Our City

西子雅Sep 2021

2.9

Word count: 155K words
Chapters: 31

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Summary

When we were young, our world was simple;

running in the breeze, imagining all the possibilities of tomorrow.

When we grew up, we began a bitter journey;

falling with every run, and growing stronger after every fall.

Dad said brave boys become heroes;

Mom said kind girls become princesses.

We do not know whether the hero and the princess finally met,

we only know that we, no longer young, have begun to weather wind and frost.

This world is ours,

though we cannot change it, we must hold fast to our own principles;

this world is ours,

though full of thorns, we must face all setbacks hand in hand.

You said you would promise me a city,

if not a thousand miles, still build a world of our own.

Editor's review

Our City writes about growing up in a retrospective tone: from the simple running of childhood to falling and rising again in adulthood, and then to holding fast to principles and companionship. The prose has a clear lyrical rhythm, with short lines arranged to create a sense of breathing, reading like an inner monologue. The "city" in the book is both a promise and the small world each person wants to keep, reweighing the fairy-tale expectations of heroes and princesses against the wind and frost of reality, revealing a gentle but not naive strength. It suits reading at life transitions—graduation, moving cities, entering the workplace—using the image of "facing setbacks hand in hand" to sort out one's own perseverance. Because it emphasizes emotion and imagery, there is no need to chase concrete plot while reading; it is better to treat the sentences as mirrors reflecting the road you have traveled.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Young readers going through transitions such as graduation, moving cities, or entering society
Literature lovers who enjoy lyrical short pieces and resonate with looking back on growth
People looking for a light book to give classmates or young friends
Readers willing to read slowly, copy out sentences, and do self-reflection

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer strong plots and complete story structures
People who need concrete growth methods or practical advice
Readers not interested in lyrical language and short-line arrangement

Reading tips

Read in three sections—"childhood—adulthood—holding fast"—and after each section recall the scenes from your own corresponding stage.
Copy down the sentences that move you and write beside them how your past self would have responded.
After finishing, write a short message to an old friend you have not contacted in a while, turning the book's image of companionship into action.
If you are at a crossroads, reread the passages about "holding fast to principles" and then list three things you are unwilling to give up.

版权信息
楔子：
第一章属于梦想的人
第二章叶家二小姐
第三章黄头发与美男
第四章公子郁结
第五章画室里的男人
第六章御天娱乐会所
第七章小冲突与关照
第八章每个人都有秘密
第九章交易
第十章女人的对与错
第十一章田薇的求助
第十二章你还是你吗
第十三章针锋相对
第十四章联手吧，三剑客
第十五章突然的危机感
第十六章癌症与责任
第十七章这才是现实
第十八章另一位牟少
第十九章谁是真朋友
第二十章英雄救美
第二十一章叶楚楚的悲伤
第二十二章布局
第二十三章重整九华
第二十四章正风生水起
第二十五章风波逼近
第二十六章绑架
第二十七章救我还是她
第二十八章挣扎
第二十九章我爱你

FAQ

What age group is this book suitable for?

The material revolves around childhood, growing up, and holding fast in adulthood, with a retrospective and introspective tone. It is relatively suitable for young readers about to come of age or just entering society, and also for adult readers willing to look back on their own growth path.

Does the book have a complete storyline?

From the introduction, the book is linked by lyrical short sentences and imagery, with no clear character or plot progression. It is closer to an essay-style expression of the theme of growth, and readers should not expect to follow a story as in a novel.

Is it too much like chicken soup?

The book does have a warm and inspirational tone, but it also writes about falling, wind and frost, and the realistic sense of "being unable to change the world," so it is not merely sweet. If you prefer cold realism or strongly logical argumentation, you may still find it too lyrical.

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About the author

西子雅 Author

Xizi Ya is a writer active in the field of online literature. Public information about her is limited, and details such as her nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background have not been clearly recorded. Judging from her existing works, she mainly works in two genres: modern romance and youth literature. Her writing tends to focus on the emotional entanglements and coming-of-age journeys of urban men and women, while also weaving in elements of business warfare. Seven of her works are held in the collection, including Past, Present, Because of Love; Ten Years and Eight Years; The Twin Flowers Left Behind in the Diary; Loving You at Zero Degrees; Like a Mayfly; Our City; and Goodbye, Villa. Among them, Our City, Loving You at Zero Degrees, and Goodbye, Villa are already well known to readers. Her representative work, Thorns Born at Dusk, was selected as an outstanding original online literary work recommended by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, demonstrating her ability to handle narratives that interweave youth romance with urban business warfare.