He answered the questions with complete focus, entirely undisturbed by his surroundings.
When the second session ended, everyone leaving the examination hall was in worse shape than they had been after the first—perhaps from the shock, perhaps from sheer exhaustion.
Chen Wanqing picked up Zhao Jing and De'an and took them home. Not daring to ask if they had performed poorly, she only asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell? What would you like to eat? We have chicken soup simmering at home, and I've also had braised pork ribs and Four-Joy Meatballs prepared—they're all your favorites. Is there anything else you're particularly craving? I can have the cook make it right away."
De'an shook his head. "I don't feel like eating anything. I'm just mentally exhausted. All I want to do right now is lie down and sleep."
"You can sleep after you've eaten."
