"This is the life."
"Before I came to Peng City, all I saw on TikTok were videos of how glamorous it is. After getting here, I realized it was just endless tenement houses and pork knuckle rice. Thanks, Brother Chu, for showing me the other side of this city..."
Once they were the only two left in the room, Zhang Peng lit a cigarette, exhaled a long plume of smoke, and said with a heavy sigh.
Lin Chu smiled. He was about to say something modest, but then thought better of it.
"Where's your hometown?"
"The Northeast?"
He could sort of tell from the accent; the regional characteristics were too distinct.
Zhang Peng grinned and nodded. "Yup. A small village near Da Xing'an Ridge. If you ever get the chance, you're welcome to visit, Brother Chu."
"I'll take you up on that."
"Work hard for a couple of years, and you'll have it all."
Lin Chu first painted a picture of a bright future for him. "Now, let's think about what to do tonight. Find some fun."
