Chapter 157: The One-Hundred-Day Countdown Rally

Today's Innovation High School was unlike any other day. As I walked through the campus, large banners were stretched everywhere. Whether above the cafeteria, on the teaching buildings, or even in the restrooms, various slogans could be seen—phrases like “Hanging by a beam, stabbing the thigh, heroic women wield brushes to write their lofty ambitions; burning the midnight oil, rising before dawn, men grasp pens to compose magnificent chapters,” “Ten years of hard study culminate in a decisive moment, bringing smiles of joy; years of toil determine fate in June, winning a brilliant future,” and “Sharing joys and hardships, striving from this moment; weathering storms together, success or failure hinges on this year.” Such slogans were abundant and unceasing.

Counting down, there were only a hundred days left until the college entrance exam. A hundred days could feel long or short, depending on one’s perspective. But for the senior students, these hundred days were fleeting. In a hundred days, they would enter the battlefield—not one of smoke and gunpowder, but a battlefield nonetheless where countless students would fight fiercely. At Innovation High School, there was a tradition: when there were exactly one hundred days left before the exam, the school held a "Hundred-Day Oath Ceremony" to boost the morale of the seniors and to wish them success in the upcoming test.

In classroom one, the class monitor, Liu Xiaoming, was handing out matching black jackets. On the front and back were printed the words “Struggle” and “Persevere.” He had ordered these online using class funds specifically for the oath ceremony. It wasn’t just their class—every senior class had prepared their own uniforms. Moreover, each class had composed its own oath for the occasion.

Lin Xudong was staring absentmindedly at a bright red flip calendar by the blackboard. The first page read “100 days,” marking the countdown to the exam. The next page said “99 days,” and so on. Every senior class had one of these flip calendars; students tore off a page each day, and when the last page was gone, the exam would be upon them.

“Hey, Doctor, what are you doing? Hurry up and put on your jacket. We’re about to head to the auditorium for the ceremony,” Wang Tao said, tapping the daydreaming Lin Xudong.

“Oh, right. I got distracted for a moment. I’ll change now,” Lin Xudong hurriedly grabbed his jacket and put it on.

“Aiya, how can you be so clumsy? I told you to turn the collar inside out, but why did you flip it the other way?” Tan Linlin scolded Xu Tong as she helped him fix his collar. Xu Tong just chuckled sheepishly, not daring to argue.

“Wang Yuqing, Xiao Lin, you two lead the class in reciting the oath later. Take it seriously—we have to outshine all the other classes. Especially you, Xiao Lin, don’t give me a cold and indifferent look. Your expression should be solemn but warm, with a smile. Got it? We’re the first class to go on stage. If you embarrass me, just wait and see how I deal with you later,” said the homeroom teacher, Old Yan, as he called Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing aside to give them instructions. Although the whole class would recite the oath together, each class needed leaders to guide the reading. Because Wang Yuqing and Xiao Lin had good reputations, Old Yan chose them to lead the line.

Xiao Lin nodded upon hearing the teacher’s words, then looked up and smiled faintly at Old Yan.

“Yes, keep that expression when you go on stage. Good job, Xiao Lin. Why do you always wear that cold face? Who are you trying to impress?” Old Yan nodded approvingly.

Xiao Lin smiled wryly. He wasn’t naturally indifferent; his coldness was a mask to conceal his inner pain.

At that moment, Old Yan suddenly noticed Yuan Weiye sneaking a look at his phone. Furious, he shouted, “Yuan Weiye! What time is it, and you’re still playing with your phone? Hand it over immediately!”

The sudden outburst startled Yuan Weiye, who was secretly texting Lin Anni. He hadn’t expected to be caught. Old Yan had long set the rule that phones were forbidden during school hours unless for special circumstances; violators faced confiscation.

Without mentioning how Old Yan disciplined Yuan Weiye, Xiao Lin glanced at Wang Yuqing quietly reciting the oath nearby. Wang Yuqing’s earnest expression made Xiao Lin feel a fleeting sense of disorientation. After hesitating, he moved his lips and asked, “Yuqing, I heard you and Gao Zheng are together now?”

“Huh? What… No, we’re just… just…” Wang Yuqing was caught off guard by Xiao Lin’s approach. It had been a long time since they had spoken. Yet, Xiao Lin’s question left her conflicted.

“Gao Zheng’s a good guy. I hope you two will be happy,” Xiao Lin said slowly, then turned and walked away.

