Spent 5 yuan on a bowl of egg fried rice—today, I just got by. Strolling down the street, I saw, in the distance, a game video playing on the mall’s LED screen. It was a promo for “Destiny,” a game the world had been waiting for years to see released. Now it was finally out, moving countless gamers to tears. I’m a gamer too, and I long for those passionate, adrenaline-filled gaming days. Unfortunately, I don’t have any money, and there are only a million headsets in the first global release. The black market price has soared to 100,000 each—no way I can afford that. I’ll take it slow; once I’ve earned enough, I’ll go live my dream life in the game world…

What a shame. The day after tomorrow is the launch of “Destiny.” Missing the first day of the open beta means I’ll be behind from the start!

……

Back at Longhua Community—my place. It’s a one-bedroom apartment, rent is 800, but I’m already behind. The landlady is a sharp-tongued, mean old woman, always mocking and sneering. For women in menopause like her, there’s only one solution—endure!

Downstairs, my room is on the first floor. I took out my key, tried it, but it wouldn’t open!

What’s going on?

Looking closer—oh, the lock’s been changed. There’s a note on the door: “David Thompson, rent overdue by two days and still unpaid. Someone’s coming to see the room tomorrow. No choice, your belongings are by the kitchen!”

I turned around and saw a quilt and some toiletries, all bundled up and left there!

My forehead went hot, my body trembled—

Damn, I’ve been kicked out!

……

Looking up, the sky was filled with countless stars—such a poetic night…

Yeah, it’s the weekend. The park is full of couples being all lovey-dovey. I can’t go sleep there, it’d ruin the mood. So… I’ll just make do downstairs in the community for the night. It’s summer anyway, and aside from the mosquitoes, it’s no big deal. I’m a grown man, with “peerless martial arts”—not afraid of anyone trying to rob me!

Past 11 at night, it was getting a bit chilly. Wrapped in my quilt, I squatted in a corner of the courtyard, eyes half-closed, slowly drifting off to sleep.

“Bzzzz…”

Mosquitoes kept buzzing around my ears. It was tough, but I could handle it. I took out my mosquito net, draped it thickly over my face. It didn’t affect my breathing, but kept the mosquitoes out. Good enough…

……

The night passed, and the rooster crowed at dawn!

I opened my eyes and watched the sun slowly rise, feeling poetic: “Where do I awaken from tonight’s dream? By the willow bank, in the morning breeze and waning moon…”

Hadn’t finished reciting when suddenly a hand landed on my shoulder: “David, why are you sleeping outside?!”

Chapter 3: The Flying Grasshopper

With sleepy eyes, I turned to look. It was a pretty handsome young guy, 24 years old, my good brother from the game, named Henry Stone, nickname Little Wolf. He specializes in the assassin class, and among our group, he’s the best player!

With furrowed brows, I thought—me, David Thompson, a hero all my life, now kicked out and forced to sleep outside in the dew. How could I let my good brother know about such shame? If he found out, how could I face him?!

I said quietly, “Lately I’ve been training in a profound martial art, need to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, the wind, frost, rain, and dew. So, I slept outside last night. You get it… Little Wolf, what brings you here?”

Henry Stone glanced at my toothbrush and instant noodle bowl, the corner of his mouth twitching: “Looks to me like you got kicked out… How long’s it been since you paid rent?”

I shook my head: “It’s all an illusion. We’re adults, gotta see the essence through the surface. Didn’t your politics teacher ever teach you that?”

Henry Stone grinned: “David, stop fooling yourself. Did that mean landlady give you a hard time?”

I shook my head: “No way, you’re overthinking…”

……

Just then, a door to the right opened. The landlady poked her head out, pretended not to see me and Little Wolf, and just muttered, “Hmph, that David Thompson didn’t come back last night. Not only does he not pay rent, he doesn’t pay utilities either, and still asks for a few days’ grace—pah! What’s with young people these days? Strong and healthy but won’t do honest work, can’t even pay rent, so useless. People like that deserve to be single for life, to be lonely bachelors forever!”

I was speechless. You can call me poor, but cursing me to never have a girlfriend? That’s just vicious!!

Henry Stone smirked: “Wow, she’s really mean. David, you’ve put up with her for so long, that’s tough. Want me to go in there and twist her head off?”

Me: “Put down your butcher’s knife, young hero…”

Henry Stone: “Then wait for me half an hour!”

“What for?”

“You’ll see soon enough!”

I packed up my bedding and belongings into a bundle—ready to go anywhere. After a while, Henry Stone came back, carrying a big, stinky bucket full of yellowish muck. I frowned: “Little Wolf, what are you up to?”