I am in the last days, I can connect to reality

In Shanghai, as night falls, the sky is illuminated by countless lights, as if covered with a layer of brilliant galaxy.

The outlines of skyscrapers are looming in the night, and the neon lights are flashing colorful lights, showing the prosperity and vitality of this city to the fullest.

Not far from the Huangpu River, there is a narrow and quiet alley with old buildings on both sides. The bluestone road has been worn smooth by time, and a few dim street lights cast mottled light and shadows.

Deep in the alley, a tavern stands quietly. A red lantern hangs on the wooden doorplate. The faint light shines through the paper lantern onto the ground, making it look particularly warm.

The outer wall of the pub is covered with ivy, and a few pots of green plants are casually placed at the door, adding a touch of vitality to the alley.

The door of the pub was slightly open, and the whispers coming through the crack mixed with the soft music, creating a lazy and comfortable atmosphere.

"Wai Mao, you never thought of this, did you? My buddy has such luck!"

In a corner of the pub, at a table by the window, one of the two men was talking excitedly.

Both of them were around 23 or 24 years old. The one facing the gate was tall, with a resolute face and a strange look in his eyes. Judging from his appearance, it was none other than Qin Chong.

No, it should be said that this is Qin Zhong in 2024.

Compared with Qin Chong after the end of the world, Qin Chong at this moment has less worldly and cruel look on his face, and more persistence and enthusiasm of a young man.

At this moment, sitting opposite him was Qin Zhong’s college classmate, good friend and fellow villager “Wai Mao”. Of course, Wai Mao was a nickname, and his real name was Xin Hai.

Xin Hai and Qin Chong are from the same hometown. Qin Chong started school a year later and is one year older than Xin Hai. The two have had a good relationship since childhood!

The two of them studied in the same school from elementary school, junior high school, and high school. In college, although they chose different majors and went to different universities, both universities were in Shanghai.

After graduating from university, Qin Chong, who studied warehouse management, got a job in warehousing, while Xin Hai, who studied finance, had some money and influence in his family, so they arranged for him to work in a bank.

Take Xin Hai's words. His father was very rough and told the bank president directly that if Xin Hai could be accepted into your bank, I have 200 million yuan in demolition compensation, which I will put in your bank. As long as my son is there, the money will not be touched.

When the bank president heard this, he immediately hired Xin Hai into the bank without saying a word, making Xin Hai a high-end white-collar worker.

This point is often criticized by Qin Zhong, who says that Xin Hai, you and your father are just two nouveau riche!

However, although Qin Zhong said so, Xin Hai didn't mind at all, because in his words, he and Qin Zhong grew up naked together, and they have been companions since childhood, so who doesn't know each other!

After graduation, the two worked in the same city and sometimes got together for a drink. One day, Qin Zhong took the initiative to find Xin Hai. As soon as the two sat down, Qin Zhong started showing off to him.

Compared with Qin Zhong's physique, Xin Hai appears thin and has a delicate face.

Qin Zhong smiled and said, "You said, I just went to Carrefour Supermarket to buy a pack of cigarettes, and I actually won a prize. Brother, do you know what the prize is?"

Qin Zhong also piqued Xin Hai's interest. He looked at him with a smile and said, "Another pack of cigarettes?"

……

"cut!"

Qin Zhong looked at Yan Xinhai with disdain and scolded him with a smile, "Look at you, you're so petty! This isn't some commemorative prize, it's a first prize: a luxurious seven-day trip to the island for two, with food, lodging, and round-trip airfare included!"

"what!"

Xin Hai was really shocked this time, his mouth was a little open. He looked at his brother in front of him and reached out to touch Qin Zhong's forehead. In Qin Zhong's eyes full of confusion, he asked in confusion: "You don't have a fever! Why are you talking nonsense!"

"You..." Qin Zhong was speechless for a moment, and immediately opened WeChat and showed Xin Hai the chat history between him and the mall staff.

When Xin Hai finished reading it, he was stunned. He was surprised to find that Qin Chong had won the grand prize, which was a week-long tour of the island country. The place he was going to was a tourist attraction where he could soak in hot springs.

Although it is April now and the weather is warm and flowers are blooming, it is also the best time to soak in hot springs in Japan.

"Brother Qin, you are my brother, I can go with you!"

After understanding the situation clearly, Xin Hai was immediately overjoyed. He knew that Qin Zhong, like himself, did not have a girlfriend. Since the winning ticket allowed for a two-person trip, he must have wanted to take him with him now that he had come to him.

"Haha!" Qin Zhong laughed and said, "Let's see how you perform!"

"I understand!" Xin Hai nodded and immediately filled Qin Zhong's glass with wine. The wine glowed amber under the light. The two clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The wine slides down the throat, bringing a hint of spiciness and warmth.

The two were originally very good friends, so Xin Hai naturally would not be pretentious. He immediately discussed the time and specific details of the trip to the island country with Qin Chong.

Hearing that it would be three days later, Xin Hai couldn't help but feel that time was running out. After all, he had to apply for a passport, etc. He was worried that he wouldn't make it in time, but Qin Zhong waved his hand and said, "I've already asked about this. They will help with it. There is a special channel."

"Uh!"

Xin Hai frowned slightly, finding it a little unbelievable. For a shopping mall to hold a promotion and give out such a grand prize as a seven-day trip to an island country was already too much.

After all, he had been to that supermarket before. It was not far from Qin Chong's house. It was just a medium-sized department store and its business was average. It was unexpected that they would invest so much money in it.

And as if they were in a hurry and had such a tight schedule for the trip, they could actually help them go through a special channel and handle the formalities. It sounds a bit magical.

Qin Zhong seemed to know what he was thinking. He picked up a piece of braised pork, put it in his mouth, chewed it slowly, and said with a smile: "Why? Brother, do you find it incredible that I suddenly left?"

Xin Hai smiled and said, "That's right, the whole thing feels a bit strange..."

"Haha!" Qin Zhong clinked his glasses with his, took a sip, and said with a smile, "Before you think about these things, think about what they can gain by deceiving us? Or, in other words, what do we have that they can defraud us of?"

After hearing what Qin Zhong said, Xin Hai felt relieved. He felt that Qin Zhong was right.

After all, as Qin Zhong said, he is neither a rich man nor a celebrity. Why would the supermarket try to trick him? Even if he really can't go in the end, it won't be a big loss for him, right?

"Yes, Brother Qin, you are right! I am the one who is narrow-minded. Come, I will punish myself!"

As he spoke, Xin Hai filled his glass and was about to pour the wine into his mouth, which made Qin Zhong roll his eyes and scold him with a smile: "You little bastard, you are trying to trick me into drinking wine again, right?"

"Hahaha!" Xin Hai couldn't help but burst into laughter when he heard Qin Zhong's somewhat disgusted words.

However, neither of them noticed that at a table not far from them, a man and a woman were eating silently, but there was a device similar to a mobile phone next to them, which was emitting a slight electronic noise.

Outside the alley of the pub, there was a business car parked with the curtains drawn on the windows. Passersby could not see what was going on inside at all. Only occasionally a few words could be heard from inside, but the voices were lowered, as if afraid of being heard.