Chapter Three: A Flawless Performance

Examinations in English and Chinese have a distinct difference from other science subjects: the latter always test what has been taught in textbooks, while the former often include content that goes beyond the curriculum. For instance, Chinese exams may feature unfamiliar classical texts or reading comprehension passages to assess students' interpretive abilities, and English exams might present new vocabulary or grammar. At such moments, one must either rely on advanced study or exceptional comprehension skills; if only textbook material were tested, language exams would devolve into rote memorization.

Because these exams mix in numerous advanced and untaught topics, and because the essay question is so influenced by the subjective judgment of the grading teacher, it’s rare for anyone to achieve a perfect score in either Chinese or English.

Faced with such an English exam, Li Mu could confidently claim that he could pass it even with his eyes closed; with a bit of luck, he might score over 120. Soon, the loudspeaker in the corner of the classroom began broadcasting the English listening test, and Li Mu focused intently; listening questions were unforgiving—any missed or misheard answer could cost dearly. Once the listening part was mastered, the rest of the paper would be much easier.

For Li Mu at present, the listening portion of the college entrance English exam was so simple it could only be described as effortless. His spoken English might not be flawless or perfectly idiomatic, but years of diligent study and obsession with Hollywood films and American TV series had brought him to a level where he could watch English-language movies without needing subtitles.

Thus, when the listening section concluded, Li Mu mentally uttered, “Done!” The listening portion was worth thirty points, and he was absolutely certain of a perfect score.

Next, Li Mu tackled the single-choice questions. Out of 150 points, 115 were devoted to various types of multiple-choice questions, including listening, single-choice, cloze tests, and reading comprehension—categories that anyone who had taken college English exams would find elementary.

Unlike most middle-aged workers whose English skills deteriorate after graduation, Li Mu’s English had not only been preserved but had evolved into an essential skill, so his proficiency was at its peak.

After completing all 115 points' worth of multiple-choice questions, Li Mu felt that if he lost more than three points, he would be ashamed of himself.

Among the remaining 35 points, the 10-point short passage correction was a standard give-away, and the 25-point essay question had a distinctly contemporary flavor. In 2001, the people of Huaxia were focused on two events: Yan Jing’s successful Olympic bid and the national soccer team’s qualification, especially the former, which captivated the entire country. If memory served, the Olympic bid’s success came after the college entrance exam, so the essay topic was: “If you were a member of the Olympic bid team, how would you introduce Yan Jing’s Olympics to the world?”

Before mid-July 2001, Huaxia’s century-long Olympic dream was still just a dream. Li Mu simply drew on his future knowledge, succinctly expressing the burning passion and anticipation of the people for the Olympics, and offered a grand portrayal of an open Yan Jing, emphasizing its history, culture, inclusiveness, and development.

Finally, Li Mu even quoted the 2008 Olympic theme slogan—“One World, One Dream”—which would not be officially announced until 2005, claiming it as his own original phrase.

The two-hour English exam was completed by Li Mu in just one hour. While he was writing with his head down, the male teacher surnamed Wang kept his eyes fixed on Li Mu throughout, harboring resentment and hoping to catch him cheating or find any excuse to accuse him, so as to avenge the earlier slight.

Yet, after an hour of close scrutiny, the teacher was disappointed to see that Li Mu did nothing but answer the exam, his hands always on the desk—one supporting, one writing—and his eyes never leaving the paper even for a moment.

After finishing, Li Mu quickly checked his answers twice, and, satisfied that there were no issues, handed in his paper at one hour and fifteen minutes.

Li Mu had entered the exam room like a demon, silencing the troublesome proctor with a single retort, and then, after only seventy-five minutes, handed in his paper and walked out. To the other examinees, such confidence was truly breathtaking.

Li Mu was certain he had performed perfectly in this exam; a score of 120 was assured, though he would have to wait a few days to check the answers at school for a more accurate estimate—perhaps it would be even higher.

After leaving the exam room, Li Mu went to the restroom to wash his face. Though his clothes were still damp, his clean face made him look much less disheveled.

Outside, the rain had stopped. As he walked out of the teaching building of No. 5 High School, he suddenly slapped his forehead.

His bicycle was gone—most likely still at the accident site…

Without a bicycle, and in his current state, taking the bus would hardly be appropriate; it seemed he would have to take a taxi home.

Li Mu felt his pocket—luckily, he found a damp ten-yuan note. At least he could get home first.

Just as he stepped out of the school gate, ready to hail a taxi, a woman suddenly rushed towards him, visibly anxious. “Li Mu?”

Li Mu glanced sideways. She was an attractive woman in her early twenties. Upon closer look, he recognized her as Chen Wan, the driver who had hit him. How did she find him here?

“Are you alright?” Chen Wan’s anxious heart finally relaxed a bit as she exclaimed, “You ran off so fast earlier, so I went back to find your bicycle. Luckily, it had a license plate. I contacted your school administration and got your information, then rushed here to find you. The security guards wouldn’t let me in, and it nearly drove me mad!”

Li Mu was stunned. “My bicycle has a license plate?”

Still confused, Li Mu watched as Chen Wan took a plastic tag from her bag. It read: “Haizhou No. 1 High School no. 1307.”

Now he understood—this was the tag attached to his bicycle’s handlebar during high school. Back then, entry to the school and bike shed required this plate, which was registered with the school. It wasn’t difficult for Chen Wan to locate him at No. 1 High School using it.

“I’ve already called your parents’ workplace at Xiling Coal Mine. Why don’t you come with me to the hospital for a checkup?”

“There’s really no need, miss. I’m fine.”

“That’s not for you to decide—it’s up to the doctor!” Chen Wan’s expression was both concerned and anxious.

Since she insisted, Li Mu relented. “Alright, I’ll go to the hospital with my parents when they arrive.”

“How can that be?” Chen Wan replied immediately. “If something’s wrong, it can’t wait. I’ve told your parents I’d find you at the exam hall and take you to the hospital, and I left them my phone number. When they get to the city, they’ll call me.”

She continued, “Xiling Coal Mine is so far from the city, and transportation isn’t convenient—they won’t get here quickly.”

She was right. Li Mu’s parents worked at Xiling Coal Mine, over thirty kilometers away in the countryside. There were no taxis there, and at that time, national highways were in worse shape than county roads a decade later, so travel was slow. Their daily commute took over an hour.

Seeing Chen Wan’s determination, Li Mu realized she wouldn’t accept anything less than a hospital visit. He also wanted to use this opportunity to get to know her better, as he felt a deep gratitude towards her.

His family’s circumstances were modest. The coal mine where his parents worked had been in operation for decades and was nearly depleted, with workers constantly being laid off. His parents’ combined monthly income was just over a thousand yuan—an ordinary family at best.

After both parents were laid off at the end of the year, the family’s finances became strained. With only two hundred yuan a month in unemployment benefits, they had to take odd jobs wherever they could.

His parents kept their temporary work a secret from Li Mu when he first entered university. If not for Chen Wan’s financial support, Li Mu would never have finished his studies on his parents’ income alone.

No matter what, he owed her a debt he must repay.

Her untimely death came in 2015, so he still had more than ten years. The best way was to get to know her first and then gradually find a way to help her avoid the same fate.

“Alright, I’ll go to the hospital with you.”