diskusbooks Chapter 641 Victory Dumplings
Chapter 641 Victory Dumplings
Zhan Zixun and Zhang Xincheng were checking the pens and scratch paper needed for tomorrow's exam. There was a knock on the door of the classroom of Class 3, Grade 11.
Zhan Zixun and Zhang Xincheng were surprised when they received the dumplings from the security guard at the gatehouse.
"You two are really lucky to have such a good sister! She was worried about disturbing your studies, so before the holiday she specially asked me to bring you dumplings today. Dumplings are shaped like ingots, symbolizing 'abundant wealth' and 'a bright future.' I'm from Shandong, and in our Jiaodong region, we call these dumplings 'victory dumplings,' taking advantage of their auspicious meaning of 'a bountiful harvest and complete success,' symbolizing a smooth exam and a perfect result. The dumplings are filled with plenty of filling, signifying that the examinees are 'well-prepared,' symbolizing confidence and clear thinking in the exam room, resulting in excellent writing. Little students, the dumplings are here! Wishing you both excellent exam results, and may every bite bring good luck and a flood of inspiration!"
The gatekeeper, Zhao Hongbo, spoke eloquently to Zhan Zixun and Zhang Xincheng, who were holding lunchboxes in front of him.
The two were amazed by Uncle Zhao's eloquence and deeply moved by his heartwarming blessing.
The rain on the day of the college entrance examination was exceptionally long. The gray sky was like a tattered old cotton wadding. Water droplets fell from the clouds, splashing on the roads of Jin County. The rain streaked across the streets outside the examination hall, and the damp air was filled with tension and anticipation.
The examinees, holding umbrellas, hurried along, their figures both blurry and clear in the rainforest, like a silent ceremony.
Zhan Mengyan stood in a corner of the cannery workshop, her fingers mechanically twisting the can lids, but her gaze kept drifting to the window. The sound of rain hitting the glass stirred up ripples in her heart—her two older brothers were fighting in the rain, while she could only silently wait on this assembly line during her part-time job.
The work at the cannery was monotonous and repetitive. Tin cans were passed from hand to hand like cold chess pieces. Zhan Mengyan often drifted off, her thoughts wandering to the exam hall: Were her brothers doing well? Was her writing flowing smoothly? Her heart was filled with worry. Even the roar of the machinery became background noise.
For Zhan Mengyan, the three-day college entrance examination was a long countdown, with every second filled with anticipation.
Finally, the bell rang at noon, signaling the end of the last exam. The rain gradually subsided, a sliver of light appeared in the sky, and then the sun shone brightly.
Zhan Mengyan's part-time job also came to an end that day. Her movements as she packed her bags were slightly trembling—her backpack was stuffed with a change of clothes, her saved change, and 15 jin of flour, her proof of funds for heading to the exam hall to meet her brothers and share their joy. She had even prepared words of encouragement beforehand. A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips, as if victory was already in her grasp.
However, time always loves to play tricks. When she rushed to the examination hall, the streets were empty and quiet after the rain. There was no one at the entrance of the examination hall, only a few puddles reflecting the sunlight, as if paving the way for her. Her brothers were nowhere to be seen—they had gone straight home from the examination hall—they didn't know Zhan Mengyan had arrived.
Zhan Mengyan stood at the door, staring at the tightly closed gate. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment. Her backpack was also on her shoulder, heavy as an unspoken expectation. The cool breeze after the rain brushed against her cheeks, but it couldn't carry away the disappointment in her heart.
Zhan Mengyan's gaze shifted from eagerness to disappointment. The post-rain sunlight shone down with a refreshing light, but it couldn't illuminate the gloomy regret in her heart. She sighed softly, trying to soothe her disappointment.
The wait finally ended when the rain stopped, leaving a faint chill in the air. As she turned to walk home, a trail of undried rain remained behind her. Just like her feelings at that moment—damp, heavy, yet unknown to anyone.