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MidReal Story
Ah Chih's Wild Adventure
Scenario:一個平凡的台灣電子工程師，住在新竹，叫做Lide,平常專注在工作上，沒有培養什麼其他的興趣跟專長，對他來說，工作就是他的興趣，有一天突然中了5億大樂透頭獎，打算好好享受人生，但發生的太過突然，他完全不知道該如何享受人生
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Lide Zhang
He is a dedicated electronic engineer working for a company in Hsinchu, Taiwan. He is hardworking, passionate, and inflexible. Born and raised in Taiwan, he was raised by his grandmother after losing his parents at a young age. With only a high school education, he pursued his dream in electronics. His life changed when he won the lottery, leading to an unexpected journey of selfdiscovery and exploration of the world beyond work.
Lide's Colleagues
They are the team members working with Lide at the electronics company in Hsinchu. They are supportive, curious, and goodnatured. Though they often tease him about his workaholic tendencies, they respect his expertise. When Lide wins the lottery, they are shocked and amazed, wondering how he managed to keep his secret ticket hidden from them. They occasionally appear in conversations about Lide's sudden change in behavior after his win.
Lide's Family
She is Lide's unmarried sister living in New York. She is caring, understanding, and protective. She maintains a close but distant relationship with Lide due to his focus on work and lack of personal life. After Lide wins the lottery, she calls him, showing concern for his wellbeing and urging him to enjoy his newfound freedom. Her presence highlights Lide's deepseated emotional ties despite their geographical distance.
My name is Lide Zhang, and I’m an electronic engineer.
I live in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
If you count the time I spend commuting, I work twelve hours a day.
I don’t have any hobbies.
I don’t know how to play chess, poker, or mahjong.
I don’t know how to play basketball or badminton.
I only know how to work.
Because of this, many people think that I am inflexible and not accommodating.
I don’t like to change my plans once they’re made.
I don’t like to try new things.
I like routine.
I like stability.
For this reason, many people think that I am boring and not interesting.
But being boring and uninteresting is okay, because I am happy doing what I’m doing and living the life I’m living.
This Saturday evening, I bought a lottery ticket on my way home from work.
Then I went home and ate a bowl of noodles for dinner.
I sit at my small dining table, stirring the steaming bowl of beef noodles from the shop downstairs.
The lottery ticket lies beside my chopsticks.
Under the fluorescent kitchen light, the numbers are very clear.
Steam rises from the bowl.
I separate the noodles and pick up a small portion to eat.
The taste is not bad.
I have eaten this kind of noodles countless times, but today it tastes different from usual.
I finish eating a mouthful and glance at the lottery ticket again.
Maybe I’ll get a promotion at work?
Or maybe I’ll buy an apartment near the office?
I shake my head and continue eating my noodles.
Suddenly, my phone rings, and it's my colleague, Mei.
"Lide, have you checked the lottery results yet?" she asks, her voice tinged with excitement.
"No, I haven't," I reply, slightly puzzled. "Why do you sound so thrilled?"
I set down my chopsticks, the noodles only half-eaten.
Then, I reach for my phone with slightly trembling hands.
Mei’s voice sounds distant, as if coming from another world.
I open the browser on my phone and type in the familiar website address.
The interface is the same as always, but it feels different today.
The ticket is still in my left hand, and I can clearly see the numbers printed on the white paper.
My small apartment is quiet except for Mei's continued chatter through the phone.
I prop the phone between my ear and shoulder, trying to focus on both the screen and the ticket at the same time.
The website loads slowly, each second feeling longer than usual.
Finally, I see the winning numbers.
They match perfectly.
The phone slips from between my shoulder and ear, clattering onto the table.
Mei's voice becomes muffled and distant, as if she's speaking from a different world.
My hands tremble violently, the ticket slipping from my grip.
I quickly retrieve it, my heart pounding in my chest.
I check the numbers again, comparing them to the ones on the screen.
They match perfectly.
The numbers are the same: 03, 16, 22, 27, 35, 49.
There's also a prize amount: 500 million NT dollars.
