Chapter One: The Birth of Dreams

  Volume One

  I am an ordinary young man, graduated from college last summer, had two jobs but couldn't stick to them for half a year and went back home to be unemployed. Every day is very simple, eating, sleeping, surfing the internet, living like a pig every day, just an extremely ordinary passerby.

  Some people envy this kind of life, but unfortunately, when it really happens to themselves, they feel different. When boredom sets in, it can drive people crazy, and wandering around is the best way to pass the time.

  Having nothing to do, I picked up a book and snuggled into the sofa to read.

  I think I slept too late last night, no, I'm a night owl, so I should say I got up early today. Now I feel dizzy and my eyelids are heavy as if I'm about to fall asleep.

  Okay, yes, I'm going to take a nap now. Taking a nap is also part of the daily routine for an unemployed youth like me, zzz...

  I don't know how long I slept, but the scent of bright sunshine woke me up. What a beautiful summer afternoon! My hand touched something cold, was it the ground? No way, did I fall asleep on the floor again? Okay, let me change positions and sleep some more. I tried to wake myself up a bit, slowly opening my eyes, only to be pierced by a strong beam of light.

  My god, almost blinded sister's bright eyes, what's going on, how did I sleep outside, where is this place?

  It's probably some kind of park, from a distance I saw a fake mountain, that fake mountain is really ugly, the stones are very strange, and when they're put together it's even more bizarre, like the place where the monsters live in Journey to the West.

  I heard that in ancient times, wealthy people liked to have a fake mountain in their courtyard, and the uglier it was, the better. I really can't understand the wisdom of the ancients, forgive me for being an ignorant modern person.

  It's strange to say that I don't have a park like this near my home, and the fake mountain is not as big as this one. Okay, I have to admit it, I got lost.

  Among these strange rocks, I walked for a long time. Walking left seemed to lead nowhere, and turning right seemed the same as walking left.

  What's going on? Help!

  What kind of place is this? You don't expect me to climb over all these fake hills just to get out, do you? Don't mess with me, I'm a total sports idiot, never passed PE class.

  To escape with my life, I'd rather die than be defeated by this damned fake mountain. I'll fight it out with you! With my left hand grasping a protruding rock, my right hand inserted into the groove, my left foot pushing forward, and my right foot struggling to maintain balance, okay, hold on tight, take a deep breath, and repeat these four actions.

  Heaven forbid, I don't want to be trapped in this monster cave until my body swells up and stinks, then gets discovered the next day, with a newspaper headline reading "Park discovers swollen female corpse, unemployed woman unable to withstand pressure takes own life".

  No way, I definitely can't let such a tragedy happen. Concentrate and work hard to climb up. Suddenly, my hand touched something sticky and wet in the crevice. Ugh, disgusting! What kind of bird doesn't open its eyes and poops on my hand?! I'd rather die than continue climbing this mountain, who knows what other disgusting things are hidden here. Let's just wait for the police uncle to come rescue me, conserve energy!

  Thinking of this, my mood suddenly cleared up. After struggling for half a day, I'm a bit tired, from wherever I fell down, I'll get back up from there, and then lie back down, maybe all of this is just a nightmare, after waking up, I'll be back in my own bed again.

  Lying on the ground outdoors to take a nap, this is the first time in my life. It's a bit exciting to say, and I'm so excited that I couldn't sleep, so I won't sleep anymore. I'll just gaze up at the sky, blow a gentle breeze, and life is just that beautiful.

  Just as I was enjoying the beauty, a sound came from somewhere, it was footsteps, followed by a scream. I guess this classmate must be from the music department, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it's dolphin-like.

  "Miss Ya, how did you end up hiding here? Everyone's been searching for you and almost went crazy! You told me to go back and get your fan, but why weren't you waiting in the pavilion? Why are you lying on the ground? It's freezing down here! My lady, please answer me!" She took a few steps closer, exclaiming loudly.

