Outside the run-down funeral home in Hangzhou City, Autumn Ease stood at the very edge of the awning. The cold wind blew icy raindrops onto his face.

As the youngest attendee, he was there on behalf of his parents. He had nothing in common with the adults, yet felt too awkward to leave right after arriving. Even small talk felt impossible to start.

His uncle wasn’t faring much better. Though he managed a few pleasantries, he’d quickly run out of words, sinking into awkward silence.

Outside, the rain grew heavier. Raindrops thumped against the roof tiles. The autumn wind cut sharp and cold.

"Uh… Uncle, shall we leave first?" Autumn Ease asked.

"Yeah, let’s go," his uncle replied, visibly relieved—as if he’d been waiting for this excuse. He turned to the person he’d been chatting with. "My nephew can’t stay put. We’ll head to the hotel now."

"Alright. Just tell the staff it’s under Ms. Zhou’s reservation. They’ll get you settled."

"Got it." His uncle nodded, then slung an arm around Autumn Ease’s shoulders. The two men shared one umbrella as they left the funeral home.

So many guests attended the funeral that the hotel likely had an entire floor booked for them. Anyone arriving could check in easily.

"Autumn Ease!" His aunt called out before they’d gone far. "The funeral starts early tomorrow—around five. Be up by then."

"Okay—got it!" Autumn Ease shouted back through the rain, worried she wouldn’t hear.

The rain fell harder than when they’d arrived. Potholes dotted the ground, and a single misstep meant splashing into a puddle. Even when avoiding them, muddy water splattered his pant legs. After just a short walk, his trousers felt soaked through.

"Is the hotel this way?" His uncle asked at a fork in the road.

"Let me check the map…" Autumn Ease handed him the umbrella and pulled out his phone. The signal was weak in this remote area, and the GPS glitched. He stood still for a while, finally figuring out their direction.

*Pitter-patter—pitter-patter—* Rain drummed on the umbrella as they chatted idly. Though they rarely met throughout the year, Autumn Ease got along well with his uncle.

"Where are you spending the New Year this year?" his uncle asked.

"Honestly? I’m not sure," Autumn Ease said, rolling his eyes. "If it were up to me, I’d stay home. Traveling around is just too exhausting."

Modern transport made travel easy, yet fewer relatives visited during holidays. Beyond the essential few, most avoided the hassle—preferring to rest at home all break. It made sense. Work was draining enough, and holidays lasted only five days, maybe a week at best. After a year of fatigue, no one wanted to trek between relatives.

Autumn Ease suddenly realized something strange. Travel was effortless now—trains, planes, high-speed rails. Communication was instant—video calls without leaving home. Yet people felt more distant than ever. How odd.

"Why not spend it at my place?" his uncle suggested. "We’ll be lively together."

"Uh… I’ll ask Mom first." Autumn Ease felt a flicker of interest. It wasn’t just because he liked his uncle. For one, his uncle had just opened a grand hotel. Though not officially open, the rooms were finished. Staying there would be far comfier than squeezing into a cramped city apartment. For another… well, his uncle had two daughters—one stunning, one adorably cute. As a lolicon, Autumn Ease found them utterly irresistible.

Hangzhou was already a small city; its outskirts were even more desolate. After a long walk, they hadn’t passed a single restaurant. Only a convenience store stood near the hotel entrance.

"Instant noodles it is," Autumn Ease sighed. The relentless rain drained his energy. He wiped raindrops from his shoulder, voice flat.

"Yeah, this dump only offers noodles," his uncle grumbled, his tone thick with streetwise grit. That was just life.

They bought instant noodles and sausage sticks at the store. As Autumn Ease stepped out first, he spotted a petite figure across the street. Rain blurred her features, but he knew instantly—it was that same expressionless girl who kept appearing near him, then vanishing without a trace. Who was she? What did she want?

He opened his mouth to call out—but his uncle interrupted.

"Hey, kid! Blocking the door for what?"

"Ah—sorry." Autumn Ease sidestepped quickly. When he looked back, she was gone again. Vanished.

"What’s got you so spellbound? See a pretty girl?" his uncle teased.

"Nah… nothing," Autumn Ease mumbled, scratching his head to hide his unease. His uncle didn’t press further. It wasn’t worth curiosity anyway.

Inside the hotel, they got their key cards. After fiddling with the air conditioner for ages, they finally got the heat working. Autumn Ease sighed in relief.

Honestly, this hotel was ridiculously stingy. A cramped room held two narrow beds. Right beside the outer bed sat a glass-enclosed toilet, and next to it, the shower stall—all completely transparent. It felt like the builders just plopped in a toilet and showerhead, then slapped glass around them. How convenient… and awkward. Imagine someone lying in bed while you used the toilet.

"Wow, impressive," Autumn Ease joked dryly. "Never had an audience while taking a dump before."

"Damn weird design. First time I’ve seen this," his uncle agreed.

"How’s this compare to your hotel’s setup?"

"This junk? No match for mine." They both laughed.

They made instant noodles, then lounged on their beds scrolling phones. The TV played unheard in the background—just for noise, to feel less lonely.

That evening, his aunt texted Autumn Ease to join dinner downstairs. His uncle refused to go. As the younger one, Autumn Ease couldn’t refuse his elder. He trudged down reluctantly. He truly hated crowded gatherings.

As the youngest there, he stayed silent. Boredom gnawed at him, but pulling out his phone would seem rude.

"My nephew’s amazing—he’s an artist!" his aunt announced proudly, patting his shoulder. Autumn Ease snapped out of his daze, rolling his eyes inwardly.

"Oh? An artist?"

"So talented!"

"Any famous works?" The elders bombarded him with questions.

"Uh, no—I’m just an illustrator. You know, game or novel art for companies… regular job stuff. Not really an ‘artist’…" he stammered.

"He’s too modest! He’s even drawn manga," his aunt added. Sweat beaded on Autumn Ease’s forehead. *Manga? She means my doujinshi…*

"Really?"

"Many readers?"

"Make good money?"

"What’s the story?"

He wanted to bolt. Instead, he fabricated vague tales. His actual job wasn’t impressive either. His company made galge—dating sims. Admitting that felt mortifying. Truth was, he wasn’t even a lead artist. He handled minor commissions—novel ads, side gigs. Most days, he worked Taobao customer service. In China, pure galge studios barely survived; they sold merch online to stay afloat.

Finally, the elders lost interest. Autumn Ease excused himself with a stomachache and fled back to his room.

Earlier, he’d noticed his uncle’s wife and daughter laughing with the crowd. But up close, he saw the grief in their eyes. Were they forcing smiles so others wouldn’t worry?

*Being an adult is exhausting,* he thought. Hiding your own pain to comfort others, pretending everything’s fine… If his parents died, could he hold back tears? "Men don’t cry," they said—but at that moment, he might not.

He shook off the grim thought and glanced at his uncle, who was sprawled on the bed gaming. "Uncle, showering first? If not, I’ll go."

"You go ahead."

"Alright."