The Diary of a Renter
01. A Long-Awaited Reunion
Deep within the endless corridor lies the slumbering place of the supreme god.
Time seemed to lose its meaning here, with only a soft halo of light flowing slowly in the tranquil space. Zero leaned against a pillar where data streams had solidified, idly scrolling through the latest version of the "Dungeon Bug Summary Report"; Rock and Doctor were discussing in hushed tones the security arrangements for a newly discovered neutral resource point; Fox was rapidly switching between images in front of the holographic projection, analyzing the latest activity patterns of the remnants of the "Final Order"; and Xi gazed at the ever-changing nebula in the distance, a hint of barely perceptible sadness in her eyes.
Five years have passed. The wounds left by that final battle are slowly healing, and the world has returned to basic order, but what is lost is lost forever. During breaks in meetings, a heavy silence quietly permeates the air.
Suddenly, without warning—
Buzz!
The entire space trembled slightly. The gentle sphere of light in the center, representing the sleeping core of the main god, suddenly erupted with a brilliant yet not dazzling light! The light, like a living tide, instantly overwhelmed everyone's senses, and the vast yet warm power of the rules shook the minds of every powerful person present.
"What's going on?!" Rock instantly entered battle stance, and a giant shield phantom materialized in front of him.
Zero's data panel clattered to the ground. He stared intently at the orb of light, his nonchalant expression shattering completely, replaced by utter shock: "This fluctuation...it's the boss?! No...there's more...impossible..."
The doctor's healing wand had already lit up, but her casting motion froze, her lips trembling slightly: "This feeling...so familiar...so warm..."
Xi covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening, her body trembling slightly uncontrollably, and a name she thought she could only bury in her heart forever almost slipped out.
The light caused no destruction; instead, it seemed to be weaving an exquisite tapestry. Countless particles of light converged from the void, outlining and shaping at the center of space… First, a blurry human silhouette, then details gradually became clear: a slightly slender figure, neat black hair, a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar delicate face…
As the light finally faded, a boy dressed in simple white clothes, his eyes filled with a hint of bewilderment as if just waking up, stood quietly there. He looked to be fifteen years old, just like Jiang Yunian had been back then. He looked down at his hands, which seemed even more delicate and smooth, and gently moved his fingers, a trace of confusion flashing across his face.
A deathly silence.
The doctor was the first to break the silence, her voice trembling with disbelief and tears: "Jiang...Jiang Yu? Is...is it you?" She took a step forward, but dared not get too close, fearing that what she saw before her was just a fragile phantom.
Zero snapped back to reality and lunged forward. He instinctively tried to hook his arm around the other's neck as he used to, but his hand froze halfway through, ultimately turning into a light pat on the boy's slightly thin shoulder, his voice hoarse: "You brat... I knew... I knew you wouldn't fall apart so easily!"
Even the tough guy Pan Shi couldn't help but tear up at this moment. He nodded heavily, his throat choked with emotion, unable to utter a complete sentence.
Xi's tears finally broke free and fell silently. She just looked at the boy, as if she wanted to take in all the longing of the past five years at once.
The young man, Jiang Yu, raised his eyes to look at the excited crowd that had gathered around him. His memories were like a sea shrouded in thick fog, many details blurred, especially the scenes of fierce battles, as if deliberately sealed away. But deep within his soul, a strong sense of familiarity and an indescribable sense of peace surged forth. These faces, these auras, made him instinctively feel close and trusting.
He blinked, as if trying to recall something, and finally, a slightly shy yet heart-stirring smile appeared on his face. He asked softly:
"Everyone... I feel like I slept for a long time?"
Just then, a soft halo enveloped Jiang Yu, and the weak yet gratified voice of the Supreme God, like warm ripples, resonated in everyone's hearts:
“Bring him back…and leave the rest to time…let him rediscover this world, and rediscover you…”
"Welcome home, child. Take your time, there's no rush."
