28 School Entrance Ceremony

First day of school. Song Xia never thought she'd be doing that again.Teachers, tests ,classmates and lunchtimes.

There were 5 public high schools and 3 private high schools in G City. Of the schools Song Xia's school was the best of the public high schools. It even took second place in the city after Sun Xun High school, an all boys private high school. Some wealthy parents even preferred for their children to attend this public school so they could understand the meaning of competition and hard work.

Song Xia showered and then put on her school uniform that was laying on the bed.G City High School girl's uniform:had a navy blue blazer plaid ;light blue and navy plaid skirt, navy blue stockings and a light blue tie.

They were free to choose which shoes they could wear but it could only be black or white sneakers or pumps.In addition to that there were rules like a skirt cannot be higher than 4 fingers above the knee or a student cannot wear anything but clear nail polish on their nails.A student may not wear heavy makeup with their school uniform nor any accessories besides a watch and earrings.

Shi Qi sent Song Xia off to the bus after a heart breakfast and a warm hug. On the bus Song Xia thought of the trip earlier this week to the temple.

They visited a Buddhist Temple close to Jin Yu's house. Together Jin Yu, Shi Chen , Shi Qi and Song Xia went to burn incense, pray ask for guidance for the new school year.

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The whole temple had a wonderful flow of Feng Shi . There was greenery , ponds and beautiful flowers outside an ancient temple.Monks of all ages going about their duties. The temple wasn't busy as they went during the week and not the weekend. Shi Chen even took the day off as she wanted to spend some time with them before Jin Yu and Song Xia became busy with school.

The atmosphere peaceful and Song Xia could feel a rich spiritual energy from the main temple hall. Following the offering of incense and prayer she noticed that there were pieces of jade embedded in the alter giving of a rich gold spiritual energy. She decided against absorbing the power as it would seem disrespectful.

When they were done , exiting the temple they overhead children speaking." Mum, please can we go to the wishing tree. Any wish will be granted there it's not far from the temple." one child nagged his mother.

" I wished for my dog to be better and the next day he was running around again."Another girl said seriously.

Although Shi Chen and Shi Qi didn't have firm beliefs in wishing trees they couldn't deny Jin Yu's sparkling eyes . Song Xia honestly didn't know what to believe. For heavens sake she had been reborn so she couldn't deny the existence of a higher power.

The wishing tree was a old banyan tree on the cliff of a hill. It was massive and green with countless small bottles hanging from it that contained joss paper wishes. The joss paper was multicolored and tied with a colourful array of thread.

They each wrote their wishes down on a piece of paper before selecting a string and bottle from the table.

Song Xia just wrote one sentence and had no grand list. [Please give me strength to reach my dreams.]

She didn't ask for her dreams and goals to be handed to her on a silver platter but strength. Fate might ruin plans but if you have strength and resolve you will be able to pick yourself again.

Jin Yu linked arms with Song Xia," Are you done? Xiao Xia ,what did you wish for?" They were standing under a canopy of bottles twinkling in the sunlight. Song Xia thought she saw a glittery mist near the edge of the cliff and became distracted so she didn't reply to Jin Yu 's question in time.

Then Jin Yu shook her head, "No , don't tell me otherwise it won't come true. I hope your wish comes true , Xiao Xia." Her eyes formed adorable crescents as she gave Song Xia a sweet smile.

During their trip to the wishing tree Song Xia felt a great force of gold spiritual energy at the base of the cliff.It might be artifacts buried at the edge of the cliff. There were too many people during the day so she had to check it out at night.

Song Xia was fully aware of her limitations and decided that she needed to become strong. There was a park near the apartment where she could train. She needed to become strong and get the right equipment to scale that cliff.

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" Xiao Xia! Hi , I'm here.Lets go inside." Jin Yu jogged to Song Xia when she saw the tall girl waiting for her near the school gate.

There were students milling around from different grades all heading to the assembly hall. Nervous 1st years , second years excitedly chatting with friends and confident seniors.

They had taken a seat on the chairs allocated for 2nd years and waited for the assembly to begin.

Principal Wen walked in with some senior staff members while the school song played in the background.

