Chapter 001 Urban Traveler

Wenxu could not hear the discussions of the two individuals. As soon as he drove out of the underground parking garage, he eagerly turned on the radio. Upon switching it on, there was a crackling sound, and after he slapped the radio twice, the magnetic voice of the female host came through: "Alright, it is just past 5:30. Have you finished work yet? Now, let's listen to a song... The song is titled 'Urban Night Returnee'... After he slapped the radio twice, the magnetic voice of the female host came through: "Alright, it is just past 5:30. Have you finished work yet? Now, let's listen to a song... The song is titled 'Urban Night Returnee'...

The lady who was speaking chuckled softly, then lowered her head and resumed playing with her phone

It is close, just a ten-minute drive, and the car stopped directly by the roadside where the two got out.

When Wen Xu chose this university, he was only focused on one thing: the high scholarship offered by the school. Upon enrollment, not only was he exempted from nearly 10,000 yuan in tuition for the first year, but he also received a one-time scholarship of 15,000 yuan! For four years, he wouldn't have to spend any money, and living expenses were also covered! When Wen Xu made the decision to attend this school, even the admissions officer was taken aback, looking at him with the eyes of someone observing a monster, glancing at him several times. Because apart from this guy, no one would choose this third-rate university for such a small difference in scholarship, giving up the century-old prestigious university, Jida, which is also located in Mingzhu.

Although it is necessary to occasionally consider Sun An'an's feelings, both individuals agree that Xiao Sun is indeed a good daughter-in-law, and Zhao Defang has struck gold. Nowadays, there are really not many girls willing to earn money like this, and in their view, women who manage a household like Sun An'an are rare.

There are not many companies that close at this hour. Although the companies here appear to be quite respectable, working overtime is the norm. At this time, there are usually only three to five people in the elevator, and even with the heating on, it feels somewhat empty.

As an eastern metropolis, the Pearl differs from the capital. If the capital is a city of elegance, rich in cultural atmosphere, then the Pearl is the most vibrant commercial city of the times, a city of fashion. Even in the night, this city radiates an unparalleled sense of style, with countless skyscrapers standing in succession, and lights as numerous as the stars in the sky enveloping the entire city in a mesmerizing sea of light and shadow

As soon as the phone call connected, Yan Dong exchanged a few words before hanging up: "Let's go, Sun An'an is not here, and she said she would be back later tonight. Xian Wang asked us to go help out, as he has guests over there"

Even in the harsh winter, I tossed the box inside, clapped my hands, and said: "Alright!"

His name is Wenxu. To introduce himself, he would say that "Wen" means warmth, and "Xu" means gentle sunlight. He graduated from a third-rate university in Mingzhu and after graduation, he officially became a programmer at a small third-rate software company. His income is considered quite good in Mingzhu, with a monthly salary of 20,000 after tax. He is basically not inclined to buy a house, but as a spendthrift, he can still live quite well.

They had been busy for almost an hour, and the dishes were nearly all served. The small stall was also filled to capacity with customers, and only then did the three of them take a brief moment to catch their breath

Why is there none, isn't Sun An'an just!

"Why should I not take it to heart? Every time we argue, regardless of right or wrong, I am the one who admits my fault, alright?" Wenxu muttered with dissatisfaction.

Wenxu does not like to wipe the table, feeling that this task is not as good as serving dishes. Dealing with leftover food, he complained, "Why is it me again who has to wipe the table?"

Upon hearing Zhao Defang's words, Wen Xu had no choice but to pick up a cloth and start tidying the table, while Yan Dong cheerfully took on the role of a waiter

It is not yet a matter of the house. Wenxu does not smoke, and upon seeing the two individuals with their large cigarettes puffing away, he moved a little further away from them, also avoiding secondhand smoke while gaining the upper hand.

Now is the time of the revered one, and here at Zhao Defang's place, even dividing the day among three people is insufficient. Upon seeing two individuals arrive, joy immediately appeared on their faces.

You may think this way, but you must consider the girl as well. If she has nothing, why would she marry you? Is she really going to accompany you in building your career? Where can you find such a girl nowadays?

