Fortunately, the experimental class, which was separated from Class 9, was the closest to Class 9. After class, Wen Yun would always take the opportunity of going to the toilet to find Ruan Yu in the experimental class. Every time she went there, she would either see Ruan Yu quietly doing math problems or flipping through a thick book of English vocabulary for the CET-6.
—She's already preparing for English courses in college.
"Are you adjusting well to the new environment?" Wen Yun asked after returning home a few days later.
“I’m getting used to it.” Ruan Yu nodded. “However, after we were assigned to different classes, Su Manying suddenly became distant from me. She moved her seat to a place very far away from me and stopped talking to me. Before, even though we sat at adjacent desks, she would always take the initiative to talk to me.”
Wen Yun recalled that Su Manying was Ruan Yu's only friend in the original story. Although Su Manying chose to stay away from Ruan Yu because of the various rumors she had heard, she should have warned and dealt with all the people who spread rumors in her life. How could such a similar outcome occur?
"Who is she getting close to these days?" Wen Yun asked.
Ruan Yu thought about it seriously, "It seems like I'm close to Shao Qibin, but Shao Qibin's grades are at the bottom of the experimental class..."
“Oh, Young Master Shao.” Wen Yun said knowingly, “She must be in love. As for distancing herself from you… she’s probably afraid that having you around will distract Young Master Shao.”
"Why would I be distracted?" Ruan Yu asked, confused. "We've already come out as gay!"
“We’re not married or registered, nor have we announced our separation from the Wen family,” Wen Yun said, shrugging. “Wealthy families that are determined to form an alliance with the Wen family will still consider us in their plans.”
She paused, then reminded her, "Since Su Manying has made her choice, don't be sad or upset about it. Focus on your studies. You still have Qiqi, don't you?
Facts have proven to them time and again that Su Manying is neither a reliable nor a loyal friend.
Lin Qiqi was unaware of this, and Ruan Yu didn't intend to tell her either, fearing that she would get angry and go to argue with Su Manying. She simply increased her daily interactions with her and gradually became willing to go to the bookstore or the restroom with Lin Qiqi when Wen Yun wasn't around.
After a period of intensive review of the three major subjects of the college entrance examination (Chinese, Mathematics, and English), the admission list for the "Three-in-One" program of C Finance was finally announced.
A note from the author:
The second update is here! The main story should be finished tomorrow!
Chapter 53
That evening, Wen Yun logged onto the official website of C Finance and Economics and clicked on the "Three-in-One" admission list. She was so nervous that she didn't dare to scroll down.
This is an important stage she has never experienced before. If she doesn't pass the exam, she will have to pin all her hopes on her college entrance exam score.
The rankings were based on majors. After preparing herself mentally, Wen Yun first confirmed that Ruan Yu was on the list of finance majors, then scrolled to the bottom of the page to the language and literature category. She rolled the mouse a few times and found "Wen Yun" the moment she found it. She felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders and couldn't help but jump up and bounce a few times.
Ruan Yu was also extremely excited. Seeing Wen Yun jumping around on the spot, she went over and jumped with her until they both burst out laughing before they stopped.
“Now we’re practically half C-level financial professionals!” Wen Yun lay down on the bed, her face beaming with joy.
As soon as she finished speaking, a shadow fell over her, and then Ruan Yu lay down beside her, raising one hand.
"There's still a little over half of April, a month of May, and a week of June left." Ruan Yu curled her fingers, counting the days. "The senior year will be over soon."
Wen Yun smiled and agreed, but in her mind she was thinking about the Bad Ending (BE) point in the original text.
The protagonist committed suicide on his birthday night, June 28th, a week after the cut-off scores were released and the first round of college application submissions had just ended.
If Wen Yun's diary is true, then for her, the outsider who replaced the original owner, that day would probably be her "judgment day"—at that time, the "god" who took Wen Yun away would also judge whether she was qualified to stay in this world.
"What are your wishes or places you want to go after graduation?" Thinking of this, she couldn't help but ask Ruan Yu.
"After I get my results, I want to go back to my hometown to tell my grandparents the good news, and then go to City C to visit my aunt," Ruan Yu said. "My aunt and I have already discussed it. She will arrange an internship for me and pay me a salary so that I can know in advance where I should focus after I enroll in school."
