Joy of Life - V1C2
Prologue: Nice Guys Finish Last
1- A Child of the Tanmai
2- The Truman Show
3- The Legacy Book
4- Studies and Ghost Stories
5- The Noctural Visitor
6- Master Wu Zhu
7- Master Fei Jie
8- Grandmasters and Divine Temple
9- Overpowering Bàdào Zhenqi
10- The Sea Salt Merchant
11- Farewell for now, Master Fei Jie
12- Mail Order and Newspapers
13- Radish Strands
14- Housekeeper Zhou
15- Ay-ya-ya-yaaa
Chapter 2
The Truman Show
Danzhou was situated by the sea, east of the Qing Empire. With the recent completion of southern ports and the earlier opening of the sea route to the west, trade for the empire had gradually moved southward, leading to Danzhou's decline into obscurity. The once-vibrant port had quieted down over the years, with seagulls now soaring freely without the disturbance of sailors.
The daily lives of Danzhou's residents had not changed significantly. Although their income had dwindled, they had enjoyed several years of tax exemptions from the Emperor, allowing them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. The seaport's serene beauty and a warm, year-round summer-like climate made it a pleasant place to reside.
Occasionally, distinguished individuals would visit Danzhou and build manors, but few officials chose to make it their home because of its distance from the imperial capital. One notable exception was an Old Mistress living in a house to the west of the city, said to be the mother of Count Sinan, who had moved there for retirement. It was common knowledge among the townspeople that Count Sinan enjoyed the Emperor's favor; unlike others, he was never dispatched for assignments and instead worked at the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. Consequently, the residents treated the Old Mistress with considerable respect and courtesy.
However, the town's children were oblivious to these subtleties.
On a bright day, the adults gathered at a tavern, relishing the salty sea breeze while snacking on brined plums and sipping liquor from goblets. Meanwhile, a group of teenagers had congregated on the stone steps outside Count Sinan’s villa in the western part of the city. Approaching the scene revealed a charming sight: the teens were captivated by a little boy, about 4 years old.
The boy was endearing, with seemingly painted eyebrows and golden eyes. Though his voice was youthful, his manner of speaking was surprisingly sophisticated. With a sigh, he animatedly gestured with his tiny arms, continuing, “Truman walked toward the wall, found a ladder, climbed up step by step, and discovered a door. He pushed it open and stepped outside….”
“And then?” one of the teenagers asked eagerly.
“And then? Then… he was free again,” the little boy pouted, annoyed that they would pose such a simple question.
“You must be kidding! Why didn’t he… that Chris…."
“Christof,” another teen corrected.
“Yes, Christof! Why didn’t Truman beat up Christof to vent his anger? He had been imprisoned for years!”
The little boy shrugged and replied, “No.”
“āiyā[i]! This story is boring. Young Master Fan Xian, today’s story isn’t as interesting as the one from a few days ago.”
“What kind of stories do you like?” asked another teen.
“An Ethereal Journey.”
“A Great Epic.”
“Brats!” said the little boy, Fan Xian, extending his middle finger at the bigger teens around him.
A loud, angry shout echoed from the courtyard, “Young Master, where are you!?” In response, all the teenagers imitated his gesture, raising their middle fingers in unison, creating a striking image of defiance among the group. With laughter trailing behind them, they quickly hushed and ran away.
The small child, Fan Xian, brushed off the dust from his rear as he got up from the stone steps, turned, and dashed into the courtyard. Just before closing the door, he cast a glance at the young, blind grocery store owner across the street, his clever eyes revealing a mix of complex emotions that belied his age. Then, he gently shut the door behind him.
It had been seven years since Fan Shen discovered he was in an unfamiliar world. Over time, he realized that this was not a dream; he was truly in a strange land. Although people in this world spoke Chinese, it was significantly different from the modern world he knew in his previous life, as it was a feudal society.
