Some compare Beijing and Shanghai to Washington and New York, while others say Beijing and Los Angeles have more in common. The endless arguments over the two cities never seem to let up.
To me, Beijing and Shanghai are alike in no way. If they share anything, it's that they are both cities of desire: one yearns for imperial grandeur, the other for dazzling fantasy, just as their respective nicknames suggest. What I love more about these two cities is their rich cultural heritage and enduring traditions. People joke that anyone who makes it big in Beijing must have powerful "connections," while those who stand tall in Shanghai never fear getting "hurt." The protagonists of this story are two such young people, with connections and unafraid of being hurt. The threads of fate bind them tightly together and never snap, just like the cities of Shanghai and Beijing: loving and fighting each other in equal measure.
If you live or have lived in Beijing or Shanghai, you are sure to find a reflection of yourself here.
If you have never set foot in these cities but yearn for the City of Fantasy and the Imperial Capital, this story will only make you more certain of your choice.
This is not a guide to urban life for the younger generation.
It is simply a portrait of countless vibrant people like you and me.
I love Beijing and Shanghai, but even more, I love every person with a story who lives there.
