The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

The room wasn't big. On the left were two bunk beds, and on the right were a wardrobe, a bookshelf, and a table with a chessboard on it.

The curtains were drawn back, and the afternoon sun shone in, casting bright patches of light on the floor.

"The upper bunk by the door is Honghe's," Ban Heng pointed. "The lower bunk is where Xu Hou stayed last night. He just stayed for one night and left this morning. The bedding hasn't been put away yet. If you don't mind, you can use it."

Time followed his finger and looked over. There was a blue and white checkered sheet on the bed, the quilt was piled up on the bed, and there was a faint crease on the pillow.

"If you don't mind, then this is fine. But, Ms. Ban, can I sleep in the top bunk?"

Ban Heng paused for a moment, then smiled: "Of course, you can sleep wherever you want. That lower bunk is Shen Yilang's, but the upper bunk hasn't been occupied for a while, so we need to tidy it up—"

"It's okay, I can do it myself." Shi Guang looked around. "Teacher Ban, where's the water room? I'll go get a basin of water to wipe myself down."

Ban Heng glanced at him, somewhat surprised: "It's at the end of the corridor, just turn left."

Shi Guang carried a washbasin from the shelf out the door, not knowing whose it was, but decided to borrow it for the time being.

Not long after, he returned carrying a basin of water with a rag draped over the rim.

I don't know where I found it; it looks old, but it's very clean.

He put the basin on the table, climbed the ladder, and began wiping the upper bunk.

The bed frame was made of wood and covered with a thin layer of dust.

Time wiped it twice with all its might, and the water that came out of the rag was grayish-black.

"Has this bed been unoccupied for a long time?"

"It's been a few months," Ban Heng said, leaning against the side. "This upper bunk has been empty ever since Yue Zhi stopped staying here."

Shiguang said "Oh," wiped it again, and then, satisfied, threw the rag back into the basin and climbed down.

"Teacher Ban, is this quilt very thick?"

"No, they're all from the dojo. He just stayed here for the night."

"Isn't he a student at the dojo?"

"I used to be your second senior brother, right? I've had my professional rank for a few years now, and I'm a fourth-dan now."

"Second Senior Brother? Then who is our Eldest Senior Brother?"

"Zhang Rui, didn't he tell you?"

"without……"

Shi Guang didn't want to talk about anything related to Zhang Rui, so he kept quiet.

Ban Heng watched him climb the ladder carrying the blanket with surprising speed and efficiency, and couldn't help but laugh: "You're quite the worker."

"Of course." Shi Guang spread the blanket out on the top bunk, then climbed down to get a pillow. "My mom says I'm much better at housework than studying."

Ban Heng watched as he placed the pillow properly and tucked the corners of the sheet under the blanket. His movements were practiced and skillful, unlike those of a novice.

"Do you need any help?"

"No need, no need!" Shi Guang peeked out from the top bunk. "It'll be ready soon."

Sure enough, the upper bunk was tidied up perfectly in less than two minutes.

Time jumped down from the top bunk, dusted off its clothes, and looked at its work with satisfaction.

"alright."

He took the dirty water from the basin and emptied it, washed and dried the rag, and when he returned, Zhang Rui was standing at the door.

"Teacher Ban." Zhang Rui nodded as a greeting, then handed a plastic bag to Shi Guang, "Toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, soap."

Shi Guang took it, glanced at it, and saw that there weren't many items, but they were all useful.

Thanks!

Zhang Rui grunted in agreement, said nothing more, and left.

Shiguang stood there, carrying the bag, with a feeling she couldn't quite describe.

"Your brother went out of his way to buy it for you."

Chu Yingpiao stood beside him, smiling as she spoke.

"I know."

Shi Guang muttered something under his breath, then put the bag on the table and started taking things out.

Ban Heng glanced at the clock on the wall; it was almost 11:30.

"If you're all packed up, let's go eat. The cafeteria is on the first floor; it should be open by now."

Shi Guang arranged the toiletries on the table and then followed Ban Heng out the door.

As I went downstairs, I gradually heard voices in the corridor.

A queue had already formed in the cafeteria on the first floor, filled with students from the dojo, chatting in twos and threes.

There were more than a dozen long tables inside, and the aroma of food wafted from the food serving window.

Ban Heng glanced around, then beckoned in one direction: "Hong He, come here for a second!"

Following his gaze, Shi Guang saw a round-faced boy carrying a tray walking towards them, accompanied by a tall, thin man.

"Teacher Ban, what's wrong?" Hong He walked over, his gaze falling on Shi Guang, looking him up and down. "And this is?"

"These are the new students who just arrived today; you'll be in the same room."

"A new roommate?" Hong He was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and extended his hand. "Hello, Hong He."

"Time".

"Shiguang... that's an easy name to remember. Okay, you'll be following me from now on." Honghe patted Shiguang on the shoulder. "This is Shen Yilang, he'll be in our room too."

Hello, hello.

Shen Yilang nodded: "Welcome."

"Come on, let's get our food first." Honghe enthusiastically pulled Shiguang towards the window. "It's Wednesday today, they have braised pork, you're lucky!"

Time was being pulled forward by Honghe, and he glanced back at Ban Heng.

Ban Hengchong waved his hand, indicating that he could just follow along.

After getting his food, Shi Guang took his tray and followed Hong He to a seat.

Hong He sat opposite him, and Shen Yilang sat next to him.

"Why are you reporting for duty today? It's already March, the ranking tournament is coming up soon, the dojo usually doesn't accept new students at this time."

Shi Guang didn't know how to respond to that, so he could only smile.

Shen Yilang picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks and said casually, "Teacher Ban must have his reasons for accepting him."

Hong He wasn't embarrassed and continued talking to himself: "What's your skill level? Which Go school did you learn at?"

"I haven't been to any other dojos, I've just been playing around on my own, and I haven't been studying for more than a few days."

"Just playing around by yourself?" Hong He's eyes widened. "Then what are you doing at the dojo?"

"Learn chess, of course," Shi Guang said matter-of-factly.

Honghe opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

After a moment of awkward silence, Honghe began to explain the various rules and regulations of the dojo.

Shiguang listened while eating, occasionally nodding.

At the other end of the cafeteria, by the window, Zhang Rui sat alone with a bowl of noodles in front of him.

He had been keeping an eye on things ever since he entered the cafeteria; the noodles were almost soggy.

Honghe's loud voice could be heard several tables away. He kept rambling on and on about how "Teacher Da is so fierce" and "which day of the week the food is the best".

Time occasionally responded, its voice not loud, but it didn't sound tense.

Zhang Rui picked up a mouthful of noodles and paused.

He saw Shi Guang laugh at Hong He's words, his shoulders twitching. Then Hong He said something else, and Shi Guang laughed even harder, almost dropping his chopsticks.

Zhang Rui lowered his head and continued eating his noodles, a slight smile playing on his lips before quickly returning to his usual expression.