The author reflects on a 206-day hiatus from online activity, beginning with their resignation in March, which brought a mix of excitement for freedom and anxiety about career interruption. During this period, they enjoyed a simpler life without the pressures of work, such as OKRs or waking up to alarms, realizing that living simply was essential. However, societal pressures still loom. In April, the author indulged in sandbox games like "Don't Starve" and "Factorio," finding solace in building virtual utopias. May involved a visit to their hometown, a place of mixed emotions. June saw travel to familiar cities and a brief, unsatisfying job stint. In July, the author embraced relaxation at home, while August brought a promising job offer, leading to a return to the workforce. September was filled with work.

The author was dissatisfied with their salary but lacked the courage to change due to inexperience. In early 2025, with reduced company workload, they endured unproductive days, enjoying the lack of pressure but fearing stagnation. Eventually, they submitted a transfer application to shift to a part-time online role, leading to contract termination and a significant pay cut. Though approved, this decision left them feeling uncertain and questioning their choice. The author reflects on their pragmatic nature, often suppressing emotions for calculated decisions, shaped by a utilitarian society.

The story revolves around Mimi, a calico cat living at the narrator's grandmother's house. Mimi is affectionate and playful, often responding to the call "Mimi." She has no formal name and lives a simple life, sleeping in makeshift shelters. The narrator shares tender moments, such as building a cozy box for Mimi to give birth, observing her kittens, and laughing at her antics. Despite her charm, Mimi's love for food leads to trouble, including stealing food from neighbors. Tragically, this behavior results in her disappearance after an incident with a neighbor's sausages. Mimi is remembered fondly as a loyal and mischievous companion who brought joy during the narrator's childhood.

The author shares an experience of encountering a parking space rental scam. After posting a request for a parking space, someone contacted them claiming to have one available. The scammer initially seemed legitimate, offering a reasonable price, but their claim of obtaining spaces through property management raised suspicion. When the scammer asked for payment via online banking, the author became cautious after researching similar scams on social media. To test the scammer, the author mentioned renting a nonexistent parking level, which the scammer agreed to, revealing their fraudulent intent. The author then scared off the scammer by showing police-related images. Reflecting on the experience, the author notes how scammers exploit people's urgent needs and vulnerabilities to appear trustworthy, causing victims to overlook inconsistencies.

After careful consideration, I decided to stop using Vercel due to its slow performance. Initially, I wanted to discontinue using Vercel because it didn't support the OG protocol, affecting social media sharing with no thumbnails. I tolerated this issue due to my laziness. However, in November, I noticed that the homepage avatar wasn't displaying. Although this isn't entirely Vercel's fault, as the Great Firewall is partly responsible, I chose to switch to Shiroi's local deployment. I plan to document the process of Shiroi's local deployment in a separate post. Additionally, blog data migration might cause instability in access.

The text reflects on the poignant beauty of autumn, blending memories of a golden autumn four years ago with the present moment of a rainy evening. It describes the melancholic atmosphere of falling leaves, the wind's whispers, and the rain's rhythm, evoking deep emotions of nostalgia and connection with nature. The author recalls the serenity of a white ash forest, where the rustling leaves and gentle breeze created an ethereal experience. Contrastingly, the present autumn rain brings a sense of stillness and reflection, culminating in an emotional release as the author walks through the rain, immersed in its intensity and beauty. The narrative captures the transient yet profound essence of autumn and the passage of time.

The writer reflects on the passage of time as September begins, noting the hustle of a new school term. They share a story about fixing their old graphics card after overheating issues during gaming, including repairing a fan blade and replacing thermal paste, which improved performance. Additionally, they recount a weekend side job assembling a stylish black PC for a young couple, one of whom is involved in live-streaming. The post concludes with a brief lament about mundane Mondays, featuring images of traffic and a workplace companion, a small bunny.

The author reflects on their recent busyness, describing the challenges of leading a project that faced delays and inefficiencies. They express disillusionment with marriage, viewing it as a test of family dynamics and a source of pressure. The humid and gloomy June weather in southern China contrasts with nostalgic memories of summer in their hometown. Feeling disheartened, they find solace in video games like "Hollow Knight," "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," and "Super Mario Odyssey," which provide an escape and a sense of fulfillment.

The text reflects on the unconditional love of parents, recounting the author's family story. It begins with the parents' meeting in the 1990s, their long-distance relationship nurtured through letters, and their eventual reunion. The author reminisces about childhood as a left-behind child, cherishing brief moments with parents during holidays and struggling with the pain of their departures. Later, the author shares the joy of giving gifts to parents as an adult, expressing gratitude for their sacrifices. The narrative emphasizes the enduring support and love of parents, urging readers to cherish them.