Wang Yuqing watched Xiao Lin leave, stunned. She was about to explain their relationship but didn’t expect Xiao Lin to drop those words and walk off. Seeing him disappear into the distance, she felt unexpectedly aggrieved.

Xiao Lin stepped out of the classroom and leaned against a pillar in the corridor, gazing blankly at the distant sky. He clenched his hands tightly. They were together now; Yuqing could be happy. That was what he had always wished for. So why did his heart ache so deeply?

That day, after Gao Zheng left Yuqing’s uncle’s house, he excitedly called Xiao Lin to tell him they had made a promise to be together after the exam. In other words, Gao Zheng was now Yuqing’s official boyfriend. An “official” boyfriend, Xiao Lin thought bitterly—what’s the difference between that and a boyfriend?

“Attention, all senior classes, please proceed to the school auditorium immediately. The Hundred-Day Oath Ceremony is about to begin…” The school loudspeaker announced.

Xiao Lin rubbed his face, burying his pain deep inside, then strode toward the auditorium.

***

Inside the grand auditorium, a long banner hung across the stage, reading “Innovation High School 2014 Hundred-Day Oath Ceremony for the College Entrance Exam.” On either side of the banner hung tall vertical scrolls of blessing:

“Students, a hundred days of sprinting—reading by day, drilling math and science by night, mastering both domestic and foreign knowledge; diligence is the path through the mountain of books.”

“Teachers, every second counts—discussing history with ease, skillfully interpreting current affairs, linking past and present; the sea of learning is boundless, hardship is the boat.”

All sixteen senior classes had taken their assigned seats. Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing sat together for convenience when it was time to go on stage. Xiao Lin stared fixedly at the front podium, his face expressionless, showing no intention of speaking to Wang Yuqing. She wanted to explain their relationship but hesitated, uncertain how to begin after seeing his mood.

At that moment, the host took the microphone. “Everyone, please rise for the national anthem.” As the anthem echoed, the ceremony officially commenced.

Once the anthem ended, the principal tapped the microphone and cleared his throat. “Students, confidence creates miracles, struggle fulfills dreams. Fight hard for these hundred days—bring a miracle to the school and a future to yourselves…”

The principal’s talent for stirring the atmosphere was undeniable. From his speech onward, applause rang out continuously. Many students cheered, fired up and ready to give their all for the exam.

Following the principal were the vice principal, the senior grade director, and a teacher representative—none other than Old Yan. When Old Yan took the stage, the students applauded warmly at first, but as he began his usual speech, the applause died down. His repetitive theories wore down the audience, to the point that even the school leaders on the podium showed signs of impatience. Finally, a nearby teacher gently tapped Old Yan’s shoulder under the table, prompting him to conclude. From then on, Old Yan was never invited to speak at school events again.

The student representative was Chai Yuan, chosen because he had ranked first in the last major test.

***

After a long series of speeches, the highlight of the ceremony arrived.

“Now, please welcome Senior Class One to the stage to recite their hundred-day oath. Let’s give them a warm round of applause!”

At the host’s words, Class One rose and formed several lines to walk onto the stage. At the front of the auditorium was a large platform where each class would stand to take the oath.

The students arranged themselves as rehearsed, separating boys and girls. Xiao Lin stood at the front of the boys, Wang Yuqing at the front of the girls. As they stepped onto the stage, murmurs rippled through the audience.

“Wow, they look so good together. It’s such a shame they broke up,” a boy said, sighing.

“Hey, dude, don’t say that lightly. Haven’t you heard Yuqing’s dating Gao Zheng now?” another boy beside him chuckled.

“Really? I didn’t know that. Where’d you hear it?”

***

As the whispers swirled below, Xiao Lin slowly raised his right hand and solemnly declared, “Bearing our parents’ hopes, carrying the ideals in our hearts, we step into the hall of our dreams!”

As soon as he finished, Wang Yuqing followed with, “Rousing our fighting spirit, full of yearning, we approach the battleground of life’s examination!”

Then the entire class recited together:

“Ten years of cold nights and hard work have shattered walls; we express our individuality and unleash our dreams. A hundred days of sprinting to create brilliance; we set our youth free, our wills as strong as steel! Time flies—it seems only yesterday we stepped into this sacred place with hope in our hearts. Time rushes on, and today we stand swiftly at the doorstep of the college exam…”

Slowly and solemnly, the heavy, weighty oath echoed throughout the auditorium.

***

P.S.:

I struggled for a long time writing this chapter, but in the end, I decided to put it down as it is. I wanted to capture an authentic portrait of senior year life.