The young couple had been quite unhappy a few days ago, and the catalyst for the situation was their housing issue. Guan Siya believed that they should quickly buy an apartment in Mingzhu, while Wen Xu thought that the prices in Mingzhu were too high. Even in areas that are not city center, the cost could easily reach 50,000 to 60,000 per square meter. After purchasing a house, their standard of living would undoubtedly drop significantly. This particular statement ignited Guan Siya's anger, leading her to scold Wen Xu for nearly two hours, during which Wen Xu hardly said much, acting as a patient listener, occasionally offering water to his girlfriend when he noticed her throat was dry. Who would have thought that this would only escalate Guan Siya's anger further? She stormed out, taking her suitcase and moving to her company's dormitory, and for several days, she did not answer any of Wen Xu's calls.

As a key member of the company's technical backbone, Wei Yuanchuan wanted to discuss overtime with Wenxu in a polite manner, rather than simply saying to someone else, "So-and-so, work overtime today." This is not just because of his strong technical skills, but also because he has a knack for obtaining certifications. He possesses nearly all top-tier certifications from companies like Microsoft and Oracle, and he is particularly adept at passing exams, excelling in a test-oriented education system.

In the harsh winter, Yan Dong and Wen Xu make it a point to visit Zhao Defang at least once or twice a week. One reason is for the free food and drink, and the other is to gather with friends. Zhao Defang has no objections to their free-loading, but his wife, Sun An'an, always complains about it. Fortunately, the two have thick skins and do not take it to heart; after her complaints, they still come back next time! Of course, if Sun An'an is not around, the dishes they get are generally better, and they do not have to pay. When Sun An'an is present, if they wish to avoid paying, the quality of the food naturally declines. They might get some stir-fried dishes, but they can completely forget about any substantial main courses.

Boss, please settle the bill

Originally, I planned to practice driving until I was proficient, but who would have thought that this remarkable vehicle truly lives up to its reputation. After all the toiling and trouble, it has hardly shown any signs of malfunction, and I have continued to use it as a means of transportation up to the present. However, now the license plate alone is worth more than 30,000, so it can be said that purchasing this car has been a profitable decision

Wenxu entered the elevator and pressed the button for the basement level 3, smiling as he said, "What a coincidence, aren't you punctual as well?"

"Daxu, have you finished work yet?" came the voice of Yandong from the other end of the phone

Do not assume that Wenqu is attending a third-rate university due to poor academic performance; in fact, he performed very well in high school. Although his high school teachers did not set the goal of entering top domestic universities such as Qinghua University or Peking University for him, they did aim for universities that rank among the top in the 985 and 211 projects.

"I just want to take a nap, why are there so many demands?" Yan Dong pushed Wen Xu out and then smiled as he locked the door, saying while pushing Wen Xu outside: "Come on, today you will help me move, and I will treat you to a meal. Let's not let the good stuff go to waste and head to the stall at the Xian Wang's place."

Wen Xu said, "Goodness, in the city center, it's around 100,000 per square meter, and even in the outskirts, it costs at least 40,000 to 50,000. With that kind of money, it would be much better to rent a house and live comfortably, waiting to return to my hometown with money to enjoy my old age..." Wen Xu has always been nostalgic for the leisurely life in the countryside. If it weren't for Guan Siya insisting on staying in Mingzhu, he would have returned long ago, given his nature. Why would he still remain in the metropolis as a human-shaped smog cleaner?

It is not because he did not perform well in the college entrance examination, but rather for him, the distinction lies in whether or not to attend university, rather than which university to attend

As she watched Wengxu walk away, the young girl quietly asked the lady, "Sister, do you know him? This young man looks quite good, don't you think..."

Why must one exhaust oneself so much! Wenxu found it somewhat difficult to understand

Are there any exceptions? Yes!

"Go!" After that, he immediately hung up the phone.

Most of the key things are already similar, even if I write them now, it wouldn't make much sense. I'll wait for their materials to come out before I write, it's the same. Working overtime is completely unnecessary; whatever needs to be done can wait until I come in tomorrow. With that, Wenxu bypassed the head of the technical department and floated out of the office, leaving the company amidst the envious gazes of the two young ladies at the front desk

luxury car

Here she comes! Zhao Defang extinguished the cigarette butt in her hand and walked over to the table of guests. As she walked, she said to Wen Xu, "An An is with Guan Siya tonight, helping to persuade you. You really don't take her seriously enough. Just look at Guan Siya's appearance; you have no idea how many men outside are drooling over her."

