The June sun had already taken on a scorching intensity. Outside the Beihuai No. 1 Middle School examination center, a crowd of people had already gathered, making it impossible to get through.
Anxious parents, police officers maintaining order, examination staff with work badges, and relatives and friends holding bright red banners with slogans such as "Successful in the exam" and "Win the first prize in one fell swoop".
Ning Xiwan was holding a parasol with a cartoon cat printed on it, but beads of sweat still appeared on her forehead.
She was wearing a simple white cotton and linen dress, her long hair loosely braided into a side braid hanging in front of her chest, and she was carrying a heavy thermal bag in her hand.
Her gaze passed over the bustling crowd and was fixed on the heavy door of the examination hall that was about to open and would determine the fate of countless people.
She is not the protagonist today, but her heart is hanging high for the two people behind the door.
"Sister Ning! Over here, over here!" A crisp voice with a little baby tone penetrated the noise, and Hua Jinyue came out from the gap between the crowd like a nimble little bird.
She didn't tie her hair into her signature twin ponytails today. Instead, she had her hair tied up in a neat bun, revealing her smooth and full forehead. She wore a light pink puff-sleeved dress and carried a huge, bulging cartoon rabbit backpack.
Her little face was flushed from running and excitement, and her big eyes were surprisingly bright, filled with nervousness and anticipation for this important day.
"It's so hot, so hot!" Hua Jinyue complained as soon as she got close, fanning herself vigorously with her little hands, but then she leaned close to Ning Xiwan's ear mysteriously, lowered her voice, and spoke with great seriousness.
"Sister Ning, look at the 'magic weapon for victory' I prepared!" She carefully unzipped a corner of the rabbit backpack. Ning Xiwan peeked inside and saw that it was filled with all kinds of colorful gadgets.
A homemade "Exam God Possessed" badge with Ye Qingliu's cartoon portrait printed on it (the style is extremely abstract, with one eye larger than the other), a Q-version Wenchang Pagoda keychain that is said to have been blessed, and a small jar of exquisitely packaged "Smart Candy" (the label says "A must-have for top students").
There were even a few graffiti charms she had drawn herself that said "Brother Will Win," with circles and stars of unknown meaning drawn in red pen.
Ning Xiwan couldn't help laughing and rubbed Hua Jinyue's bun: "If your brother saw this, he would probably give up the exam."
"No way!" Hua Jinyue zipped up her clothes like a baby, her face raised with confidence, "Brother can feel my feelings, he will definitely perform beyond his normal level! He will win the provincial championship!"
She stood on tiptoe, trying to look towards the entrance of the examination hall, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and nervousness, "And Brother Shuce! He wants to get first place too!"
She added, clenching her fists tightly.
"Don't worry, your brother and Shu Ce are very strong." Ning Xiwan smiled and comforted, but her eyes continued to search the crowd involuntarily.
Soon, she saw the quiet figure.
Bai Zhiye stood in the shade of a leafy sycamore tree, also holding a heat pack. She wore a plain light blue dress, her long hair draped softly over her shoulders, and her face wore her usual gentle and calm expression.
She was not as lively and outgoing as Hua Jinyue. She just waited quietly, looking intently towards the entrance of the examination room, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with her.
Only if you look closely can you see that her other hand, hanging by her side, is unconsciously grasping the hem of her skirt, revealing her inner concern.
She is also a candidate, but at this moment, her mind is obviously more on another person.
Ning Xiwan pulled Hua Jinyue over.
"Naizi." Ning Xiwan greeted.
Bai Zhiye turned around upon hearing the voice and saw them. A gentle smile spread across her face. "Sister Xiwan, Jinyue, you're here so early too."
Her eyes fell on the thermal bag in Ning Xiwan's hand, and she smiled knowingly, "Is this for Qingliu and Brother Duan?"
"Hmm, iced sour plum soup with mints, to refresh your mind." Ning Xiwan shook the bag and looked at what Bai Zhiye was holding. "What about you?"
"Mung bean and lily soup, it clears away heat and relieves summer heat." Bai Zhiye said softly, then added a little embarrassedly, "I also prepared a portion for Qingliu."
Hua Jinyue immediately patted her bunny bag like she was presenting a treasure. "I have it too! I have it too! My 'magic weapon for winning' is the most complete! Brother and Brother Duan both have a piece!"
Bai Zhiye looked at Hua Jinyue's serious expression and couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gently pinched her rosy cheeks: "Well, Jinyue is the most attentive."
At this moment, Ning Xiwan's eyes swept across the crowd. Ye Fanshuang was standing alone next to a low-key and luxurious black car.
She was wearing a neatly tailored champagne silk shirt and white wide-leg pants, her long hair was neatly tied behind her head, her makeup was exquisite, and her posture was upright. She seemed out of place in the crowded and noisy crowd, like a lonely iceberg.
She wore large sunglasses that obscured most of her face, making it difficult to discern her expression. However, her posture was clearly toward the entrance to the examination room, her arms folded, her chin slightly raised, as if awaiting some important announcement.
She was also one of the protagonists of this exam, and beneath that cold and distant air, perhaps there was also a hidden tension. Ning Xiwan withdrew her gaze and said nothing more.
Time slipped by, the sun growing more scorching. The cicadas' chirping grew more intense, as if screaming out the last of this summer's energy. The air was so sweltering it seemed frozen, and every breath burned.
The parents were fanning themselves and wiping their sweat, their faces showing a complex expression of anticipation, nervousness and anxiety. They were talking in low voices, their voices hoarse from the heat.
Ning Xiwan also felt her palms sweating slightly, and the handle of the thermal bag had made her knuckles turn white.
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