(SCHOOL DONE. More consistent posts from now on)

(TL: The gaokao is a big exam for general collage admission)

The final stretch of June arrived—the month of reckoning for China’s national college entrance exams. Liang Meijuan, having spent months traveling with her husband, returned to the trio’s nest to resume caretaking duties.

Though the three faced minimal pressure compared to peers, Lin Youxi’s mother insisted on overseeing their preparation. This necessitated a massive operation—erasing all traces of Mei Fang from the girls’ shared bedroom.

“This is Ah Fang’s shirt, right? And these socks… underwear?! Why are all your things stuffed in my drawer?”

“We should finish these half-drunk liquor bottles tonight before disposing of them.”

“Wait—shouldn’t we be sober for class tomorrow? Also, do my things still remain in your rooms?”

During the cleanup, Xia Yuan suddenly gasped, rushing to the nightstand.

“So many unused condoms… Where do we hide these?”

“This is exactly why I said not to stockpile!”

“I just thought it’s good to be prepared…” Xia Yuan pouted. “Wasting them feels wrong.”

“Store them in my room?” Mei Fang suggested.

“No! Auntie Liang would find them during cleaning.”

“Would that really matter at our age?” Lin Youxi smiled. “As long as she doesn’t discover evidence of our throuple… though perhaps we should ease her into the idea eventually.”

“Too shocking! Not yet.”

Ultimately, the surplus condoms were “donated” (under Mei Fang’s name) to the school’s sex-ed teacher—a modest contribution for future underclassmen.

With Liang Meijuan’s arrival, the trio could fully focus on studying—though the separation dampened their usual intimacy, it sharpened their concentration for the final sprint.

---

For most students, the Gaokao etches itself into memory as the defining trial of youth.

A decade of predawn study sessions, frozen fingers gripping pens, all culminating in these scant sheets of examination paper. However absurd or cruel the system might seem, its brutal fairness remains undeniable.

[In endless night]
[When dreams near extinction]
[At least I still have dreams]
[That move even you]

[The dawn’s starting point]
[Lies within my heart]
[While dreams still remain]
[Rainbows will appear]
[In my sky]

—My Sky, the anthem from Gaokao-themed film Young Style, became the unofficial hymn for examinees nationwide.

Endless practice tests, morning recitations, peer grading, study groups—even shared playlists and sleepovers. Through laughter and tears, they persevered, if only to validate their sacrifices.

Though lacking personal stakes, Mei Fang relished the atmosphere. His past life’s mediocre effort had left regrets, but childhood diligence now secured his place among elites. Problems that once baffled him now seemed trivial.

Experiencing Gaokao is experiencing youth itself. Having achieved so much through foresight, he needed this trial to reaffirm effort’s worth.

---

When the final English exam’s bell rang, Mei Fang submitted his paper with surreal detachment.

He observed the aftermath like a documentary: classmates cheering, despondent, triumphant, or pounding their chests in frustration. Emerging into the sea of examinees, he struggled to navigate the crowd.

Most Jiangcheng No. 1 students tested at their home campus. Spotting Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi proved effortless—their radiance pierced the throng.

“Ah Fang! Over here!”

Fellow examinees recognizing the trio parted ways, reuniting them effortlessly.

Then, the campus speakers began playing Farewell Beyond the Pavilion, its melancholic melody blending with the sunset’s glow.

“No rush to leave,” Lin Youxi suggested. “Let’s wander the campus awhile.”

“Perfect! I was thinking the same.”

Hand in hand, they strolled the main avenue as paper snowflakes rained from upper floors—students cathartically shredding notes, howling farewells to youth.

Near the sports field, they spotted Mei Fang’s homeroom teacher Dong Zhongying surrounded by male students. Their jovial expressions suggested satisfactory performances.

“I should greet—”

Before Mei Fang finished, the boys exchanged grins, suddenly hoisting Dong Zhongying toward a tree trunk for the time-honored “Aluba” ritual (spreading the victim’s legs against objects).

Though Mei Fang had participated in such antics in his past life, witnessing it now—so akin to childhood “monkey steals peach” antics—revealed its primal absurdity.

Men truly are simple creatures.

Yet he missed such uncomplicated joys.

Dong Zhongying’s protests dissolved into laughter—until the boys spotted Mei Fang.

“Charge! Aluba the boss! Future bragging rights when we work at his company!”

They stampeded toward him, only to scatter like startled birds when Lin Youxi stepped forward.

“…”

“Why are boys so terrified of you?”

“No idea.” Lin Youxi smirked. “Maybe because someone always walks funny on Mondays?”

“Nonsense! Only Yuan Yuan does that.”

“Don’t drag me into this!” Xia Yuan huffed. “Let’s go… there.”

---

The bamboo grove’s pavilion—where their love had crystallized years ago.

“Feels like lifetimes since we last came.”

“Life’s been too hectic.”

Seated between them, Mei Fang watched the dying sun paint the horizon as Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi leaned against his shoulders.

“High school… is really over.”

“Now we’re free university students.”

Lin Youxi nuzzled closer. “Time to focus on growing our empire.”

“Right…”

Xia Yuan tugged his sleeve. “Since it’s our last visit for years… should we kiss? For old times’ sake?”

Mei Fang and Lin Youxi exchanged glances, smiling.

The setting sun filtered through bamboo, gilding their entwined figures as lips met—washing away the final traces of adolescence.

Their high school days had reached the epilogue.