The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

Jian Zheng looked at this book, which even the author wanted to burn, and grimaced so much that if his ears hadn't been blocking his view, he would have grimaced so much that his lips would have been stuck to the back of his head.

“This fabricated book, ‘The Five-Dimensional World,’ is definitely not going to sell. What do you think we should do? Should we really send it to the mountains to burn for heating?” Jian Zheng said to Wang Jie, holding the book in one hand and swiping the pages with the other.

Wang Jie was pleasantly surprised when he saw the book title. Wasn't this the book by Yan Xinrui, the "science fiction master"? This person is amazing; all her works are bestsellers, and most have been adapted into film and television dramas. What, no one recognizes her yet? It turns out even masters have suffered injustice.

"Find me a large piece of poster paper and a few colored markers," Wang Jie said to Jian Zheng as he carefully put the book back into the box.

"What for? Are you going to write a big-character poster?" Jian Zheng asked.

"This book is very meaningful and will be very popular in the future. However, the beginning is written in an obscure and difficult-to-understand style, which makes it hard for many readers to get into. I want to write a summary and post it here," Wang Jie said.

"You even wrote a summary? You've read it? I've never seen you read this book. When did you become interested in this kind of book? This is all made up." Jian Zheng was a little confused.

“Well, what do you know? A lot of people like these kinds of books, and they’ve all been adapted into anime and blockbusters. Before, we only read books written by Americans, and the blockbusters were all Hollywood. There was a void in books and movies of this kind in China, but now we finally have books like this. That’s what I mean by meaningful,” Wang Jie explained patiently.

"I'll go get some paper and pens, you guys wait here." Zhou Yanruo, who had come along to play, took the initiative to help out when she saw there was something she could do.

Soon, Wang Jie finished writing the poster: "This is a multi-dimensional world, but human eyes can only see three dimensions. The wise man from the planet 'Gabra' brought new skills to mankind. However, when the wise man opened the fifth dimension, a series of strange things followed... When disaster is about to strike, the creatures of Earth (not just humans) unite to defend their home."

He then drew a giant UFO in the blank space above the poster, and countless outstretched hands at the bottom of the poster, creating a strong sense of apocalypse.

Zhou Yanruo helped take the books out of the cardboard box, stacked them up like a city wall, and placed the poster in a conspicuous position.

It worked! First, it attracted the children, which then drew their parents over. As more people gathered, it attracted even more people, and the business boomed. In one afternoon, an entire box of books was sold out.

“I’ll go back to Yangxi Road with you guys, let’s go eat some xiaolongbao to celebrate,” Jian Zheng said.

"Great, the old shop on Yangxi Road is the best." Zhou Yan had been working all afternoon and was actually quite tired, but that didn't hide her excitement.

“Yes, that’s the place. Let’s go, Wang Jie.” Jian Zheng said, putting his arm around Wang Jie’s shoulder.

"Let's go." Wang Jie was also quite happy. Today, he had seen the master's debut work, done charity work, and even helped promote the master. It was a win-win situation.

They arrived excitedly at the "Kangxingji" time-honored shop on Yangxi Road. Although small, the shop boasts over a century of history. Its famous xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are renowned along the Shanghai-Nanjing line and both domestically and internationally for their long history, excellent reputation, distinctive features, and superior quality. It was lunchtime, and the shop was packed with people.

Zhou Yanruo suggested packing up the food and taking them to a place they would never expect to eat. It was just a pity that the most famous wontons weren't convenient to take away, so they wouldn't be able to eat them today.

Zhou Yanruo led them to the "Octagonal Pavilion" on Yangxi Road, which she knew best.

"I've been to Yangxi Road so many times, but I never noticed that there's a quaint little pavilion here." Jian Zheng held up a small basket, stood in the center of the pavilion, and looked around.

"Isn't this place nice?" Zhou Yanruo said proudly, sitting on her usual bench with her back against a pillar and looking up.

“I live on Yangxi Road and I didn’t even notice it. It’s quiet, elegant, and quite nice here,” Wang Jie said.

At the Octagonal Pavilion on Yangxi Road, three young people were having a lively discussion while eating xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).

"I knew it! Wang Jie is the best. That's what it means to be well-read. Wang Jie is the epitome of that." Jian Zheng said to Zhou Yanruo, spitting out juicy dumplings as he ate, praising Wang Jie to her.

"Alright, alright, you can't shut up even if you're eating," Wang Jie laughed.