Through the whispers of the servants at the Count’s villa, he learned the truth about his identity: he was the illegitimate son of Count Sinan from the capital. In typical stories about wealthy families, an illegitimate child often faces disdain and hostility from the father’s wife and concubines. Having never met this father, he was indifferent to the reasons behind his circumstances and the people he never met.
Over time, he had grown accustomed to his identity. However, the reality of a thirty-year-old's soul trapped in a child's body posed unique challenges, both physically and mentally. It would likely drive a normal person to madness. Fortunately, in his past life, Fan Shen had spent many years bedridden due to his disease. Compared to his prior existence, the minor difficulties he faced now were trivial. Though he inhabited a child's body, he adapted well to this new life.
What troubled him the most was his name. When he was only a year old, the Count had sent a letter to his grandmother, formally assigning him the name ‘Fan Xian’ and the courtesy name ‘An Zhe[ii].’ Being reborn, he found it quite ironic to be called ‘Xian’.[iii] At least he kept the same last name, ‘Fan’.[iv]
Years later, he could clearly recall the feelings of loneliness and despair he experienced while struggling to move during the early stages of treatment in his past life. He had pleaded with a kind nurse to bring him pirated DVDs and audiobooks. His only real assets were his sharp mind and photographic memory, but sadly, they offered little relief from his affliction.
Now, in this new world, he found joy in sharing countless stories he had read and memorized with the local children. Living in the Count’s villa, he discovered that the Old Mistress, while known for her cold demeanor, was a kind woman who genuinely cared for Fan Xian. The servants treated him well, without his status as an illegitimate child affecting their behavior. Still, he felt disappointed as he struggled to connect with anyone.
How could he tell the servant girls that he came from another world? How could he inform his teacher that he could read every character in his books since he was born?
So, he often snuck out the side door to play with the street children. He regaled them with stories from the movies and novels of his other world, teasing them with his middle finger and all the interjections he had learned from the comics, and enjoying inside jokes.
It seemed that he wanted to remind himself of his past life. He tried to remind himself that he did not belong to this world. In the other world, he had endless novels, movies, the Internet… and porn.
He didn’t know why he told the kids about The Truman Show[v]. With its unsuspecting plot and without the one-of-a-kind actor Jim Carrey, he should have known that the youth of Danzhou would not like it at all.
But he told the story anyway.
Deep in his heart, he felt his situation to be ridiculous—why would he suddenly, so close to death, be reborn in this new body? He couldn’t help but think of that movie… maybe the people on the streets and the seagulls in the sky were props?
Just like The Truman Show, when Truman finally realized that his reality was fake. He resolutely sailed until his boat punctured the dome's wall, and he found an exit door.
But Fan Xian—no longer Fan Shen—knew he was not Truman. This world was real, not some huge movie set.
So, he told stories daily to remind himself that he belonged to another world. How ridiculous it all was!
The daily lives of Danzhou's residents had not changed significantly. Although their income had dwindled, they had enjoyed several years of tax exemptions from the Emperor, allowing them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. The seaport's serene beauty and a warm, year-round summer-like climate made it a pleasant place to reside.
Occasionally, distinguished individuals would visit Danzhou and build manors, but few officials chose to make it their home because of its distance from the imperial capital. One notable exception was an Old Mistress living in a house to the west of the city, said to be the mother of Count Sinan, who had moved there for retirement. It was common knowledge among the townspeople that Count Sinan enjoyed the Emperor's favor; unlike others, he was never dispatched for assignments and instead worked at the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. Consequently, the residents treated the Old Mistress with considerable respect and courtesy.
However, the town's children were oblivious to these subtleties.
On a bright day, the adults gathered at a tavern, relishing the salty sea breeze while snacking on brined plums and sipping liquor from goblets. Meanwhile, a group of teenagers had congregated on the stone steps outside Count Sinan’s villa in the western part of the city. Approaching the scene revealed a charming sight: the teens were captivated by a little boy, about 4 years old.
