Chapter 8: The Honor of the School

The cicadas on the phoenix tree cried out heart-wrenchingly. The air was sticky and hot, clinging uncomfortably to the skin.

Li Yifei squeezed out of the competition exam room, sweat soaking his back. He tilted his head up to the gray, hazy sky and let out a long breath, his shoulders finally relaxing.

Damn, it’s finally over! Li Yifei rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling as if his brain was about to fry.

Day and night, nonstop. His body was weak and swaying. Already thin, the cafeteria’s bland broth was barely enough to fill him; even cats wouldn’t want such poor food. It couldn’t satisfy his rapidly working mind.

Li Yifei was so hungry his chest pressed against his back, everything he saw looked like meat.

Time to retreat! Limping slightly, he slipped out the back door and plunged into the bustling night market filled with smoke and sizzling food.

Street vendors in 2006 were authentic! Skewers sizzled over charcoal, the aroma of charred meat mixed with cumin and chili piercing his nose.

An uncle vigorously flipped noodles in a black iron wok; glossy rice noodles coated with bean sprouts and eggs sent fragrant waves into the air.

“Boss, mung bean soup, with ice!” The cold bowl in hand, he gulped down a mouthful, the chill making him gasp. The cold sensation traveled from his throat down to his stomach—so refreshing!

He squinted, savoring this brief pleasure. He knew well: in a few years, this flavor would be hard to find.

Eat one meal, earn one meal! Like a starving wolf descending the mountain, he swept through the entire street, sampling a little here and a little there. The oily sheen at the corner of his mouth was a badge of satisfaction.

After a day of indulgence, it was time to focus again. Before dawn, the dormitory echoed with Li Yifei’s buzzing voice reciting lessons. Deep into the night, his small lamp stubbornly burned bright, the tip of his pen scratching softly.

Life? It was all about doing exercises! The only break he allowed himself was the nightly 7 p.m. ritual of watching the news broadcast. That big world on the screen was his window to breathe.

This semester was nearly over; the countdown to the college entrance exam was flipping fast. Li Yifei understood that the last year was a test of comprehensive strength.

He began pushing himself: rising before dawn to run laps around the track; playing basketball and badminton with classmates during breaks, sweating profusely but never stopping! The body was the foundation—he had to train it hard and solid!

The more he studied, the more he felt handicapped without a phone or computer.

Before, strict school rules meant getting caught with a phone meant parents were called; plus, he was too busy to care.

Now, having emptied the library’s shelves and eased the pressure somewhat, the urge was too strong to resist.

When the thought struck, he acted immediately. First, he approached his homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang. “Mr. Wang, I’m planning to get myself a computer and a phone, so I’m here to apply,” Li Yifei pushed forward his well-worn textbook, Fundamentals of Computer Applications. “I’m really not buying these to play. Researching materials at internet cafes, watching news on TV—learning had no way in! Too inefficient! This thing,” he pointed to the computer in the book, “is essential for studying!”

Mr. Wang adjusted his glasses, glanced at the book, then at Li Yifei’s impressive report card, and nodded, “Alright… but you have to control yourself!”

Getting Mr. Wang’s approval was the first step. Li Yifei took a deep breath and knocked on the principal’s office door.

“Report!”

“Come in.”

Principal Jiang looked up from his files. Li Yifei stood straight and got straight to the point: “Principal, phones and computers are tools. Without them, efficiency is too low for research and news. I can control myself and use them only for serious work, and my grades are proof!”

Jiang leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the desk, his sharp eyes scanning Li Yifei’s face several times.

The boy’s eyes shone, his grades were solid. After a few seconds of silence, he said, “Alright, I’ll trust you this once.” His tone grew firm, “But trust can’t be abused! If you mess up, you bear the consequences!”

Li Yifei puffed out his chest, “Understood! I won’t disgrace No. 2 High School!”

