Early morning sunlight streamed into the dormitory through the gap in the curtains.
Fang Yang was still half-asleep when a rapid series of beeps suddenly jolted him awake.
Instinctively, he shrank his neck and buried his face in the blanket.
"Whose Soul Guide Communicator is ringing? Answer it already..."
Xie Xie's voice came from the neighboring bed, heavy with sleepiness and a touch of impatience.
"Not mine..." Tang Wulin turned over and pulled his blanket higher, his voice muffled.
Fang Yang rubbed his eyes and looked toward the sound, only to discover that it was coming from his own wrist.
He sat up with a start, his voice still hoarse from sleep. "Sorry, it's mine."
Squinting at the communicator, he muttered to himself, Who could be looking for me this early?
Fang Yang pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
A crisp, pleasant voice immediately came through the communicator.
Fang Yang did not recognize it at first and instinctively asked, "Who is this?"
Xu Xiaoyan was both annoyed and amused on the other end. With a soft huff, she said, "You idiot, Fang Yang. You can't even recognize my voice? It's Xu Xiaoyan!"
"Xiaoyan!"
Fang Yang instantly woke up, his voice rising several notches. "Why are you calling at this hour? What's the matter?"
"What, I can't call you unless there's something wrong?"
Xu Xiaoyan's tone carried a trace of reproach.
Fang Yang hurriedly explained, "Of course you can. You're welcome to call anytime."
"That's more like it. But you're still not up at this hour?" Xu Xiaoyan chuckled.
Fang Yang scratched his head awkwardly. "It's the weekend, so I slept in a little..."
"Fang Yang, you really are a huge lazy pig!" Xu Xiaoyan's laughter came through the communicator.
Just as Fang Yang was about to defend himself, Xu Xiaoyan continued,