Students Fill Thermoses in Hefei Hallway Before Finals

Polished concrete floors reflect the soft, diffused glow filtering through low-hanging gray clouds above. A cluster of students stands along the schoolyard walkway, their movements focused and deliberate as they pour hot water from large stainless steel thermoses into personal mugs. Books and notebooks lie scattered on nearby benches, their pages catching the pale skylight. The dry season air leaves the surfaces crisp and clear. Metal spouts gleam against the muted tones of the hallway walls. One student adjusts a red strap on their backpack while another watches the steam rise in thin, visible trails. The light falls across the stack of textbooks, highlighting the texture of the worn covers and the sheen of the polished floor beneath their feet.