I can't breathe; my chest feels tight.
I stumble out of the chair, knocking over the bowl of noodles in the process.
The broth spills across the table, seeping into the edges of the ticket.
I lunge for the kitchen towel hanging by the sink, almost tripping over my own feet.
The broth continues spreading across the wooden table while my hands tremble so badly I almost drop the precious ticket twice.
I grab the towel and dab carefully at the edges of the ticket.
Small droplets of soup have already created translucent spots on one corner.
My breathing comes in short gasps as I check the numbers again - they haven't changed.
The ticket feels fragile between my fingers as I walk to my bedroom, open my safe, and place it inside next to my passport.
I sit on my bed, staring at my phone where Mei's missed call notification blinks.
The safe is still open, its metal surface cool against my fingertips.
My phone feels heavy in my hand, and I hesitate for a long time before moving.
My fingers hover over Mei's number, and I take three deep breaths before pressing dial.
The phone rings twice before Mei answers with a worried "Hello?"
I grip the phone tighter, my palm sweaty against the plastic case.
"Mei," I say, my voice cracking slightly, "I checked the numbers. They match. All of them match."
There's a brief silence on the other end of the line before Mei squeals excitedly.
"Oh my god, you won! You actually won!"
I can hear her moving around, probably pacing in her living room.
"Have you checked the prize amount?"
"500 million NT dollars," I reply, my voice still shaking.
"Five hundred million! Oh my god, we're rich! We're rich!"
Mei's voice rises to a shrill pitch.
I pull the phone away from my ear, wincing slightly.
"Mei, calm down. This is just... I don't know what to do right now."
I can hear the panic in my own voice.
"Okay, okay. First things first, you need to take care of that ticket. Make sure it's safe. Then we can start making plans."
Mei's voice calms down slightly.
"What kind of plans?"
I ask cautiously.
"Well, first we need to get you a new car. Something fancy. Maybe a Mercedes or a Porsche."
Mei's voice becomes excited again.
"And then we need to go out for dinner at that fancy restaurant downtown. The one with the Michelin star."
Mei continues talking about all the things she wants to buy and do with the money.
I listen silently, feeling uncomfortable as she talks about spending my money like it's hers too.
After a while, I interrupt her and tell her I need some time alone to think things through.
She agrees reluctantly and hangs up after promising to call me tomorrow. I close the safe door and lie back on my bed, staring at the ceiling fan spinning lazily above me.
The room is quiet except for the distant hum of cars driving by outside and the occasional bark of a stray dog in the alley behind my apartment building.
My phone buzzes with messages from colleagues congratulating me on winning the lottery, but I ignore them and turn off the screen.
The thought of Mei's eager voice makes me uneasy - she's already making plans for us without even asking me what I want.
This money is mine alone; I earned it by buying that ticket with my lucky numbers every week for years.
No one else has any claim to it, not even Mei.
I sit up and walk to my desk, pulling out a notepad and pen from the drawer.
I begin jotting down a list of things I need to do, starting with securing the ticket and seeking financial advice.
Just as I'm about to write the next item, my phone rings again, and it's Mei.
"Hey, I know you said you needed time, but I just had a thought," she says quickly.
"What is it?" I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.
"What if we start a business together? Something big, something that could change lives."
I sit at my desk early Monday morning, methodically organizing the documents into my backpack.
The lottery ticket sits in a protective sleeve, tucked securely in the inner pocket.
My usual work files remain untouched - for the first time in fifteen years, I'm taking a personal day.
I've researched the lottery claim process and mapped out the route to their office in Taipei.
Standing in my apartment's entryway, I double-check everything: ticket, ID, bank documents.
My hand hesitates over the door handle.
The morning sun streams through my window, illuminating dust particles in the air.
I clutch my backpack close as I board the high-speed rail to Taipei, constantly aware of the ticket inside.
The train car is half-empty at this hour, but I still choose a single seat away from other passengers.
Through the window, familiar Hsinchu factories and apartments blur past.
I pull out my phone and open a new note, typing "Life Changes" at the top.
