The alarm clock on the nightstand rang punctually at 6:30 a.m. Rubbing my groggy head, I slowly rose and silenced the vintage wind-up clock—shattered and repaired countless times—before collapsing back onto the bed. Truth be told, I'd been awake all along. Or perhaps I'd never truly slept.
*Who would've thought?* Even yours truly, Du Miao, could suffer a sleepless night! Was this the legendary "post-holiday syndrome"? Unlikely—I'd never experienced it after previous breaks. After wallowing in absurd thoughts for a while, I sprang upright.
Pee. Wash face. Brush teeth. Style hair. Everything proceeded as usual, though my spirit felt hollow. Dull eyes framed by faint dark circles gave me a panda-esque charm. The only vigor left in my body resided in Little Du downstairs and the defiant cowlick atop my head.
As I faced the mirror, a notification flashed across its smart interface. My obsessive-compulsive self couldn't ignore the red dot over the "breaking news" icon. I knew the "content you might like" would inevitably disappoint—yet I tapped it anyway.
> **[BREAKING] China National Space Administration announces successful establishment of third Mars ecosphere, marking another milestone following two lunar ecospheres. Both lunar modules operate stably, with Ecosphere 1 in Guanghan Zone discovering a remarkable crystalline mineral during subsurface exploration. Exhibiting unparalleled strength and conductivity unmatched by any known material—and unobserved on Earth—this find promises revolutionary applications.
>
> The Martian ecosphere employs cutting-edge recycling tech and AI management, enabling efficient resource recovery and environmental control. Radiation-resistant flora and microbial colonies now enhance its self-sufficiency.
>
> This breakthrough sets new standards for deep-space exploration while pioneering paths in materials science and energy technology. Global space agencies have expressed keen interest, with multiple nations proposing collaborations to advance cosmic endeavors.**
Typical. Vital details glossed over; trivialities amplified. My expectations of official Chinese media remained unchallenged. Had they dubbed the mineral "Lunar Crystal," I wouldn't have batted an eye. Not that any of this concerned me.
After gulping down some milk, I dragged my weary body out the door, backpack in hand, stifling a yawn.
*Hard to believe any high school would accept a bottom-of-the-barrel student like me.* Post-exams, I'd assumed my academic journey ended with compulsory education. Yet excitement flickered alongside disappointment—what caliber could Tianlan High possess if *I* made the cut?
I held no illusions about Tianlan's academic rigor. But why would *she* enroll there? A genuine top-tier scholar, she could've waltzed into any elite academy in Qiongkong City.
Still, a familiar face beat solitude. Purpose trumped drifting—even if the tasks bored me senseless.
I'm Du Miao. Eighteen years old. Two months adrift. Now preparing for a part-time gig as a high school student.