The rain falls from the high floors, those tiny dots rapidly expanding in the pupils, finally striking the forehead and the ground, splashing into tiny droplets.

The sky is always overcast, with no sign of sunrise or sunset, this is a jungle filled with steel, a labyrinth with no way out.

With both hands in his pockets, he meanders aimlessly along the black and winding street, seeing nothing but silent figures.

Since the turmoil ended four years ago, all sectors in the Lusheng Star Domain have entered a declining state.

Initially, only businesspeople noticed the decline in tourists, then major companies started to cut salaries across the board, and some marginal small industries began to collapse.

But this was not the end; as the Star Domains in various regions banded together, trade protection policies were enforced in each Star Region, the Lusheng Star Domain's exports further decreased, and the economic winter gradually spread throughout society.

There isn't abundant natural output here, nor are there outstanding industrial products or powerful factions, this place is merely a slightly famous Star Domain for its tourism scenery. Every summer, the cool shores of Reed Lake attract many visitors, and the local dances, water fish, and handicrafts bring significant economic benefits.

As the Federation gradually split internally amidst drastic environmental changes, a Star Domain like Lusheng, which has no solid strength support, became among the first victims. Unlike other economic models, tourism has too many alternatives; if it really doesn't work, the planet's own could do. In fact, a person's life is merely a hundred years, finishing exploring one's birthplace is no easy task.

Shuilu City, the biggest metropolis in the Lusheng Star Domain, is home to approximately 30 million people around the city circle. Countless high-rises gleam, decorating the night with glittering lights, even when walking in the dark corners, one can look up to see various laser displays shooting towards the sky, reflecting colors that change constantly.

"Huff..."

The exhaled warm breath brushes past the soaked collar, exceptionally clear in the night, he lifts his collar with one hand, icy droplets slide down his fingertips, waking him slightly.

Is it already autumn? Suddenly realizing something, he takes out his Personal Terminal from his pocket, unlocking the interface amidst the continuous rain and water marks, then the projection lights up, showing the current time.

[Year 1264, September 26, 20:19:49]

Summer has ended, without him noticing at all.

The summer, which used to be bustling in his memory every year, lit with decorations, welcoming various tourists, holding various activities, the streets crowded with heads, has ended.

Yet he still hasn't found a job.

He squats by the roadside, swiping the interface with a hand, trying to find a familiar friend to talk to, to vent the slightly damp emotions, but after scrolling through the long list, he didn't choose anyone.

Would anyone really be willing to come out on this rainy night just to listen to his repeated, weary complaints?

He doesn't have friends that good.

In various games and film works, even the protagonist in dire straits will have one or two friends to encourage him, then regain his spirit, or take the protagonist to do some 'big thing'.

But a truly destitute person will only annoy others, no one will keep feeling sympathy.

He puts both hands back into his pockets, ambling on this street sprinkled with cold rain, letting the tiny droplets pass along his eyebrows.

When one is forced into solitude, they often fall into memories, he too, walked the same path.

In his teenage years, even though he was also poor, both he and familiar partners were filled with hope for the future, like a brilliant ink painting, chaotic yet brimming with vitality.

But as he grew year by year, the future did not welcome the exciting plot he fantasized about as a teenager, relying on youth to find joy in the monotony of learning and work, thinking he just needed a chance, a bit of experience, thinking that day when talent could be displayed would come.

The white reeds sway, boats gliding past the cool lake water, arriving tourists praying towards the floating night lights on the water, marveling at the beauty of the scenery here.

Year by year, summer by summer

The years silently pass by, youth ages easily

His future is like the night lights drifting on the river surface, one by one extinguishing.

When a child is born with unlimited possibilities, but as each year passes by, those possibilities diminish slightly, and until one day when suddenly awakened, they find only a handful of options left, and those too were never what he had hoped for in his youth.

He stopped in his tracks, in front of him now is the city's most famous 'Red Wish Bridge', it is said that if lovers write each other's names on the same red ribbon and tie it on the bridge, their relationship will last long.

Even if such Legendary stories appear in various tourist cities, there are still people tirelessly believing, willing to pay the price, to achieve that small wish in their hearts.

Walking up the long slope of the bridge, cold wind whips against him, droplets slamming against his thin clothes, without the enclosure of the steel jungle, the wind and rain here are noticeably greater.

Only occasional vehicles pass by beside him, bringing the sound of muddy water, beams of lights cast on the ground, water stains reflecting shattered white.

The fabric of his pant leg clings tightly to his leg due to the wind, cold and damp, with bits of mud adding a heavy burden, he steps towards the bridge, under the red background lights, now only an empty steel framework remains, many tied red ribbons droop in the rain, only a few, with dry mud stains, sway in the breeze, occasionally lit by passing car headlights, showing the colors already faded.