The Diary of a Renter
76. The warm glow of autumn
In the late autumn twilight, the endless corridor was bathed in a warm golden light. The leaves of the Tree of Hope had been dyed a brilliant golden-red by the season, with a few occasionally swirling down, dancing in the gentle breeze woven by Shirin, carrying the scent of ripe fruit. In Uncle Bloodaxe's open-air oven, the newly developed "Maple Syrup Charcoal-Grilled Rock Rhinoceros Ribs" sizzled, the rich aroma of meat mixed with a faint scent of firewood, intertwining with the sweet fragrance of "Mist Pudding" wafting from Gulu's Kitchen, carrying a hint of adventure, creating a warm and vibrant scene full of life.
Annie and her light sprite friends chased and frolicked along the fairytale path strewn with fallen leaves, their footsteps making a crisp, crunching sound. Zero was attempting to use space-folding technology to precisely feed three different flavored rainbow candies simultaneously to three running little creatures, but his technique failed, and the candies exploded in mid-air like popcorn, eliciting joyful screams and a chase. The Doctor and Shirin sat on the edge of the nearby Starry Terrace, quietly discussing their new discoveries about starlight healing, a soft halo of light swirling around them.
Jiang Yu sat on a bench by the corridor, watching this bustling yet heartwarming scene, his heart filled with a profound sense of peace. He thought of the trials and tribulations they had faced along the way, and of how each resident had transformed from initial estrangement to harmonious coexistence. A thought, like a seed nurtured by the warm autumn sun, quietly sprouted.
He stood up, clapped his hands, and his gentle yet clear voice echoed down the corridor: "Everyone, another year is almost over, and our family is getting more and more lively with the addition of new members. I was thinking, how about we take advantage of this harvest season and hold a real 'building party'? Let's all put on a show, entertain ourselves, and have a good time!"
77. Extraordinary People
The proposal was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Not only did the permanent residents respond enthusiastically, but the doors on both sides of the corridor, which were usually either tightly closed or mysterious, also creaked open, revealing all sorts of curious heads.
Zero, the former space thief and now a space security consultant, rubbed his hands together, eager to show off: "Hehe, how could this occasion be complete without me, Zero? Watch me dazzle you with my space magic!"
The honest and reliable shield warrior, Rock, scratched his head: "I don't have any special talents, how about... I perform breaking a boulder on my chest? Or I can help everyone build the sturdiest stage!"
Chef Gulu, who loves research (and explosions), poked his head out of the kitchen: "A special cake for the party! This time I used 'awakening mushrooms' picked from the Green Emperor's Garden and 'happy notes' extracted from the ethereal melody! Guaranteed to be... unique!"
The star weaver, Shirin, gently swayed her light mist: "I can weave a dreamy starlight opening for everyone."
Even the usually most silent Mo, through the gargoyles he controlled, silently sent a note, written in ancient script: "A backdrop of 'absolute silence' can be provided to set off the noise."
The manager, an elderly gentleman, stroked his beard and smiled, volunteering to serve as the art consultant.
Most surprisingly, the three primordial beings in the slumbering corridor also sent forth their thoughts:
The Azure Emperor: "Life... is something to celebrate. I wish to add to the festivities with the illusion of the forest."
Forging Master: "The joy of forging lies in sharing. You may demonstrate a few things."
A faint voice: "Silence...is the beginning of a movement. May I offer you a piece."
The oak door of "Eternal Night Café," inlaid with bat patterns, slid open silently. The owner, Grand Duke Dracula, the vampire, leaned elegantly against the doorframe, holding a delicate white bone china teacup. A faint smile appeared on his pale face as he spoke in an aria-like voice, "Oh? A grand gathering for the night? Perhaps I could offer a sonnet about eternity and stars, or… a mini-salon about blood amber tea and moonlight cookies?" Behind him, soothing classical music drifted from the café.
A deafening electric guitar solo and drumbeats came from the direction of "Mechanical Carnival Park." Zombie Z, the lead singer of the rock zombie band "Rotten Glory"—with a fluorescent green mohawk and red lights flashing in his eye sockets—smashed a virtual speaker and roared, "Roar! The ultimate party! Brothers, turn the volume up to the max! Play 'Brain Blender March' and blow the whole place up!" Behind him, the skeleton drummer "Bones" banged his bone club, sending sparks flying.
