The series follows Lin Siyuan’s journey through his first two years living and working in China. Arriving alone in a new city, he faces the challenges of adapting to a different language, workplace, and culture while building a new life from scratch.
About the Series
During his first year, he learns to navigate daily life, settles into his apartment, develops friendships with colleagues and neighbors, and gradually gains confidence at work through both successes and mistakes.
In his second year, Lin takes on greater responsibilities, leading projects and mentoring others while deepening his personal and professional relationships. Along the way, he faces setbacks, important career decisions, family visits, and moments of self-discovery.
By the end of the series, he has transformed from a nervous newcomer into a capable professional who feels at home in China and is ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
What Makes This Series Special
Strictly Controlled HSK 4 Vocabulary
Every story uses only HSK 1–3 words plus a fixed approved list of HSK 4 vocabulary. No unexpected advanced words appear. New words are limited to 15 per week across 7 stories and are recycled throughout the series for natural reinforcement.
Authentic Workplace Language
Stories include real office situations: group chat culture, performance reviews, business trips, client calls, overtime decisions, and team management. Readers build practical Chinese for real professional environments.
Natural Spoken Dialogue
Every story includes 1–2 short dialogue exchanges that reflect how people actually speak in Chinese offices, apartments, and daily life. Grammar is accurate but never stiff.
Daily Vocabulary Recycling
Core words (公司, 同事, 经理, 出差, 报告, 加班, 房租, 压力, 经验, 适应) appear in every week across both series. Learners encounter the same vocabulary in new contexts again and again, supporting long-term memory.
Real Cultural Content
Office food culture, apartment hunting, public transport, business dinners, company team-building trips, Chinese New Year traditions, and the emotional experience of living far from home — all woven naturally into every story.
Each Story Includes
| Feature | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Chinese text | All words from approved HSK 1–4 list |
| Pinyin version | Full text with tone marks |
| English translation | Natural, not literal |
| Vocabulary | 10 key words with meanings |
| Grammar | 2–3 patterns explained with examples |
| Culture note | 1–2 cultural topics per story |
| Comprehension questions | 10 questions with answers |
| Multiple choice | 6 questions |
| True / false | 10 statements |
| Retell prompt | Guided writing or speaking practice |
Vocabulary & Grammar Coverage
Core Vocabulary
All HSK 1–3 words appear regularly. HSK 4 words are drawn from a fixed approved list only.
Key Workplace & Daily Life Words
公司, 部门, 同事, 经理, 客户, 项目, 报告, 会议, 计划, 责任, 经验, 出差, 加班, 工资, 合同, 规定, 房租, 小区, 邻居, 地铁, 交通, 习惯, 压力, 放松, 兴趣, 邀请, 拒绝, 影响, 机会, 决定
Grammar Points Across the Series
只要…就…, 即使…也…, 连…都…, 不但…而且…, 虽然…但是…, 既然…就…, 越…越…, 把, 被, 通过…, 受到…影响, 为了…, 先…再…, 一…就…
Perfect For
✓ HSK 4 learners building reading fluency and stamina
✓ Intermediate learners wanting daily reading in a real-life context
✓ Professionals learning Chinese for work environments
✓ Students interested in modern urban Chinese life and workplace culture
✓ Teachers needing structured, level-controlled graded readers
✓ Self-learners seeking daily immersion in practical Chinese
Series Structure
Series 1 — 林思远的中国第一年 (30 Stories)
| Week | Stories | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1–7 | Arrival & First Steps | Airport arrival, first night, reporting to work, the name story, first day tasks, office group chat confusion, apartment hunt |
| 2 | 8–14 | Setting Up Life | Signing the lease, first work mistake, first weekend exploring, canteen culture, understanding the group chat, first guest at home, Sunday discoveries |
| 3 | 15–21 | First Wins | First client meeting, lunch invitation, weekend hiking, housewarming party, special assignment, first salary, neighbor friendship |
| 4 | 22–28 | Growing Confidence | Team crisis, after-work relaxation, colleague birthday, first home cooking, manager’s trust, rainy day kindness, month-end reflection |
| 5 | 29–30 | Looking Forward | New month targets, two-month reflection |
Series 2 — 林思远的中国第二年 (30 Stories)
| Week | Stories | Focus | Highlights |
|---|
| Week | Stories | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1–7 | Leading a Team | First team leadership, internal presentation, managing competition, career talk with manager, mentoring an intern, project crisis, team BBQ |
| 2 | 8–14 | Deeper Connections | First bonus, office romance gossip, company team-building, parents visit China, language exchange friends, business trip to Nanjing, first refusal of overtime |
| 3 | 15–21 | Challenges & Growth | Client complaint crisis, colleague in hospital, office move, business dinner, summer holiday decision, training course收获 |
| 4 | 22–28 | Big Decisions | Promotion interview, waiting for results, good news, headhunter call, farewell for old colleague, year-end review, video call about the future |
| 5 | 29–30 | A Year Ends | Last language exchange, New Year’s Eve reflection |