Chapter 1: Dormitory in the Afternoon_1

The dormitory in the afternoon was a tranquil one.

Outside the window, sparrows were too lethargic to chirp in the midday heat, half-closing their eyes as they casually nodded on the branches; an orange cat curled up on the desk, squinting its eyes, basking in the day-by-day comfort; tiny elves huddled their wings, hanging from Zheng Qing's bed curtain, resembling hibernating tree spirits.

Only two figures were inside the dormitory.

Zheng Qing was leaning on his bed, rolling the Merlin Brass Medal between his fingers, gazing at a small black stain on the ceiling, lost in thought.

Xin Fat Man was half-lying on the desk, opening the thick document under his hand with a tired face, looking as if he could fall asleep any moment.

Perhaps it was to distract himself, to make himself slightly more awake.

Or perhaps he just couldn't stand the sight of the repeatedly appearing bronze medal.