26 posts tagged with "micro-fiction"

Zhang Qiang stood in front of the full-length mirror, a slight smile playing on his lips as he gazed at his tall figure. He had paid an unimaginable price for this moment.

A few months ago, he was just an ordinary office worker, standing at 1.68 meters tall, feeling like a sardine in the crowded subway and a replaceable cog in the company machine. He was tired of looking up to others and longed to be the center of attention. So, he sought out the "Highly Customized" company.

Old Li has recently become obsessed with watching the 999 Cold Remedy commercials. Not because he has a cold, but because the line "There's always warmth on the road" inexplicably brings him a sense of comfort. He works overtime every day until late at night, is crammed into the subway like a sardine, and then has to face mountains of reports when he gets home. He feels like a screw, tightly screwed onto the company's machine.

Old Wang was once again sitting on an empty waiting chair in the hospital, he was used to it. Ever since the notice "Imported drugs withdrawn from public hospitals" was posted, the place had become eerily quiet. In the past, it was crowded with anxious patients and their families, the air thick with the smell of disinfectant and unease, but now, only the cold wind whistling in the corners and Old Wang's heavy breathing could be heard.

Old Liu was a gardener. His days were spent trimming lawns and watering plants, a life as monotonous as concrete. His greatest pleasure was keeping several koi in a large fish tank on his balcony.

"Brother Wang, the feed mix for the cranes has been adjusted today. Could you take a look at whether this batch of corn kernels meets the 'Golden Crane' standard?"

Old Wang was the company’s “overtime model worker.” Leaving at 9:30 PM was considered an early departure for him. He sported the characteristic programmer's receding hairline and perpetually wore dark circles under his eyes, looking like an insomniac panda. An unwritten “truth” circulated within the company: overtime is a virtue, not doing overtime is a lack of ambition.