To Be A Star - ZhanYi

Chapter - 3

The plot of the story is purely fictitious, any similarity to the reality is purely coincidental.

The following night, Tang Jia paid a visit to check on Xiao Zhan. Having spent the day indoors, Xiao Zhan was attempting to familiarize himself with the small room. However, he couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance it bore to the hostel room he had occupied for a month.

Tang Jia couldn't shake off the feeling that the current apartment wasn't up to par for Xiao Zhan, even though Xiao Zhan insisted there was no need to find a new one. However, Tang Jia, determined to improve Xiao Zhan's living situation, went ahead and secured a single-room apartment that he deemed far better than the previous rental.

And so, Xiao Zhan packed his belongings once more, ready to move into the new apartment that Tang Jia had arranged for him.

The transition to the new place was challenging for Xiao Zhan. The atmosphere was far from the tranquility he was used to in Tianjin. Even during the night, the constant noise of cars and motorcycles on Santaishan road could be heard, and this was despite the fact that he didn't even reside in the city center. His apartment was situated in Daxing, a bustling area.

Xiao Zhan couldn't help but admire his small, yet well-appointed apartment. Despite its compact size of just eighteen square feet, it boasted more amenities and furnishings than his home back in Tianjin. A sleek refrigerator, a comfortable single bed, and a cozy blue couch adorned the living space, creating a pleasant ambiance. Even the walls were painted in a soothing shade of blue, adding a touch of tranquility. To his surprise, the apartment also featured modern conveniences that were beyond his wildest dreams in Tianjin—a refreshing air conditioner and a convenient washing machine.

He was completely unfamiliar with using a washing machine, and the electric range in the kitchen was a completely foreign concept to him. He had only ever known how to cook on a gas stove. It made him feel like a primitive man trying to navigate in a modern society.

However, amidst all these new and unfamiliar things, there was one familiar element that brought him comfort—the nearby river. The Liangshui River flowed just a stone's throw away from his apartment, reminding him of the branch of the Hai River that used to run near his childhood home. At night, he would stand by the window and watch the tranquil flow of the Liangshui River, longing for the simplicity and familiarity of his past.

It took some time for Xiao Zhan to adjust to his new surroundings. Unlike the caring and close-knit community he was used to in Yaoshang, the people in Beijing seemed indifferent to their neighbors. They didn't even acknowledge each other's existence, too busy with their own lives to spare a moment of concern.

Surrounded by a sea of people rushing towards their goals, Xiao Zhan felt like a solitary figure amidst the chaos. While everyone seemed to be drawn towards something, like iron to a magnet, he stood still, observing the fast-paced world unfold before him.

The recurring thought of 'I don't belong here' often crossed Xiao Zhan's mind.

Whenever Xiao Zhan encountered something he didn't know how to use, instead of seeking Tang Jia's help, he turned to online platforms like Zhihu and Baidu to post his questions. Not all the answers he received were perfect, as some mocked his lack of knowledge, but there were also genuine responses that he truly appreciated.

After a month had passed, Tang Jia paid a visit to Xiao Zhan and couldn't help but feel disheartened when he saw Xiao Zhan still personally collecting scraps. He pleaded with him to enlist others to gather scraps on his behalf and take charge of managing them. Tang Jia desired Xiao Zhan as an equal business partner, not just someone who served under him.