Chapter 91: Life is hard to get drunk once (01)

  Unconsciously, this semester is quietly passing away. Like the spring breeze that turns the earth green, and like the autumn wind that sweeps away the yellow leaves, everything is so unintentional. However, they are all inevitable facts: the passage of time, which no one can stop.

  This semester is about to pass, and for Chen Haonan and many others, it means truly stepping into the gates of senior three: the dark months are about to unfold! In the past, I often heard seniors say how terrifying senior three was, scaring many people so much that they were frightened. But now that I'm really standing at the starting line of senior three, it seems so calm, and the fear and dread from before have quietly disappeared.

  Today is the last day before summer vacation. From yesterday morning, the school has been holding the final exams for the second year of high school. After a day and a half of fighting with the sea of questions, by this noon, five subjects have already been taken, which means that after finishing the last subject in the afternoon, these guys will be liberated.

  It's now 1:45 pm, and there are only 15 minutes left before the final exam. After lunch, Chen Haonan went back to his dormitory to pack his luggage, which took over an hour. When he finished packing, he took out his watch and saw that it was already 1:45. He calmly closed the door of his dormitory. Since the last exam is geography, which is Chen Haonan's strongest subject, he didn't feel anxious at all. As he walked slowly to the exam room, he even started guessing what questions would be on the test...

  The classroom was in an uproar, probably because the final exams were about to be over. Many people were excited and chasing each other around the room, occasionally shouting out loud. Of course, there were also some students who were seriously studying their books, hoping to memorize something - preferably answers to questions that would be on the upcoming exam. However, some guys and girls were also racing against time, frantically copying notes onto small pieces of paper in preparation for the "occasional need" during the exam, with an attitude of trying to get as many points as possible. Due to their nervousness and excitement, they were truly "sweating like rain".

  Soon, the bell for the start of the exam rang out, and classmates quickly returned to their seats. The students of Class 3 of Liberal Arts were arranged in two examination rooms, which means that about half of the people were in another classroom, so the whole room looked more empty.

  Before long, two invigilating teachers walked into the classroom. Chen Haonan recognized one of them, whose surname was Ding, who was of medium height and slender build, and whom students behind his back commonly referred to as "Little Nail". He had taught geography in Chen Haonan's previous class 211, did things carelessly, often lost or misplaced things, and made many jokes - now he was the head teacher of the neighboring liberal arts class 2, of course, still teaching geography.

  "Little Nail" teacher walked into the classroom with a smile, causing everyone to burst out laughing. However, before the laughter had even stopped, Mr. Ding immediately began to sternly lecture about exam discipline, his tone leaving no room for doubt. As he spoke, he quickly scanned the room and confiscated several geography books or materials that were hidden under students' buttocks. Those unfortunate boys and girls glared with wide eyes, gritting their teeth in anger.

  Haha, it seems that "Little Nail" teacher is going all out this time! Actually, this kind of thing is not surprising at all. Since the school will be evaluating the results of the final exam and awarding bonuses to teachers whose subjects perform well, with even bigger rewards for class directors who do exceptionally well in overall evaluations. This test just so happens to be on geography, which "Little Nail" teacher teaches, and he's also the director of the neighboring liberal arts class 2 - how could he not supervise the exam strictly? The bonus is a matter of personal interest - it seems that even the most careless person has times when they are crystal clear!

  Another invigilating teacher was somewhat bald and looked over 40 years old. Chen Haonan seemed to have never seen him before. However, as soon as he entered the classroom, he moved a stool to sit at the back door, leaning his entire body against the doorpost with his eyes half-closed, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

  Looking at the two teachers who were like living treasures, Chen Haonan couldn't help but almost burst out laughing. Fortunately, the test papers were quickly distributed, and as he uncapped his pen, he began to work on the questions. Soon, his heart completely calmed down...

  About an hour later, Chen Haonan finished the entire test paper. He quickly filled in the answers to the multiple-choice questions on the answer sheet. After finishing filling in, he carefully checked it again.

  Before long, Chen Haonan finished checking. At this time, someone had already handed in their paper. Chen Haonan then calmly reviewed the test paper from start to finish again, feeling that it was almost done, and he immediately packed up his things and handed in his paper as well.

  At the moment he walked out of the classroom, Chen Haonan couldn't help but turn his head back, and just caught a glimpse of Zhang Xiaofei, the short kid in class, seriously copying from a small piece of paper, that guy was copying while covering his mouth and secretly laughing...