The screen remains blank below that heading as my mind races with possibilities.
A message from Mei pops up, asking about my absence at work.
I hesitate before typing a response, then decide to call her instead.
"Hey, Mei," I say when she picks up, "I'm on my way to Taipei."
"Taipei? What for?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.
"I have a meeting," I reply vaguely.
"A meeting? But you never have meetings on Mondays," she presses.
"Just a routine thing," I say, trying to brush her off.
"Okay, okay. Just be careful on the train," she says before hanging up.
I stare out the window as the train pulls into Taipei Main Station.
The familiar route I've taken countless times for work meetings now feels foreign.
My phone buzzes with another message from Mei, but I ignore it and gather my belongings.
The lottery office address is saved in my phone, but I can't bring myself to open the map app.
Other passengers start gathering their belongings, but I remain frozen in my seat.
When the train doors open, I watch people file past me, their purposeful steps contrasting sharply with my own paralysis.
I grip the handrail and force myself to stand, the weight of my backpack pulling against my shoulder.
The ticket seems to burn through the protective sleeve, reminding me why I'm here.
Other passengers brush past as I check my phone's map, plotting the shortest route to the lottery office.
My feet feel heavy on the station's polished floor.
When another message from Mei pops up, I silence my phone and slip it into my pocket.
As I step onto the platform, my phone vibrates again, and this time it's a call from Mei.
"Are you sure everything's okay?" she asks, her voice tinged with concern.
I take a deep breath, glancing at the bustling station around me. "Mei, there's something I need to tell you," I begin, my voice steady despite the chaos in my chest.
I lean against a pillar in Taipei Main Station, staring at Mei's name flashing on my phone screen for the tenth time.
Each vibration makes my shoulders tense.
I've ignored her calls and messages for hours, but she won't give up.
When I finally answer, her voice is breathless.
"Finally! Where are you? Did you get my messages?"
Her words tumble out in a rush.
"I'm in Taipei," I reply, my voice flat.
"Taipei? What are you doing there? You never go to Taipei on Mondays."
Mei's curiosity is suffocating.
"I have some business to attend to," I say vaguely.
"Business? But you never have business on Mondays. Is everything okay?"
Mei asks, her concern evident in her tone.
"Everything's fine," I assure her, though my mind races with doubts.
"Are you sure?" she presses, sensing something amiss.
"Yes, I'm sure," I say firmly, though my voice betrays uncertainty.
"Okay... well, if you're sure everything's fine, then can you at least tell me what this business is about?" she asks persistently.
I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.
"It's just something I need to take care of," I say finally. "Oh, okay. Well, whatever it is, just make sure you're safe. And don't forget to eat lunch," Mei says before hanging up.
I stare at my phone for a moment before slipping it back into my pocket.
The lottery ticket feels heavy against my thigh as I adjust my backpack and walk toward the station exit.
Mei's words echo in my mind: "Don't forget to eat lunch."
As if I could forget about food when my stomach churns with anticipation and nerves.
My phone vibrates again, and I pull it out to see another message from Mei: "Did you forget to eat lunch?"
I roll my eyes and put the phone back in my pocket without responding.
The station exit beckons like a refuge from Mei's relentless messages and calls.
As I step through the sliding glass doors, the humid Taipei air envelops me like a damp blanket.
My phone buzzes again, and this time it's another call from Mei.
I hesitate for a moment before answering it. "Hey, what's up?"
I ask as soon as I pick up the phone.
"Oh, not much. Just wanted to check in and see if everything's okay," Mei says breezily.
"Mei, I need to tell you something important," I say, my voice trembling slightly.
"Okay, I'm listening," she replies, her tone shifting from casual to serious.
"I won the lottery, Mei. I'm here to claim the prize," I confess, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety.
There's a pause on the other end of the line.
"Wait, what? You won the lottery?"
Mei asks, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Yes, I won. And I'm here to collect the prize," I repeat, my voice growing more confident.
"Oh my god, that's amazing! Congratulations!" she exclaims, her voice filled with genuine excitement.
