This was one of the rare evenings when Lin Yi wasn’t summoned by Jian Shuye.
She suddenly lost her direction, unsure of what to do.
She wanted to go to the badminton court with Yan Jianxing, but having been smashed on, she developed a mental block toward the sport.
She thought about going back to study, but after a day of intense classes, even playing a game would feel nauseating, let alone painful studying.
With some time left before evening self-study, she could only wander near the club building.
It would rain again in a few days. Lin Yi felt that the rain in Suzhou was like a luck indicator—when it rained, nothing good ever happened.
A gentle piano sound quietly fell. The school’s poor-quality speakers were dedicated to the Broadcasting Department, and many girls aspiring to be hosts displayed their talents and voices during this evening time.
“Hello everyone, I’m Chen Mujin from Class 1-1. Today, I’ll be hosting the daily prime-time Dreamland Radio program.”
‘Oh, it’s the study committee member from my class.’
Lin Yi stopped in the Gardening Club’s courtyard, staring blankly at the potted plants like Jian Shuye, while listening to the chatter from the Broadcasting Department.
“Although it’s sudden, Mujin wants to ask everyone: what exactly is youth?”
‘Isn’t that question way too heavy?’
Lin Yi always believed that one cannot simultaneously possess youth and the awareness of it.
If it were Lin Yi in front of the microphone at this moment, she might have something to say, but she decided to keep the secret of her reincarnation buried deep.
“For me, high school youth is the exercises under the pen tip, the sprint on the track, the music in the club, but more than that, it’s the distant horizon hidden within the radio waves.”
‘That’s so nice.’
Lin Yi sighed in admiration.
“When I was little, under my brother’s influence, I loved playing with radio. There were interesting people from all over—couriers, real estate agents, white-collar workers, doctors.”
“They said that children growing up are the most precious, needing to enjoy the only youth in their lifetime during their most valuable time.”
“Great things, when focused on countless ordinary people, become trivial matters. But the things that everyone possesses and cherishes, when magnified to the whole world, become the most important things.”
“When they asked me what I wanted to do with my youth, I understood. I also needed to use a medium like broadcasting to bring meaning to everyone’s lives.”
“The radio waves are the messengers carrying this passion, delivering our heartfelt feelings, the joy of growth, and the warmth of companionship to every classmate’s heart.”
“It’s not as dazzling as starlight, but it can awaken sleeping dreams in the silent early morning.”
Lin Yi reached out to touch the orchid in the pot.
‘What do I want to do with my second youth?’
This was a question she had rarely thought about since her reincarnation.
She had been following step by step behind the System, doubling her efforts for her attributes and quest objectives. Her direction was correct, but did this direction contain any of her own wishes?
In her previous life, she had no dreams. Having come to this world, could she rekindle the flame that had been extinguished by life in her heart?
“…Finally, I hope we can accompany each other through our voices, not wasting our time. In the youth of high school, walk alongside the radio waves, embrace our passions, and together write our chapter. Thank you, everyone!”
Even though she wasn’t there, Lin Yi still applauded to show her appreciation for the study committee member.
Even without Jian Shuye, she could probably figure out what she should do.
Lin Yi took leave from evening self-study. After showering in the dormitory, she picked up pen and paper.
‘Effort Doubling Card (Intelligence), activate!’
She had decided her direction. Over these days, she had tried to keep a diary, but she found that normal people really can’t write diaries—it’s too embarrassing, feels like putting on a show.
After putting down the diary, Lin Yi pondered for a long time and finally had to admit that at this stage, the thing that could train her writing skill was still writing essays.
She pulled out past exam papers, randomly selected essay topics, and began to practice with pen and paper.
Since the writing skill was intelligence-oriented, there were two upward arrows behind her current writing skill, indicating that her writing skill was improving at double speed.
At the same time, to avoid distraction, she specifically used the Max Level Focus Experience Card (1h), as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with her.
Even the pen in her hand, under the support of her clear thinking path and god-level focus, seemed to gain a life of its own and began to move.
“When classics are deconstructed and turned into memes, do they lose their original solemnity and reverence? Is it ‘activating tradition’ or ‘dissolving classics’? This has become a choice of our era.”
“Please combine the above material with reality and personal experience, and write an article about your views on ‘the modern living tradition.'”
…
“AI painting and AI writing have entered daily life. Technology has greatly improved production efficiency, but it has also plunged many into the anxiety of being coerced by algorithms: do we still need independent thinking?”
“Please write an article with the theme ‘Human Uniqueness in the Technological Era.'”
…
“In the fast-paced present, many people seek ‘shortcuts’ and ‘viral hits,’ eager for overnight fame. But there is also a group of people who choose to ‘sit on the cold bench’ in their professional fields.”
“Please combine the material with your own growth or social phenomena, and write an article about your understanding of ‘accumulation and quick success.'”
…
“Accepting your ordinariness allows you to gather strength in the troughs; accepting the waves of the times allows you to find your own coordinates. True maturity may be knowing how to remain enterprising while accepting.”
“Please combine the material and write an article about your views on the relationship between ‘acceptance and progress.'”
…
Writing, writing, continuous writing.
Lin Yi changed one sheet of essay paper after another. Initially, chaotic thoughts still affected her writing, but by the third essay, she could feel the content of the articles like bells waiting for her to string them together.
The knowledge points, the lessons she had heard, the techniques the teacher had taught—all forgotten in the corners of memory—leaped out from the chaotic sea of memory and circled around her.
She understood: the essence of training is to set goals, formulate plans, and finally carve your gains into your bones through action.
When she reached the last topic, she felt like the last kicker in a penalty shootout, with the football at her feet that would decide the fate of two teams.
Romain Rolland said, “There is only one kind of heroism in the world: to see life as it is and still love it.”
High school is a critical period for self-awareness. We often face moments like this: longing to be understood yet accustomed to silence; eager to break free from constraints yet lost in direction.
“Please use ‘Youth’s Breakthrough’ as the subtitle, write an article, complete your main title, and tell your insights and thoughts on youth.”
What exactly is youth to her?
She opened her eyes. Even though she had showered, she could feel sweat soaking her clothes.
For the first time, she felt that her dream was firmly in her own hands. Lin Yi opened her mouth, but finally wrote that answer on the paper.
The clock pointed to ten o’clock. Lin Yi had been writing tirelessly at her desk for several hours.
With the last sentence written, even the longest match comes to an end.
What is youth in Lin Yi’s eyes?
“It is a gentle and steadfast self-redemption.”
[Writing Lv.2 upgraded to Writing Lv.3]
‘Goal scored,’ Lin Yi thought.