Wutan City welcomed the day of Jia Nan Academy's recruitment amid a strange mixture of anticipation and restlessness.
That day, the city was a sea of people, packed shoulder to shoulder. The air brimmed with the nerves and excitement of young boys and girls, along with the earnest hopes of their parents and elders.
Amid this solemn yet spirited atmosphere, a burst of utterly incongruous, cheerful music suddenly rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
At one side of the crowd, a figure dressed in an outrageously flamboyant, multicolored clown suit shuffled through ridiculous dance steps, wriggling his body as he waved to the crowd.
He wore an explosive rainbow wig, his face was plastered with thick white greasepaint, his nose was an enormous red ball, and his painted mouth stretched all the way to his ears.
Behind him, an assistant struggled to push a specially made, double-tiered insulated wooden chest, with the Xiao Archway logo painted prominently on its side.
The upper tier held chilled fruit juices in assorted flavors, while wisps of white cold mist occasionally drifted from the lower tier, which was filled with ice cream bars and ice pops.
"Step right up, don't miss out! The exclusive cooling remedy endorsed by Jia Nan Academy's entrance exam! Eat my ice, and reach the heights! Drink my brew, and your Dou Qi won't retreat! Xiao Archway will see your name on the golden honor roll and escort you safely to success!"
The clown's deliberately altered voice, paired with his deranged dancing, exerted a strange magic. Nervous applicants and passersby turned to look, and many burst out laughing at his ridiculous appearance.
The wooden chest spilling cold mist was even more irresistibly tempting. Before long, ring upon ring of people crowded around the stall. Even several men and women wearing