Chapter 11

As he emptied his schoolbag to help Dong Xue pack the books and exercises she needed to take home, Bian Xuedao stood there.

The two of them rode silently to the building where Dong Xue lived. Her home was on the 4th floor, and Bian Xuedao accompanied her to the 3rd floor, letting her carry the two schoolbags up by herself.

Afraid that Bian Xuedao would leave after dropping the schoolbags, Dong Xue told him to wait for her at the entrance of the building. Bian Xuedao thought she was going to return his schoolbag.

Dong Xue found an envelope from the back of her desk, then ran out of the house, claiming that she had forgotten to lock her car downstairs.

Returning the schoolbag to Bian Xuedao, Dong Xue took out the envelope from her pocket and handed it to him. Not knowing what was inside, Bian Xuedao did not take it.

Dong Xue grabbed Bian Xuedao's hand and placed the envelope in it, saying, "This is the 600 yuan I saved for the New Year. You must do something for Zhou Hang; this is a rare opportunity. If you don't need it, return it to me after the exam."

Without waiting for Bian Xuedao to speak, Dong Xue turned and ran up the stairs.

Bian Xuedao's heart, which had always been confident and adaptable, suddenly felt a tear.

After his rebirth, Bian Xuedao had a vague plan for his new life, knowing who he would meet, who he would walk with, and who he would hold hands with. Now, he found himself unsure of how to interact with Dong Xue, not knowing where to place this girl in his life. If they were to part ways after the college entrance exam like in his previous life, it would be a case of deep feelings but shallow destiny. But what if it was deep feelings and deep destiny? How could he repay this affection? What should he do?

On the way home by bike, Bian Xuedao alternated between thinking about Dong Xue and how to talk to his mother about money again.

When he got home, the lights in his parents' room were already off. Disappointed, Bian Xuedao returned to his room, where bread and milk were placed on the desk.

After lying on the bed for a while, Bian Xuedao sat at his desk to study, only to find a stack of money and a piece of paper under a book in the center of the desk.

The money was 1500 yuan.

The paper had a line written on it: "No matter what you want to do, I hope you think through the consequences before you act."

Putting the 2100 yuan together, Bian Xuedao calmed himself and began the final systematic review of key knowledge points before the exam.

On the morning of July 4th, Bian Xuedao did not go to school but studied at home until around 8:00. He then took the money and rode to the city's electronics street.

Several times in the internet cafe, after playing games, Zhou Hang would check his phone online. Zhou Hang liked phones, and Bian Xuedao found a way to appeal to him.

Bian Xuedao had thought about seeking help from Zhou Hang for a long time. As a middle-aged man who had been in society for over 10 years, he believed in friendship but trusted interests more. He felt that if he only used friendship to ask for help, it might work, but it would be like a charity, uncertain and unstable. For Bian Xuedao, the college entrance exam was a one-time deal, and he did not want to waste a year of his reborn life by retaking the exam, so he had to avoid uncertainty.

Therefore, he needed to turn the request into an exchange or a purchase.

Without much detailed examination, the 2001 mobile phone was too old for Bian Xuedao. After visiting three stores and finding that the prices were not much different, he spent 1160 yuan to buy an Ericsson T18sc.

He chose this model because it was relatively cheap and because Liu Dehua's advertisement was well-made. He believed Zhou Hang must have seen the ad: "Turn around, and you'll see that my heart is only for you."

After testing the phone, Bian Xuedao bought a SIM card at the store and topped it up with 50 yuan. He put the phone box in his schoolbag and rode back to school.

He waited in the bicycle shed for a while, and only when he heard the bell signaling the end of class did he head to the teaching building.

At the stairwell, he happened to see Zhou Hang coming down. Bian Xuedao pulled him to a small restaurant at the school gate.

It was not mealtime, so the owner, seeing that they were students, did not pay much attention and went to the kitchen to prepare for lunch.

Finding a table, the two of them sat down. Bian Xuedao handed his schoolbag to Zhou Hang, "Take a look, do you like this model?"

