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Chapter 18
When I returned, a banner had already been hung at the school gate.
It read: “Congratulations to Emily Anderson from Class 1, Grade 12 for becoming the top scorer in the college entrance exam!”
Below, a group of parents and students were pointing at the banner, clicking their tongues in admiration:
“Whose child is this? So impressive!”
“Emily Anderson, why does that name sound so familiar? Wasn’t she previously the top student in her grade…”
I squeezed through from the side wearing a hat, planning to show my admission letter to the teachers.
In the office, all the teachers were there, each with a beaming smile, looking at me like I was a panda.
The math teacher poured me a cup of tea and said kindly: “Are you hot? Quickly have some water!”
I handed over my admission letter and they took it one by one, clicking their tongues in admiration.
The history teacher took off his glasses, his face nearly pressed against it as he carefully read each word: “The Harvard admission letter really is different!” The teacher beside him joked: “Wilson, haven’t you seen a Harvard admission letter before?”
The history teacher laughed and cursed: “Damn it, I’ve never seen a Harvard letter for a bottom student. Emily Anderson, you’re truly a miracle. I’ll have something to brag about next year when I teach the next batch!”
I smiled and asked: “Teachers, where did Natalie Wilkinson and Jason Brooks get admitted?”
Unexpectedly, hearing my words, the expressions of the teachers changed. After a moment, the math teacher sighed:
“That child Natalie Wilkinson, her competitive drive is too strong. She insisted on Harvard and only filled out that one preference. We couldn’t stop her!
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“Ai, her parents didn’t know to advise her either. Her grades are good, but her performance this time was really borderline.
“With her score, she didn’t get in, but she won’t accept it and insists on repeating the year. No matter what we say, she won’t listen. Repeating a year is so tough, and she won’t be a fresh graduate anymore, sigh…”
“Jason Brooks… I forgot about Jason Brooks. Anyway, he also got into a top
university, seems pretty good too.”
They quickly tossed aside this topic.
“Hey Emily Anderson, in a few days our school is holding a motivational assembly. Your experience is so legendary, you must share it with your juniors and inspire them!”
I paused for a moment before smiling and agreeing.
Two days later, the field was already packed like sardines.
Perhaps because I had become so famous, many first–year high school students and parents came to see the legendary provincial top scorer in person. Most of the graduating class also came.
The crowd was dense and tightly packed, a scene not even seen at sports meets. I stood on stage as the principal introduced my accomplishments in detail, even
reading out each of my scores starting from when I was second–to–last.
Second–to–last in the grade, 236th, 118th, 34th, 2nd….
The rest were all 1st.
This visual underdog–to–top–dog experience moved everyone present! The whole crowd cheered!
I stood above, my heart filled with emotion.
I had nearly forgotten those days when I was at the bottom.
Once upon a time, I was a negative example. Back then, everyone detested and looked down on me.
I was just an ordinary person.
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I could be timid too. I would shrink back, be afraid, and regret.
I would cry uncontrollably and spend sleepless nights haunted by nightmares. But in the end, I gritted my teeth and persevered through it all.
Looking back, it all seems as unbelievable as a dream.
In less than two short years, my life underwent an earth–shattering change. There are too many people I need to thank. I need to thank my parents, Daniel Collins, and the teachers who didn’t look down on me.
But the one I should thank the most is myself who trudged alone through that dark period.
After enduring that desperate night, I finally arrived at the dawn of victory.
I picked up my speech draft and scanned the field, immediately spotting Natalie Wilkinson and Jason Brooks standing below.
I don’t know why they came. Perhaps they still couldn’t accept it.
Across the sea of people, our gazes met for an instant before I quickly looked away.
Natalie Wilkinson was just a small episode in my life.
Perhaps I should thank that episode too. Without that agonizing humiliation, there wouldn’t have been my later determination to excel.
But now, I no longer pay them any mind.
I left them far behind long ago.
The summer sun was too dazzling, yet not a single person left the field.
I unfolded my draft and shared my mental journey and study methods.
Finally, I looked at the packed crowd below and said in a deep voice:
“Fellow students, I hope you understand that studying isn’t everything, but it can provide us opportunities to choose.
“We don’t want to spend our whole lives only being chosen, walking a path where we have no other choice. Studying allows us to open higher doors.”
“Only then,” I gripped the microphone, “will we have the right to choose our own lives.”
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The entire field erupted in thunderous applause after a moment of silence. I gazed at the distant sky, a look of relief spreading across my face.
