Chapter 046: The Dreams of a Middle Schooler

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Living Again: Fulfilling Dreams Without Distraction [Second update delivered early, begging for recommendation votes!]

The greatest aspiration for a junior high student is nothing more than getting into a good high school. In the blink of an eye, Yang Tian and his friends were in their third year, and this question gradually became the central theme of their lives.

Upon entering their final year, the frequency of mock exams increased, and teachers’ exhortations grew ever more intense, tightening the students’ minds along with them.

Each of them harbored dreams, grand or modest, and now all believed that the only path to realizing those dreams was to get into high school—the better the high school, the closer they’d be to their ideals.

Chen Ming thought this way, as did Huang Juan and An Qi. Even the little troublemaker, Sun Hui, had become much more restrained and begun to bury his head in study.

Yang Tian, on his part, decided to calm himself and ponder his next steps. The journey of fulfilling his dreams in junior high had reached its most crucial moment. How should he pursue his own dreams and help Huang Juan and the others realize theirs?

When he first arrived at Victory Middle School, he had already mapped out his junior high years. For himself, his plan consisted of three points. First, to diligently study martial arts—ancient Chinese boxing, Taekwondo, Judo, and Sanda—but with a primary focus on boxing. Early on, this was to strengthen his body; later, it would serve to protect himself and those around him.

Second, to study. Beyond mastering the junior high curriculum, he had already reviewed the high school courses, and his English had returned to university level.

His purpose was singular: to achieve his dream of never falling behind.

Lastly, he wanted to help his family earn a little money. He was still in junior high; starting his own business and bringing prosperity to his family was unrealistic, with too many obstacles. Thus, he could only support Yang Bao and his wife in their path to wealth. The greenhouse vegetables were booming, and they had already gotten the hang of it. Though they hadn’t made a fortune, they were far more comfortable than before.

Now, only one dream remained: to get into a good high school, to give his family an account and make them proud.

This was not difficult for him at all—even if his aim was Binhai First High, it wouldn’t be an issue. The key was that he wanted to attend the same high school as Huang Juan, so as not to betray his original intention.

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“Have you decided which high school you want to apply to?” Yang Tian asked Huang Juan with a smile as self-study ended and they walked back to their dormitory.

He remembered from his previous life that Huang Juan had longed to get into Binhai First High, but unfortunately, she only managed to enter Binhai Second High. Yang Tian himself was bought into Binhai Second High by the Yang Bao couple.

Chen Ming was the same; he desperately wanted to attend First High, to prove himself and bring honor to his parents, but he too only got into Second High, as did An Qi.

“I really want to go to First High, but it seems hopeless. Our school ranks very low in the city, and few people ever make it to First High!” Huang Juan said helplessly. Victory Middle School was the best in Luohe Town, but across Binhai City, schools like Victory were as common as blades of grass.

Moreover, urban junior highs were superior to country schools like Victory in both faculty and teaching methods.

Binhai First High had limited enrollment every year, so if a student from a rural school managed to get in, it would be more inspiring than the legendary scholar passing the imperial exam.

“Believe in yourself, and you can do it!” Yang Tian naturally stepped in front of Huang Juan, placed his hands on her shoulders, and encouraged her.

His own goal was now firm: to get into Binhai First High, and to help Huang Juan get in as well. He would tutor her, and their junior high dream would be played out together.

“Yes, let's work hard together!” Huang Juan was momentarily stunned, then smiled confidently. Two dimples bloomed on her cheeks, charming as water.

Back at the dorm, Yang Tian found the other students already asleep, exhausted from a day of intense study. Only Chen Ming still clung to his history book, concentrating as he recited.

“Still at it?” Yang Tian put down his bag, grabbed a pack of crispy noodles, munching as he climbed onto Chen Ming’s bed. During class, Chen Ming had been reading this seventh-grade history book—the section on Ancient China. If Yang Tian remembered correctly, Chen Ming had already read it four times.

“From 230 BC to 221 BC, King Ying Zheng of Qin successively destroyed the six states, establishing the first unified, centralized feudal state in Chinese history—the Qin Dynasty, with its capital at Xianyang… Ugh, less than a year left before the entrance exam. I'm anxious!” Chen Ming recited loudly, then sighed.

“Can you remember which page this content is on in the book?” Yang Tian asked with a smile.

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“Of course. Pages 41 to 42—the establishment of Qin Shi Huang’s centralized system! I’ve read it four times. I might not remember all the significance or reforms, but I know exactly where everything is in the book!” Chen Ming grabbed a handful of crispy noodles from Yang Tian and popped them in his mouth, then continued reading.

“That’s enough. You don’t need to study history anymore, nor politics. Spend your time on math, English, and science problems instead!” Yang Tian deftly dodged Chen Ming’s history book, smiling sincerely.

“Why? I haven’t memorized it yet!” Chen Ming was puzzled.

“Trust me! This year’s entrance exam will combine politics and history into one paper, and it will be open-book. Just remember where everything is—that’s enough. Focus on language, math, English, and science to boost efficiency and your overall score!” Yang Tian leaned close to Chen Ming’s ear and whispered.

In 1997, Binhai City, as a national pilot, implemented a combined politics-history paper for the entrance exam, and it was open-book. Though word had spread through all the city’s junior highs, no one dared rely on it before the official syllabus was released; it was a groundbreaking reform.

The syllabus wouldn’t arrive until March next year, so everyone could only treat it as a rumor.

But Yang Tian knew it was true. If they waited until the syllabus came out to adjust their focus, it would be too late to change the outcome. However, if Chen Ming began targeted review now, with his diligence, getting into Binhai First High wouldn’t be too difficult.

“Yang Tian, you’re actually trusting rumors now?” Chen Ming was momentarily stunned, then grinned.

“This isn’t a rumor—it’s the truth. If you want to get into Binhai First High, trust me one more time!” Yang Tian lowered his voice; he didn’t want too many people to know about this early advantage.

“Alright!” Chen Ming gazed at Yang Tian for a moment before nodding firmly. When he first entered junior high, he had avoided humiliation in the placement test thanks to Yang Tian’s advice—something he never forgot. He believed in Yang Tian. Somehow, he always felt that Yang Tian was like a weather vane; with him, he would never lose his way.