If you are not feeling well, just let me know. Don't keep pushing yourself like this. I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, health is the most important thing; everything else is secondary. After saying this, Wen Hu took out his phone and started setting the navigation to the destination

No, it's not that kind of low-end vehicle, it's the Wuling Hongguang, which is quite remarkable

"Daxu, what kind of trouble have you and Guan Siya gotten into again?" Zhao Defang pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his oversized denim overalls, tossed one to Yan Dong, and after lighting one for himself and taking a puff, he asked.

The vehicle was easier to navigate at this point, and after spending nearly an hour, Wenxu delivered Yandong to the new residence, and only after signing the contract did he throw the two boxes inside

Wenxu wanted to say something else, but was pushed out by the harsh winter. The house where the harsh winter lived was one that Wenxu had also lived in when he had just graduated. It was the kind of place where dozens of square meters were divided into seven or eight rooms, with only a narrow passage left for one person to walk between the rooms. In each room, there was barely enough space for a single bed and a bedside table.

After reporting to his girlfriend, Wenqu patiently waited for the car in front to move, showing no signs of impatience. While waiting, he hummed along to the rhythm of the song playing on the radio. Meanwhile, some drivers nearby began to complain restlessly, like ants on a hot pan.

Is it so congested? The luggage for the harsh winter is not much, just the belongings of an old mover, with one large and one small suitcase, which is even less than what an average girl would take on a trip. As soon as the vehicle pulls up, the sliding door opens, the suitcases are placed onto the car, and then they quickly get inside the vehicle

"This is your head, and at this point, it's time to get off work. There are not many people here who don't know him, even if they don't know his name, they recognize his car," the lady said with a smile

The young lady was speaking when she saw an old Wuling van, with more than ten car logos collected from auto parts markets hanging on the back, including brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lamborghini, all present. There was also a slogan on the rear window: "Decisive Battle at Akina Mountain, Losers Leave Their Names!"

As he looked at the clock on the wall, which showed 5:30, Weng Xu's fingers gracefully slid off the keyboard, skillfully shutting down the computer, preparing to pick up the small bag on the desk and head home

"By the way, I almost forgot about this matter since you didn't mention it," Wenxu said. Hearing this, Yandong took out his phone and began to call Zhao Defang.

As the saying goes, in a vast forest, there are all kinds of birds. There is one such individual who remains in this great eastern metropolis not to purchase a house here, nor to become a resident of this city. His reason for staying in this city is quite simple: his girlfriend wishes to remain here, and thus, he has chosen to stay as well

Is it time to get off work on time again?" A lady in the elevator greeted Wenxu with a smile as he walked in

Moving near the wise king, just a few blocks away from him, the rent over there is a bit lower..." Yan Dong said the address with a smile

Wenqu said directly: "Alright, I will head over directly. You find a place to rest for now. It will take me at least forty minutes to get there."

The "Wise King" is neither a street nor a residential community, but rather a nickname for another individual in a dormitory, whose full name is Zhao Defang. He shares the same name as the legendary Eighth Wise King Zhao Defang from the Song Dynasty, which is how he acquired this nickname. Originally from Mingzhu, his girlfriend is also a classmate. Upon graduation, with the support of their parents, they purchased a house and got married. They have secured a home, but their combined salaries are nearly consumed by the mortgage. To make ends meet, they started running a night market stall after work.

The car had been driving for almost ten minutes when Wenfu became a bit dazed; there was a traffic jam! If the area around Mingzhu gets congested, it would truly be a dire situation

"Then come over to my place and help me move. I need to find a vehicle, and it will cost a few hundred. I can only enlist you as a laborer," said Yan Dong from the other end.

Understood, when I am unable to cook, I will certainly give you the opportunity to lend me money. Now hurry up and leave, the landlord over there has been waiting for me for a long time

Looking at the silhouette of the divine vehicle Wuling, the young woman couldn't help but exclaim: "I can't believe it, it really is a loser!"

Upon hearing this, the two of them got into the car and headed towards the small street where Zhao Defang set up her stall

You brat, you always serve the wrong dishes, making me apologize with wine every time. If you keep serving dishes like this, I might as well not set up my stall at all; all my hard work for a whole night would be in vain. Zhao Defang said: "Hurry up, everyone get to work!"