She paused. "And you? Where will you go?"
Wen Yun guessed what she meant, and after considering it for a moment, said, "If possible, I don't want to go anywhere but with you."
"Really?!" Ruan Yu was overjoyed.
“I really hope that’s the case, but I’m not necessarily in control,” Wen Yun said helplessly. “You know, there are some rules that we can’t control.”
Although she had already anticipated such a cautious answer, Ruan Yu still felt as if she had been pricked by a needle in her heart. The piercing pain suppressed her surging emotions, and she tried to let reason prevail. She moved closer to her, clutched her clothes tightly, and murmured, "Yes, I understand."
Noticing her low spirits, Wen Yun changed the subject at the right time: "After graduation, I want to dye my hair and get my ears pierced."
Ruan language: ?
“A friend once said that while you’re young, you can still catch up with the trend.” Meeting her surprised look, Wen Yun explained with a smile, “I’ve played the good girl for too many years. Later, when I was truly free, I didn’t want to bother with these things anymore. I thought it was a waste of time.”
Ruan Yu suddenly exclaimed "Oh!" and asked curiously, "What color do you want to dye it?"
"Tea brown, I guess," Wen Yun said. "If you curl the ends a little, it will look more mature and composed."
As she described it, Ruan Yu had already begun to imagine what she would look like after dyeing and curling her hair.
"Is it best not to get your ears pierced?" Ruan Yu touched her ears. "I heard that it's easy to get infected, and some people experience continuous pus discharge right after getting it done. If you don't wear earrings for a while, the hole can even grow back!"
"Then let's not get it done. Dyeing your hair will be enough." Wen Yun nodded. "By the way, let's go shopping later. There won't be any school uniforms in college, so you'll need to prepare clothes for all four seasons."
Ruan Yu quickly waved her hand: "No, thank you! I don't have the financial means yet, I can't spend money recklessly!"
“I’ve calculated it. If we’re frugal, the aid money my brother gives us will last for five years!” Wen Yun said. “A girl shouldn’t skimp on her clothes and appearance…”
They chatted all night long, as if that wonderful future was already within reach.
No one mentioned the possibility of separation again.
-
The countdown to the college entrance exam is like an hourglass, with each day slipping away.
There's a Labor Day holiday in early May, but most senior high school students have no intention of relaxing. Some even volunteer to stay at school during the day to study on weekends, afraid that if they step out of the classroom or campus, the tension will ease.
Wen Yun and Ruan Yu were no exception. During the May Day holiday, they only took the calico cat to the rescue station for vaccinations and bought some small toys for the cat, without staying too long.
Perhaps due to the meticulous care of the old housekeeper, the black and white cat has gained quite a bit of weight over the past few months. When it lies on the ground and tries to be affectionate with them, it almost looks like a "fat jar" about to fall over.
To this end, Ruan Yu also takes time every evening to go out and "walk the cat," which is also a way for her to do some light exercise and relax her eyes and cervical spine.
Wen Yun usually accompanies her, but she has been studying too hard lately and just wants to eat and collapse after returning home. Ruan Yu feels sorry for her and often asks the bodyguard to take her back to rest after they have only gone a short distance.
To ensure their safety during their exam preparation, Grandpa Wen hired six seasoned bodyguards to secretly follow them. Even if a van suddenly pulled up on the side of the road and a whole bunch of people got out, they wouldn't cause any trouble.
To some extent, Ruan Yu found sufficient compensation from Grandpa Wen for the sense of security that she could not obtain from her blood relatives.
Time flies, college entrance exam physicals, mock exams, graduation photos...
One event after another proceeded in an orderly manner, laying the groundwork for the final sprint.
On the eve of the college entrance examination, Langying was designated as a district examination center, and all the teaching buildings had to be used as examination rooms. All senior high school students moved to the experimental building before the exam, and the students in the experimental classes returned to their respective classes.
The desks in the laboratory building were long tables for four students each. Thinking that these few days were the last days of high school life, the homeroom teacher stopped managing the seating and let everyone find their own partners.
So Ruan Yu, carrying a stack of books, sat down next to Wen Yun in a very natural and open manner.
Wen Yun's deskmate was still He Sheng, and Lin Qiqi sat next to He Sheng.