"Ugh, you eat so slowly, you've splashed soup all over me." Zhou Yanruo dodged Jian Zheng and moved closer to Wang Jie.

"Hey, Wang Xiaojie, when did you read this book? I didn't know that."

“Do I have to report to you about what I read?” Wang Jie rarely made a witty remark. “Seriously, the author of this book has quite the imagination.”

"What the hell is 'brain hole', Wang Jie? I can barely understand what you're saying anymore. My head is full of slurry, but your head is full of wisdom, not holes at all."

"I think your head is both mush and holes," Zhou Yanruo chimed in.

Wang Jie didn't explain, he just laughed, a hearty laugh.

"To be honest, there's still a whole box of books left to sell. The book fair only lasts for two days, and we need to discuss how to sell them." Zhou Yanruo was already their "business" partner.

"The day after tomorrow, which is the last day of the weekend, there will be more people, and we should be able to sell out," Jian Zheng said.

“This book is science fiction, and I think children like it,” Zhou Yanruo said.

“Adults are more enthusiastic about this kind of subject matter.” Wang Jie also joined their conversation. “In fact, Yan Xinrui’s books are all aimed at adults, and several of her works are popular among adults.”

"You've read more than one book?" Jian Zheng wiped his greasy mouth with the back of his hand. "Wait, didn't you say that this book, 'The Five-Dimensional World,' is the author's debut work?"

"Well, you'll find out later," Wang Jie said noncommittally.

"Is it really that good?" Zhou Yanruo also became interested. "I'll go take a look too."

"Many girls like her too," Wang Jie said, unable to hide his excitement. "Yan Xinrui's incredibly popular book is also my favorite, it's called 'Did You Participate in the War at the End of the Century?'"

"Is it also a science fiction story?" Zhou Yanruo asked curiously.

“You’ve seen it too?” Jian Zheng said skeptically.

“Of course.” Rarely did Wang Jie show such a smug expression. He enthusiastically offered to tell them, “At the end of the last century, Earth's physicists, during an experiment, accidentally established communication with extraterrestrials and were tracked by them. This triggered an alien invasion, and Earth organized a defense force to defeat the invaders. When the aliens were forced to leave Earth, in order to leave seeds of hatred, they erased the memories of some Earthlings, but preserved the memories of the war survivors. These survivors constantly portrayed themselves as heroes and demanded their benefits from the Earthlings who had benefited. Driven by greed and profit, war broke out on Earth. A group of teenagers awakened, and they used the power of technology to achieve brain-computer interfaces, altering the information implanted in their brains by the aliens, and ultimately…”

“Wait a minute,” Jian Zheng asked in confusion, “end of the century, which end of the century?”

“It must have been the end of the last century, 1999,” Wang Jie replied casually.

Jian Zheng stared at Wang Jie with the same look he had toward a monster.

Zhou Yanruo blurted out, "Then we won't write it now. Don't interrupt, let Teacher Wang continue."

Jian Zheng's expression was complex, a mixture of surprise, doubt, sympathy, and finally, concern: "Wang Jie, has your head still hurt these past few days? Are you dizzy? Have you been hallucinating? Have you been overthinking things?" Jian Zheng asked with concern as he reached out his greasy hand to ruffle Wang Jie's hair.

"What are you doing? Get your dirty hands off me." Wang Jie quickly lowered his head to avoid Jian Zheng's hand and laughed, "You're the one who's thinking nonsense."

Zhou Yanruo was completely immersed in the grand scenes depicted by Wang Jie in the book, her face filled with admiration and appreciation. Teacher Wang, who was usually quiet, was surprisingly eloquent. His vivid performance, complete with role-playing during thrilling moments, brought the protagonists to life before their eyes.

"Teacher Wang's acting skills are great. He should be the one to teach acting classes. No, no, Teacher Wang is so handsome, how can he be buried as a teacher? He should also join a training class. He's sure to be a rising star as an actor."

"No, no, no, I'm not cut out to be an actor," Wang Jie waved his hands repeatedly.

"Do you think that just because you want to be a star, everyone in the world who is good-looking wants to be a star?" Jian Zheng sarcastically remarked.

"It's a pity that Teacher Wang isn't a celebrity."

“Wang Jie is planning to go to Wall Street; becoming a financial tycoon is his future identity.” Jian Zheng said, pursing his lips, giving a thumbs up, and clicking his tongue twice.

"That's enough, stop making fun of me."

The three of them started making a ruckus...