Summer, 1993.
Jinan’s summer was dry and scorching, with heat waves assaulting the senses.
Vendors selling griddle cakes took advantage of the morning coolness, cycling through neighborhoods. The morning market along the moat was lined with stalls, their overlapping cries lending this ancient northern city a touch of vibrant life.
Lin Xiyu pedaled past the morning market with her backpack, casually buying a fried dough stick to munch on as breakfast, chewing with relish.
“Someone’s fallen into the water!”
“Help! Somebody help!”
Not far ahead, screeching brakes suddenly sounded as a mother and child on a bicycle were struck by a car and thrown into the river.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Xiyu dashed forward in one breath, tossed her backpack aside, vaulted over the railing, and plunged into the water.
The summer moat flowed gently, its clear water allowing perfect visibility even underwater.
She first swam toward the drowning child, grabbed its clothing, and dragged it back to the riverbank.
By then, quite a crowd had gathered along the shore. Helpful bystanders leaned over the railing, stretching their arms to help pull the child up.
Seeing the child was safe, she breathed a sigh of relief, pushed hard against the stone embankment with her feet, and dove underwater again, swimming toward the submerged woman.
The woman couldn’t swim, had struggled and choked on several mouthfuls of water, then sank to the bottom.
It took considerable effort for Lin Xiyu to lift her out of the water.
The girl’s skin was luminous and fair, her delicate face streaked with water droplets. Under the morning sunlight, she resembled a lotus emerging from water, radiating a captivating glow.
The waiting crowd on the shore, who had been watching anxiously, erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
Amid the encouraging shouts from the helpful onlookers, Lin Xiyu took a deep breath and dragged the woman back to the riverbank.
The woman had been submerged too long and fell unconscious after being brought ashore.
Chaos erupted along the riverbank. Some ran to nearby public phone booths to call an ambulance.
Others performed chest compressions, providing emergency first aid on the spot.
More people were berating the driver, their overlapping curses raining down upon him.
Lin Xiyu, rushing to get to school for an exam, paid no attention to the commotion. Sopping wet, she climbed up the bank, retrieved her backpack, mounted her bicycle, and rode off as if stepping on Wind Fire Wheels, disappearing like the wind.
Little did she know that a local television reporter happened to be nearby and had recorded the entire rescue.
Jinan No. 7 High School.
The final day of the college entrance exams. Students filled with hopes for their futures, spirits high, entered the examination hall in orderly sequence.
The proctors from No. 7 High School stationed at the school gate periodically checked their watches, waiting for exactly eight o’clock to close the gates.
As the minutes ticked toward eight, the teacher’s gaze fixed on his watch, his expression growing increasingly solemn and stern.
At exactly eight o’clock, a piercing bell rang through the campus. At the proctor’s command, the school gates began slowly closing from both sides toward the center.
“Wait! Let me in!”
Lin Xiyu came rushing over on her bicycle, and just as the gates were about to shut, her front wheel jammed into the closing gap.
The heavy iron gates crashed loudly, shaking violently several times.
Lin Xiyu’s wrists stung from the impact, her mind momentarily dazed.
From behind thick glasses, the proctor’s eyes shot a cold, sharp glare, glaring displeased at this impulsive girl who dared challenge his authority.
Lin Xiyu was completely drenched from head to toe, with water seeping from her hair. Only her backpack remained dry.
Her blue-and-white summer uniform was smeared with patches of moss from scraping against the riverside stones. Where the wind had partially dried the fabric, clusters of dark green mud stains stood out glaringly.