As exams approach, planes are diverted away from rural Xiuning's school so as not to break students' concentration, and the stress builds on the students for whom the grades mean the difference between a bright future and a life of poverty - for themselves and their whole families.
The hot summer in Xiuning increases the students' exam pressure. Star pupil Wu Yufei is expected to come top out of half a million candidates in the province and her nerves start to show, while eight-year-old Cheng Chao, who is already unusual because he has an elder brother, has a big day coming up - his inauguration as Young Pioneer of the Communist Party.
Star student Wu Yufei prepares to start her studies at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, but before the new academic year can begin she must endure 20 days of gruelling military training.
The Olympic spirit reaches the students of rural Xiuning county as the heat of summer cools into autumn. Ping Min primary school holds its first-ever sports day with at least one youngster determined to win at all costs. Meanwhile, at Haiyang Middle School, radio DJ Zha Yujie's commentary on their event is influenced by her Westernised fanaticism for Lewis Hamilton and JK Rowling.
The millions of people who have migrated to the cities take their annual opportunity to return home at Spring Harvest. But, with the worst snow and ice for half a century, travel is near-impossible, and some pupils have to cope with not seeing their parents for some time yet. Last in series.