Class 6 of Senior High.
After pacing around the classroom a few times, the homeroom teacher, Rong Jun, sat on the podium and began scrutinizing the students.
Qiu Xi sat below, preparing to draft a rough plan for her college entrance examination sprint. She thought about revising it later based on the situation after the entrance placement exams scheduled for the next two days.
Her daily recitation task was still ongoing, and it looked like she wouldn't be done until she had finished all the required memorization content for the college entrance examinations.
Besides daily recitation, there was also the evening etiquette training, but that was almost completed.
Now, all that was left was to create a tailored plan for the daily classes.
With that in mind, she took out a piece of paper and began writing this plan.
After finishing, seeing that she still had some time, Qiu Xi lowered her head and pretended to study diligently.
In reality, her consciousness had already entered the system's daily classroom.
"Ding ding ding!"
Amidst diligent study, evening self-study ended.
Qiu Xi and Tang Siran were the first to return to the dormitory, while Hua Linglong, as soon as the bell rang, pulled Ni Xue and rushed out, likely heading to the commissary.
"Tangtang, shall we tidy up our beds first?"
This was a tradition in Dorm 306. Since they had bunk beds, the four of them paired up and stayed on the lower bunks, then placed the desk that belonged to the bed in the middle of the two beds. This way, they could eat and play while lying down, and then wash up and chat together.
"Okay."
"We're back."
Just as they finished tidying up, the other two returned.
Qiu Xi turned and said, "Just in time, we're done too. Come on."
"Here, here."
Thus, the four of them began to sit around on the beds, eating and chatting.
At this moment, the gathering on the beds was like Hua Linglong's version of a TV entertainment program, though occasionally it could be a bit eerie.
It wasn't too serious, just enough to make them afraid to go to the restroom alone.
"Alright, entertainment is over. Let's clear the table, wash up, and start part two."
Hua Linglong pouted, saying a little dejectedly, "Fine, let's tidy up. Happy times always pass quickly."
After tidying up, the four of them lay on their beds with their heads touching, turned off the lights, covered themselves with blankets, and began to chat.
Qiu Xi stared blankly at the ceiling, unsure of what to say first.
She then said, "Who wants to go first?"
"Me, perhaps."
Ni Xue always had a plan; at least, she knew what she needed to do at each step.
Although she didn't quite understand her few close friends, she had a general idea.
"You all know my grades. Going to university is achievable, and I've loved Chinese since childhood. I might choose a literature-related major in the future."
Indeed, Ni Xue's Chinese was like she had a cheat code. She just needed to listen in class and didn't spend much time on it after class, yet her grades were always excellent.
It was the same with memorization; while others would try to memorize to death, her results after reading twice were better.
Perhaps she was naturally suited for this.
"That seems to be the case. Where are you planning to go to university?"
"I haven't decided yet. I want to try harder next and go to a better city to see better scenery."
"Okay."
"You've got this."
"You can do it."
The three responded in unison. This had a significant impact on Ni Xue, strengthening her resolve to study hard.
"I've said my piece. What about you guys?"
"As for me, I might go abroad first," Tang Siran said rather casually.
In reality, she didn't have any strong opinions. She just wanted to try going abroad as her family suggested.
"What do you want to do in the future?" Qiu Xi turned her body in the darkness and asked.
As it happened, their dormmates all knew that Tang Siran was going abroad; she had mentioned it before.
So, hearing her say this, they weren't too surprised, just curious about what she would want to do in the future.
"Most likely finance."
"Nothing else matters as long as you like it." Hearing Tang Tang's tone, Qiu Xi didn't ask further and simply said this.
"Yes, we all support you."
"Right."
"Mm, I know."
"Alright, Linglong, it's your turn." Thinking it was time to move on, Qiu Xi turned to ask Hua Linglong.
"As for me, I want to study photography in the future."
Hearing Hua Linglong's somewhat yearning tone, Qiu Xi could somewhat confirm that she genuinely wanted to study it.
"Then you must study hard now and aim for a high starting point."
"Yes, what Little Xi said makes sense."
Although Hua Linglong's grades were a bit behind, she could still work harder. After all, there were still several months left.
With that thought, Qiu Xi decided to sprint towards the college entrance examination with Hua Linglong.
Of course, besides Hua Linglong, Ni Xue and Tangtang were both very disciplined and had plans.
"Then, Little Xi, what are your plans?" Qiu Xi, who was still contemplating, was suddenly interrupted.
"As for me, I just want to study hard now, sprint towards the college entrance examination, choose the best school, and major in English."
Qiu Xi's tone was firm. Meeting Little Hua, she felt she could do it.
"We can all do it. Imagine ourselves stepping into a new field in a few months; it's wonderful."
With her hands behind her head, Qiu Xi began to look forward to university life. It would surely be wonderful; at least, from her current ideal distant perspective, it was beautiful.
"Mm, let's work hard together!"
"Let's work hard together!"
"Let's work hard together!"
As they talked, the four of them gradually fell asleep.
With smiles on their lips, perhaps dreaming of a sky full of stars.
----------The Idealistic Dividing Line--------
Several days had passed since the unique dormitory night party. The entrance placement exams had also concluded.
"Little Xi, no way! You actually got 524!!" Hua Linglong exclaimed in shock as she looked at Qiu Xi's score report.
Seriously, it could only be described as rapid improvement; there were no other words. She was speechless.
Otherwise, how could one understand someone who was previously at the tail end suddenly jumping to the middle ranks? If this were the college entrance examination, she would be a dark horse, the kind that made people suspicious.
"Where? Let me see." Ni Xue, sitting behind, reached out after hearing Hua Linglong.
"It's true! Little Xi, did you really go for intensive study during the winter break? This score is almost catching up to mine," Ni Xue was also very surprised.
"Yes, didn't I tell you? Every time I wasn't playing games, I told you guys."
"Alright, my perspective was too limited." Hua Linglong could never have imagined that Qiu Xi was actually studying.
She had initially thought Qiu Xi was just trying to deceive the other three, just not wanting to lose too many points. Who would have thought?
"See? From now on, study hard with me, understand?"
Qiu Xi didn't say much more. She was constantly instilling the idea of studying hard in Hua Linglong.
She didn't care about the past or the future, but since she could help now, she would try her best. After all, these were her close friends, even if they might be "plastic."
"Okay, I'll learn from you." Hua Linglong was still a bit disoriented, holding the small slip of paper and looking at it blankly.
Lost in thought, she responded subconsciously.
Seeing her like this, Qiu Xi smiled and said nothing.
She turned back and started discussing the exam paper with Ni Xue.
"Beep!"
"Placement exam task complete. Reward received."
Yay! Another sum of money acquired.
After hearing this small announcement, Qiu Xi became even more motivated to study.
After all, it was money, and how wonderful it was.
The days passed like this, under the slogan "studying makes me happy," and the first mock exam was also approaching.