The boy was endearing, with seemingly painted eyebrows and golden eyes. Though his voice was youthful, his manner of speaking was surprisingly sophisticated. With a sigh, he animatedly gestured with his tiny arms, continuing, “Truman walked toward the wall, found a ladder, climbed up step by step, and discovered a door. He pushed it open and stepped outside….”
“And then?” one of the teenagers asked eagerly.
“And then? Then… he was free again,” the little boy pouted, annoyed that they would pose such a simple question.
“You must be kidding! Why didn’t he… that Chris…."
“Christof,” another teen corrected.
“Yes, Christof! Why didn’t Truman beat up Christof to vent his anger? He had been imprisoned for years!”
The little boy shrugged and replied, “No.”
“āiyā[i]! This story is boring. Young Master Fan Xian, today’s story isn’t as interesting as the one from a few days ago.”
“What kind of stories do you like?” asked another teen.
“An Ethereal Journey.”
“A Great Epic.”
“Brats!” said the little boy, Fan Xian, extending his middle finger at the bigger teens around him.
A loud, angry shout echoed from the courtyard, “Young Master, where are you!?” In response, all the teenagers imitated his gesture, raising their middle fingers in unison, creating a striking image of defiance among the group. With laughter trailing behind them, they quickly hushed and ran away.
The small child, Fan Xian, brushed off the dust from his rear as he got up from the stone steps, turned, and dashed into the courtyard. Just before closing the door, he cast a glance at the young, blind grocery store owner across the street, his clever eyes revealing a mix of complex emotions that belied his age. Then, he gently shut the door behind him.
It had been seven years since Fan Shen discovered he was in an unfamiliar world. Over time, he realized that this was not a dream; he was truly in a strange land. Although people in this world spoke Chinese, it was significantly different from the modern world he knew in his previous life, as it was a feudal society.
Through the whispers of the servants at the Count’s villa, he learned the truth about his identity: he was the illegitimate son of Count Sinan from the capital. In typical stories about wealthy families, an illegitimate child often faces disdain and hostility from the father’s wife and concubines. Having never met this father, he was indifferent to the reasons behind his circumstances and the people he never met.
Over time, he had grown accustomed to his identity. However, the reality of a thirty-year-old's soul trapped in a child's body posed unique challenges, both physically and mentally. It would likely drive a normal person to madness. Fortunately, in his past life, Fan Shen had spent many years bedridden due to his disease. Compared to his prior existence, the minor difficulties he faced now were trivial. Though he inhabited a child's body, he adapted well to this new life.
What troubled him the most was his name. When he was only a year old, the Count had sent a letter to his grandmother, formally assigning him the name ‘Fan Xian’ and the courtesy name ‘An Zhe[ii].’ Being reborn, he found it quite ironic to be called ‘Xian’.[iii] At least he kept the same last name, ‘Fan’.[iv]
Years later, he could clearly recall the feelings of loneliness and despair he experienced while struggling to move during the early stages of treatment in his past life. He had pleaded with a kind nurse to bring him pirated DVDs and audiobooks. His only real assets were his sharp mind and photographic memory, but sadly, they offered little relief from his affliction.
Now, in this new world, he found joy in sharing countless stories he had read and memorized with the local children. Living in the Count’s villa, he discovered that the Old Mistress, while known for her cold demeanor, was a kind woman who genuinely cared for Fan Xian. The servants treated him well, without his status as an illegitimate child affecting their behavior. Still, he felt disappointed as he struggled to connect with anyone.
How could he tell the servant girls that he came from another world? How could he inform his teacher that he could read every character in his books since he was born?
So, he often snuck out the side door to play with the street children. He regaled them with stories from the movies and novels of his other world, teasing them with his middle finger and all the interjections he had learned from the comics, and enjoying inside jokes.
It seemed that he wanted to remind himself of his past life. He tried to remind himself that he did not belong to this world. In the other world, he had endless novels, movies, the Internet… and porn.