"Thank you," I reply, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
"Okay, well, I won't keep you. Just be careful and take care of yourself," Mei says before hanging up.
I slip my phone back into my pocket and look around at the bustling Taipei streets.
The sounds of traffic and chatter fill the air as I weave through the crowds toward the lottery office.
My backpack feels heavier with every step as if the ticket is weighing me down. Every few steps, I reach behind me to pat my backpack and ensure the ticket is still safely inside.
As I walk, my mind replays Mei's excited voice on the phone.
I can't help but smile at her genuine enthusiasm for my good fortune.
After a few minutes of walking, I finally reach the address listed on my phone's map app.
The building looks unassuming from the outside - just another regular office building in Taipei's crowded streets.
I pause for a moment to study the building's exterior before approaching the entrance.
A small sign above the door reads "Lottery Office" in Chinese characters.
I hesitate for a moment before reaching out to grab the door handle.
My hand trembles slightly as I pull open the door and step inside.
The lobby is surprisingly plain for a lottery office - just a small security desk and an elevator bank in the center of the room. The security guard looks up from his phone as I approach, eyeing me warily as if he can sense my nervous energy.
I glance up at myself in a reflective windowpane near the elevator and notice how disheveled I look - my hair is sticking up in every direction, my shirt is wrinkled from being stuffed into my backpack all morning, and my eyes are wide with anticipation and nerves.
I walk toward the security desk, my shoes squeaking against the polished floor.
The guard looks up from his phone, his expression bored and routine.
"Can I help you?" he asks, his voice gruff and unfriendly.
My throat feels dry as I try to speak, but no words come out at first.
I clear my throat and try again, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Um, excuse me, where is the lottery redemption office?"
The guard narrows his eyes slightly at my nervous behavior, but he points down a nearby hallway without saying anything else.
"Thank you," I say quietly before turning to follow his directions.
My backpack feels heavier with each step as if the ticket inside is weighing me down. The hallway stretches out in front of me like an endless tunnel, the fluorescent lights overhead casting an eerie glow on the walls.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I walk, my breath coming in short gasps.
Finally, after what feels like forever, I reach a door labeled "Lottery Redemption Office."
I pause for a moment to collect myself before pushing open the door and stepping inside.
The room is small and dimly lit, with only a single desk and chair in the center of the room.
A woman sits behind the desk, her head bent over some paperwork as she scribbles furiously with a pen.
She looks up as I enter, her eyes widening slightly in surprise when she sees me standing there. "Can I help you?" she asks, her voice soft and friendly.
"Yes," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady despite the nerves coursing through my body.
"I'm here to redeem my lottery ticket."
The woman nods and gestures for me to take a seat in the chair across from her desk.
I do as instructed, fumbling with the straps of my backpack as I try to pull it off my shoulder without dropping anything important.
The woman watches me patiently as I struggle with my bag, her expression sympathetic but also slightly amused by my clumsiness. Once I have finally managed to remove my backpack and set it on the floor next to me, the woman speaks again. "Okay, now can you please show me your ticket?" she asks politely. My hands tremble slightly as I reach into my backpack and pull out the ticket.
I slide into the hard plastic chair across from the lottery office clerk, my backpack clutched against my chest.
The fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting a sterile glow over the room.
The clerk watches me with practiced patience, her red-rimmed glasses reflecting the computer screen in front of her.
My fingers fumble with the zipper of the protective sleeve that holds my ticket, the sound echoing through the quiet office.
Finally, I manage to unzip it and pull out the ticket.
The edge of the paper is still stained with remnants of the beef noodle soup I spilled on it earlier.
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I extend my arm to hand it to her.
I hand over my stained lottery ticket to the clerk, watching intently as she takes it from me and examines it under the harsh office lighting.
She inputs the numbers into her computer, each keystroke making my heart skip a beat.
The screen reflects off her glasses as she double-checks the sequence: 03, 16, 22, 27, 35, 49.
Her eyes widen slightly as she looks up at me.
The office feels eerily quiet except for the humming of the air conditioner.