The sound gradually faded away, and the space returned to its previous tranquility, but the heavy gloom that had permeated for five years seemed to have been completely dispelled by this light of rebirth.
Everyone looked at Jiang Yu, who had been lost and found again and returned as a young boy. They were filled with mixed feelings, but the most overwhelming feelings were the joy of regaining what they had lost and a new and tender hope.
02. A New Look for the Building
Jiang Yu's new "home" was arranged near the place where the main god slept, a small house built of pure energy, simple and warm, with a soft morning scene simulated by the main god outside the window.
The next few days were filled with novelty and confusion for Jiang Yu. Like a child recovering from a serious illness with fragmented memories, he was being guided by his "parents" to rediscover this once familiar yet strange world.
“Look over there,” Zero acted as a tour guide, pointing to a large door on one side of the corridor that exuded a tranquil, bookish atmosphere. “That’s the ‘Lost Library,’ remember? You used to go in there to collect rent, and you outwitted the old bookworm (the administrator of the forbidden books), almost tearing down its ‘Corridor of Truth.’ Now…” Zero pushed open the door, and a faint scent of ink and a… sweet aroma of baked cookies wafted out.
The library's interior has been completely renovated, with a bright dome and neatly arranged bookshelves. The former curator of forbidden books has now transformed into a kind old man wearing a robe of stars and moons and gold-rimmed glasses, sitting in a soft chair by the fireplace, reading stories to several little sprites made of soft light.
Seeing Jiang Yu and Ling enter, the old man rose gracefully, a sincere smile on his face: "Your Excellency, Mr. Ling, welcome." He adjusted his glasses, adding somewhat apologetically, "Recently, I've been trying to write some profound laws into fairy tales to enlighten the next generation... Would you like to listen?"
Jiang Yu nodded curiously. The manager then read aloud a fairy tale about "entropy increase and the birth of stars" in a gentle voice, making the complex rules of the universe vivid and interesting. Zero was trying not to laugh, but was glared at by the manager in annoyance.
At that moment, a little girl, clutching an old teddy bear and dressed in a Victorian-style dress, timidly peeked out from behind the bookshelf, her big eyes fixed on Jiang Yu. She exuded an energy fluctuation that was both reassuring and strangely solidified.
The manager introduced her, "This is Miss Anne from 'The House of Eternal Dolls.' She's now a special consultant for the children's section, and she's an excellent storyteller."
Annie whispered to Jiang Yu, "Your...your eyes are so bright, like my favorite glass beads..." Ling quickly coughed to interrupt, "Annie! Be polite!" Annie stuck out her tongue, hugged her teddy bear, and ran away.
"Childish, but kind at heart." The manager smiled and shook his head, handing Jiang Yu a box of freshly baked cookies with zodiac animal patterns on them. "A little something, as a way to... make up for the interest on the rent you owed before?"
Jiang Yu took the warm biscuits, a warm feeling welling up inside him. As he left, he caught a glimpse of Annie in the corner, gently guiding a lost data dot.
Rock and the doctor took Jiang Yu to the former "Eternal Ball" venue. Now it had been transformed into a leisure platform called "Starlight Tea Party." The Mirror Demon Elena had become an elegant bartender, using mirrors to refract dreamlike light and shadow. The fox was here discussing matters with several player envoys.
Upon seeing Jiang Yu, the doctor immediately pulled him over, scanning him up and down with her healing wand, muttering, "You've lost weight, you need to replenish your nutrition! Your bone strength is fine though... Strange, these vital signs..." She looked at Jiang Yu's youthful face with suspicion, ultimately attributing it to the miraculous power of the main god. The fox, meanwhile, excitedly shared the hologram of her designed "Dungeon Ecological Balance Monitoring System," explaining to Jiang Yu how to manage resources more harmoniously.
A tall, mechanical humanoid figure, composed of intricate gears and soft light streams, approached, emitting a deep hum. Rock introduced, "This is the 'Godfather of Steel,' formerly the ultimate ruler of the 'Mechanical Wasteland,' now our best technical advisor."
