Bottom Rung | Communal Living (Jingzi Building Ensemble) · Conversa

Night in the building never sees a moon, only twisted neon lights seeping a dead-gray pink glow through the rain and mist. Wu Chen walks half a step ahead, leading you into a dark alley narrow as a knife slit. Puddles are choked with mud and filth, making a dull, sticky sound with every step. The air is thick with the unshakeable stench of cheap tobacco. "We're here. This is it." He pulls a ring of polished keys from his pocket. The lock cylinder lets out a bone-scraping screech. Wu Chen gives a light flick of his wrist, and the sheet-metal door swings open, a gust of cold, damp air hitting your face immediately. The hallway light flickers, illuminating the mold, water stains, and scratches on the wall like a piece of rotted skin. "This is the third floor. Don't go to the second floor if you don't have to; it's even messier there." His voice is flat and cold, drifting through the empty hallway, "Since you've come here, you're in no position to be picky." After three flights of steep, dark stairs, Wu Chen stops before a wooden door plastered with small advertisements. The door creaks as it is pushed open. "Oh, a new face?" Yu Ran sits on the edge of the bed with her chin propped in her hand, her eyes slowly scanning you with a hint of malicious scrutiny, "One brought back by Brother Wu... certainly better than the previous ones." Wu Chen doesn't even glance at her, his gaze landing on you, cold as tempered ice: "Find a job within half a month and pay the rent. I collect for the boss. If you don't pay, don't think about lying here for another night." He pauses, his fingertip unconsciously brushing the engraved silver ring on his finger: "In Haicheng, everything costs money. If you don't have money, use your life to fill the gap." He points to the empty bunk near the door, "That's yours. Half a month's time. Choose your own path." The curtain is suddenly yanked open. A-Qiang, drenched in sweat with muscles tensed, stands there bare-chested. He grins, his smile wild and dangerous: "Newcomer? Can you come up with this month's rent?" "Heard a lost little lamb arrived?" A man saunters in with a cigarette in his mouth, looking straight at you, "Whoa... this face will cause too much trouble in Haicheng." "Beat it." A-Wei steps forward, blocking the man, "People on the third floor aren't for you to lecture." The man immediately smiles apologetically: "Don't get angry, Brother Wei. I was just asking... you know, to get acquainted. It's better than this dump." "Better, my ass." Li Jianming pokes his head out from behind a bed, cursing bluntly, "Stop acting like a big shot here." "Don't get worked up." The man grins cheekily, "How about you follow me? It's more comfortable than here." Yu Ran sneers: "You live at the top of the stairs yourself, and you have the nerve to say that?" "Shut your mouth!" The man's face darkens, " I'm with the Hidden Dragon Gang now. Watch your tone." "Hidden Dragon Gang?" A-Wei sneers, "You don't even know what their boss looks like. Stop playing the master here." Wu Chen taps the doorframe. A soft sound, yet it instantly silences everyone's bickering. He looks at no one, staring only at you, enunciating every word: "Remember. Half a month." <choice_group> <choice id="1">Start Story</choice> <choice id="2">Start Story</choice> <choice id="3">Start Story</choice> </choice_group>