"In 2026, the city where I lived was rated not the worst city in the entire country."
"Violent incidents were frequent."
"Living standards declined."
"Financial turbulence, worsening unemployment, a steadily shrinking birth population, and deaths rising year after year."
"But why did people still come here?"
"Because—this was not the worst."
"This was Nie's City."
"This was the City of No Dreams."
Clang, clang—the bus doors and frame battered each other, hammering out an unbroken stream of noise. The racket shook everyone's eardrums, putting the packed passengers in foul moods.
"Does no one ever fix this damned bus? Look at that—the rearview mirror is taped on, isn't it? That's more absurd than Uncle Tom's apple pie!"
Someone complained.
"You paying to fix it?" Driver replied with a numb expression. His foot stomped the accelerator until it roared, while his right hand shoved, pulled, hooked, and swept across the gearstick in a fluid set of tai chi.
The bus rampaged down the road, then suddenly braked hard. Amid a screech, it reached the stop.
The doors opened, and twenty or thirty passengers surged inside.
"For God's sake, people in front, move farther in!"
"Who's pushing my ass? Get that damned hand off me!"
Driver tapped the pedal, and the doors slammed shut with a clatter.
"Hey! Hey!!" Someone pounded on the bus from outside. "Open the door! We haven't gotten on yet—wait for us!"
"Can't fit any more. Take the next one." Driver floored the accelerator. Without caring whether the people clinging to the doors outside would be dragged off balance, he drove away. "Everyone waits, everyone's late."
The people outside refused to accept that. Many ran a few steps, leaped, and grabbed onto the back of the bus. Through the rear window, hands and faces densely covered the glass, like