"Welcome students ,to a new school year. I hope you have enjoyed your vacations and are ready to tackle the new school year."He spoke of all the plans for the years and then called the teacher representatives to read out the honor role. After the final year honor role was called Mr. Yi came forward reading the second years honor role ." In 10 th position is Zhong Hu..."

Then he paused after reading out 4 th position and stated proudly "The top 3 Students will get the chance to go for Liuxian University camp in C City after the mid- terms if they can maintain their grades."

" In 3rd position is Song Xia; 2nd position is Han Heng and finally in 1st position is Mo Zixuan."

The room burst into excited chatter. Usually only the top 3 students were selected after the mid- terms . Did their school get more spots this year? Most importantly Liuxian University was in the top 5 universities in the country. It was also internationally recognized and students fought tooth and nail to get into their programs.Every year they hosted a science and mathematics camp that only second years could attend. They chose the best students in every school across the country and train. It was even possible that if they liked a candidate enough that candidate wouldn't have to write the university's grilling entrance exam and get direct admission.

Jin Yu squealed in excitement, " Congratulations, Xiao Xia!" Song Xia knew that Jin Yu was genuinely exciting for her because that was the kind of person she was. She was aware that there were some people who said good words while being jealous of their opponent eagerly waiting for their downfall. Jin Yu has also done well she was 6 th in the whole grade but she wasn't upset that Song Xia was chosen and not her. Song Xia was her best friend and sister of her heart so she will always want what's best for her even if she couldn't have the same.

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" Song Xia , we are in Mr.Yi's class .Your desk is E4 . I think I'm A4 ." Jin Yu stated looking at the bulletin board.

Mr . Yi was the 2nd year homeroom teacher for class 1. The top 30 student where placed in grade in class one and so on.The desk arrangements were not based on grades but according to needs. Students who had trouble seeing, the ones in class that required extra help with studies and the ones short in height sat towards the front.

The students took their seats , chattering with their friends about their vacation when the bell rang. Mo Zixuan , the class representative stood up and called the class to order." Keep quite the teacher is about to come."

Classroom 1 was relatively more obedient than the other students in the grade so they behaved themselves. Soon after, Mr. Yi came in and explained their schedule for the year before taking role call.

The students were free for the next 20 minutes before their first class of the year- Mathematicians.Mr. Yi, gave them the opportunity to talk as long as they didn't make a ratchet.He aked Song Xia to speak to him outside, "Song Xia, how is your recovery after the car accident going? If you are having any difficulties please let us now.Your previous home room teacher informed me of the situation so have no fear contacting the school if you have any issues."

" I'm doing much better, Mr. Yi . Thank you, for your concerns."

Mr. Yi was a man in his early fifties. He was a strict but fair man. He taught history and Huxian . The students both adored and feared him as he could be as kind as he was strict. Song Xia could see true compassion and had for

her so she felt grateful towards this educator.

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Mr. Yi soon left for a meeting after telling Mo Zixuto maintain the order of the class until the next teacher arrived.

" Song Xia, how does it feel to be selected for the camp?" A girl with glasses ,Ding Ru asked who sat infront of Song Xia asked. She was a quite girl not overly friendly with Song Xia but she had always been polite. She wasn't a bully and a loner by nature.Her position was 9 th in the grade and she was very studious.

" It feels great, Ding Ru. I'm very excited." For a second Ding Ru was caught of guard by Song Xia's stunning smile.By now most of the students in the class had noticed Song Xia's change.

She wasn't wearing her hair to cover her face anymore instead she wore a high ponytail, her hair framed her face and she showed her lovely forehead.Instead of hunching over and trying to blend into the background she walked head upright and confidently.

Even the manner in which spoke had changed and she made eye contact instead of looking at the ground.

Song Xia felt a sharp stare directed at her and when she looked over she saw a chubby girl, with freckles and ponytails glaring at her as if she had killed her precious pet. Song Xia just slightly raised her left eyebrow in question.

Meng Min,scowled and venomously spat," Song Xia, you think you're all that just because you got into the camp. Don't forget you are just an you are an unwanted stray that Gao Hong's mother picked up."