Two days left until the countdown.

The secret had been kept inside Chu Tao’s heart all this time, and he and his brother had been peacefully reviewing for exams. Chu Tao was relieved that he hadn’t told Chu Xingning anything prematurely. At least during these two months of studying, his brother had been energetic and focused. Even Chu Tao himself felt more excited than nervous.

The weather had become scorching hot, and without air conditioning, he couldn’t even read a word. The atmosphere of the college entrance exams was getting closer, and even Yang Liu’s attitude had become much gentler. It seemed as if the whole school had begun treating them like graduates, and their connection to this place was slowly being peeled away. But they, still in the midst of it, hadn’t yet had the chance to feel any sadness about the impending farewell.

During the last night study session, no one could concentrate. The entire senior class was noisy, but this time, the ethics office didn’t intervene. Fang Sheng and Xu Yuan were tossing paper balls, sometimes missing and hitting Jiang She or Chu Tao instead. Every time Xu Yuan missed, Jiang She would give him a glare, and Fang Sheng would laugh mischievously.

Chu Tao closed his error notebook in frustration and turned to Jiang She. “Let’s go for a walk. It should be cooler outside now.”

Jiang She had also lost interest in studying, so the two of them left the classroom together.

When they reached the first-floor platform, they realized that it wasn’t really cool outside after all. Though the wind had picked up, it was still warm, as if they were wearing an extra layer of cotton. The air carried the damp scent of grass and trees, quickly making their skin feel clammy.

The warm lemon-yellow light illuminated the campus paths, and small bugs kept flying into the light bulbs. The thick, leafy branches of the trees swayed rhythmically, making a rustling sound.

Chu Tao hadn’t had the chance to relax and enjoy the campus night in a long time. He inhaled deeply and sighed, “Tomorrow’s the holiday, and the day after tomorrow is the exam.”

They weren’t the only ones out for a walk. Many students were wandering around the school, unable to concentrate. Luckily, it was getting darker, and no one could recognize each other. Even if they talked about sentimental things, they didn’t have to worry about embarrassment.

Jiang She wrapped his arms around Chu Tao from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder and speaking affectionately, “After the exams, let’s go traveling together.”

Chu Tao let him hold him, nodding in agreement. The weather was hot, and sticking together was uncomfortable, but Jiang She didn’t let go, and Chu Tao didn’t want him to either.

After standing quietly for a while, Jiang She lifted his head and, with his lips near Chu Tao’s cooling ear, suddenly said seriously, “It’s so good to have met you in the second year, baby.”

With everything aligning perfectly, Chu Tao thought Jiang She was just continuing with his usual sweet talk, so he replied, “It’s really good to have met you too.”

Jiang She smiled softly, his voice deep with emotion. “You’ve turned me from a good-for-nothing into what I am now. Luckily, I didn’t waste this year and a half.”

Chu Tao grasped Jiang She’s hand, leaning his head back and gazing at Jiang She’s profile. “Why are you suddenly being so sentimental?”

Jiang She gently squeezed Chu Tao’s hand, rubbing each inch with tenderness and seriousness.

Finally, he said earnestly, “Wait for me. I’ll definitely get into T University and find you.”

Jiang She’s mock exam results had consistently placed him in the top fifty, but he was still far from breaking into the top twenty, which was the threshold for reaching the top two. Chu Tao had struggled for two years to break into the top fifty before finally making progress, and Jiang She only had one more chance left.

But despite all this, Jiang She remained confident, his eyes showing no sign of doubt.

Chu Tao smiled slightly, his eyes narrowing as he whispered, “Okay.”

Two days of rest quickly passed, and the morning of June 7th finally arrived.

Song Mian hurriedly checked Chu Tao and Chu Xingning’s exam admission tickets, IDs, pens for filling in answer sheets, and carbon paper.

This routine was repeated three times within ten minutes, and after countless checks to ensure everything was packed, Song Mian began anxiously wiping the windowsills, urging Chu Jiangmin to start the car.

For this one college entrance exam, Song Mian was more nervous than Chu Tao and Chu Xingning combined.

The previous night, Chu Tao stayed up late due to his excitement. Although he didn’t feel tired at all now, Song Mian still made them each a cup of coffee.

Chu Tao helplessly said, “The first exam is Chinese. Chinese is probably the least likely subject to have any surprises.”

