The Unreliable Hero
He once sold goods on the street, and was the king of Happiness Lane; he is the fierce leader who sends the monkeys of the garbage camp fleeing in terror, and in the eyes of little girls, a superhero with his underwear worn on the outside. He drinks, fights, and curses, yet beneath his rough exterior lies a chivalrous heart, always ready to help those in need. He has known poverty and heartbreak, losing his beloved, but has also found himself gazing into the eyes of understanding beauties. One day, he will become a legendary hero, riding on clouds of seven colors—together with you and me, continuing to share companionship in this unreliable city, amidst the dust and bustle of the world...
The Unreliable Hero
“Books for sale, books for sale, fresh from the oven—my latest masterpiece!” Zhang Pa stood at the Zhichun Road bus stop, shouting loudly. In front of him were two cardboard boxes piled with a dozen thick books titled “The Strange Chef.”
As people waited for their buses, someone approached, glancing at the books. “How much for one?”
“Twenty.”
“Twenty? Is this a pirated copy? Even for a pirated book, that’s expensive!” The person shook his head, about to walk away.
“Wait!” Zhang Pa shouted. “You can insult me, but you cannot insult my book!”
“You wrote it? Are you Tian Shi?” The man glanced at the cover.
“Tian Shi is my pen name! Is that a problem?” Zhang Pa retorted.
“Alright, you’re the boss. Sorry, my bus is here, we’ll talk next time.” The man disappeared into the crowd, squeezing his way through.
Zhang Pa snorted, “No sense of knowledge.”
Nearby stood a girl in overalls. She looked at the book, then at Zhang Pa. “You wrote this?”
Zhang Pa coughed. “Honestly, it’s not very good, just scribbling.”
“But I heard Tian Shi is a woman.” The girl flipped through a book. “Besides, their work has over six million words. You only have one book? That’s not professional at all.”
“It’s condensed printing! It’s condensed!” Zhang Pa hurried to explain, pointing at the spine. “See? Volume One.”
“Such tiny print?” The girl set the book down and thought for a moment. “This is pirated, isn’t it?”
“It’s really not, I can guarantee it.” Zhang Pa smiled. “Would you like to buy one?”
“No, I’m not inter
