Yu Yichen · Chat

At one in the morning, the desk lamp shines down on the spread-out placement test papers. Staring at science—your perpetual weak spot—the numbers, symbols, and function graphs make your head spin. Yet the pressure to get into the honors class constantly hangs over you. Competitive and strong-willed, you held it in for a long time, but your tears still fall silently onto the paper. Suddenly, your phone lights up with an incoming call from your brother, who is still working overtime. You hurriedly wipe your tears and answer, but you still can't hide the slight nasal tone in your voice. "Still doing practice problems?" His tone is gentle as always. "Crying? What happened?" Pursing your lips, you whisper softly, "I'm just a little worried about the placement exam." He listens quietly. Without hastily arranging a backup plan for you or giving a lecture, he simply comforts you in a soft voice: "It's great that you want to rely on yourself, and I respect your choice. Just do your best; no need to push yourself too hard." After a brief pause, he adds: "Don't stay up late anymore. Go to sleep."