The halls of Grade 12-A no longer buzzed with carefree chatter; now every footstep resounded with purpose and anxiety. It was three weeks until the National College Entrance Examination—the moment of truth that would shape every student's future. In every corner of the school, pressure dripped like water from a leaky faucet, and teachers were more severe than ever.
That morning, as Su Jie walked into the classroom, a heavy tension was palpable. The final exams and college entrance tests loomed so large that even the chatter of lunchtime gossip seemed hushed. Today, Ms. Lin's voice was sharper and tinged with genuine concern.
"Good morning, class," Ms. Lin began as she stepped to the front, her gaze sweeping over a sea of focused faces. "As you know, the mid-semester exams are coming in just two weeks, and these internal tests will heavily influence the recommendations for the National College Entrance Exam."
There was a murmur among the students; each of them felt the weight of the moment.
Ms. Lin continued, "I want each of you to think carefully about your future. What is your dream university? Who among you aspires to attend Central Capital University—the top institution in our district? I expect you to commit fully, both in your studies and in your conduct."
She paused, letting her words sink in. "Your work now will decide more than just your grades—it will determine how you are seen when it's time for the college selection process. We are not here to take shortcuts. Every assignment, every revision, every late-night study session counts."
Su Jie listened intently. His own dreams had crystallized over the last few months. Not long ago, he had been nothing more than a forgotten presence, but now his name was mentioned in hushed tones across the class. At this moment, though, nothing was more important than focusing on the future.
After class, when the room finally emptied, Su Jie made his way to his usual seat by the window. He found Tang Rui already waiting there, her eyes fixed on a well-worn textbook. The soft light from outside painted her face with an almost otherworldly glow.
"Hey," she greeted quietly as he sat down beside her. "Ms. Lin really laid it on thick today, didn't she?"
Su Jie nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It feels like every moment counts now. Three weeks… it's both exciting and terrifying."
Tang Rui hesitated, then said, "I've been thinking… I want to try hard. Not just for the grades, but so that no one ever forgets who I am. I dream of going to Central Capital too; that's where the big leagues are."
Her words carried a mixture of determination and vulnerability. Su Jie's heart skipped. For the first time, the notion of college entrance wasn't just an impersonal exam—it was a shared dream, a beacon of hope shining through all the anxiety.
"Then let's promise each other," he said, reaching over and gently touching her hand. "We'll both give it everything we've got. If one of us stumbles, the other will help. Together, we'll make it."
Tang Rui's eyes softened as she squeezed his hand. "Deal," she murmured.
The day wore on, each class infused with an almost tangible urgency. In the corridor, students reviewed notes in hushed groups, their voices low as they debated formulas and essay outlines. Some even compared their chosen universities—the top choices that were now the subject of fierce determination and, for some, envy.
During a break, a group of students surrounded a small table near the lockers. "I heard Su Jie's notes and his game are getting popular," one whispered. "They say his work is so good that even the teachers are talking about it."
Another chimed in, "Yeah, but isn't it suspicious? How does someone go from being invisible to a hotshot overnight?"
The comment sparked a ripple of murmurs. Su Jie heard it all, but he kept his head low. Not that he minded; he had come too far to let petty jealousy knock him down.
Meanwhile, in the computer lab, Su Jie worked on finalizing his game project, Fragments of Regret. Even as the pressure of upcoming exams and college selections tightened, he found solace in the creative process. The game had evolved into more than just a side project—it was an extension of his own struggle for recognition. Its retro pixel art, intuitive UI, and an innovative "soul fragment" mechanic had drawn admiring comments from peers. It showcased the fundamental elements of game design: a clean flat UI, responsive hero banners, and interactive elements that balanced nostalgia with modern aesthetics.
Though he wasn't delving deep into technical jargon, his brief mentions of "UI/UX" and "responsive design" during casual conversations with classmates conveyed that he was serious about quality. When asked by a curious peer, Su Jie explained, "I'm just making sure the layout is user-friendly. I want people to feel the emotion of the game right from the start."
But as success began to shine through, dark clouds began to form.
Later that afternoon, during lunch, Chen Hao—the notorious school bully—stepped up in a huddle with a few snickering classmates. "I can't stand how this guy's suddenly the golden boy," he hissed. "It's not fair. He's nothing but a thief, borrowing success from someone else."
Chen Hao's eyes burned with envy. He picked up his phone and sent a quick message to his older brother, known around school for his underhanded skills. "Hey, can you take down Su Jie's game? Make sure no one remembers his name. Let's see how the punk handles losing his edge."
A low chuckle echoed from the other end of the line, and soon, Huang, Chen Hao's brother, began working his digital mischief.
Back in the quieter corners of the school library, Su Jie sat at a study desk, pen in hand. He rewrote his essay for the day—an assignment that he now saw as not just an academic hurdle, but a personal manifesto of resilience. As he worked, Tang Rui joined him, sitting at the adjacent desk.
"You're doing really well," she said softly, peeking at his scribbled margins filled with notes on both literature and life. "I know it must be hard with all this pressure."
Su Jie paused, glancing over. "Sometimes it feels like I'm fighting an entire world just to be seen as normal. But I keep writing, and coding, and selling my side hustle... because I can't let them define me."
She nodded, meeting his gaze. "I believe in you. No matter what they say, you're already winning in my book."
Her words, simple and sincere, were like a warm light cutting through the cold murmur of doubt that haunted him all day. Their hands brushed as she reached for a shared textbook, a fleeting touch that said more than any words could. In that brief connection, the looming pressure of the entrance exam and the bitter envy of others seemed to momentarily fade away.
That evening, Su Jie returned home with a mix of exhaustion and quiet triumph. Sitting at his desk in the small living room, he opened his laptop to review his progress. The game project files were neatly organized; his notes on UI/UX design and responsive layouts, though basic, hinted at a vision that was steadily taking shape. He also saw his saved copies of positive feedback from classmates and teachers—and, most importantly, the messages from Tang Rui affirming her belief in him.
A notification from the system flashed on his screen:
System 007: Progress Report
✔ Academic Preparation: Mid-semester review coming soon.✔ Vision Expansion: Game design fundamentals in place.★ Social Impact: Tang Rui's bond strengthening.★ Public Perception: Rumors rising; countermeasures in progress.★ Future Path: College Entrance ambitions solidifying.
Overall Mission Completion: 68%
Su Jie let out a slow, satisfied breath. It wasn't just about earning marks or accolades anymore—it was about proving to himself that he wasn't the invisible, forgotten Xu Jie. He was Su Jie—a rising force ready to carve his own destiny.
The countdown to the National College Entrance Examination had begun. Every class, every study session, every line of code brought him closer to that day. And as the shadows of envy and betrayal lurked in the background, Su Jie vowed to turn every accusation into fuel for his ascent.
He closed his laptop with a resolute finality. Outside, the school's lights glittered against the encroaching dusk, and somewhere among the whispers, a promise echoed—a promise that his story was just getting started.