"If everyone were given a chance of rebirth, which period of your life would you choose to return to?"
This is a street survey questionnaire.
In the wake of the popularity of web novels and TV series featuring reincarnation and time-travel themes, even Wen Ying who is always busy to the point she barely touches the ground, has more or less accepted these concepts.
She received this questionnaire one ordinary afternoon when she was on her way to the city's commercial center with her assistant, invited by a client to negotiate a contract.
If this contract could be signed successfully, the agent fee assigned to Wen Ying by the agency, coupled with her savings, would be enough for her to firmly set her foot in this first-tier city.
Indeed, Wen Ying had already set her sights on a 120-square-meter riverside apartment located in the city's center.
The apartment has good lighting, a scenic view, and an excellent location, thus, the price naturally won't come cheap.
But it's fine, after completing this contract, she will have enough for the down payment for this riverside apartment.
Bear in mind that Wen Ying is only 31 this year. It's only been six years since she moved to this city, but she has managed to save up a down payment of three or four million through her own effort. Even according to the 'Zhihu standard', where everyone allegedly earns an annual income of a million, Wen Ying is deemed successful.
Given that 'Zhihu' is sarcastically referred to as 'Showing-Off Hub' and 'Bragging Hub', in reality, not everyone can earn a million a year. Thus, it's not presumptuous for 31-year-old Wen Ying to proclaim herself as "moderately successful".
Not to mention others, just take Wen Ying's assistant as an example, her greatest life aspiration at the moment is to live like Wen Ying.
Not only is Sister Wen successful in her career, she also possesses an enviable love life. The assistant often sees Wen Ying's boyfriend picking her up from work. They would go dine at high-end restaurants, enjoy a concert when they have the time. Their love life seems like a scene straight out of a movie!
So when Wen Ying received the street survey questionnaire, she was momentarily stunned while her assistant peeped at it and burst out laughing:
"They made a mistake by giving you this. If even you need a rebirth, we minions might as well reincarnate and struggle again!"
Wen Ying smiled, "It's just a gimmick from the survey company. Don't pay it any mind. And don't belittle yourself. Six years ago, when I just arrived in this city, I too, was just an assistant to a senior lawyer."
The encouragement from Wen Ying made the junior assistant's blood boil with enthusiasm.
Wen Ying didn't care about the survey either. She tossed it into the trash can, checked herself in the mirror to make sure her attire was spotless and her makeup suitable, then led the assistant towards the office building where the client company was located.
...
So, she hadn't filled out the survey that day, and she didn't have any thoughts of being reborn, but when she woke up, she found herself sitting in a 2004 middle school examination hall.
At first, Wen Ying didn't realize she had been reborn. She thought it was a dream.
She had often dreamt of her 2004 middle school final exam.
This was because she had been ill during the English examination, and had been rushed to the hospital by her mother, Chen Ru, waiting outside the examination hall, after barely finishing the paper.
Her body temperature had soared to nearly 40 degrees Celsius.
As one can imagine, she must have botched her English exam. With a total score of 150 in English, Wen Ying usually scored around 130, but during the 2004 exam, she only made 91 points... This prevented her from getting into her desired high school. Even though she eventually made it to that high school, it was all due to her father, Wen Dongrong, pulling strings.
Wen Ying's failure in her middle school finals not only made her entire summer unbearable, but also cast a shadow over her entire high school life.
Every time she slacked off, her mother Chen Ru would bring up her low score in English - 91, accusing Wen Ying of not being reliable when it mattered.
As a teenager, Wen Ying was far less confident and strong than she was at 31. Under the domineering force of her mother Chen Ru, she was often left deflated and disheartened.
Being criticized so many times, even Wen Ying started to believe that scoring only 91 in her English finals was a huge mistake, a stain on her life.
Even after graduating from university, she would occasionally dream about sitting in the examination hall, holding the English test paper, panicked. She would wake up, cold as ice.
But those dreams ceased after she declined to take part in the civil service examination and went to Mordor alone to start her career.
How did I dream this again?
Wen Ying glanced around, seeing all the individuals in the surroundings having a young face. Everyone was quickly scanning their papers, a handy trick during exams. Invigilators would distributed exam papers before the onset of exams, and writing could only commenced when instructed to. It would be a waste if the two to three minutes given were not utilised to review the questions.
Even without writing an answer, an invigilator wouldn't stop you from looking through the paper.
Wen Ying thought the dream was a bit too vivid.
Who would've thought these test-taking techniques were still remembered years after her graduation?
"Don't get distracted. The listening comprehension segment is about to start. This is the last subject for your high school entrance exam. I hope everyone can take it seriously. Relax only after you've finished exam, and keep your spirits high to do your best!"
The invigilator, a man in his forties, furrowed his brows.
He had noticed this student the moment he entered the classroom.
She was flushed as if she had a fever, swaying as she walked, nearly hitting the examination desk.
It seemed as though she was ill.
And this wasn't good.
The high school entrance exam was very important; they were already at the last subject, English. She needed to persist!
Hearing the voice of the invigilator, Wen Ying raised her head. Her gaze met with the invigilator's, and for a moment, she thought her eyes played tricks on her, as she saw encouragement in his eyes.
What a vivid dream.
Wen Ying sighed again.
She couldn't bear to let down the goodwill in her dream, so she lowered her head to look at the test paper.
The 2004 Middle School English Exam in Chengdu.
Unlike her previous dreams—Wen Ying was at a loss in her dream because she couldn't read the questions on the paper, even though she had already passed the CET-6. This time, she was able to see the questions on the paper clearly.
Black and white.
Every English letter, every word, every sentence, every punctuation mark.
She could see them all clearly!
So, was she supposed to redo the '04 middle school English paper?
Wen Ying laughed.
Then, the listening section began.
Wen Ying's smile grew wider.
It's so simple!
In the past, she had to concentrate fully when doing the listening parts, and she might not get everything right, having to guess if she couldn't hear clearly. Now, experiencing it again, the speech was slow, the pronunciation standard, and the scenario dialogues especially simple. Such a listening test might have posed a challenge to the 16-year-old Wen Ying, but not to the 31-year-old Wen Ying.
She finished the listening section.
She smoothly completed the rest of the questions.
After finishing the composition, Wen Ying took a long breath.
This time, she finished the test paper in her dream, and she would never have this dream again, right?
But how to escape this dream?
Wen Ying looked around.
On the podium, the invigilating teacher was frowning.
The teacher didn't think that Wen Ying had finished the exam seriously. He thought this student was unwell, had hastily completed their test paper, and wanted to hand it in early... how could this be acceptable? The middle school entrance exam is a very important test, and it does not just affect which high school one can attend. Thinking in the long run, it could impact what kind of university one could go to in the future. Even more, it could affect one's entire life!
One should not step down in light of minor injuries.
Being sick is indeed unfortunate.
But if you can hold on, just hold on.
"Don't rush if you've finished your test, check it several times before handing it in!"
