At 12:10 in the morning, the commercial street that was bustling with people during the day has fallen asleep. The whole street is empty and quiet, and the horns of motor vehicles coming from afar seem particularly harsh.
There were only two or three restaurants that were open for late-night snacks on the pedestrian street. A tall, thin boy walked out of the CC milk tea shop, which was still lit, carrying a garbage bag and heading for the trash can in the middle of the pedestrian street. There were two girls, no more than 17 or 18 years old, standing in the shop, one bright and the other pretty, lowering their heads and carefully cleaning the sink and the milk tea counter.
By the time Fu Shitian and Chen Xizhu had cleaned up everything, Yang Yu had already thrown away the garbage and was walking back. So the two of them took off their aprons, washed their hands, and stood outside the store waiting.
Yang Yu was the one in charge of the keys. He washed his hands, turned off the lights and was about to close the rolling door.
Fu Shitian reminded softly: "Yang Yu, the glass door is not locked yet."
Yang Yu said "Oh" and grinned, "I forgot again. It's okay. The surveillance is turned off and the boss doesn't know we left the door open." He really didn't like locking the glass door. He didn't know if the lock was an antique that his aunt had found from some corner. It was so rusty that when he touched it, his hands would have been washed in vain.
Chen Xizhu saw his reluctance. That was his aunt, so of course he was fine, and he wouldn't be the one being scolded anyway. Just as she was about to scold him, Fu Shitian came forward and picked up the padlock from the corner, turned around and said kindly: "Let me do it, give me the key."
She stood under the street lamp, the dim light making her skin look even whiter than snow and her features more picturesque.
Yang Yu sighed again, Fu Shitian is really good-looking. Not the kind of eye-catching beauty, but the kind of pure and gentle beauty that is not ostentatious, but at first glance, one would want to protect her. His Adam's apple slid, and he was a little absent-minded for a moment.
Chen Xizhu reminded him unhappily: "Hey, man, what are you daydreaming about?"
Yang Yu came back to his senses instantly, his throat tightened. He stood beside Fu Shitian, took the padlock from Fu Shitian's hand, and said frivolously: "Hey, I'll do it, how can I let a cute girl do such a dirty job?"
Chen Xizhu sneered, not wanting to pay attention to him, and handed a wet wipe to Fu Shitian: "Let's go, let's go back."
Fu Shitian thanked him and said politely to Yang Yu, who was still waiting for the shutter to completely close, "We'll leave first. Be careful on the road."
Yang Yu grinned and said, "I should say this to you girls." He shook the motorcycle keys in his hand, "To be honest, it's too late, and you are so pretty. It's too unsafe. Don't ride a bike for the night shift next time. I'll take you there."
Chen Xizhu snorted, took Fu Shitian's hand and left, saying, "It's not safe to follow you."
Yang Yu's aggrieved defense came from behind: "Ah, look at you, who do you think I am?"
Fu Shitian couldn't help but reveal faint dimples on her cheeks.
Chen Xizhu noticed it and teased her, "Why, do you want him to take you there?"
Fu Shitian begged for mercy in a good mood: "Xizhu, don't joke with me." His voice was soft, and it brushed past Chen Xizhu's ears with the night breeze.
"I think he's attracted to you, Miss Fu."
After a few steps, they reached the place where the bicycles were parked. Seeing that she was still going on, Fu Shitian had no choice but to bend down to unlock the door while helplessly retorting: "Then I think he likes you, Chen Dameimei."
Chen Xizhu refuted her, and the two of them chatted and laughed, then rode their bicycles and went home together.
The journey was not far, only about 20 minutes, so Chen Xizhu and Fu Shitian could walk most of the way together. They would separate after two more streets, and Chen Xizhu suddenly sighed: "Tomorrow will be the day to decide life or death."
On June 24, the college entrance examination results will be released. For families like her and Fu Shitian, it is not an exaggeration to say that this college entrance examination is the only time in their lives that they can change their destiny by themselves.
"Don't worry, have a good sleep at night, and I'll wait for your good news tomorrow." Fu Shitian glanced at her with a smile in his eyes.
Chen Xizhu's heart inexplicably relaxed under her determined gaze. She felt a little embarrassed and muttered, "You really are not nervous at all."
Without waiting for Fu Shitian to reply, she added, "Yeah, you have nothing to be nervous about. It's all right."
She and Fu Shitian were not from the same high school, but they knew each other when they worked part-time at a bookstore in their second year of high school. Later, they often worked part-time together and naturally became friends.
Fu Shitian had never talked to her in depth about her family background, but seeing that Fu Shitian ranked second in the county in the high school entrance examination, and ultimately had to settle for a private high school with a mediocre admission rate for the sake of a scholarship, Chen Xizhu guessed that her family's situation must be more difficult than hers.
"Tiantian, do you really want to apply to Shen University?"
