: “What’s the trip for?”

Xu Zhiquan: “The province is holding a seminar for all seedling companies—probably seeking sponsorship…

It’s a chance to expand connections. Maybe I can take the business beyond Tiancheng.”

Xu Chen: “How are you getting there?”

Xu Zhiquan: “Li Rui will drive me to the station. I’ll take the train for about an hour.

They’ve arranged someone to pick me up at the provincial station.

Once Li Rui drops me off, he’ll head back. If you want to go home, just tell him.”

Xu Chen: “I’ll go home tomorrow. It’s Friday night—finally some time at the Internet café!”

Xu Zhiquan: “Sounds good! Balance work and rest!

My son is something else—you hardly study yet scored third in class!

Your homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhang, told me that if you push harder now before the gaokao, aiming for a 985 university is very achievable!”

Xu Chen frowned.

Could homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun already be persuading him to target top schools so early?