The security personnel scrutinized me with visible skepticism, his gaze lingering with doubt as I stood before him. After all, it wasn't every day someone claimed to be a student at the country's most prestigious academy, where only twenty individuals gained admission annually. Even more astonishing was that a mere five managed to graduate each year. My words seemed implausible to him, and I could almost hear the wheels of disbelief turning in his mind.
"May I see your student ID?" he finally asked, his tone laced with suspicion.
Without hesitation, I reached into my bag and presented the small, unassuming card that bore testament to my claim. The metallic sheen of the emblem and the neatly engraved lettering left no room for doubt about its authenticity. I handed it over with confidence, though I was acutely aware of the storm of disbelief brewing in his mind.
The officer inspected the ID closely, his furrowed brows deepening with every passing second. His incredulity was palpable as he finally looked up, his voice tinged with amazement. "It's hard to believe that a fifteen-year-old could secure a place in the most prestigious academy in all of China," he said, shaking his head as if trying to make sense of it all.
I stood firm, refusing to let his doubt unsettle me. "Where there is a will, there is a way," I replied calmly, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination. My words were deliberate, a reflection of the countless nights spent pushing beyond my limits to achieve what many deemed impossible.
For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, perhaps grappling with the idea that someone so young could accomplish what others could only dream of. But his expression soon hardened, and he straightened his posture as though arriving at a decision.
"If what you say is true," he began, his tone measured but challenging, "then meet me tomorrow morning at Lian Xue's Company, Dragon Nexus Technologies, for a confrontation."
His words carried an air of finality, as if he believed this would expose whatever deception he suspected. But for me, it was an opportunity—an opportunity to prove myself beyond any shadow of a doubt.
"Naturally," I said, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips. My voice was steady, betraying none of the anticipation bubbling within me. I had no intention of shying away from this challenge. After all, my journey to the academy had been fraught with far greater trials. If anything, this was just another hurdle to overcome—a chance to reaffirm my place among the elite.
As I turned to leave, I could feel his eyes still on me, perhaps reconsidering his assumptions. Tomorrow, I thought to myself, would not only be a test of truth but also a defining moment in my journey. I was ready.