The Godfather's chest opened, and a robotic arm handed everyone steaming cups of "motor oil special" (a high-energy nutrient solution that surprisingly tasted like milk tea). He spoke to Jiang Yu in a synthesized voice: "Young messenger. According to the scan, your body needs calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. A special cup has been prepared." His optical lenses gleamed with a light that seemed to indicate concern.
Elena added with a laugh, "The Godfather really enjoys gardening now; he's planted a metal rose garden right next to his core furnace." The Godfather made an embarrassed "click" sound.
The tea party was relaxed, and everyone chatted about recent interesting things: which dungeon's slime learned to dance square dance and almost caused residents to complain, which player fell in love with a dungeon NPC and needed to formulate new rules for their relationship... Jiang Yu listened to these discussions full of life and felt both novel and warm.
Blood Axe's "Warrior's Barbecue Plaza" was an eye-opener for Jiang Yu. The once bloody arena was now filled with the smoke of cooking fires and the noise of people. The Slayer Blood Axe, wearing a pink apron that seemed completely out of place with his massive body, was sparring with several orc bosses from the original dungeon.
Upon seeing Jiang Yu, he shouted loudly, "Distinguished guest! Bring out the best spare ribs!" Then he leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Kid... uh, envoy, thanks to that knife you used to wake me up back then! Now figuring out the right grilling time is much more interesting than fighting!" He scratched his bald head, looking somewhat comical.
Beside the campfire, a pale man holding an ancient stringed instrument—the former "Whisperer of the Abyss"—was playing and singing a song called "Ode to Barbecue," a melodious tune with humorous lyrics, drawing laughter from the crowd. The Whisperer saw Jiang Yu and nodded slightly in greeting.
Zero also took Jiang Yu to the renovated "Worldly Cultural Exchange Market" (formerly the Void Market). In a shadowy candy shop in a corner, the "Shadow of Myriad Forms," who used to be skilled at deception, now specialized in selling all sorts of quirky candies. He gave Jiang Yu a "Memory Candy," saying it could evoke the happiest moments. Jiang Yu ate it and vaguely recalled the warm scene of the main god celebrating his birthday long ago, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
Every day, Jiang Yu interacts with these transformed "former bosses," experiencing the peaceful, supportive, and even somewhat mundane atmosphere within the building. Fragments of his memories remain shrouded in mist, but the genuine warmth before him is gradually filling those gaps, giving him an increasingly deep sense of belonging to this "new home."
03. Rooftop Tea Party
A few days later, the divine will came again, gentle yet encouraging: "Child, go and see the 'top floor' of the building. There is a special neighbor there; you should meet him."
When Ling and Pan Shi learned of this, their expressions were somewhat complicated, but mostly relieved and encouraging. Pan Shi patted Jiang Yu on the shoulder: "Go ahead, bro. That guy... is 'one of us' now."
With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, Jiang Yu boarded a special, transparent elevator that led to the top floor of the building. Outside the elevator was an endless vortex of stars, as if she were heading towards the source of the universe.
The rooftop platform was extremely minimalist, as if situated at the starting point of time and space. There was only a simple wooden tea table and two chairs. A figure dressed in a simple gray robe stood with his back to him, gazing out the window (if it could even be called a window) at the birth and annihilation of nebulae.
The figure slowly turned around. It wasn't the terrifying form one might imagine, but an old man with a face so calm it was almost ethereal, yet eyes as deep as the universe, brimming with boundless wisdom. He was the gentle incarnation of the "Core of Annihilation," manifested under the balance of the "Return of All Things to the Cycle" protocol.
"You've arrived, child. Sit." The old man's voice echoed directly in Jiang Yu's consciousness, calm and undisturbed. He raised his hand to pour Jiang Yu a cup of tea, the tea like a condensed starry sky, exuding a strange fragrance. "No need to be nervous. 'Annihilation' is me, 'Return to the Cycle' is also me. Life and death, movement and stillness, creation and rest, are two sides of the same coin in the universe."