The door of the "Mysterious Pet Shop," covered in adorable paw prints, was pushed open, and the shopkeeper, the Beast Taming Witch Lilith, emerged, carrying her jelly-like, ever-changing Slime King. She smiled sweetly, "My little darlings have recently learned some group exercises~ They might need some help cleaning up after their performance, though, because they're a bit... clingy." The Slime King then made a "bling bling" sound in cooperation.
Even the door to the "Alchemy Workshop," which often emitted colorful smoke, was suddenly flung open. Newton, the bumbling alchemist with an explosive hairstyle and robes smeared with some unknown slime, poked his head out, excitedly waving a bubbling test tube: "A party? Wait! I've just invented 'laughing gas rainbow bubbles' and 'tears-flavored memory gummies'! We just need volunteers to test their effects!"
In an instant, the corridor was filled with a cacophony of voices, strange discussions, sound tests, cries of unknown creatures, and small explosions (mainly from Newton's workshop), creating a festive atmosphere of chaos and anticipation.
78. Mass preparation
The organizing committee (Fox, Steel Godfather, and Grandpa Manager) was under immense pressure. On Fox's holographic screen, the program registration list scrolled wildly; the Godfather was busy calculating the optimal parameters for stage load-bearing capacity and sound and lighting effects; and Grandpa Manager, wearing his reading glasses, was painstakingly reviewing whether lyrics such as "The Brain Mixer March" were too horrifying.
After heated discussions (which almost escalated into a minor conflict), a jaw-dropping final program was finally unveiled and projected by the fox onto the center of the corridor using glowing runes:
[First Half: A Grand View of Amazing Talents and Unique Abilities]
Opening: "Starlight Overture" – Performed by: Shirin and the Star Weavers team. (Trailer: A meteor shower will streak across the corridor's dome.)
Extreme Magic: "One Hundred Unexpected Twists of Space Folding" — Performer: Zero. (Note: High-value space-related accident insurance has been purchased; viewers are advised not to attempt this.)
Instrumental Solo: "Echoes of the Void" – Performed by: Xuyin. (Note: Please listen with your heart; it may provoke philosophical thoughts. Have tissues ready.)
Powerful Aesthetics: "Forged Through a Thousand Hammers" – Performed by: Duan Tianjun. (Front-row audience members may feel the heat; it is recommended to bring your own fan or cold drink.)
High Art: "Blood Amber Under the Moon: Poetry and Tea" – Performed by: Dracula. (Special Blood Amber Black Tea will be served; drinking it may temporarily give your complexion a rosy glow, lasting for 15 minutes.)
Heavy Metal Rock: "Brain Mixer March" + "Skeleton Disco" — Performed by: Rotten Glory Band. (The administrator has set up a super soundproof barrier; those with weak hearts, please consider leaving.)
Immersive Theatre: Whispers of the Forest – Performers: Qingdi (Environmental Design), Annie and the Fairy Tale Theatre Company.
[Halftime: A Feast for the Taste Buds]
Bloodaxe's roasted meat was incredibly fragrant, and although Gulu's cake was still "indescribable" in taste (it would make you temporarily forget your troubles, but would randomly remind you of the most embarrassing thing), it was full of heart; Dracula's black tea was elegant and unique.
[Second Half: Interactive Carnival]
Adorable Pet Show: "The 72 Transformations of a Slime" – Performed by: Beast Tamer Lilith and the Slime King. (You may need to help clean up the slime afterward, but you will receive a commemorative slime badge as a gift.)
Science Experiment Show: "Emotional Converter - From Tears to Rainbows" - Performed by: The bumbling alchemist Newton. (A doctor will be on standby throughout; experimental results... are not guaranteed.)
The ultimate suspense: "Surprise? Surprise!" — Performed by Chef Gulu. (Taste and experience unknown, but guaranteed to be unforgettable.)
The stage, constructed by Rock and his gargoyle minions using the sturdiest obsidian, was set against a deep and dreamlike backdrop created by the power of shadow. Shirin's starlight and Blood Axe's specially angled campfire combined to create stunning lighting effects. The air was thick with tension, excitement, and various strange smells (mainly wafting from Newton's Workshop). The long-awaited night had finally arrived.
79. Night Symphony
As night fell like a velvet curtain, the Tree of Hope was adorned like a dreamlike Christmas tree, its branches laden with glowing berries and colorful lanterns made by children. All the residents gathered beneath the tree, their expressions varied and curious, yet all eagerly anticipating its arrival.
