The girl’s name was Sun Xiangxiang. She was a classmate of Xue Xing.

Normally, they barely spoke in class. Lately, however, she could only ever see him during lessons; he was nowhere to be found the rest of the time. So, as soon as class ended, she grabbed Guo Xiong by the sleeve to ask about Xue Xing’s whereabouts.

It was the budding admiration of a young girl, though she probably hadn’t realized it herself. All she knew was that she felt happy just being able to see him often at school. But with graduation approaching, the object of her affection was becoming harder and harder to find, and she finally couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Guo Xiong, let me ask you something. What’s going on with Xue Xing? Ever since he came back from his leave, he seems like a completely different person. He’s even cutting his meals short."

Guo Xiong was Xue Xing’s best friend, so asking him was the right move.

Guo Xiong gave Sun Xiangxiang a mysterious look and said, "You wouldn’t understand. This is a pact between men."

He looked proud, as if he and Xue Xing had agreed on something remarkable.

"What did you two agree on?" Sun Xiangxiang asked curiously.

Guo Xiong huffed, "Since it’s a pact between men, why does a girl like you need to know?"

His attitude was quite arrogant.

The next second, he was squealing for mercy. "I’ll talk, I’ll talk! Just let go!"

Sun Xiangxiang released the arm she had been twisting.

"Speak."

Guo Xiong blew on his reddened arm. "Xue Xing wants to get into Yanbei, and I want to get into a key university. We made a pact to see who can reach their goal in a year."

"I believe that Xue Xing can get into Yanbei, but you? A key university? If you can get into a key university, then I can get into Yanbei," Sun Xiangxiang said with disdain.

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe Guo Xiong. His grades were just too poor. With a score of just over 300, he would need to improve by almost fifty percent to get into a key university. If they were still first-years, he might have had a chance, but they were already seniors with limited time. Improving by a hundred points would already be a miracle.

A key university? Not unless his ancestors’ graves started emitting Qing Yan. Or perhaps he’d received a rebirth system. Sun Xiangxiang, naturally, wouldn’t believe such a fantasy.

"What if I really do get into a key university? What will you say then?"

Sun Xiangxiang’s eyes flickered. "If you really get in, then I can get into Yanbei."

"Alright, you said it. Don’t come crying to us when I get into a key university and you only make it into a vocational college."

"Hmph, I won’t! Just you wait!"

With that, Sun Xiangxiang ran off.

Guo Xiong pouted. "She says I can’t get into a key university? Her own scores are way off from what Yanbei requires," he muttered to himself.

Still, they were spirited young people. The minor upset was quickly forgotten, leaving only their fighting spirits high.

"Xue Xing!"

Xue Xing had just gotten his meal in the cafeteria and was heading to the library to eat. When he heard his name called, he turned and saw a girl running quickly toward him. The girl wore two braids, and her cheeks were flushed from running, making her look very cute.

"Xue Xing, I heard you’re aiming for Yanbei," Sun Xiangxiang said, running up to him and getting straight to the point.

She had already heard from Guo Xiong, but seeing Xue Xing, she couldn’t help but ask again.

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"I came to tell you that I’m aiming for Yanbei too!"

"Oh."

"What do you mean, ’oh’?"

"Well... I wish you every success."

Frustrated, Sun Xiangxiang snapped, "Xue Xing, you’re such an idiot!"

And just like that, she ran off again.

From the moment she appeared to the moment she left, less than a minute had passed.

Xue Xing stood there, utterly baffled.

"I’m not an idiot," he muttered to himself before continuing toward the library.

He didn’t want to waste a single second of the upcoming year. His older brother had once studied so hard he forgot to eat or sleep, and Xue Xing was determined to do the same.

In the following days at Hui City Number One High School, anyone who saw Xue Xing found him either reading a book or on his way to read one. At times, he even forgot to eat. He truly reached a state of neglecting food and sleep.

In just one week, he had become visibly thinner.

Watching him, Yang Zhaodi’s heart ached with worry.

"Xing Zai, maybe... maybe we shouldn’t aim for Yanbei."

Her child had been perfectly fine before, but now his cheeks were sunken, and his eyes had lost their usual luster. It was as if something had drained away all his vital energy.

"Mom, what are you talking about? Didn’t you always want me to get into Yanbei? Now that I’ve made up my mind, shouldn’t you be happy?"

"I do want you to get into Yanbei, but not at the cost of your health."

She had seen Xue Yang’s efforts firsthand, but she had also seen him work himself to the point of coughing up blood. That was precisely why she was so much more worried about Xue Xing’s health.

"Mom, I would never be reckless with my health. I feel like some big bone soup."

"Oh, alright. I’ll go make some right away."

Yang Zhaodi knew she couldn’t change her son’s mind. The only thing she could do was try to support him with good food.

Xue Yuanming had found a job at a large new-energy vehicle marketplace, and their family’s financial situation had recently improved. After some thought, Yang Zhaodi went to speak with him.

"Yuanming, I’d like to discuss something with you."

"Go ahead."

"Our son’s college entrance exam is approaching, and he’s been studying so hard he’s cutting into his sleep. I was thinking, since we as parents can’t help much right now, I could stay home and make nutritious meals for him. I’ll go back to work after he’s done with his exam."

It was clear that Yang Zhaodi had thought this through carefully. If she could help it, she wouldn’t want to stay idle at home and rely solely on her husband’s income. But right now, there was something more important, something that made her put aside her desire to work.

Xue Yuanming pondered for a moment. "Let’s do as you say. I’ll just work a bit harder for now. Once our son gets into Yanbei and graduates, our lives will get easier."

Yang Zhaodi thought so too.

She envied Xue Yang’s parents immensely. They could work if they wanted or stay home if they didn’t. They could even travel and never had to worry about money. At their age, they didn’t even have to look after grandchildren yet. They were truly winning at life. If she just endured for a little while, could she also retire early like them? The answer was yes, definitely.

With her husband’s support, Yang Zhaodi resigned from her job and dedicated herself to cooking for Xue Xing. She would prepare the meals at home and then deliver them to him at school.

"Mom, they have food at school. You don’t have to go to all this trouble. You still have to work, and I’d be worried about you running around like this. What would I do if something happened to you?"

"I’ve already resigned. From now on, I’m just going to focus on cooking for you. As long as you’re doing well, it’s all worth it."

"Mom, the school really does have a cafeteria..."

"I know, but it hurts me to see how thin you’ve become."

Xue Xing didn’t argue further, simply letting his mother bring him meals from then on.

「...」