Morning, half past eight.
In a small hall on the west side of the conference center, members of the Academic Standing Committee were all gathering. A sweep of the gaze revealed about a dozen or so people. Evaluation by the committee was not entirely in private, as a few senior academicians were observing from the back rows and the entrance.
The candidates were sitting inside, with the doors shut, unaware of the situation in the conference hall.
Zhao Yi pushed the door open and walked in, almost immediately spotting a familiar face, Professor Huang Zhong from Nancheng University.
"Professor Zhao Yi, over here."
Huang Zhong greeted him enthusiastically, waving towards the entrance. The others watched warmly, but as they were not as acquainted with Zhao Yi, they did not directly offer their attention.