Mundo Cinematográfico: Começando com "Pequenos Esforços"

"Knock, knock, knock, knock!"
The door rattled with a series of urgent knocks. Startled from his sleep, Zhou Chen jolted upright, but before he could fully gather his senses, a familiar roar echoed from outside.

"Sleep, sleep, sleep—sleep is all you ever do! Do you even know what time it is? Still not up? Are you trying to drive me mad?"

Here we go again.

Zhou Chen rubbed his eyes helplessly. This was his second month back home after quitting his job. The initial warmth of his return had lasted only a few days; ever since, he’d been subjected to all sorts of complaints. Even sleeping in was enough to earn him a scolding.

He remembered how gentle and kind his mother used to be, always speaking softly to him. But lately, it was as if she’d become a different person altogether.

He knew the reason, of course. Understanding it didn’t make it any easier to solve.

It was just past March, and the weather in Huai City was turning mild, though the temperature barely reached the teens. The down jacket had long been put away, but a sweater was still needed.

Dressed, Zhou Chen stepped out of his room and immediately saw his mother, Li Congping, sitting on the living room sofa.

He prepared to flash a smile and say something ingratiating, but his mother gave him no chance. She sprang to her feet.

"Look at the time! You stay up all night and can’t wake up in the morning—what are you trying to do? Do you still think you’re in your early twenties? You’re already thirty! If you keep this up, you won’t just