When Zhou Hang saw the phone box in the schoolbag, his eyes lit up. But he was unsure, so he opened the box, took out the phone, and caressed it a few times before putting it back.

"What's this for?"

Bian Xuedao moved his chair closer to Zhou Hang, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, "Help me out during the exam, bro!"

"How can you help? The invigilators are very strict, not like the usual mock exams."

Hearing this, Bian Xuedao leaned in, "I've checked our exam room; we're in the row by the window. You're in the third seat, and I'm in the fourth seat." Seeing Zhou Hang listening curiously, Bian Xuedao continued, "I don't need you to pass notes or look at your paper. Can you spin a pen?"

"I can," Zhou Hang nodded.

"Is pen spinning allowed in the exam room?" Bian Xuedao asked.

"The teacher hasn't said anything about it, so it should be fine," Zhou Hang replied.

"Can you spin it with your left hand?"

"I can."

"Good." Bian Xuedao took out a capped pen from his pocket and demonstrated to Zhou Hang...

The school bell rang, but neither of them moved.

After Bian Xuedao finished speaking, Zhou Hang looked at the pen on the table and touched the bag in his hand, not saying a word for a long time.

He was a very cautious and rational person.

Bian Xuedao was now certain that if he hadn't prepared the phone, it wouldn't have worked.

Seeing Zhou Hang's hesitation, Bian Xuedao gritted his teeth, "I'll answer the other subjects myself; you just need to give me the answers to the math multiple-choice questions."

The college entrance exam math section had 12 multiple-choice questions, each worth 5 points, totaling 60 points, which were crucial for Bian Xuedao.

Hearing that Bian Xuedao only needed the math multiple-choice answers, Zhou Hang's expression softened. He picked up the pen Bian Xuedao had just demonstrated, spun it a few times, and asked, "Is this right?"

"Yes," Bian Xuedao said, looking at Zhou Hang.

"Bro, no problem. I'll go back to the dorm first and return to the classroom after the next class." Zhou Hang asked the owner for a few newspapers, wrapped the phone box, and left.

Finally, it's done!

Bian Xuedao let out a long breath, picked up his empty schoolbag, and walked to the classroom.

Dong Xue had been keeping an eye on Bian Xuedao's seat. Seeing that he had just arrived and Zhou Hang was not in the classroom, she couldn't help but worry about Bian Xuedao.

During the break, Dong Xue sent Guo Dong away and quietly said to Bian Xuedao, "Why don't you go to Zhou Hang's dorm and look for him?"

Bian Xuedao handed the 600 yuan he had prepared for Dong Xue in an envelope, "Thank you, but I don't need it. I'll rely on myself. The college entrance exam is different from other exams; the risk is too high."

Dong Xue took the envelope, "Is it about your pride? Didn't we drink with him yesterday? He drank too. Don't think about pride now; at least ask him. If he agrees, great; if not, it's no big deal."

Looking at the girl who was so concerned about him, Bian Xuedao wanted to hug her tightly, tell her that he had already convinced Zhou Hang, tell her that he knew many of the big questions in the college entrance exam, and tell her that he knew the final score line.

However, Bian Xuedao controlled himself, smiled at Dong Xue, but said nothing.

In the fourth class of the morning, the subject teachers, as if they had agreed, entered the classroom one after another, encouraging the students and wishing them success in the college entrance exam and a bright future.

Seeing the strictest teacher in the past smiling and talking to everyone, apologizing, and wishing everyone a bright future, some emotionally sensitive students were already crying.

The teachers had already said that the afternoon would be a holiday.

Bian Xuedao packed the textbooks he had left at school into his schoolbag. As for the various exercise books and test papers, he did not take any.

Walking down the stairs with Dong Xue, Bian Xuedao asked her at the building entrance, "Do you need me to send you home today?"

Dong Xue said, "No, my dad is here to pick me up. You go home, and I wish you success in getting into a good university!"

Bian Xuedao smiled at her brightly, "I will, and you too."

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