It is said that Lin Qiqi originally wanted to sit next to Ruan Yu, but was afraid that they would "flirt" while studying. After much hesitation, she finally decided not to be a third wheel.
After listening to her mutter her worries, Wen Yun was both amused and exasperated, but she didn't intend to clarify anything for her.
After all, during lunch break, someone did like to secretly hook their fingers with her on the table under the cover of their school uniform jacket.
Perhaps because she had been taking important exams frequently since last October, Wen Yun wasn't as nervous as she had imagined when the real college entrance exam, which only had Chinese, math, and English left, finally arrived.
Even so, before each exam, she would still give Ruan Yu a high-five, only this time the line was changed from "The academic genius will help you pass" to the most ordinary "Let's cheer each other on".
She knew Ruan Yu preferred to hear this.
The three-day college entrance examination consisted of one exam per day. After the English exam ended, Wen Yun walked out of the examination room and felt completely relaxed.
Before the students could even move back to the teaching building, pieces of paper—remnants of textbooks and exam papers—were flying everywhere. The patrolling teachers even stood at the window of the broadcasting station, issuing warnings over the school-wide loudspeaker whenever they saw books being thrown or exam papers being torn up.
Despite the warning, the patrolling teacher's voice was tinged with laughter.
Another batch of future hopes has been successfully sent off.
Wen Yun had just returned to her original classroom with her books when she was overwhelmed by cheers.
The class monitor covered his ears, wrote the graduation ceremony date on the blackboard, and shouted to everyone, "On graduation day, we're going to plant a wishing tree and bury wishing bottles! Remember to think about your future wishes in advance!! And remember to pick up your Youth League membership files from the Youth League Committee office—"
Amidst the noise, Wen Yun felt a lightness in her arms and looked up to see Ruan Yu taking her book.
"it's over."
Ruan Yu's voice wasn't loud, but Wen Yun carefully read her lip movements, understood her meaning, and smiled in response.
The most difficult period is finally coming to an end.
-
Waiting for the results was a rather long process. Once the burden was lifted, Wen Yun suddenly didn't know what to do next.
However, the survival time shown on the attribute panel has not stopped deducting, so it seems that we will have to wait until the BE node passes before we can enter the next stage.
So, on the third day after the college entrance examination, when she was completely relaxed, she went into the art studio, picked up a pencil, set up her drawing board, listened to the Grade 8 etude coming from the music room, and with a slight movement of her wrist, she presented her experience since coming into this world in the form of a short comic.
—This inspiration came from Wen Yun's diary entry from that day.
If the "god's" judgment is to take her away, then at least she can leave behind some memories of herself in this world, just like Wen Yun, and she won't violate the laws of space and time.
She spent half a month drawing, and after completing each comic strip, she handed it to Ruan Yu, who carefully kept it in a folder in her schoolbag.
Ruan Yu didn't actually like these paintings.
Although these were that person's sincere response and record of her confession, they were too much like a suicide note. She almost dared not tell that person that every time she received a new painting, she would lock herself in her room and cry for a long time before she could calm down.
Even so, she was still willing to keep them safe.
If she is the only one in the world who knows that person has been here, then she is the only one who will remember her.
-
June 22nd, the morning the college entrance examination scores were released.
Wen Yun vaguely heard a strange "crackling" sound, somewhat like the system malfunction sound in a movie or TV show. She was immediately startled awake and hurriedly called out to the system: "Hello? System? Little Green Tea? Are you alright?"
Her response was still a "sizzling" sound.
Fortunately, the attribute panel could still be opened normally. Wen Yun couldn't sleep either, and anxiously clicked on all the detail pages that could be opened.
Could it be that the BE node is approaching and the system is about to fail?
Just as Wen Yun was worrying about what she would do if the system really broke down, she suddenly heard a familiar female voice in her mind: "Congratulations, host, you are about to push the plot into a new stage! The advanced exchange shop is now open, and the [Protagonist's Favorability] value has been unlocked!"
As fireworks went off, the new mall page automatically appeared in Wen Yun's view, and a new section for favorability was added above the tea flavor level in the currency section.
Compared to the usual poverty of tea flavor, the tens of thousands of favorability points shocked Wen Yun.
"...Do you still remember that you're a 'green tea' system?" After a long silence, she asked in surprise.