Describe your dream chocolate bar.

In the movie Forrest Gump, there’s a famous line that says, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” This quote has always resonated with me, especially because of a particular experience from my junior middle school days that shaped my life in ways I could never have anticipated.

I grew up in a small village, a county boy who had to ride his bicycle to school every morning. One day, I was running late. My heart pounded with anxiety as I pedaled faster, knowing that this would be my third time being late in a month—a record that could lead to serious consequences. About ten minutes from school, I saw a middle-aged man walking by the roadside. It was the deputy principal, a figure we students usually approached with trepidation due to the generally tense relationships between students and teachers back then.

Initially, I thought about speeding past him, pretending I hadn’t seen him. But then, a bold idea struck me: perhaps giving him a ride could save me from punishment. Gathering my courage, I stopped and offered him a lift. He seemed surprised but accepted. As he settled onto the back seat, an unexpected conversation began. He recognized me, praised my academic efforts, and inquired about my future university plans.

At that moment, I was stunned. University? The concept was foreign to me. The best educational institution I knew was the local high school. When I confessed my ignorance, the deputy principal encouraged me not to waste my talents and suggested I might one day attend Tsinghua or Peking University. He advised me to talk to the school coach about joining the Olympic math, physics, or chemistry competitions.

Inspired, the next day, I approached the coach, who explained the competition to me. Although the school lacked resources to provide extensive support, he offered to help me sign up. That was all I needed. I asked my mother for 6 yuan and mailed it to a newspaper to buy several reference books. I immersed myself in self-study, finishing all the books before the competition.

While I didn’t achieve top rankings—likely due to the lack of formal training—I received a third-class award in both math and chemistry. This award proved pivotal. That year, the provincial Olympic training committee decided to add chemistry athlete classes to two high schools. Based on the middle school athletic awards list, one of these high schools sent me an invitation to take an entrance exam for the special class.

I attended the exam and was admitted, an opportunity that allowed me to study in the provincial capital—a chance I would never have had otherwise. Three years later, my hard work paid off when I was admitted to Tsinghua University, securing the fourth place in science subjects in the provincial college entrance examination.

Reflecting on this journey, I realize how a single, seemingly insignificant event can alter the course of one’s life profoundly. That hurried morning ride with the deputy principal was the starting point of an incredible adventure, much like tasting an unexpected flavor in a box of chocolates.

So, what would my dream chocolate bar be like? It would be a rich, dark chocolate, symbolizing the depth and complexity of life’s challenges. Embedded within would be various fillings—some sweet, some bitter, some crunchy, some smooth—each representing the unpredictable experiences that shape our lives. Every bite would be a reminder of the journey, the surprises, and the hidden potential within each moment. Just like life itself, it would be an exquisite blend of the known and the unknown, inviting us to savor every moment and look forward to the next surprising taste.