He didn’t know why he told the kids about The Truman Show[v]. With its unsuspecting plot and without the one-of-a-kind actor Jim Carrey, he should have known that the youth of Danzhou would not like it at all.
But he told the story anyway.
Deep in his heart, he felt his situation to be ridiculous—why would he suddenly, so close to death, be reborn in this new body? He couldn’t help but think of that movie… maybe the people on the streets and the seagulls in the sky were props?
Just like The Truman Show, when Truman finally realized that his reality was fake. He resolutely sailed until his boat punctured the dome's wall, and he found an exit door.
But Fan Xian—no longer Fan Shen—knew he was not Truman. This world was real, not some huge movie set.
So, he told stories daily to remind himself that he belonged to another world. How ridiculous it all was!
[i] Āiyā (哎呀) is a highly versatile Chinese interjection used to express a wide range of emotions depending on the speaker's tone and context. It does not have a single literal translation but acts as an emotional "flavoring" word. A short, sharp aiya might indicate sudden pain or shock, while a long, drawn-out ai-yaaaaa often signals deep frustration or disbelief.
Common Meanings & Contexts
- Frustration or Annoyance: Similar to "Ugh," "Darn," or "Oh, for goodness' sake".
- Example: "Aiya, I forgot my keys again".
- Shock or Surprise: Similar to "Oh my god," "Wow," or "Gee".
- Example: "Aiya! I didn't expect to see you here!".
- Physical Pain: Similar to "Ouch!" or "Ow!".
- Regret or Realization: Used when realizing a mistake or a missed opportunity.
- Admiration or Cuteness: An exclamation of wonder or reacting to something "super cute".
- Impatience or Blame: Often used by parents or elders to scold or express disapproval.
[ii] The name An Zhe signifies "safe/calm" (安 - ān) and "wise" (哲 - zhé) in a Chinese context, while the character "Zhe" (哲) specifically implies “intelligence, brightness”, and a philosophical nature. It carries a positive and calm connotation.
[iii] The name Xian is primarily of Chinese origin with multiple meanings depending on the characters used, commonly signifying "immortal" or "enlightened person" (仙) in Taoist tradition. It can also mean "evident," "clear," "illustrious" (显), or "rare" (鲜), often used in given names to represent clarity, distinction, and hope for a bright future.
[iv] The Chinese name Fan most commonly originates from the surname 范 (Fàn), which signifies a "pattern," "model," or "example". As a surname, it has historical roots dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC), referring to a fiefdom. Other meanings can include "fence hedge" (樊) or "fragrant" (芬), depending on the character used.
[v] The Truman Show is a 1998 American psychological drama film written and co-produced by Andrew Niccol and directed by Peter Weir. The film tells the story of Truman Burbank (played by Jim Carrey), a man unaware that he has been living his entire life on a colossal soundstage, filmed and broadcast as a reality television show with a huge international following. All his friends, family, and community members are paid actors whose job is to sustain the illusion and keep Truman unaware of the false world he inhabits.
[iii] The name Xian is primarily of Chinese origin with multiple meanings depending on the characters used, commonly signifying "immortal" or "enlightened person" (仙) in Taoist tradition. It can also mean "evident," "clear," "illustrious" (显), or "rare" (鲜), often used in given names to represent clarity, distinction, and hope for a bright future.
[iv] The Chinese name Fan most commonly originates from the surname 范 (Fàn), which signifies a "pattern," "model," or "example". As a surname, it has historical roots dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC), referring to a fiefdom. Other meanings can include "fence hedge" (樊) or "fragrant" (芬), depending on the character used.
[v] The Truman Show is a 1998 American psychological drama film written and co-produced by Andrew Niccol and directed by Peter Weir. The film tells the story of Truman Burbank (played by Jim Carrey), a man unaware that he has been living his entire life on a colossal soundstage, filmed and broadcast as a reality television show with a huge international following. All his friends, family, and community members are paid actors whose job is to sustain the illusion and keep Truman unaware of the false world he inhabits.
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