Chapter 4: A Resonant Clang!
Chapter 4: The Resounding Sound!
Night.
It was filled with profound depth.
Zhong Chongwen stared blankly at the night sky.
Beneath the sky, stars scattered like jewels, the moon faintly veiled by a thin mist.
He lowered his head slightly, gazing at the nearby street alley.
The scent of burnt food wafted from the barbecue stalls lining the street. Many middle-aged men, shirtless, gulped down beer and devoured meat. Amid the cacophony of honking horns and chatter, they conversed about matters far and wide.
He looked ahead.
Ahead,
a musty stench filled the air. A low, dilapidated bungalow door creaked softly as it was pushed open.
The door seemed decayed, as if a forceful shove would topple it.
He was stunned.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine anyone actually lived here.
This place was worse than his old countryside home.
He instinctively turned to the other side. Clearly, Zhao Hang, limping as he followed, also stared wide-eyed, disbelief etched across his face.
Under the cloak of night,
he felt a profound sense of disparity.
He wanted to say something but ultimately remained speechless.
“What are you standing there for? Come in!”
“Brother Zhang… I… We… actually live…”
“….”
Zhong Chongwen usually stammered, but now, overwhelmed by shock, his stammer grew even worse.
“Universal Technology!”
The name sounded impressive, and coming from Zhang Yang, it sounded even more formidable—as if it were a world-class corporation.
But at this moment…
Zhong Chongwen felt as if he had seen a ghost.
He watched as Zhang Yang affectionately took his luggage and entered the dimly lit room.
He stared blankly at the incandescent bulb overhead; it was somewhat dirty, seemingly covered with spider webs.
He didn’t know whether to enter or not and even began seeking excuses in his mind to leave.
Zhao Hang beside him felt the same.
He felt deceived.
Clutching his suitcase, he glanced around nervously, sensing the place resembled some shady den—perhaps a cult or a pyramid scheme hideout.
He wanted to leave…
But—
“Oh, why are you still standing there? Don’t be shy, come on in…”
“You’ve traveled so far, it’s not easy. Here, have some tea. Let’s talk about the future!”
“…”
Zhang Yang came out of the house. Seeing their dazed expressions, a smile instantly spread across his face. He immediately threw an arm around them, warmly pulling them inside.
Zhao Hang struggled slightly.
But no one expected Zhang Yang to be so strong. No matter how much he resisted, it was useless. Instead, Zhang Yang used his momentum to drag him into the pitch-dark room.
“Boss Zhang, actually… I suddenly feel like I forgot something. Maybe I should go back and get it.”
“Yes, Zhang… Zhang… Brother Zhang, I, I, I… suddenly feel like I left something at the job fair. I’ll go get it right now…”
When Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen were pulled inside, a foul stench hit them, and their eyes landed on a gleaming kitchen knife lying on the table. Panic flickered across their faces.
When Zhang Yang casually closed the door and stood blocking the entrance, Zhong Chongwen was so terrified he stopped stammering altogether!
What was this guy planning?
“What do you want to get?”
“I, I… actually… I…”
Zhong Chongwen searched for words but found none.
His mind was blank, heart pounding wildly as images from horror films like “Hell’s Serial Killer” and “House of Dismemberment” flooded his thoughts.
They were just fresh graduates…
And this was their first time experiencing such a deceitful ordeal.
For a moment, they didn’t know what to do.
“Don’t be afraid…” Zhang Yang saw their expressions and half-smiled, shaking his head. “Sit down. What era do you think this is? I don’t do illegal things. Besides, there are people outside. If you shout, everyone out there will hear you…”
“T-then you…”
Hearing Zhang Yang’s words, Zhong Chongwen felt a little relieved and reconsidered—it did make sense.
“Sit down. Let’s talk in detail.”
…
The incandescent light was dim.
The table was an old Eight Immortals wooden table, showing signs of age.
Not far away on a desk lay several books—all about art.
Sitting on a worn wooden chair, Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen watched as Zhang Yang gently picked up a piece of milk candy and slowly chewed, his gaze drifting toward the window.
For a moment, his eyes seemed heavy with weariness.
Then he turned back, looking serious.
“The gap you feel inside is huge, isn’t it?”
Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen remained silent. Under Zhang Yang’s steady gaze, they felt a hint of guilt.
Zhang Yang smiled again.
“2005 was a good era. The gaming industry was booming, filled with hope and passion. The internet was budding, and the digital age was about to explode…”
Chewing his candy, Zhang Yang spoke to himself as if reminiscing.
Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen sensed nostalgia in his voice.
Under the dim light, Zhang Yang’s eyes were deep and filled with mixed emotions—young yet somehow aged beyond his years.
After his reflection, he looked at them quietly.
“What do you think games are? When did they originate? And where is their future?”
Zhao Hang answered instinctively.
“Boss Zhang, I don’t know exactly what you’re up to, but games are platforms on the internet where we play and participate. They come in many forms—from the ancient Subor consoles to today’s arcade machines. In the future, I think computer games will be mainstream…”
“That’s right, but…” Zhang Yang squinted, nodding, though his gaze grew deeper. “It’s not the whole picture.”
“Huh?”
“Games originated in ancient times. After our ancestors finished their daily toil, they needed a way to relieve their weary bodies and minds. From the dawn of humanity, games have accompanied everyone…” Zhang Yang smiled oddly. “Of course, I’m not here to talk about the origins of games but about a real-life game… For example, me—right now I have only thirty yuan in my pocket. Making it through today is uncertain, and I don’t even know where I’ll get breakfast the day after tomorrow. I might not even last that long… If I hadn’t made that recruitment billboard, maybe I’d be better off…”
“…”
“My rent is due in two days. In this city of Yanjing, finding a place even like this for 200 yuan a month is almost impossible—or rather, nonexistent…”
“…”
“I haven’t had any work for half a month. I can’t even keep up with others picking up recyclables on the street… You guys can’t stay in Yanjing? You can go back to the countryside. But I have nothing there—no family, no house, not even relatives… I’m probably alone in this world…”
“…”
“Many years ago, I thought I had reached the hardest point in life. But many years later, I realized the challenges I face now are even harsher, with no hope in sight…”
“…”
Suddenly, Zhao Hang realized he couldn’t quite grasp what Zhang Yang was saying.
Though Zhang Yang seemed sincere, his words were filled with bleakness, his voice growing more and more laden with weariness.
What was he really trying to do?
“Many times, I ask myself honestly and feel my life has been terrible. I even question why I’m so miserable…”
“I have been angry before, feeling the heavens unjust. I’ve also been discouraged, thinking this world is meaningless…”
“But looking at bustling crowds and bright sunshine, at a certain moment, I suddenly felt that life is just a game. Some start at higher levels; some start lower. As for me, I’m a level one character in this game. I have nothing—no money, no power. It seems the world has set me to play in hell mode…”
“But…”
“What does it matter?”
“…”
Zhang Yang stood up.
His voice remained sincere but carried an indescribable, stirring passion.
In the dim light,
a flicker of madness gleamed in his eyes, making Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen shudder.
At this moment, Zhang Yang resembled a fanatic, absorbing followers—yet like a madman, unpredictable in his intentions.
Outside, moonlight streamed in.
Inside, Zhang Yang slowly pulled out several resumes stuck together with transparent tape from his pocket.
Then, he took out his phone.
He played a recording.
Zhao Hang was stunned.
Zhong Chongwen was stunned.
They stared fixedly at the items.
“These are your resumes, thrown away like trash…”
“…”
As Zhang Yang’s words fell, the phone recording began.
“People who can’t even get into university probably have some IQ issues… He was boasting confidently at our Wrangler recruitment booth. Seeing his self-assured look, I almost thought he was a golden talent returned from overseas… But when I saw his education background, I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter! What kind of nonsense is this…”
“There are quite a few of these oddballs…”
“And these ones—a stammerer who can barely speak properly, another who looks like a simpleton wanting to join operations—what’s he dreaming of? And this one looks sickly… These people might drag down the company’s overall quality… Forget it.”
“…”
The recording was muffled but somehow clear enough.
Zhao Hang and Zhong Chongwen were shocked.
In their minds, several HRs appeared—smiling earnestly and sincerely.
But…
How could a company this big act like this?
Why do this?
If they wanted to clean up, why not do it at the office?
Why…
They were stunned.
Their hearts sank to the lowest depths.
“I once thought the world was full of sunshine, that people were all optimistic…”
“But then I realized the darkness hidden behind the sunlight is even colder…”
“But there’s no denying, this is an era of great upheaval!”
“In this era of great upheaval, take one step forward, and you might make history!”
“Join me. Let’s do something. Then show those who rejected you just how foolish their actions were…”
“Like wild grass, we must grow upwards against the wind…”
“Let the world dance for you!”
“…”
(End of Chapter)