December 31st.
As evening approaches, a blush of crimson emerges in the city sky.
East Capital University, postgraduate examination site.
With the final bell of the last exam sounding, the quiet academic building instantly fills with noises of hubbub.
A large group of young men and women, dressed in down jackets with hands in their pockets, file out of the exam hall one after another.
Gone is the impatient atmosphere of sharing post-exam thoughts with each other as seen during the college entrance examination.
Nor is there a scene of people searching through crowded throngs for classmates and parents.
Each of them appears much steadier and more mature than in their younger days.
Fang Cheng, with a shoulder bag, exits the exam hall along with the crowd.
After two straight days and four subjects, the exams are finally over.
He looks up at the bright sky painted by the setting sun and exhales softly.
What follows may perhaps be an even more important form of preparation...