She reaches for her phone and dials a number before speaking softly to someone on the other end.
The clerk hangs up the phone and adjusts her glasses.
A minute passes, then two, and I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
I can feel sweat starting to form on my palm.
Suddenly, a door opens behind the clerk's desk, and a man in a crisp navy suit walks in.
He extends his hand, his smile warm but professional.
"Hello, I am Manager Chen," he introduces himself.
"Congratulations on winning the grand prize."
My palm is sweaty as I shake his hand.
He pulls up a chair beside the clerk's desk and begins to spread out forms and pamphlets on the table.
As he talks, I notice the security cameras in each corner of the room, their lenses capturing every moment.
"Firstly, we need to go over the procedures for collecting your prize," he explains, his voice calm and authoritative.
"There will be a formal ceremony next week. We will provide you with more details once everything is finalized." My stomach churns at the thought of standing in front of all those people.
I nod, trying to suppress the whirlwind of emotions, as I realize my life has just irrevocably changed.
I lean forward in my chair, interrupting Manager Chen's explanation about the ceremony.
My voice comes out stronger than I expect.
"I don't want to do that," I say, causing him to pause mid-sentence.
His eyes widen slightly in surprise as he looks at me.
The fluorescent lights buzz above us, casting an artificial glow on the scene.
The security cameras continue their silent vigil, capturing every moment.
I grip the edge of the desk tightly, my knuckles turning white.
"I prefer to keep this private," I explain, my words tumbling out in a rush.
"I don't want all that attention."
Manager Chen's expression shifts from confusion to understanding.
He nods thoughtfully and pulls out a different set of forms from his drawer.
I lean back in my chair as he shuffles through the new stack.
Relief washes over me, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Manager Chen clears his throat before continuing, his voice steady and professional.
"If you prefer a private ceremony, we can arrange for it," he explains.
"There are some additional steps involved. You will need to open a special bank account with us. This is where your winnings will be deposited."
He slides the forms across the desk towards me, pointing out key sections.
"Please fill these out carefully. They include confidentiality agreements and other legal documents."
I glance at the stack of papers, my mind racing.
The forms look intimidating, filled with dense legal text and fine print.
I notice my phone buzzing in my pocket, but I ignore it.
It's probably Mei again, sending more congratulatory messages or asking about our plans.
I silence the phone without checking it and focus on the papers in front of me. Manager Chen continues to explain the process.
"There will be a small ceremony next week. It will be private, with only two witnesses present. You will need to come back here at that time to sign the final documents."
I nod, trying to absorb all the information.
My head feels heavy, as if it's spinning with the weight of what's happening.
Manager Chen leans forward slightly, his eyes locked on mine.
"The most important thing is that you understand everything before signing," he emphasizes.
"If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask."
I take a deep breath and reach for the pen on the desk.
My hand shakes slightly as I begin to sign my name on the first document.
The ink bleeds into the paper, making my signature look shaky and unfamiliar.
I sit on the couch in my apartment, staring at the stack of documents on the coffee table.
They're signed and stamped, bearing the official seal of the lottery office.
The setting sun casts long shadows across the room, illuminating the messy notebook next to the papers.
My phone lies on top of it, the screen displaying Mei's contact information.
My finger hovers over the call button, hesitating.
I've never invited anyone on a trip before, but Mei has been my closest friend at work for years.
She's always been there for me, and I know she'll be thrilled at the idea.
I stare at her name on the screen, but something feels off.
The name looks familiar yet strange, as if it belongs to someone else.
I scroll through our message history, trying to find any mention of the lottery win or our plans.
But the messages seem distant and unrelated to what I'm looking for.
I try calling her number, but it goes straight to an automated message saying it's disconnected.
Confused, I check my phone's contact list again, wondering if I accidentally deleted her number.
But it's still there, staring back at me.
I send a text message instead, hoping she'll respond soon.
The next day at work, Mei's desk is empty.
I ask our colleagues if they've seen her, but they give me confused looks and say they've never heard of anyone named Mei working here. I pull out my phone and check the photos from the lottery ceremony.
