使用了虚拟语气（wouldn't have improved），表达了与过去事实相反的假设，逻辑清晰有力。
Later, both of us were admitted to the same prestigious high school, though we were placed in different advanced classes. It felt like a frog from a well finally jumping out, only to discover a world filled with brilliant talent. In such an environment, neither of us stood out anymore; we both became average students in our respective classes, instantly losing our former sharpness. Perhaps it was due to this sudden mediocrity, but after high school, I never felt that intense jealousy or the urge to surpass others the way I did before.
Upon graduating from high school, W and I unexpectedly got into the same university. During that summer, we surprisingly became very close friends. We went to university registration together and often returned home together during breaks. W later told me that in middle school, I was truly hardworking. My existence put a lot of pressure on him; he was afraid of relaxing even for a moment, fearing I might overtake him. He also admitted that he was envious of me back then, noting how calm and composed I always seemed, and how much the math teacher liked me. However, he added that It was fortunate to have had me as a rival, otherwise his grades wouldn't have improved as much as they did.
后来，我们两人考入了同一所重点高中，但被分到了不同的重点班。这种感觉就像井底之蛙跳出了井底，才发现外面的世界人才济济。在那样的环境下，我和他都不再是佼佼者，双双变成了班里的中等生，瞬间失去了往日的光彩。也许是因为突然变得平庸，高中毕业后，我从未再像以前那样嫉妒过谁，也未曾再迫切地想要超越谁。
高中毕业时，我和W意外地考上了同一所大学。在那个暑假，我们竟然成为了特别要好的朋友。去大学报到时我们同行，放假回家也经常结伴而归。后来W对我说，初中的时候，你真的很努力。因为你的存在，我感到压力很大，生怕一松懈就被你超过。那时，我也很羡慕你，总是那么平静自持，而且数学老师也特别喜欢你。不过，幸好有你，否则我的成绩也不会像后来那样越来越好。
"Society is full of competition, and universities are no exception."
"Whoever runs faster than their peers will achieve final victory."
"After rigorous screening and testing, only three highly skilled candidates remained."
"The leopard and python both targeted the same antelope."
"He who is overly competitive will always meet opponents"