[Don't lose heart, Nathan. Everyone messes up sometimes. Renee Jennings isn't a great mom, putting so much pressure on her kid like that.]
...
Nathan Lynch was crying nonstop, and Renee Jennings was getting annoyed. She took out her handkerchief and did her best to rein in her temper. "Nathan, stop crying. Look, everyone's staring at you. Aren't you embarrassed?"
Nathan Lynch kept sobbing.
"Nathan, Mommy believes you can definitely get first place next time. Please stop crying, okay?" Renee Jennings coaxed gently.
"But what if... what if I still can't get first place?"
"As long as you try your best, you'll definitely get first place. Where there's a will, there's a way! You've memorized so many classical poems. How could you suddenly not remember a single one?"
Nathan Lynch looked dazed. "I... I was too nervous. My mind went blank."