The new phone and computer were heavy in his hands. The first call he made was home.

“Mom, it’s me, Xiaofei.”

“Xiaofei? Where did you get a phone? Did the school allow it? Are you tired? Have you eaten?” His mother’s voice was filled with surprise.

Li Yifei’s heart warmed as he reassured her. At the end, he casually mentioned what he ate that day: “By the way, Mom, I’ve earned some money writing articles—quite a bit. I’m thinking of buying a house in the county town this fall.”

Silence on the other end. Li Yifei could imagine his parents holding the receiver, stunned.

After a long pause, his father’s hoarse voice came: “Buy… buy a house? Xiaofei, is the article money enough?”

Li Yifei nodded softly.

More silence. His father took a deep breath: “Son… you’ve grown up. Your mother and I… support you. But this is a big matter. Wait until you come home for vacation. The three of us will sit down and think it through.”

Days flowed swiftly; summer vacation was near.

Principal Jiang had just stepped into his office, filled with the smell of smoke and old books, his briefcase not yet settled, when the landline rang loudly.

“Hello?”

“Ha ha ha! Old Jiang! It’s me, Old Yang! Congratulations! You’ve made it!” The laughter on the other end was deafening.

Jiang Wentao was puzzled. “Old Yang? What am I being congratulated for? Are you drunk?”

“Keep pretending! Keep pretending!” Old Yang laughed and scolded. “The whole county’s talking about it! Still playing coy? You promised to treat me big!” Click—the call ended.

Jiang gripped the receiver tightly. “What’s going on?”

That call was like opening the floodgates. For the next hour, the phone wouldn’t stop ringing.

“Jiang Principal! Congratulations! No. 2 High finally has its day in the sun!”

“Old Jiang! Well done! A hidden gem!”

Jiang Wentao grew anxious. “What’s the good news? Be clear!” The callers were all mysterious. “Alright, alright, Old Jiang, stop pretending!” Then hurriedly hung up.

Frustrated by the barrage of vague congratulations, Jiang paced in his office. “Something fishy! They’re messing with me!”

Just as his blood pressure rose and he considered going to the clinic—

Knock knock knock! Knock knock knock!

The door was hammered as if it might break apart!

Bang! The door was flung open! Leading teacher Zhang, smiling broadly, didn’t even step in before shouting loudly:

“Principal! It’s exploded! Li Yifei! Math and Physics competition! First in the entire province!!!”

“What?!” Jiang shot up from his old rattan chair, eyes wide. “First in the whole province?! Are you sure?!”

“Absolutely sure! Just got the notification!” Zhang slapped his thigh excitedly. “Our Yi Fei! Awesome! The scores are off the charts! Leaves second place miles behind!”

Jiang fell back into his chair with a heavy thud; the chair groaned.

He stared at Li Yifei’s perfect test paper on the desk, lips trembling. “I bet on him… really bet on him…” All those doubtful faces and sarcastic remarks from before… now? Those were wiped clean! This honor would keep No. 2 High tall and proud for years!

Before his smile could fade, the phone rang again. Jiang grabbed the receiver.

“Comrade Wentao? This is Old Chen from the Education Bureau.” The bureau chief’s voice was warm with a smile, “Congratulations! You brought glory to the county! Training Li Yifei deserves much credit! I’ll visit No. 2 High next week to summarize the experience!”

“Oh! Yes, yes! Thank you, Director! We welcome your guidance!” Jiang’s voice trembled.

After hanging up, he walked to the window. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled spots on the ground.

Downstairs, students were heading toward the teaching building. Jiang’s chest burned with pride.

He knew the good days for No. 2 High had arrived! That kid Li Yifei was truly going to carry the school to new heights! This golden path had only just begun!

Thinking this, Jiang’s lips curved upward, a smile even harder to suppress than an AK-47’s recoil.

Yet, Li Yifei himself had no idea just how much his status in Principal Jiang’s heart had risen.