Chapter 146

The night was quiet, the street deserted, not a single soul in sight.

After leaving the street where the factory was located and walking for a while, Summer finally broke the silence and asked Logan, "By the way, where do you live? Is it far from my alley?"

Logan casually replied, "Not too far."

Summer let out an "Oh" and then asked, "You're actually just trying to get a ride from me, aren't you?"

Logan was silent for a moment before admitting, "You're quite perceptive."

Summer laughed, "That's because I know you well."

Logan fell silent again. 

As they continued to ride through the night, Logan couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity and comfort. This feeling stemmed from many early mornings, noons, and evenings spent side by side with Summer, walking along rural paths to work, to the vegetable plots, and to the market with their cart. These memories flashed through his mind, calming him more than the night around him.

Logan asked, "Which college are you planning to apply to?"

It was a serious question, considering they would have to fill out their applications soon.

Summer, lacking confidence, responded, "I don't really have a plan. I'd be happy just getting into any college."

Logan, still pedaling, said, "I remember you saying you studied hard in school and your grades were always good. You also mentioned that you believed the college entrance exam would be reinstated, and you prepared for it diligently. Why are you so unsure now?"

Summer paused, reflecting on his words.

Indeed, she had studied hard and her grades had always been good, even if the school didn't focus much on test scores. She had been preparing since last March, mastering most of the material. Only some of the more difficult topics still gave her trouble. She had memorized many of the required texts and poems. 

Her preparation and accumulated knowledge far surpassed that of many other candidates, whose foundations were weaker or who had been out of school for too long and forgotten much.

Why was she so uncertain?

As Summer pondered this, she realized that her lack of confidence might be influenced by her environment over the past decade, as well as by the novel's plot she had been living through. In the novel, she was confident in areas that had been positively affirmed, like cooking and her hardworking nature. But in areas not explicitly praised, she lacked confidence.

Even though she had vowed to shine brightly, she hesitated to believe in her potential greatness, fearing ridicule.

But with Logan, she didn't fear being laughed at.

So, Summer said, "If I'm honest, I don't care which college it is, as long as it's the best."

Logan picked up on her deeper meaning and asked, "Why?"

Summer replied, "To shut up those who look down on me."

Logan, surprised, asked, "People look down on you?"

Summer nodded, "Plenty. Didn't you also look down on me before? Everyone at the camp could see how much you despised me, calling me a fool."

Logan cleared his throat, "Did I?"

Summer leaned forward, "Didn't you? Want me to imitate you?"

Logan quickly replied, "No need."

Summer let it go, not wanting to dwell on old grudges.

She then asked, "Which college do you plan to attend? You probably don't want to stay in the city, right?"

According to the original novel, he went to the south. The south developed first, allowing him to ride the wave of change.

Logan didn't answer, instead asking Summer, "What about you?"

Summer answered, "I'll stay in the city. My parents only have me, and I can't leave them alone."

They reached the alley near Summer's house, and Logan stopped his bike.

"I'll leave you here," he said.

Summer jumped off the bike.

As Logan dismounted, she pushed her bike and said, "Thanks for the study guide. I'll use it quickly and return it."

Before Logan could respond, she ran into the alley.

Logan stood there, watching her disappear into the darkness. He heard the faint sounds of a door opening and closing, then turned and walked away.

Walking alone in the night, the world seemed even quieter.

After a while, he chuckled to himself, the word "fool" popping into his mind.

He used to mock Summer as a fool.

Now, he thought, he had become one too, dazed and confused.

***

Once home, Summer wasted no time, quickly washing up and then sitting down to study.

She pulled out the study guide Logan had slipped into her backpack and flipped through it, organizing the information in her mind.

The more she read, the more confident she felt.

Considering the unusual circumstances this year, with many candidates having limited preparation time, the exam seemed likely to focus on basic knowledge and not be overly difficult.

Reassured, Summer copied some notes until she could no longer keep her eyes open. She yawned, put her materials away, and fell into bed, quickly drifting off.

As she lay there, she thought about Logan's actions and words from that night, her eyes suddenly opening wide with questions—what was he up to?

But as fatigue took over, her eyes slowly closed again. She decided to focus on the immediate task at hand: passing the exam.