When the County Magistrate slapped his forehead, he startled the attendant waiting on him.
It was in the predawn hours, when the sky had yet to lighten, a time when exhaustion weighed heaviest.
The personal attendant had been struggling to keep from dozing off, but the sharp sound chased all his sleepiness away.
Startled awake, the personal attendant quickly looked up and asked groggily, "Sir, are you exhausted? Should I bring you another bowl of strong tea?"
Mr. Cheng's first instinct was to refuse, but when his attendant couldn't suppress a yawn, he found himself yawning in response.
Once he yawned, his eyelids began to droop, heavy with sleep.
'I really am getting old. I'm not what I used to be. When I was young, I could pull two all-nighters and still be full of vigor. Not anymore. Now, staying up for just one night makes my chest feel tight and uncomfortable.'