  I was absolutely wrong about this classmate, she must be from the drama department or the journalism department, her words are so smooth, I'm impressed. Is she rehearsing a play? Such lines, like a palace drama? I stood up and tried to gather my thoughts, really didn't know how to respond to this servant's lines.

  "Uh, great, I mean your lines are well-delivered, emotions are in place, this outfit is nice, the clothes are fine, makeup and hair are meticulous, professional, great, good show! I'm looking forward to seeing more of you!" I replied awkwardly while lying on the ground.

  As soon as I finished speaking, I witnessed the girl's face change from a normal complexion to white and then green. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something but couldn't get it out. Her eyebrows were scrunched up in an expression that conveyed shock, astonishment, and incredulity perfectly, as if she was acting.

  The two of us remained silent, staring at each other with an awkward atmosphere that had reached its peak. I really wanted to slip away quietly, but unfortunately, I didn't know how to escape.

  Thinking of this, I suddenly thought, she was sent by Police Uncle to save me.

  Fine, screw whatever damned principles of being human, she said I'm who I am, so that's who I'll be, get out first then talk.

  I stood up, cleared my throat, coughed, and brought out the momentum of being a customer service representative back in the day. With a smile on my face, speaking softly and gently, with eyes shining brightly, I looked at her and said quietly.

  "Yes, I was just chatting with you, hiding here to cool off. The sun is scorching over there and the cicadas are making a racket, it's quite annoying. It's better to stay quiet like this."

  She seemed somewhat incredulous and for a moment didn't come back to her senses.

  Whether she believes it or not, the play has already begun and she can't just say it's over.

  I've watched too many palace dramas, it's hard to pretend to be a slave, but pretending to be the master is easy. Seeing her not speaking, I put away my smile that was as precious as seeing RMB, and put on the airs of a master, saying in a cold voice.

  "What's wrong with you, still standing there like a fool? I'm exhausted, help me back."

  It seems this trick is useful after all, she immediately woke up and helped me leave that damned demon cave.

  Beyond the artificial hill, there is a winding corridor that winds its way up. I don't know how long I walked before coming across a forest of flowers. Deep within the forest, there was a residence with a courtyard similar to those seen in TV dramas every day. There were stone tables and stools, water vats, and some flowers and grasses. Two houses stood facing each other, with the one on the west side being where I lived.

  Back in the house, I dismissed the servants and carefully examined this boudoir. The solid wood table and chairs, the exquisite tea set, a few scrolls of books, the undried ink, the antique bed, and the transparent curtains.

  The old fragrance, this is the only word I can think of.

  Is this a film set? Is it time for lunch? Why can't I see any cameras? Was that guy just an extra?!

  It's okay, I've never been on a film set before, so let's just consider it a one-day tour of the scene.

  At some point, a figure appeared behind me. It wasn't the extra who brought me here. Judging from her attire, she should be the female lead.

  She wore a dark-coloured embroidered robe wrapped around her body, with an outer layer of white silk, and her black hair was tied up in a knot, with one strand hanging down on her chest. Her figure was slender and delicate, her waist was narrow and weak, making her look charming and moving. She applied light makeup, but it was enough to make her radiant and dazzling, truly a beautiful woman.

  She had a smile on her face, walked over and pulled me, although it was the same sex, but being pulled by such a beautiful woman, it's really worth being happy, how many people envy not to come.

  Her hand was a bit cold, but she didn't mind my dirty appearance at all. She was very kind and said, "Look at you, how did you manage to get into such a mess? Where have you been hiding this afternoon, making us search for you for half the day? Hurry up and wash your face and change your clothes, they're still waiting for you in the front hall!"

  Wait for me, I'm all confused, am I just a friendly guest star? Which director is this, so insightful. I've hidden my exquisite acting skills for over 20 years, and he actually discovered it.

  Haha, even if it's just a friendly guest appearance, who knows, after this drama is broadcast, I might become an X-girl. The crew spends money like water every day, I couldn't let them wait for me, so I quickly followed the female lead to get ready.