Mysteries:Lord Of The Dream Realm

Chapter 4:Happy New Year

Time flies, winter gives way to spring. As the New Year's Eve of 2016 approached, the company took two days off in advance. On the afternoon of the 4th, a group of employees packed up their workstations, their chatter and laughter filling the air with a sense of festivity.

Zhou Mingrui, whose hometown was far away, had managed to grab a train ticket and was eagerly awaiting his journey home for the New Year. This should have been a joyous occasion, but as he tidied up his desk, his demeanor told a different story. He looked listless, lacking his usual energy, and yawned several times, struggling to keep his eyes open.

Meng Xian, seated at the workstation next to Zhou Mingrui, noticed his condition. She raised her head and commented lightly, "You haven't had enough rest in the past few days."

Zhou Mingrui paused mid-yawn, his expression a fleeting tableau of complex emotions. Meng Xian noticed his typically vibrant face now seemed burdened, his pale skin accentuating the dark circles under his eyes.

For a moment, Meng Xian saw a high-level expression management chart flash across his features: one part grievance, two parts madness, three parts grief, and four parts sadness. He stood there, silent, before finally explaining, "My original roommate moved out a week ago, and a new one moved in two days later. This person, well, they're a bit..."

For Zhou Mingrui, who usually maintained an even temperament, to display such an indescribable expression hinted at the sheer exasperation the new roommate had caused.

Meng Xian listened quietly, her thoughts aligning with his predicament. "No need to say more, I understand."

Seeing the exhaustion in Zhou Mingrui's eyes, she could easily guess that his new roommate was likely the kind of person who disrupted the peace. Perhaps they were an enthusiast of late-night activities, clomping around in hard-soled slippers or blasting loud music at ungodly hours.

"It's like having an annoying roommate who doesn't understand the concept of peace," she thought sympathetically.

Zhou Mingrui sighed again, lowering his head slightly. He rubbed his face with his hands, trying to look more refreshed. When he raised his eyes, a bright smile appeared on his lips and eyebrows, masking his fatigue.

"The New Year is coming soon. Let's not talk about these depressing things," he said, forcing a cheerfulness that Meng Xian could see through. "Meng, I'd like to wish you a happy new year in advance. See you next year!"

Meng Xian nodded, her eyes softening with understanding. "See you next year, Zhou."

After their brief exchange, they walked to the company gate together, the crisp winter air biting at their faces. Zhou Mingrui turned and gave her a final wave before heading towards the train station. Meng Xian watched him go, her mind swirling with thoughts.

As she stood there, the cold wind tugging at her coat, she reflected on the changes she had witnessed in Zhou Mingrui over the past few months. She admired his resilience and spirit, even in the face of discomfort and stress. He reminded her so much of Klein Moretti, the protagonist from the novel there the same but at the same time its different, but with a touch more warmth and a sense of familiarity that made him endearing.

......

I went straight back to my rented house.

The rental house is very close to the company, only about ten minutes' walk away. At first, I shared it with a couple, but later they got married and moved into a new house, leaving me alone. I remember the original owner of this body had attended their wedding, a happy occasion filled with laughter and new beginnings.

Walking through the streets, I noticed the night sky shimmering with stars. As I continued, the first snowflakes of the evening began to fall, gently drifting down and landing on my hand. I paused, watching as the delicate snowflake melted in the warmth of my palm, the cold wind blowing it away. I sighed, shaking my head and continued walking, lost in thought.