"If the score is high enough." Fu Shitian said in a gentle tone.
"You're sure it's enough. If it exceeds that, you really won't change your mind?"
Shenda is the only 985 university in their province, and compared with other ordinary colleges, it is naturally a very good school. However, compared with Fu Shitian's first to third mock exam scores, applying to Shenda is a waste.
The dissatisfaction in her words was too obvious. Fu Shitian teased her: "Xizhu, don't you really want to be my schoolmate?"
Chen Xizhu's ideal university has always been Shenda University.
"I'm so happy, I just feel sorry for your grades." Chen Xizhu sighed. She wanted to ask Fu Shitian, are you staying in the province for tuition and living expenses? In the province, the price is obviously lower than in the super first-tier cities where other top universities are located, and it can also save a lot of transportation costs every time you go back and forth.
But until they reached a fork in the road, she didn't dare to ask.
She was afraid of hurting Fu Shitian.
"What a pity." She sighed again in her heart.
"Is the street light ahead not repaired yet? Do you want me to ride with you there?" Chen Xizhu changed the subject and asked while looking at the road in the opposite direction of his home.
Fu Shitian shook his head and said softly, "No need, it's just a short distance. Go back quickly, your parents will be worried if it's too late."
Seeing her determination, Chen Xizhu knew that she didn't like to trouble others, so he had to remind her: "If the road is not repaired, ask your father to pick you up at the intersection for a while." There is no need to be so fussy with her parents.
Fu Shitian nodded, waved to her, asked her to send her a text message when she got home, and then calmly turned into the dim Huanjiang Road.
The road ahead was dark and gloomy. The night wind from the river was chilly. The old bicycle made a clanging sound in the silence, which irritated Fu Shitian. Fu Shitian stared straight ahead, and cold sweat began to form on his palms holding the handlebars.
This happens every time I pass this road, for fear that something will suddenly jump out from the side of the road.
I was extremely nervous.
As if being tortured to death, she finally reached the bright road next to the community. She quickened her pace and walked towards the light, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
Dad? Fu Shitian couldn't help but silently say this word in his heart, and then shook his head to drive the word out of his mind.
The old residential communities are lined with houses, and the specially marked parking spaces are far away. Community owners find it troublesome, so non-motor vehicles are parked sparsely on the sidewalks. Over time, this has become a natural practice.
Fu Shitian locked the car and went upstairs. He stopped at the door of the seventh floor and opened it quietly.
The door was opened a crack, and a thin sliver of light came through from inside—someone was still awake
Fu Shitian was still wondering when footsteps were heard from inside the door. Then the door was opened wide, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.
"Tiantian, you're back? It seems a little late today." There was kindness in Fu Jiantao's eyes and his tone was high, as if he was suppressing something.
Fu Shitian looked past his figure and saw Wang Meifen and Fu Siyu sitting side by side in the living room, neither asleep.
"Yes, uncle, it's a little late today."
She followed Fu Jiantao into the door, and while changing her shoes, she responded obediently: "Because I took another order when I was about to close. Did I wake everyone up by opening the door? Auntie, why are you all still awake?" She stood up and her eyes fell on Wang Meifen and Fu Siyu.
Before Fu Jiantao could answer, Fu Siyu yawned and said dissatisfiedly, "It's my dad. He got so excited after receiving a phone call."
Fu Jiantao locked the security door, turned around and said excitedly: "Tiantian, just after ten o'clock, the admissions offices of Peking University and Yanjing University called." Those are Peking University and Yanjing University, two of the best universities in the country!
Fu Shitian was slightly stunned: "Are the results out yet?"
Fu Siyu taunted him, "Everyone knows that the results will be released tomorrow. It might be a liar. Don't be too happy too soon."
"Shut up, what do you know?" Fu Jiantao scolded his daughter.
Wang Meifen couldn't tell whether his expression was good or bad, but when she heard her husband scolding her daughter, she immediately frowned and protected Fu Siyu: "Why are you scolding? Xiaoyu is right."
She stared at Fu Shitian and said the second half of the sentence, "It's always right to think more about it, right?"
Fu Shitian stood beside the sofa, lowered his eyebrows and said sensibly: "Aunt and Xiaoyu are right. Uncle, let's wait until the results come out. It's late, uncle and aunt are tired all day, let's rest first."
Too calm.
Fu Jiantao was a little anxious: "How could they be scammers? There are two of them at once. They even guaranteed their professionalism and said they would give us some time to consider it and would call us to confirm in two days."
As he said this, he was about to open the notebook on the coffee table to show Fu Shitian what he had just written.
Wang Meifen said casually, "They didn't even tell me about tuition fees, scholarships, etc. I felt like they were liars."
Fu Jiantao handed the notebook to Fu Shitian, a little unhappy: "I wouldn't say that now. Such a good university can guarantee you that many people would beg for it. It's our Tiantian who is doing well. Tiantian, you see, Beijing University said that your score is limited, so they can only guarantee you these majors. But I think these are still very..."
