It’s Time

Several more days had elapsed, and Shi Tian's appearance had undergone a peculiar transformation. He now resembled a panda with his completely blackened eyes, a testament to his days without sleep.

Awakening from his slumber at the workbench, Shi Tian moved with the sluggishness of a sloth. Even the simple act of standing up and reaching for the doorknob took an excruciating 20 seconds.

"Need... coffee," he mumbled, his voice devoid of energy as he desperately sought caffeine to stave off an impending migraine.

After managing to get a few hours of sleep, his head throbbed mercilessly, a consequence of his disrupted sleep patterns and relentless work schedule.

Shi Tian shuffled his way to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face, a feeble attempt to rejuvenate himself. 

As he gazed at his reflection in the mirror, he was nearly startled by his own appearance, which bore a striking resemblance to a corpse.