Song Mian immediately countered, “You can’t think like that. The more you underestimate it, the more likely something will go wrong. You need to treat every subject like your biggest enemy, tackle each one with all your effort, and double-check after you finish. Don’t forget about the answer sheet — make sure you don’t fill it in wrong.”

Once she started talking about the exam precautions, Song Mian went on and on, as if she wanted to pass on all the tips she had learned from the internet to her children.

Chu Tao couldn’t be bothered to argue. After breakfast, Chu Jiangmin drove him and Chu Xingning to the exam center.

However, the car couldn’t even get close to the school gate.

The roads leading to the school were completely blocked by cars delivering students for the college entrance exams, so Chu Tao and Chu Xingning had to get out of the car about a kilometer away and walk to the school.

Since they were taking exams in different buildings, when they reached the school gate, Chu Tao turned to Chu Xingning and said, “Brother, see you at T University.”

Both of them had set their sights on T University.

Chu Tao, influenced by the old professor, wanted to go to T University to meet him in person and hear his research firsthand. During this time, they had exchanged a few emails. The old professor had recovered and returned to his normal work. He strongly recommended Chu Tao to choose T University and spoke highly of the school, which left a lasting impression on Chu Tao, filling him with expectations for this unfamiliar school.

Chu Xingning’s dream was to join the Yao Class at T University. He had always wanted to stand at a higher place, surrounded by more outstanding people, and achieve extraordinary accomplishments.

Chu Xingning gently rubbed Chu Tao’s head. Although he was no longer taller than Chu Tao, he still had the demeanor of an older brother.

“Little brother, good luck.”

Chu Tao smiled, his eyes curving up in a daze.

After parting, Chu Tao and Chu Xingning walked in opposite directions.

For the first time, Chu Tao felt that the air on campus was sweet. When thinking about the future, all he could imagine was a bright, promising path.

However, as Chu Xingning turned around, his smile faded.

The phone he had left at home was relentlessly ringing, calling again and again, until the last bar of battery ran out.

The two days of the college entrance exam seemed long, but in reality, they passed in the blink of an eye.

On the afternoon after the English exam, the sky was still bright, and the clear blue sky was dotted with thick white clouds.

Chu Tao checked everything until the very last second, making sure he hadn’t missed anything. When the bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, everyone in the exam hall stopped writing. The college entrance exams were officially over.

As Chu Tao exited the exam hall, the entire crowd erupted into loud cheers and screams.

The satisfaction in Chu Tao’s heart almost overflowed, but he felt too shy to express it, so he could only quietly listen to others vent their emotions.

A large group of students poured out of the school, and the school gate became a chaotic mess.

Chu Tao was squeezed by the crowd all the way to the gate.

In the confusion, he couldn’t find Jiang She, nor could he find Chu Xingning.

There were so many unfamiliar faces in front of him.

Whether it was exhilaration, relaxation, frustration, or calmness, human emotions, desires, and tastes all exploded in full force at this moment.

Chu Jiangmin and Song Mian always parked the car in a fixed spot, so that Chu Tao and Chu Xingning could easily find them.

That spot was across the street, in front of a tutoring center. The car was parked not far from the school gate, so Song Mian could spot her two sons at a glance.

But Chu Tao wasn’t thinking about going to his parents yet. He was still waiting.

Squeezed by the crowd, he moved in different directions but couldn’t help craning his neck to search for that person.

Until a pair of strong arms wrapped tightly around him.

Chu Tao instinctively struggled, but when he suddenly smelled the familiar fragrance of hyacinth, his strength instantly faded.

Jiang She turned Chu Tao’s body toward him, lifted his chin, and forcefully kissed his lips.

Chu Tao quickly wrapped his arms around Jiang She’s neck, responding passionately to the kiss.

Pheromones spilled between them, the warmth of their skin slowly transferring through their hands. Their breathing became rapid and messy.

Chu Tao’s eyes reddened, softly whimpering as he met Jiang She’s demanding tongue.

Kissing at the school gate easily attracted attention from those around them, and some even excitedly whistled.

The surging crowd was inconspicuous, but in the midst of it, the couple passionately kissing was certainly out of place.

Perhaps Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin had already seen it, shocked and speechless.

But Chu Tao didn’t care.

He was free.