This is for the recent 2116C - Gellyfish and Flaming Peony question.

I use an $$$O(N^2)$$$ Dynamic Programming solution. Both are EXACTLY same, except one had don't pick first and the other has pick first.

322569273 -> TLE because I pick an element in the set first

322570586 -> AC because I don't pick an element in the set first

Can someone explain why one gives TLE while the other AC even though the TC is the same?