Alpha Brock

As the clock just ticked past 2007, the crackling sound of firecrackers continued to echo into the early hours of the morning. Despite my best efforts to immerse myself in the festive spirit, I couldnt escape the feeling of restlessness.

In a fleeting moment, I seemed to glimpse my childhood, running through the streets with fireworks in hand. But after the memories faded, all that remained was a hint of bitterness, and with it, I began 2008 in endless anticipation.

My home is in the Northeast, a place others say is a beautiful pearl set in the ocean.

A few years back, when real estate wasnt as hot, I bought this house near the sea. Now, the value has skyrocketed, and its become the source of my greatest pride in life, naturally turning into a topic of boasting over tea and dinner with friends.

Due to certain factors, I cannot disclose my real name. You can call me Mr. Wolf, or affectionately, Old Wolf.

It might seem mysterious, and you might guess that Im in some sort of circle鈥攅ntertainment, sports, undercover? I appreciate creative young minds, but none of these are correct.

Its not easy to explain what kind of circle this is. Youll understand as the story unfolds.

Let me introduce my profession first. My work is absolutely legitimate. But to be specific, it seems to be endless.

Goodness, no wonder people around me say that Im not old, but once I start talking, I cant stop. Now, for the first time, I feel they are right.

Alright! Give me a minute to organize my thoughts, starting from when I studied abroad.

When I was in college in the United States, a chance part-time job introduced me to the son of a well-known listed companys CEO in China, Ted Hsu, who was studying at the same school as me.

Perhaps it was because we were both human, plus zero differences in language and personality, that we quickly became close friends who could talk about anything.

Seeing how hard I worked while studying and working, he introduced me to his fathers foreign branch, where I only had to do some miscellaneous tasks on weekends but received a months salary. For me, it was nothing short of a divine gift.

After graduation, he took over his fathers branch in the United States, and with two or three years of experience at the company, I was promoted to deputy manager. Although I was promoted because of our relationship, I believe I have some strength.

After three years, my wallet was full, and my living conditions improved. Places I had never been to before were now visited one by one.

Gradually, I found that a comfortable life was not necessarily a good thing, as the spiritual needs that were once easy to satisfy became increasingly difficult.

When Ted and I realized this, we decided to change it.

At the 20th-anniversary celebration of the head office, we met someone who changed our lives. Thanks to his strong recommendation, we easily passed the verification and entered this mysterious, unknown circle.

Since then, Ted and I have made full use of the circles information and convenience to embark on thrilling adventures from time to time.

I remember once in Africa, Ted insisted on filming a group of cannibals living in the primeval forest. Before filming, we completely ignored some objective factors. You know, Africa is known for its strong black people. Without looking at anything else, just look at the Olympic 5000 and 10000-meter races, where the champions are darker and darker.

The result was predictable; we were chased by them for more than twenty miles, and even with shoes, we couldnt outrun those barefoot. We ran until we were exhausted and ready to die when a lush patch of grass saved us.

From birth, adding up nearly thirty years, I have never run so far, almost losing my life in the process.

There are countless absurd adventures like this, which I will tell you about later.

By the way, it seems to be quite popular now to insert ads.

I am still a bachelor, and since someone is watching, I might as well insert a personal ad. Actually, my requirements are not many, at least it has to be a woman, with a character not too masculine, not too big in size, not too tall in height, not too loud in voice, and not too small in eyes (my eyes are small enough). Assembling these parts that meet the requirements is enough.

Ad over, welcome back!!!

Since I entered this circle, I changed my contact information, changed my phone number, and with great pain, sold the property that I had been proud of all my life. I thought about changing my environment, but after choosing, I still chose a seaside high-rise, just because I like the sea.

So now, not many friends know where I live, and I am used to staying at home alone when I have nothing to do. I cant wander around outside every day! When I have time, I prefer to go back to my country, to my own arranged home, even though a single mans home is always as messy as a dogs nest.

Today is New Years Day, and the streets are crowded with people. Many people have chosen to go shopping with their families to welcome the first day of the new year.

I sat on the balcony with my legs crossed, enjoying the street view while smoking a cigar. Every day when I get up and open the window, I can see the boundless sea, and I feel particularly refreshed!

The cigar was sent by Ted from abroad. It is said that people with status all smoke this thing, and the brand is called something like Ha, I cant remember.

In my eyes, it is just like a watch or a ring, a decoration. I practice it at home when I have nothing to do, so that I can use it in the long-awaited big occasion.

After a few days of practice, I have been able to go from mouth in and mouth out to mouth in and nose out, without coughing. This is a groundbreaking success, and next time we will practice blowing smoke rings.

The fax machine beeped with incoming information.

I was very reluctant to stand up, wondering who it was and why it was sent here.

I walked over and took a quick look. There was a picture of a skull on the paper, with a copper coin-sized pattern in the middle of the forehead, and the signature at the end was Ted.

This guy! I dont know where he got this weird thing. He either doesnt contact me or he definitely has something when he does. Im used to this.

I opened my computer and scanned the picture. To be honest, I didnt hold much hope because all the slightly weird pictures in the computer are in my head. If I dont have an impression, then the computer cant find anything.

But people are such strange animals, knowing that they cant find results, but still hoping.

The search icon kept spinning, and I took out a magnifying glass to look at the pattern carefully. At first, I thought the outer circle was a flower pattern. Under the magnifying glass, I saw that it was a pattern similar to text.

Although it is not as profound as our Chinese characters! But those hooks, horizontal lines, and strokes are also enough to mess up, especially when reduced in that circle, the more I look, the more confused my eyes get. Isnt this him deliberately writing it to mess with me?

The computer hummed and searched for more than ten minutes, obviously working hard, but the result was still not found.

At this time, the phone rang, and Teds urgent voice came from the other end: "Did you receive the fax? Have you seen this pattern?"

At this time, my eyes were still flashing with those patterns, and I was dizzy, so I said lazily, "Big brother, are you in a hurry? I just received it, and there is no information in the computer. Where did you get this weird thing?"

Ted seemed to be in a hurry and said impatiently to me, "Forget it, I dont have time to tell you in detail. I booked a ticket for 5 pm, and we will meet in Kunming tomorrow. I have to prepare something. This time its very exciting, dont say I didnt warn you! Okay, Ill talk to you when we meet, or you will regret it."

"Hey, hey, wait a minute," before I could react