The morning still held a lingering chill. A cold breeze blew, chasing away the remnants of sleep and, by some stroke of luck, snapping Zhao Yan fully awake. The sky was only just beginning to brighten; it was still very early. Not knowing when the others at the Hanlin Academy would arrive, Zhao Yan stood there alone, feeling somewhat bored.
Standing outside was, after all, not as comfortable as being indoors, where a lit stove made the air much warmer. However, to maintain a semblance of harmony, Zhao Yan chose not to step inside.
The room was occupied by Cáo Bóshān and his circle—his rivals. Zhao Yan did not want to walk in only to be targeted by that group. It was cold outside, true, but a few hops and jumps were enough to warm his body.
Chapter 358