Jiang Yu sat down as instructed, and did not sense any malice, only a grand, calm aura that was almost like the law itself enveloping her.
"The past conflict stemmed from imbalance," the old man said slowly. "Your choice with the Supreme God pulled me back from my obsession with 'the end' and brought me into this larger cycle. Now, I govern 'the end' and also provide fertile ground and space for 'new life'. I also play a part in protecting the peace of this building."
A faint, almost smiling smile appeared on the old man's face: "Bloodaxe's roast meat, Anne's story, the Whisperers' song... these subtle ripples of 'existence' are more interesting than pure 'nothingness'... Observing them has become my new... pleasure."
Jiang Yu listened quietly, his bewilderment replaced by a profound sense of awe. The ultimate fear from his hazy memory was now being discussed with him over tea in such a peaceful, even somewhat benevolent, manner. He truly understood the weight and grandeur of the word "balance."
As we parted, the old man said, “Tell the Lord God, the tea was excellent. And thank you, young anchor. Because of your choice, I am able to… sit here and savor the tea, instead of devouring everything.”
Jiang Yu bowed deeply, the last trace of gloom caused by his memory loss completely dissipating. He understood the meaning of his return: not merely to live, but to be a witness and participant in this great balance.
04. Lights of Every Home
At night, Jiang Yu sat by the window of his small house, unfolding the brand-new diary given to him by the Lord God. Outside, the lights of the endless corridor lit up one by one, like the lights of countless homes on earth, each door radiating a warm and unique glow. He recalled all the incredible things he had experienced in the past few days: Anne's glass beads, the Godfather's engine oil tea, the Whisperer's roast meat ode, the businessman's candy, and the cup of Nebula tea on the rooftop and the old man's calm words.
He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and solemnly wrote on the title page:
The Diary of a Renter
Then, turning to the first page, sincere words flowed from the pen:
On [Date], under a clear sky
These days, Grandpa Manager's fairy tales are very enjoyable. Annie said my eyes are like glass beads (Uncle Zero said that's impolite, but I don't think she meant any harm). The Godfather treated me to engine oil tea, which tasted like milk tea. Uncle Bloodaxe's roast meat is excellent; he said he now prefers to study the heat control. Mr. Shadow's candy at the market reminded me of something happy.
The old man on the top floor... was completely different from what I had imagined. He said that the current peace was partly due to his efforts. I think I understand the meaning of "everything returns to its cycle" a little better now.
Everyone seemed to take good care of me, treating me like a child, like the youngest child who needed the most care and help. Although I don't remember many things, it's... nice. Uncle Ling said that I used to always carry so many things on my own, which was exhausting and not something someone my age should be burdened with.
But now, with everyone around me, I feel very warm.
God told me to keep a diary, saying these would be precious memories. I think so.
Before, when I carried a knife, I was thinking about completing tasks and upholding the rules. Now, carrying the basket of snacks everyone gave me, thinking about helping Sister Elena adjust the mirror lights tomorrow, or listening to Annie tell a new story, my heart is full and I feel very fulfilled.
It turns out that the strongest power is not destruction, but tolerance.
The deepest peace is not the absence of shadows, but the fact that even shadows have found their place.
Uncle Bloodaxe's apron, Grandpa Annihilation's teacup... This is the daily life that we all protect together.
This kind of life is peaceful and harmonious.
Goodnight, building.
Goodnight, to each and every one of you who is unique.
— Jiang Yu, the rent collector.
After writing the last sentence, Jiang Yu put down his pen and gently closed his diary. He walked to the window, gazing at the peaceful and warm lights in the corridor, a quiet and content smile playing on his lips.
Outside the window, the lights are dim, each one a healed soul, a story of finding home. Inside, the boy sleeps peacefully, his breathing steady. The rusty machete leans quietly against the corner of the wall, as if it too has been relieved of its heavy burden, immersed in this hard-won warmth of countless lights.
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