As the final exam bell rang...

It broke the tense atmosphere in the examination room.

Thousands of exam papers were quickly collected by the invigilators.

Thousands of test takers surged toward the exit like a floodgate being opened.

Some cheered with joy, while others were dejected.

Many others rubbed their aching wrists, looking relieved.

Lin Que mingled in the crowd, slowly strolling out.

He had just finished writing his essay early in the exam hall because Shen Qingqiu had specifically told him not to hand in his paper early before leaving.

So he also took the opportunity to mentally conceive the plot of the next three chapters of "Human World is Like Prison".

Right now, my brain is in a state of fatigue after being extremely active.

As soon as I stepped out of the venue, I was slapped hard on the shoulder.

"Lin Que! Amazing! Truly amazing!"

Zhao Zichen's usually stern face was now flushed with excitement.

The lenses of his glasses were fogged up with excitement.

He clutched his pencil case tightly in his hand.

If it weren't for the large number of people around, he probably would have given Lin Que a bear hug.

"Stay calm."

Lin Que took a step to the side and patted his shoulder with a look of disdain.

"It's just an exam, is it really that big of a deal?"

Anyone who didn't know better would think you just escaped from your hideout in northern Myanmar.

You don't understand!

Zhao Zichen couldn't suppress the smile on his face, and spoke as fast as a machine gun.

Yesterday you told me on the balcony that time waits for no one.

He told me to stop thinking about carving and to have some backbone.

What a coincidence! Today's topic is exactly "Waiting"!

He took a deep breath, as if still savoring the memory of writing furiously in the examination hall:

"My mind went completely blank when I saw the question!"

I didn't use the old trick of piling up flowery language; I went straight to using "time waits for no one" as an introduction!

Several students from Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School gathered around.

I listened with curiosity to the top student's review.

Zhao Zichen became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, gesturing with his fingers in the air:

I wrote three levels.

The first layer depicts Wei Sheng embracing the pillar, representing faithful waiting and personal righteousness.

The second layer describes the line from the Book of Songs: "A quiet and beautiful maiden awaits me at the corner of the city wall."

It was a beautiful wait, a place where emotions were entrusted.

On the third level, I changed my focus and wrote directly about Su Wu herding sheep!

That was a nineteen-year wait, a testament to the greater good of the nation and its people.

It is a poignant blend of 'time waits for no one's time' and unwavering perseverance!

After he finished speaking, he looked at Lin Que expectantly.

"How about it? Isn't this structure much better than all my previous pointless complaints?"

Lin Que listened to this textbook-like "step-by-step progression" and couldn't help but smile to himself.

It is indeed a good article.

Steady, accurate, and ruthless.

It conforms to mainstream aesthetics, is precisely relevant to the topic, and has lofty ideals.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is indeed a standard first-prize winning essay.

"It's good, very stable."

Lin Que, with his hands in his pockets, gave a fair assessment.

"At least the sour smell isn't as strong anymore, it has a bit of a human touch."

"It's just fine?"

Zhao Zichen was clearly not satisfied with this evaluation, but then he felt relieved.

"Forget it, you have high standards."

But honestly, this time it's all thanks to your saying 'Time waits for no one.' It was practically prophetic!"

Lin Que smiled slightly.

My gaze passed through the bustling crowd and landed on the office building of the provincial writers' association in the distance.

"Not exactly right."

He said it softly.

"What?"

It was too noisy around him, so Zhao Zichen didn't hear clearly and leaned closer to ask.

"What did you just say?"

"nothing."

Lin Que shrugged, hiding the meaningful smile in his eyes.

"I said, luck is also a part of ability."

...

at the same time,

Conference hall of Zijin Villa, on the outskirts of Nanjing.

This place has been temporarily requisitioned.

It was transformed into the marking center for this year's "Relief Cup" finals.

The hall was brightly lit.

Hundreds of desks were arranged in a neat square formation.

Behind each table sat a solemn-looking examiner.

They were key language arts teachers selected from all over the province.