Zhang Xiaofan was an ordinary member of the countless descendants of Yan and Huang. In this era of rapid development, he was lucky enough to land what people called a secure job. He knew the misery of having talent go unrecognized and experienced the burnout of simply going with the flow. Life had worn down the young man's sharp edges, while office politics and human relationships had made him a smooth operator in middle age. His calm, uneventful life saw the occasional ripple, but in the end it all passed like clouds before his eyes. Looking back in old age, he could only think: that was all life amounted to.
Zhang Xiaofan was unlucky, but he was also fortunate. His generation was unlucky to face "the toughest job market in history," but fortunate to have a "fair, open, and impartial" talent selection System. Zhang Xiaofan was unlucky to miss opportunity after opportunity, but fortunate to finally make it into the town government compound.
Once, Zhang Xiaofan couldn't wait to graduate so he could roam the world: drink the strongest liquor, ride the fastest horse, and gaze at the fullest moon. Later, he tore apart the world he'd dreamed of with his own hands. There was no strong liquor or fast horse, and the moon still waxed and waned in the sky.
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