The slanting rain of chi ri weaves a dreamlike curtain, waterdrops on the window like time's graduations, sliding slowly into the frame of the heart. In this misty, dream-soaked rain, I once faced a test of "choice".
As school ended, silk-like rain fell. Dragging my exhausted body under academic pressure, I mindlessly stuffed books into my bag, eager to return home. A gentle voice cut through the hustle: "Could you explain this problem to me, classmate?"
I turned to see Xiaolin, head bowed as she clutched her math paper. Her eyes were misty, avoiding my gaze like a startled fawn. Taking the paper, hesitation rippled in my chest. Xiaolin's grades matched mine—if I taught her this difficult problem, would she overtake me in rankings? The words on the paper blurred as thoughts tangled like twine. I opened my mouth, but the simple "Yes" caught in my throat. Then Xiaolin's voice whispered again, apologetic: "Sorry to bother you..." She turned to leave, her thin silhouette swaying like a sapling in the storm, helpless and lost, as if to be swallowed by the cold rain.
I chased after her, only to stop in my tracks. The teacher’s words—"Don’t hesitate to ask classmates or teachers for help"—pierced the haze in my mind like a beam of light. I remembered Xiaolin’s solitude and humble background: for her, studying was the only bridge to change her fate. Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to call her back. Explaining the solution, my thoughts flowed like a gentle stream. The mist in her eyes vanished instantly as understanding dawned. Her smile—warm as the first rays of spring sunshine—burst across her face, hair dancing in the wind. That brilliant smile lit up the entire world.
When grades were posted, I searched the list anxiously. First saw Xiaolin's name, my heart sinking, but mine followed closely. She waved at me from afar, her smile clear and pure.
The rain stopped, pine trees rustling outside like whispers. I realized the better choice isn't calculating gains, but letting kindness in when it knocks—allowing ideals to step aside for warmth. As the teacher said, life's problems have solutions vaster than answers, and kindness with sharing is the most beautiful solution of all.
Authors：
Yumu Zhang I am a creator by nature, brimming with whimsy, always catching glimmers of inspiration in the cracks of everyday life and forging them into words. I revel in spinning tales and thrive on the clash of ideas—from the grit of city streets to the shimmer of starlit fantasies, I wield my pen with equal fervor. My works have found homes in campus journals, met with warm encouragement from teachers and peers, and ventured into digital spaces, where strangers’ echoing comments became proof of words’ quiet power. These small resonances have only deepened my belief in the warmth and strength of language.
