As you can see, Shengliver, I am no diligent guy. I would not sacrifice my precious life for a better grade, as some teachers and motivational speakers preach. Actually, I was even lazier in middle school. You must be wondering how on earth I did manage to get admitted to YYHS in the first place, hyped up as “one of the best high schools under the sun”.

My good friend, Taihou (of course, it is not his real name), was a top student, who ranked third in the league tables of Year 9. Everybody was certain it would be a breeze for him to make it to YYHS. In those days, before the final exam took place, he always encouraged me to study harder. But I did not give a damn about it. I did not understand why he singled me out for attention. Despite his effort, I still read my novels and Japanese anime in class and created my own stories in my diary. Taihou was disappointed. Obviously, my attitude hurt him.

One day, Yanjing (a fake name too), asked me, “Yifan, do you know why Taihou is so keen to help you?” I ignored his question and kept silent. After a while, Yanjing went on, “He would like you to go and accompany him in high school. As you can see, most of us will be stuck at the local high school in the county. Only you and Taihou have the potential to pass the exams and earn a place in YYHS. Do you really want him to go without you? Should you attend our local high school, he would miss you like hell.”

I was moved. I had not known up to that moment why Taihou had showered me with so much help and encouragement. From that moment on, I rolled up my sleeves and put my shoulder to the wheel. I worked like crazy. Shengliver, you cannot imagine that I had just one meal a day the weeks leading to the final exam. I left out breakfast and supper.

A couple of months later, when the exam results were out, word came that my grades were good enough. So excited was I that I would have the privilege to attend the great school that the next day I visited Taihou.

“Congratulations, Yifan,” Taihou said, flashing a bitter smile, “but I cannot accompany you to YYHS. I made so many mistakes in the exam.”