Fu Siyu snorted coldly, stood up and said, "You guys continue to discuss with Tiantian, I'm going to sleep."
Fu Jiantao pretended not to hear her sarcastic words and continued to analyze the situation for Fu Shitian. Fu Shitian interrupted him gently, "Uncle, I won't go to either of these two schools."
Fu Jiantao stopped talking and Fu Siyu stopped walking back to his room.
Fu Shitian smiled and said gently, "Uncle, I've always wanted to go to Shenda."
"Shen University?" Fu Jiantao repeated after her subconsciously.
"Yes." Fu Shitian nodded: "I want to apply for accounting at Shenda University."
She twisted the strap of her bag unconsciously. "Uncle, I want to study accounting. The teachers all said that this major will give you good job opportunities after graduation. And the accounting department of Shenda University is considered very good in the country. I don't think my score is high enough for accounting at Peking University or Yanda University."
Wang Meifen smiled when she heard the words "good employment". It seems that she has no plans to study for a master's degree
"Also, if I apply to Shenda University, I've checked that Shenda University has an admission scholarship, which is ranked according to the admission score. If my score is high enough, I may be able to get this scholarship. Uncle and aunt, your burden will be lighter."
Wang Meifen's smile became brighter.
Fu Jiantao frowned and wanted to persuade him, but Fu Shitian shook his head gently and continued, "Besides, Peking University and Yan University are in the north, and I don't know if I can adapt if I go there. Shen University is close to home, so it's convenient for me to come back. Xiaoyu will be a senior next year, and I can tutor her."
"Who wants you to tutor me?" Fu Siyu retorted to her, suddenly cursed "idiot", turned around and went back to his room and slammed the door.
Fu Jiantao was anxious and upset. He was furious and rushed to Fu Siyu's door and knocked on it: "What are you talking about, you little bastard? How can you talk to your sister like that?"
Wang Meifen quickly got up and tried to pull Fu Jiantao, "What time is it? Why are you yelling? What will happen if the neighbors hear it?" She glared at Fu Shitian.
Fu Shitian quickly followed to comfort Fu Jiantao: "Uncle, Xiaoyu and I are just playing around. It's getting late, let's go to bed."
Fu Jiantao heard her voice and changed the subject: "Wait, think about Shen University's matter again. I think..."
Wang Meifen retorted: "What's the point of your thinking? It's only useful if the child thinks it's useful. Don't worry about it. Didn't you hear Tiantian's own thoughts? Go to sleep. Are you going to work tomorrow?"
Fu Shitian agreed: "Uncle, I will think about it carefully. You and aunt should rest first."
Fu Jiantao was glared at by Wang Meifen for several times. He sighed deeply and had to nod.
Back in his cramped little room, the surroundings finally became completely quiet. Fu Shitian leaned against the door, feeling a strong sense of fatigue in his heart.
She sat quietly in the chair in front of the desk for a while, took out some clean clothes from the box under the bed, and was about to go out for a shower when there was a knock on the door.
"Tiantian, are you asleep? Can uncle come in and say a few words?"
Fu Shitian responded, put down his clothes and went to open the door.
Fu Jiantao sat on the chair, and Fu Shitian sat opposite him beside the bed. The air was quiet for a few seconds, and Fu Jiantao said earnestly: "Tiantian, do you really not want to go to Yanda and Peking University?"
Fu Shitian's dimples appeared on her cheeks, and she said softly, "Uncle, it's true."
"Tiantian, don't think about other things. There is no such thing as burden or not. The money grandma gave us is enough. Don't think about this. Just think about your own future. Don't you really not want to think about it?"
Fu Shitian nodded seriously: "Uncle, I really don't want to. I really want to go to the Accounting Department of Shen University."
Fu Jiantao could not see any reluctance on her face. No matter how regretful he felt, he could only say helplessly, "Well, think about it yourself. Uncle respects your thoughts. Although uncle is useless, he doesn't want you to wrong yourself like you did during the high school entrance examination." He stood up and touched Fu Shitian's head: "Go to bed early."
"Okay, good night, uncle."
After Fu Jiantao left, Fu Shitian lowered his head and looked at his own shadow on the ground.
Don’t you really want to and don’t feel sorry about it
She took the contract phone that Wang Meifen had given away from her pillow, opened the Weibo app, clicked on the private message, and stared at the short sentence in the dialog box: "Shanghai University, Department of Accounting." The curve of her lips rose higher and higher, and it was the first heartfelt smile she had since she entered the door.
I really don't want to, and I don't regret it.
In fact, she did it for nothing, not for scholarships, not to save living expenses, just for her being there—
Shi Yi is there, in the Accounting Department of Shen University.
She thought of her side.
Want to see her.