  "Hey! This is what they call an 'exam'!" Chen Haonan couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

  As soon as Chen Haonan ran out of the examination room, he rushed out of the teaching building. Suddenly, he found that there were many unfamiliar faces in the campus, except for a few people who were dressed neatly and had shiny hair, most of them were wearing simple clothes, with messy hair, and even some people were still wearing slippers, with mud all over their feet.

  Seeing some people among them carrying bamboo poles and flat baskets or large woven bags, Chen Haonan knew that these people were all parents of students who had come to carry their children's luggage. In rural families, these elders are the pillars of the family, and they work hard for their children without complaint... Unconsciously, Chen Haonan slowed down his pace, looking at these strange yet familiar faces, he felt very close - unintentionally, he thought of someone, vaguely, a familiar face appeared in his mind.

  It's been almost a year since Father passed away, and Chen Haonan has thought of him countless times on sleepless nights. Father was the epitome of rural fathers everywhere - simple, hardworking, honest, and kind-hearted, with not a single bad intention in his bones. Although he didn't read much, he was never reckless, and when educating his children, he always spoke reason, rarely resorting to physical punishment. Chen Haonan remembered clearly that on winter days, Father would often wear a grey cotton-padded jacket, even though the family had plenty of clothes by then, but he just wouldn't change into something better unless they were going out. Many times, Chen Haonan and his sister would shout at Father to take off that ugly grey jacket, but Father would just pinch their noses, chuckle, and say: "It's okay, good clothes or old clothes are all the same, sometimes people just need to be simple..."

  Thinking of these, looking at the silly fathers of the same age next to him, Chen Haonan felt much closer. Yes, most fathers in the world are the same, they love their families and children, using their own backs to support a sunny sky for their wives and children - however, the father is gone, forever gone - Chen Haonan's heart suddenly surged with wave after wave of sorrow.

  "Hey! Haonan! What are you standing here for, all alone and spaced out?" Someone suddenly patted Chen Haonan on the back.

  "Oh, Donglin, it's you!" Chen Haonan turned his head to see that it was his iron brother Li Donglin, and his heart couldn't help but feel a little happy. Li Donglin's home was just diagonally across from the school gate, and Chen Haonan had made an appointment with him yesterday to come over and help carry some luggage back to his place.

  "What's wrong, something on your mind?" Li Donglin seemed to have sensed something.

  "It's nothing, it's nothing. I just saw so many parents helping their kids with luggage and bedding, and suddenly thought of my dad..." For Li Donglin, Chen Haonan had always felt that there was no need to hide anything from him. Li Donglin was the same way, he and Chen Haonan had always been straightforward and unreserved, saying whatever came to mind - their close relationship was almost telepathic.

  "Hey, don't think too much!" Li Donglin's hand patted Chen Haonan's shoulder, comforting him. "Your dad has already passed away, it's an irreversible fact, so don't be too sad. Thinking too much will confuse your mind. Besides, you still have your mom, sister, and many relatives - of course, you also have me as a good brother!" He said with a gentle smile.

  "Right! And I have you, my good brother!" Chen Haonan's eyes were filled with gratitude. He was really grateful to the heavens for giving him such a good friend. "We two stinky craftsmen are lifelong good brothers. Even when we're old and grey, we'll still be good brothers!"

  "Of course! When I'm old and can't walk anymore, you'll have to support your old brother!"

  "Haha, no problem, absolutely no problem!"

  "I'll remember this, don't think you can just run away from me when the time comes... Haha..."

  "I guarantee it won't run away, absolutely, absolutely won't run away!..."

  "By the way, Haonan, how did you do on your exams these past two days?" Li Donglin asked with a faint smile.

  "It's okay, maybe it's just a little bit of English... how about you?"

  "I'm almost the same, my English is also very poor - you know that too!" Li Donglin smiled and shook his head.

  "Haha, these two old buddies have finally come to an agreement!"

  "Haha, that's interesting!" Li Donglin laughed and patted Chen Haonan's shoulder again, "But we can't always let 'English' torture us like this! I plan to work hard this summer vacation and strive to improve my English grades... Who knows, one day I, Li Donglin, might become an English expert too! —— Think about it, how cool would that be!"

  "This is a great idea - I don't want to fall behind!" Chen Haonan said, and he and Li Donglin started bumping shoulders with each other. The two of them walked along the road, laughing loudly and playfully, making the passing students and parents laugh too, following their "heh heh" laughter.