I'm suspicious of Zhu Jiajia from the start. Her acting innocent and saying Yang Likai went crazy because he couldn't win her over felt like a lie. Then the hospital scene confirmed it when Dr. Pu saw those syphilis symptoms. The way she seduced Zhou Peiyu at the hotel now looks completely different. Was she trying to pass the infection to him? Or was she genuinely scared and acting impulsively? I can't tell yet, but I'm leaning towards her being more manipulative than she appears.
The scenes are vividly imagined. I could picture the dim streetlight, Xiao Xi's sallow face, the withered courtyard, and the opulent estate. The bath scene where she transforms from a dirty child to a "little fairy" was particularly striking. The description of the estate's greenery in winter also created a beautiful contrast. The author has a good eye for visual details that make the setting come alive.
The writing style in this English version is surprisingly sharp. The dialogue feels natural, especially the banter between the characters. The descriptions of the setting are minimal but effective. I can picture the smoky, dim club and the bright, harsh sunlight outside. The pacing is quick, jumping from the birthday party to the car ride without any drag. It keeps you engaged, wondering what absurd thing anyone's going to say next.
I really got hooked from the start, the image of Han Lu waking up surrounded by giant grass and only in her underwear is so vivid. It immediately sets the survival horror tone.
The price gouging at the convenience store is such a realistic touch. Old Wang with his iron rod, not even pretending anymore, just charging whatever he wants because what are you going to do? The conversation about batteries costing 50 yuan and mineral water at ten bucks per bottle. The hopeless exchange about whether money will even mean anything tomorrow. This is how systems die. Not with a bang but with a convenience store owner giving you the facts of the new reality.
I’m bracing for the 1959 famine foreshadowing. The narrator literally says “people would starve to death in a few years.” That’s a dark cloud over the whole setup. Yang Jun’s urgency to build wealth makes total sense now.