After waiting for nearly a quarter of an hour, the vehicle finally began to move slowly. By the time it arrived at the base of Yan Dong Building, it had already been two hours since he made the phone call

"Wenxu, could you work some overtime? The company has been very busy lately..." The head of the technical department, Wei Yuanchuan, appeared at the office door. Upon seeing Wenxu about to leave, he immediately put on a smile and hurried over to Wenxu, speaking in a friendly tone.

The song on the radio has not yet played, but the ringtone of Wengxu's nearly ten-year-old mobile phone has already started ringing.

It is estimated that the car will not be able to move for a while. Wenqu first called Yan Dong, and then he called his girlfriend Guan Siya. No one answered on the other end of the line, so he left her a voice message on WeChat, saying that he was going to help Yan Dong move today and would not be going to her place.

Zhao Defang smiled and said: "Well, I am lucky to be a buddy, but don't forget that I also have over 60 square meters. Although it's a bit small, you have to admit that it is still a home after all"

The other junior programmers in the office looked at Wenxu with envy upon seeing this situation. For them, the head of the technical department was like a deity; they wondered when they would be able to attain a position like Wenxu's.

When the elevator reached the negative third floor, only the lady who had just spoken and a young girl beside her remained inside, along with Wenxu.

Every year, countless young talents flock to this modern city, which is also the economic center, from all corners of the motherland. Each individual is drawn to the city's splendid prosperity before entering it. Upon arriving in this city, they yearn to possess a light of their own amidst the city's nightscape, hoping to own a home that belongs to them. For the vast majority, this is seen as the true proof of their belonging to this city, marking their transformation into a true resident of the new pearl.

"Driving this car to work?" The young woman was somewhat taken aback. It should be noted that this negative three level is the internal parking lot of the building, consisting of private parking spaces for various companies. In such a high-end office building's private garage, cars worth around 100,000 are extremely rare. To put it bluntly, even the average cars here are worth over 200,000, with most starting at around 300,000. To be more straightforward, even the delivery vehicles must be at least in the range of 300,000, like a Prado. Suddenly, in the midst of this, there was a car worth only 50,000 to 60,000, and it was indeed quite conspicuous. Cars worth around 100,000 are extremely rare here; even the average ones are over 200,000, with most starting at around 300,000. To be more straightforward, even the delivery vehicles must be at least in the range of 300,000, like a Prado. Suddenly, in the midst of this, there was a car worth only 50,000 to 60,000, and it was indeed quite conspicuous. The phrase "a crane standing among chickens" aptly describes its conspicuousness, as it draws attention just like a chicken standing among cranes.

This place ... ...

This dilapidated Wuling van could not be any more shabby, as it zipped past the young woman's line of sight with a whoosh

Wen Xu said: "It would be strange if there were no traffic at this hour. Where are you planning to move to next?"

Everyone thinks that Wenqu made the car look like this to show off, but in fact, the car was already like this when Wenqu bought it. The previous owner was Wenqu's roommate, a 'fashionable young man' who modified the car like this after purchasing it. Less than six months later, he replaced it with another car, the H6, transferring both the license plate and the car to Wenqu for 30,000 yuan. At that time, Wenqu had just obtained his driver's license and thought of it as a practice vehicle, so he didn't bother to change anything and simply kept it as it was.

"Did you bring money? Just opening your mouth is like a stall from the Xianwang family?" Wen Xu asked with a smile

Hello! As I took out my phone and looked at it, I immediately recognized it was my good buddy, my brother with whom I lived for four years in college, Yan Dong, calling. In his own words, he now considers himself a freelancer, but in reality, he is more like a job hopper. Having graduated nearly seven years ago, he has changed jobs no less than ten times, frequently switching between being the one who fires the boss and the one who gets fired by the boss

Seeing the warmth and the harsh winter, Zhao Defang directly wiped the sweat from his face with the towel draped over his shoulder: "Daxu, you wipe the table, Dongzi, you serve the dishes! Once you finish, prepare a lamb hot pot."

NOLY YOU, can take me to the west, ONLY YOU are not afraid of monsters and demons

I am off work and driving home now, Wenxu said

A house should be purchased if it needs to be bought