The moon on the eighth day was already half full.
Soft white moonlight outlined one clear shape after another across the university grounds. Without even looking up, Zheng Qing could tell from the shadows on the ground which belonged to the sycamore trees at the edge of the courtyard, which belonged to the Old Scholar Tree at the entrance to the rear garden, and which was a squirrel playing dead while clutching chestnuts it had hidden away all winter, warily watching him stroll past.
If Zheng Qing had been a cat right then, he would certainly have been very interested in chasing that squirrel halfway across the university.
But he was still human.
And humans had to act at least somewhat human, especially now that he was a teaching assistant—a bona fide First University employee who enjoyed the benefits of an official Teaching Assistant Group member. He could no longer display the frivolity of his old days.
Thinking of that, the young wizard unconsciously lifted his chin and walked even more stiffly upright.
The night was cool, and the breeze swayed gently. The air carried the scent of damp earth mixed with withered grass, the scent of Linzhong Lake after it had thawed, the scent of tender buds sprouting from branches, and the restless scent emanating from students hurrying back to campus in the dead of night.
It was like spring had already put one foot across the threshold.
The entire university was surging with a scent called "new life."
Zheng Qing's gaze roamed everywhere, and he dearly wished to catch some student breaking school rules, just to test the mettle of this newly appointed teaching assistant. Unfortunately, he found no such opportunity all the way back to the dormitory.
He pushed open the door, somewhat disappointed.
The room was