Chapter 15: Unexpected Connections and Future Aspirations

The desk-writing incident ultimately faded without resolution. It seemed the school authorities had identified the culprit by reviewing surveillance footage, but they handled the matter discreetly to protect student privacy.

Nevertheless, Lin Duo never again encountered any malicious acts directed at her.

The monotonous and repetitive class schedule made every day at school feel somewhat familiar.

In the blink of an eye, it was early October, and the first monthly exam for the ninth-grade division of Gutang Middle School began. The results were progressively announced two days later, with all students in the grade ranked by their total scores on a large notice posted near each classroom’s blackboard.

Although Lin Duo was eager to know her ranking, the crowd in front of the notice board was overwhelming. Being someone who disliked bustling scenes, she decided to check later when fewer people were around.

To her surprise, Wang Linshu, who had always shown concern for her, proactively informed her upon his return: “You’re ranked 49th in the grade! That’s amazing!”

Gutang Middle School’s ninth-grade division consisted of ten classes, each with over fifty students, totaling more than five hundred. Ranking within the top ten percent was indeed a commendable achievement.

While Lin Duo wasn’t entirely satisfied with her ranking, she expressed gratitude for Wang Linshu’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you for checking my score for me. I don’t really like crowded places.”

“No… no problem… we’re classmates,” Wang Linshu stammered, his inexplicable nervousness returning. “By the way, Lin Duo, which high school are you aiming for?”

“High school, huh… Currently, I’m hoping to get into Nanli Affiliated High School.”

Lin Duo had one primary reason for setting her sights on Nanli Affiliated High School: it was the closest key municipal high school to the fruit store, a mere 20-minute bus ride away, allowing her to continue commuting daily.

If she were to attend a high school too far away, she would most likely have to board. Given her current situation, she would naturally be placed in a girls’ dormitory, and the inherent risks were self-evident.

“Nanli Affiliated High School, huh… That would mean roughly a top 25 ranking in the grade, wouldn’t it? You have a pretty good chance.” At this, Wang Linshu suddenly seemed to give up on himself. “Sigh, I’m not good enough. For the past two years, my exam scores have generally hovered around the 100th mark in the grade. Getting into a district key high school would be enough, but aspiring to a municipal key high school like that is just too much to hope for.”

“You can’t say that!” Lin Duo’s expression was uncharacteristically stern. “There are still more than eight months until the high school entrance exam; there’s plenty of time to work hard! Your parents and family must have high hopes for you, too, right? How can you give up so early?”

Hearing these words, Wang Linshu’s eyes lit up. “You really think so?”

“Of course! I think you’re quite clever. You complete math tests incredibly fast and score high. It’s just that you don’t pay much attention to English and Chinese, often looking sleepy in class.”

Lin Duo had, after all, been Wang Linshu’s deskmate for a month and had observed him to some extent. “As long as you dedicate more time to these weaker areas, your grades will definitely improve significantly!”

Wang Linshu’s eyes grew even brighter. “You really think that? All right then, starting today, I’ll diligently study English and Chinese! I’ll strive to get into Nanli Affiliated High School with you!”

“That’s great! Having a friend when we start high school will certainly make everything much easier!” Lin Duo flashed a wide smile. “You’ve got this!”

Lin Duo always looked lovely when she smiled.

Wang Linshu secretly clenched his fists.

****

Lin Duo typically arrived home from school around 5:30 PM. As this coincided with the evening rush hour, the fruit store would be bustling.

Lin Duo usually chose to put down her schoolbag and help with the shop’s business, only retreating to her upstairs bedroom to do homework after 7 PM when things quieted down.

On weekends, when she didn’t have school, there was often another small peak in customer traffic, and Lin Duo would similarly lend a hand during busy periods.

On Saturday noon this week, Lin Duo finished a set of practice papers and felt a slight headache. Deciding to take a break, she came downstairs to help with the business, allowing her adoptive parents to rest a little.

Lin Duo had been working at the fruit store for some time. Because she was diligent and possessed a sweet demeanor, many regular customers had grown fond of her, sometimes greeting her and inquiring about her recent well-being.

Under her adoptive parents’ guidance, Lin Duo always upheld the tradition of greeting customers with a smile. After all, the fruit business was partly a service industry, relying on the nearby residential community for its livelihood and thriving on repeat customers.

Furthermore, Lin Duo was well aware that her school expenses were considerable. Her adoptive parents, being older, had initially planned to hire an assistant to ease their workload, but this plan was canceled due to having an adopted daughter.

Lin Duo saw all of this, which was why she genuinely hoped the store’s business would improve, ensuring her adoptive parents could be happier every day.

Around five in the afternoon, a somewhat familiar old man, fanning himself with a large palm-leaf fan, walked into the store. “Where’s Xiao Yue? Is he resting?”

“Uncle Wang, we had a lot of customers this morning, so Dad and Mom just went upstairs to rest,” Lin Duo politely stepped forward to greet him.

Lin Duo already knew Uncle Wang’s identity. His full name was Wang Desheng, and he had been in the fruit business for over forty years, serving as a boss for thirty of them. He had taken on many apprentices, and Lin Duo’s adoptive father, Yue Renhui, was one of them.

Later, when Yue Renhui had mastered the trade and wanted to open his own shop, Uncle Wang provided considerable support. Because of this, Yue Renhui always treated him with great reverence, observing the etiquette of a disciple.

Seeing Lin Duo about to go upstairs, Wang Desheng quickly called out to her. “Never mind, never mind. This business is quite tiring, and rest is precious. I just stopped by while passing; don’t bother waking them. By the way, how are your studies going?”

Lin Duo stood respectfully before him. “It’s largely thanks to your guidance and help, Uncle Wang.”

Wang Desheng impatiently waved a hand. “I merely pointed him in the right direction; you don’t need to be so polite. Speaking of which, my good-for-nothing grandson is also in the ninth grade at Gutang Middle School. Lately, he’s been possessed by some strange obsession, insisting on getting into that Nanli Affiliated High School. He studies incredibly hard every night when he gets home.”

“Grandson? Nanli Affiliated High School?” Lin Duo paused, slightly stunned. Connecting this with the relatively uncommon surname ‘Wang,’ a suspicion immediately formed. “Could your grandson be Wang Linshu?”

Wang Desheng looked a little surprised. “How did you know that? Don’t tell me you two are in the same class? Haha, what a coincidence! Out of ten classes, you managed to end up together.”

Lin Duo quickly added, “Not just classmates, we’re deskmates too!”

“Deskmates? Hahahaha!” Wang Desheng burst into hearty laughter. “What a truly astonishing coincidence in this world—my own grandson is deskmates with my apprentice’s adopted daughter! As it happens, that boy has always struggled with Chinese and English, never really bothering with them before. He’s only just started to change his ways. Since you’re his deskmate, please help him out whenever you can, or perhaps come visit my home during a holiday.”

After chatting casually for a few more minutes, Wang Desheng, still fanning himself, departed from the shop.

Her adoptive father had once told Lin Duo that Uncle Wang’s subsequent business ventures had become massive; he was a major shareholder in several large municipal fruit supermarkets. However, as he aged and his energy declined, he simply transferred all operations to his son, while he himself spent his days strolling around, incidentally supervising his beloved and only grandson’s studies.

Lin Duo had always held a good impression of Uncle Wang. She mused, ‘Since my deskmate is Uncle Wang’s grandson, perhaps I should be a little more polite to him?’