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Written by Ainsley Louis I. Mallari of G9-Mindfulness
Graphics from Perchance AI Generator and Canva AI image generator
The northern edges of Maojing, capital of the People’s Republic of Maogao, perpetually choked on the stench of decay. This putrid air was as familiar to Ren Ying, a tabby cat, as the beat of his own heart. While his blue-collar parents commuted daily into the city’s glittering core, he remained in their stark, unpainted concrete home, a silent observer of the grime that clung to everything.
Even as a small boy, Ren Ying saw the quiet weight of his family’s struggles. His mind, however, wasn’t bound by their cramped reality. He dreamed in blueprints and megaprojects, imagining himself at the helm of a high-tech construction empire, living in a home that gleamed in a prestigious district. He knew his ticket to this dazzling future lay through the gates of Maojing University, a fortress only accessible via the brutal Maogaokao, Maoguo’s notorious competitive college entrance exam. From the moment he clutched his first crayon in kindergarten, Ren Ying committed himself. Days blurred between regular classes and the relentless grind of cram school. This wasn’t just studying; it was a burning ambition, a fierce resolve to conquer the Maozhongkao and secure a spot in a top-tier senior high school.
School break finally arrived, and with it, his parents’ annual offer of a beach vacation. “How about a trip to the beach, Ren Ying? You’ve earned it,” his dad suggested, a knowing smile on his face. Ren Ying’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please!” he practically shouted, already picturing the sun and sand. The beach was a world away from his usual routine of textbooks and endless studying. Here, he traded equations for sandcastles, discovering a knack for creative problem-solving and hands-on invention he never knew he had. Every moment was a breath of fresh air, a stark and welcome contrast to the demanding academic life he left behind.
The beach vacation ended abruptly, and the golden sands traded for the cold reality of Senior High and the looming Maogaokao. For Ren Ying, a spot at a top university was everything, and he needed every conceivable advantage. Yet, amidst the disappointment, a crucial insight from the trip lingered: the key to acing difficult exam questions wasn’t just rote memorization, but a completely new way of approaching problems. With a pat on the back and a shared sigh, his parents sent him off to a Senior High known for its cutthroat Maogaokao preparation. Not content with that, they doubled down, enrolling him in a cram school far more demanding than anything he’d experienced before, all to secure his admission to a prestigious Maojing University.
With the Maogaokao just months away, Ren Ying plunged into an intense study regimen. The fear of falling behind haunted him. He sacrificed sleep and rushed meals, driven by an overwhelming need to keep pace. Because of the extreme strain, he frequently confided in me, asking, “Am I capable of handling this?” and “Do I have to give up?” He was always overburdened, and the pressure started to manifest itself: extreme eye strain and persistent exhaustion began to wreak havoc on his physical and mental well-being.
Weeks before the Maogaokao, he consistently flunked practice exams in calculus, holographic programming, and foreign languages. Quitting gnawed at him, a constant, heavy burden made worse by his family’s high hopes, his peers’ silent expectations, and his deteriorating health. When his mock exam scores plummeted, falling far short of his dream university’s requirements, his confidence shattered. Still, a stubborn ember of conviction flickered within him: he could still achieve his goal.
Ren Ying’s parents dropped everything to become his exam strategists. They pored over practice tests with him, every correct answer a small victory, every wrong one a lesson to be drilled. Excellence was their mantra, dedication to their gospel. Yet, amidst the relentless academic push, they also preached the importance of rest, a difficult balance for Ren Ying as the clock ticked down to the most crucial exam of his life.
The Maogaokao was here. Ren Ying, still grappling with a nagging cough and the heavy feeling of falling behind, was up before the sun rose. He had to be on time. His parents whispered “Good luck” and followed him onto the shuttle, their worry almost a physical weight. Inside the examination center, he donned neural interfaces, immediately silencing the outside world. The first few sections of the exam were a breeze, but then came the wall: calculus, chemistry, and physics. The difficulty spiked, a familiar cold dread clawed at his throat, and for a terrifying second, his mind simply vanished.
Then, a wave of calm washed over him as he remembered the healthy routines his family had helped him build during his recovery. He took a deep breath, and a unique problem-solving method, perfected through years of building intricate sandcastles, came to mind. This wasn’t your typical study strategy; it was a creative, hands-on approach that allowed him to unravel complex essay questions with surprising ease. While others struggled, he found efficient solutions, piecing together his arguments like the turrets of a grand sandcastle. He finished just as the bell shrilled, a profound mix of relief and exhaustion washing over him.
Weeks later, the moment of truth arrived: the Maogaokao results were finally released. A hush fell over everyone as the scores appeared, then gasps of disbelief, especially from Ren Ying himself. He hadn’t just passed; he had aced it! His incredible score secured him a coveted spot at the esteemed Maojing University. His parents smiled with great delight after seeing his innumerable hardships and previous practice and mock exam failures. It was a striking illustration of his steadfast tenacity.
When university life began, Ren Ying, who was determined to give his all in his studies, made the important decision to live in the dormitories instead of commuting from home. He lost little time in exploring the fascinating fields of innovation and entrepreneurship as well as understanding the fundamentals of the construction industry.
His final year of university ended with a bang: a coveted innovation grant for his detailed business plan, “Wenqian Hi-tech Builders Inc.” This wasn’t just a win; it was the spark that ignited his entrepreneurial dream. With this seed money, boosted by his family’s modest savings, he wasted no time. He secured a location for his factory, warehouse, and office, officially plunging into the world of business.
The shift was immediate, and so were the challenges. He diligently sought out suppliers for specialized robotic construction machines, nanobots, and drones throughout Maoguo’s developed cities. Simultaneously, he painstakingly developed a marketing plan to present his revolutionary concept to the globe. He occasionally faced doubt and financial strain, but he overcame each challenge with the same unyielding perseverance he had developed during many hours of exam study.
Years later, Wenqian Hi-tech Builders Inc. wasn’t just successful; it was a phenomenon. They had revolutionized construction in Maojing by becoming the first company to use nanobot-powered construction for projects of any size. Their groundbreaking work included a super-long sea-crossing bridge that captivated the nation and earned them widespread recognition. This unprecedented success fueled their rapid expansion into dozens of other cities across Maoguo and even worldwide, solidifying their reputation as pioneers in the industry.
Success had truly transformed Ren Ying’s life. He now lived in a breathtaking penthouse in Maojing City’s exclusive Yingjie district, a place famed for its tranquil parks, striking modern buildings, and proximity to his old university. His new home was a technophile’s dream, featuring an advanced smart home system and a dedicated lab for his cutting-edge prototypes. Gone were the days of worrying about travel; his Level 5 autonomous, fully electric flying SUV whisked him away on road trips and exotic vacations, from Tianbalen City in the Republic of Veridia to off-world destinations, were now effortlessly within reach.
Ren Ying, fully recovered and brimming with vitality, dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of dreamers in Maojing. Through his mentorship, he shared his most valuable lesson: that with sheer determination, unyielding perseverance, and a dash of that inimitable “cat grit,” any ambition could truly take flight.
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