Shirin's "Starlight Overture" is breathtakingly beautiful, with meteors raining down, weaving the outlines of buildings and the smiling faces of every resident in the night sky, eliciting gasps of amazement.
Zero's magic trick was indeed thrilling and exciting. He traveled through the spatial fragments, almost sending Annie's Teddy to an unknown dimension, and then frantically pulled it back, causing the whole audience to burst into laughter.
Xu Yin's "Echoes of the Void" is not a sound, but a melody that directly affects consciousness. It is ethereal and ancient, soothing the soul. Even Zombie Z temporarily quieted down, and the red light in his eye sockets slowed down.
The forging performance by Duan Tianjun was full of powerful beauty. Amidst the flying sparks, a beautiful short sword was formed and presented to Jiang Yu.
Grand Duke Dracula's recitation of poetry was elegant...and long. When he sang, "Ah! This eternal night...", the elves began to yawn, but the rose petals he scattered at the end (which turned into bats upon landing) elicited excited screams from the children.
The death metal band Rotten Glory rocked the entire venue. Zombie lead singer Z's screams were deafening, the skeleton drummer's bones seemed to be falling apart, and the ghost keyboardist floated and played. The powerful sound waves made the Tree of Hope rustle, and Zero and the young people below the stage swayed wildly. The scene was briefly out of control but full of wild energy.
The fairy tale play by Qingdi and Annie takes everyone into a vibrant and fantastical forest, with talking animals and dancing flowers that awaken a childlike heart.
Lilith's Slime King is the cutest character, transforming into a cat, a dog, and Jiang Yu, before finally turning into a trembling strawberry pudding that makes children drool.
Newton's experiment became the biggest laugh-out-loud moment. The "emotional converter" turned his own afro into a rainbow, and he laughed uncontrollably for ten minutes before being helped off the table by the doctor.
The grand finale was a group sing-along of "Homeland." There were no fixed lyrics; the melody was woven together by Xilin and Xuyin, and everyone could improvise their own feelings.
Jiang Yu began, singing out gratitude for the encounter; Pan Shi sang out a vow of protection with his deep voice; Fox sang out harmony of order with his clear notes; Annie sang out joy with her childlike voice; Zero sang out freedom with his playful trills; Blood Axe sang out sharing with his bold voice; even Dracula used an elegant baritone, Zombie Z used a hoarse roar, and Newton used a humming scientific tune... The power of the Azure Emperor made the songs echo in the forest, the furnace of the Heavenly Forging Lord beat for it, and the melody of the ethereal voice accompanied it.
Their voices were different, and not even pleasant to the ear, yet they intertwined to form the most authentic and moving symphony.
Just as the song reached its climax, the figure of the Annihilator reappeared quietly. But this time, he did not extinguish the starlight; instead, he listened intently to this vibrant chorus, composed of countless imperfect sounds. Finally, in the fading notes of the song, he raised his hand, not to erase, but to gently blend a wisp of pure silence, like the final rest, into the chorus's conclusion.
At this moment, noise and silence, life and death, reached an unprecedented harmony.
80. The Place Where My Heart Returns
Late at night, Jiang Yu wrote in her diary:
On [Date], under a dazzling starry sky, my heart returned to shore.
Tonight is a symphony of all things, and even more so, a journey home.
I heard about the growth in Zero Magic, saw the blessing on the anvil of the Heavenly Forging Lord, tasted the clumsy intention in the Gulu Cake, felt the inclusiveness in the Azure Emperor Forest, and the profoundness in the silence of the illusory sound.
Dracula's poetry, zombie rock, Newton's afro, Lilith's slime... all the novelty is made more vivid by those familiar underlying themes.
The final chorus may have been off-key or chaotic, but every word came from the heart.
Even the Annihilator offered his unique, silent blessing.
Only then did I realize that true peace of mind lies not in eliminating differences, but in allowing every voice, whether high-pitched or low-pitched, crisp or hoarse, eternal or fleeting, to find its own voice under this roof and merge into a shared melody.
A building is not a machine to eliminate noise, but a palace to accommodate all sounds.
Goodnight to all my family, both new and old friends.
Goodnight, this home that is complete and enriched by each and every one of its unique aspects.
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