Even Top Students Fail

Scholars on the Battlefield

The scorching June sun beat down as exam season arrived. Zhong High, the provincial key school, spared no expense for its students. For the past hundred days, they'd provided free eggs to boost brain power. On exam days, they went all out - air-conditioned luxury buses shuttled students to test sites, with complimentary water, milk, eggs and sausages at every turn. The school had thought of everything.

Like in her past life, Lilith took her exams at Zhong High. When Louis and Maria called nervously, she declined coming home. Some students preferred home comfort, but for Lilith, school was more convenient. Her house was far, and going back would only stress her parents.

After three grueling years of prep, it all came down to two days. Despite feeling prepared, Lilith barely slept the night before - but she wasn't alone. Jennifer, on the bunk below, tossed and turned half the night.

Yet when Lilith entered the exam room, a strange calm washed over her. Even her sweaty palms dried up. Her hard work had paid off - the first set of questions flowed smoothly.

Truth be told, even without past life memories, Lilith would've been fine. They'd done countless practice tests just like this. Weekly mocks, bi-weekly quizzes - it all blurred together. As she set down her pen after the English test on day two, Lilith exhaled. It was finally over.

Post-exam euphoria swept through the students. Some went wild, tossing study guides into the air. Jennifer, with a younger brother in high school, eagerly picked through Lilith's mountain of notes. Lilith watched, amused.

Those in the know understood handwritten notes were far more valuable than mass-produced guides. Lilith's notes were especially prized - even teachers had asked for copies.

But Lilith and Jennifer were close. As Jennifer put it, they'd "lived together" for two whole years.

After claiming two notebooks, Jennifer asked about Lilith's summer plans. It was early June, with most universities starting in September. They had three months of freedom ahead.

Jennifer felt confident about her exam performance. Her parents had promised her a trip if she did well, so she tried to convince Lilith to join. Lilith said she'd consider it, but had an important task first. Jennifer wasn't in a rush - between submitting preferences and waiting for acceptance letters, August would arrive soon enough.

As the classroom buzzed with excitement, their homeroom teacher Linda entered. Seeing the chaos, she simply smiled. She knew these kids needed to blow off steam after months of pressure.

When the commotion died down, Linda spoke: "Alright, settle down everyone. The college entrance exam is over. While we don't know the results yet, I believe you all did well. I hope you each get into your dream school. Remember to come back in two weeks to submit your university preferences. And for those who live far away, the school has agreed to let you stay until tomorrow morning."

Applause broke out as Linda finished. Though strict, she'd been a great teacher. As graduation loomed, bittersweet feelings mingled with excitement. Linda didn't linger, knowing her presence would dampen the mood.

As soon as she left, class president David stepped up. "Hey everyone, quiet down for a sec. Since we're not going home tonight, how about a farewell dinner? What do you think?"

Cheers erupted in response.

"Great, it's settled then. I'll book a restaurant now. Everyone get ready and meet at the school gate at 6 PM. Don't be late!"

David's dinner plan convinced even those planning to go home to stay. After the intense exam period, everyone wanted to relax - who wanted to go home to anxious parents pestering about test scores?

The classroom quickly emptied as students rushed to prepare. The girls especially were eager to wash up and change. After years of strict dress codes banning skirts and long hair, they were determined to look their best for this final gathering.

Zhong High's well-funded dorms had showers, with just four students per room. After bathing, Lilith and her roommates debated outfit choices. Despite wearing uniforms daily, what fashion-conscious girl didn't have a few nice dresses stashed away?

Lilith chose a pink sundress that made her fair skin glow like moonlight. Her roommates gushed over how stunning she looked.

"Our Lilith is so beautiful, I bet she'll get confessed to left and right tonight!" Barbara teased. It was tradition at these farewell dinners for secret crushes to finally be revealed. As the class beauty, Lilith was sure to have admirers.

Lilith's mind wandered for a moment before brightening. If she remembered correctly, David would confess to Jennifer in front of everyone tonight. The two would end up at the same university, with a whirlwind romance leading to marriage soon after graduation. Determined to help her friend shine, Lilith threw herself into styling Jennifer.

While Lilith was all soft curves and porcelain skin, Jennifer had striking features and a knockout figure usually hidden by their shapeless uniforms. In a fitted dress, her natural grace emerged.

"Lilith, let's get our hair done in a few days," Jennifer suggested. Like many girls, she dreamed of having long, flowing locks. Her natural curls tended to frizz, especially in front. Many girls started straightening their hair in middle school, but Zhong High's strict rules and their busy schedules had prevented it. Now, it was time to prioritize looking good.

"Sounds great, we'll go together sometime," Lilith agreed. All four roommates perked up at the idea. Even Lilith, whose hair was already quite smooth thanks to good genes and careful maintenance, looked forward to a bit of pampering. Once in college, she could finally grow it out.

The four girls, dressed up and giggling, headed to the school gate. Most of their classmates had already gathered. Together, they made their way to the restaurant. Many Zhong High students were out celebrating that night, packing nearby eateries. Luckily, David had booked early and snagged a large private room that could squeeze in all 40-plus of them.

The girls had clearly put effort into their appearances, and even the boys had ditched their uniforms, looking energetic and handsome.

Their homeroom teacher Linda stopped by briefly to share a toast and remind them to be safe before leaving. The school didn't officially approve of these gatherings, so other teachers stayed away.

Once Linda departed, the party truly began. Girls sipped fruit juice while boys chugged beer, eager to prove their manliness.

Liquid courage flowed, and confessions soon followed. Just as Jennifer predicted, several boys professed their feelings to Lilith and other girls, some boldly asking for contact information.

Zhong High strictly banned cell phones, but with everyone scattering to different universities, exchanging numbers suddenly seemed crucial.

Unlike her flustered reaction to William's confession before, Lilith handled these smoothly. She knew these boys weren't truly seeking relationships, but rather closure for their pure first loves. And none of them were William.

Yet despite multiple confessions, Lilith wasn't the night's main attraction. David's heartfelt declaration to Jennifer, hinting at attending the same university, stole the show. Their classmates whooped and hollered, chanting "Get together! Get together!"

The usually boisterous Jennifer blushed furiously, uncharacteristically shy as she endured the teasing. But Lilith knew her friend reciprocated David's feelings - why else would she stand there letting everyone make such a fuss?

Caught up in her best friend's happiness, Lilith joined in the chanting: "Say yes! Say yes!" As she cheered, she suddenly felt a burning gaze upon her. She looked up, startled to meet William's intense stare.