Chapter Seventy-Four: The College Entrance Examination

Solving practice problems, studying—Wu Tong followed the rhythm of the training, keeping her hands nimble by working through three problems each day. What set her apart was that these three problems, which might take another teammate a full day to tackle, were all solved by Wu Tong in less than an hour. Her solutions became the benchmark for the instructors’ grading, and most of her time was spent simply writing out the answers.

With such a prodigy among them, the other five teammates were galvanized, throwing themselves into their work with total focus, not daring to slack off for even a moment. In the end, the rigor of their practice paid off: when they managed to finish the problems an hour ahead of time, only then did they allow themselves to breathe easy; otherwise, they felt too embarrassed to even mention their results.

Wu Tong had left them so far behind that they could no longer even glimpse her shadow. If they didn’t push themselves even harder, would they truly fade into the crowd? As top students from schools across the nation, veterans of national competitions, none of them would settle for mediocrity.

Unyielding, undaunted—their champion soared ahead, and they chased after her with all their might, striving together to bring honor to China and win the world’s admiration!

This virtuous cycle of mutual encouragement filled the teachers with satisfaction. This year, for the IMO, China could confidently take the lead. Excellent results seemed all but certain.

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At the end of May, the first round of IMO national team training concluded, and Wu Tong booked a flight for June 1st to return home.

The 2010 college entrance examination was about to begin, and Wu Tong had returned to join this pivotal battle.

On the 2nd, Xincheng No. 1 High School gave students a day off to rest and adjust. Wu Tong went to the school to collect her admission ticket from her teacher and joined the science class for their graduation photo. Though she had spent less than half a semester in the class, she was, after all, still their classmate.

This year’s high school graduation photo saw the school principal and the entire leadership team present in full force. Their school had produced an academic prodigy—how could they not seize this chance to be photographed with her? Who knew when they might see her again in the future!

“Go for it, Wu Tong, just keep your usual steady performance!” Luo Zhenping cheered her on.

Though Wu Tong hadn’t formally attended exams this semester, every exam paper had been faxed to her, and she had completed and returned each one for grading.

Consistently scoring above 745, along with her many achievements this semester, had raised boundless hopes for her from Xincheng No. 1 High, and even from the county, city, and provincial education systems!

“Don’t worry, Teacher Luo, I’ll give it my all!” Wu Tong nodded firmly. She had already taken ninety-nine steps—she would not falter at the very last.

Before the exams, Wu Tong gave Jin Xin one final comprehensive review to ensure that nothing was left to chance. Since the first mock exam, Jin Xin’s scores had stabilized above 680. From barely daring to hope for a passing university mark at the start of last semester, this year he was contending for the top three in the best school, ranking among the elite in the city.

While Wu Tong’s early tutoring had helped, most of the credit was due to Jin Xin’s own grit and determination. No matter how good the guidance, it was his own effort that produced these results.

Every official exam paper and secret set of questions Wu Tong brought back from Beijing, Jin Xin devoured. Over the course of nearly a year, he had fought with his back to the wall, never losing heart. Inspired by his example, his friend Zhao Lei’s scores had also soared by a hundred points, breaking into the 600s.

As the ancient saying goes: “One who stays near vermilion becomes red.” The truest wisdom, passed down through generations!

On June 6th, they surveyed the exam halls, mapped out routes, and assigned drivers. As Wu Tong and Jin Xin made their final preparations, both families arranged all the logistics down to the last detail.

On June 7th, the college entrance examination officially began. Though Wu Tong and Jin Xin weren’t assigned to the same hall, the county was small—just a ten-minute drive separated them. The families decided to send both kids together; leaving either one behind felt wrong.

The day before, Jin Yuan borrowed a car from the shop, and Wu Jingzhong took his own. To avoid any mishaps, the families set out an hour early, delivering both children safely to their respective exam halls.

“Brother, good luck!” Wu Tong cheered Jin Xin on as they arrived at his hall first. After all their hard work, the fruits of success would be reaped in these two days. “Hang in there, brother!”

“No problem, Tongtong. Just do your usual best!” Wu Tong’s own scores hardly needed any extra encouragement! After a final check, supervised by Xu Meifeng and Teacher Jin to make sure nothing was forgotten, Jin Xin waved, eyes shining with determination and excitement, and strode into the exam hall.

After so many practice papers, simulations, weekly and monthly tests, and countless quizzes, Jin Xin had treated every one as if it were the real thing. The trials and training of the past year had truly toughened his mindset. Now, he looked forward to this exam that would determine his future with unprecedented anticipation—there was only one way forward, and that was with courage and resolve.

After all, he was destined to serve and protect his country.

At Wu Tong’s exam hall, the same careful supervision and goodbyes. With her family’s blessings, she entered the hall steady and composed.

The two days of exams flew by. For Wu Tong, the four sessions were over almost in a blink. Except for the Chinese language exam, she finished each paper in about half an hour; her family’s nerves had barely settled from sending her in before she was already out, ready to join them in picking up Jin Xin.

This year’s Chinese essay, Wu Tong felt, was perhaps her best effort yet. “Everlasting bloom, enduring responsibility”—her passionate words still echoed in her heart as she left the hall.

The exam hall was in the county center, so they returned home for meals and rest between sessions. Meals were carefully prepared by family members in turns—nutritious, wholesome, and not too greasy.

Wu Tong felt that the real hardship of the college entrance exam didn’t fall on the students alone, but on the families waiting anxiously outside, doing everything to ensure their children could focus without worry. Their results owed more than half to their families’ efforts.

As the exams ended, Wu Tong was confident in her results—full marks in every subject except Chinese were all but certain.

Jin Xin had performed smoothly as well. Comparing answers with Wu Tong and estimating conservatively, his results looked to surpass his usual level, which made him beam with joy.

Waiting for results hardly mattered to Wu Tong. She had taken part in this exam for the honor of her hometown and her family. The unexpected inspiration and proof of the Zhou Conjecture had already fulfilled her wishes.

Still, an excellent score would be the icing on the cake.

After staying home for half a day, Wu Tong returned to Beijing. This time, Jin Xin enthusiastically joined, and except for the two elders who didn’t want to make the trip, the rest of the family went to see her off at the airport. She had already filled out her university application; after the training in Beijing, she would rest briefly before flying straight to Kazakhstan for the competition.

“I’ll try my best to be home before my birthday!” Before heading into the departure hall, Wu Tong hugged each family member in turn.

“No rush, Tongtong. Take good care of yourself. We can celebrate your lunar birthday when you’re back. Call home often, and don’t ever keep anything from us. Let us know early if there’s anything!”

“Alright, wait for my good news!” She would make the five-star red flag fly high on the international stage.

(End of chapter)