Five Years of Love, Three Years of Simulation

Yu Jian is a young, obscure scriptwriter who arrives in Qingmo Alley to begin her studies at Qingmo No. 2 Middle School. The area is humid, chaotic, and marked by a distinct local culture that includes dubious convenience store sales and a general atmosphere of disorder. Upon arrival, Yu Jian encounters Zhou Hanjiang, a tall, aloof young man with a reputation for violence, who is seen brutally assaulting another individual in the street. Despite the danger he represents, Yu Jian observes him with the detached curiosity of a writer, mentally analyzing the scene for narrative potential rather than reacting with fear.

Seeking accommodation, Yu Jian wanders through the neighborhood and eventually finds a villa with a handwritten sign advertising rooms for rent. The sign, however, appears to be a humorous or ironic advertisement for a school district property. When she rings the doorbell, Zhou Hanjiang answers, revealing that he is the owner of the house. His friend, known as Cola Boy, is also present. Zhou Hanjiang initially refuses to rent to her, but after Yu Jian persistently follows him and records his earlier statement about them moving in together, he relents. He agrees to let her stay in one of the rooms for a monthly rent of 998 yuan, provided she adheres to strict conditions: she must stay away from him, not interfere in his business, and not be overly curious about his life.

Yu Jian moves into the villa, which is surprisingly well-decorated with a cozy, feminine aesthetic in her assigned room, contrasting with the sparse and masculine decor of the rest of the house. Her stay is not without incident. On her first night, she is disturbed by the noisy activities of her neighbors in the adjacent Qingmo Hotel, where a man with yellow hair and his companion engage in loud sexual activity. The next day, while eating at a local barbecue stall, Yu Jian is harassed by the same yellow-haired man, who mistakes her for a sex worker. Zhou Hanjiang intervenes, sitting beside Yu Jian and claiming her as his girlfriend to deter the harasser. He then proceeds to beat the yellow-haired man severely in an alley later that night, demonstrating his violent nature and protective, albeit possessive, stance.

As Yu Jian settles into her new life, she balances her writing career with her studies. She becomes a regular at a local wonton shop run by an elderly couple, where she occasionally sees Zhou Hanjiang. Their interactions are minimal and transactional, governed by the rules he established. Yu Jian continues to observe him from a distance, noting his skateboarding skills and his detached demeanor. She also engages in online gaming, where she encounters a post seeking a female companion for in-game romance, and she considers applying due to her appearance and voice.

The core conflict revolves around Yu Jian's desire for a normal life and career versus the chaotic and dangerous environment she has entered. Zhou Hanjiang represents this danger, yet he also provides her with shelter and a degree of protection. Their relationship is defined by a tense coexistence, with Yu Jian trying to maintain her independence while navigating the complexities of living with someone she finds intriguing but unsettling. The story hints at deeper secrets surrounding Zhou Hanjiang's past and his reasons for living in Qingmo Alley, as well as Yu Jian's own motivations for choosing this particular school and location.

Key turning points include Yu Jian's decision to record Zhou Hanjiang's invitation to move in, which forces his hand and allows her to secure housing. Another significant moment is his public claim of her as his girlfriend at the barbecue stall, which shifts their dynamic from strangers to acquaintances with a complicated bond. The beating of the yellow-haired man further cements Zhou Hanjiang's role as a protector, albeit a violent one, and establishes a pattern of interaction between the two characters.

The story direction suggests a gradual unfolding of Zhou Hanjiang's backstory and the reasons behind his reclusive and aggressive behavior. Yu Jian's role as an observer and writer implies that she will document or influence the events around her, potentially drawing her deeper into his world. The narrative explores themes of isolation, protection, and the blurred lines between danger and safety in an urban setting. As Yu Jian continues to live in the villa, the tension between her desire for a quiet life and the turbulence brought by Zhou Hanjiang is likely to escalate, leading to further conflicts and revelations about both characters.