Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Starry Night Market: Lost in Beijing's Glow
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.org/starry-night-market-lost-in-beijings-glow

Story Transcript:

Zh: 北京的星光，被城市的霓虹灯掩盖，但在熙熙攘攘的夜市中，两个身影凭着星光微微辨识路。那是张伟和李明，两个来自偏远农村，浓厚乡音调调的年轻人。绕过一道蜿蜒的小巷，他们看见了各种摊位，售卖的物品五颜六色，耀眼夺目。可迷宫般的夜市让他们扭头看看，路可就找不回来了。
En: The starlight of Beijing is obscured by the neon lights of the city, but in the bustling night market, two figures rely on the faint starlight to navigate the streets. They are Zhang Wei and Li Ming, two young men from remote rural areas, with a strong countryside accent. Winding through a meandering alley, they see various stalls selling colorful and dazzling items at the lively night market. However, the maze-like market causes them to turn around, feeling lost and unable to find their way back.

Zh: 张伟望着十字路口深吸了口气，“明哥，咱们要先向哪个方向走？”他的声音里带着一种朴素的紧张。尽管他们拿着摊位的小吃，但迷路的不安让他们的胃口消退。“让我想想…”李明带着一丝迷惘，他们没有手机，不能用地图来指导他们。
En: Zhang Wei looks at the intersection and takes a deep breath, "Ming ge, which direction should we head first?" There is a simple nervousness in his voice. Despite holding snacks from the stalls, their lost anxiety diminishes their appetite. "Let me think..." Li Ming says with a hint of confusion. Without a phone or map to guide them, they are unsure of their way.

Zh: 一个迷路的游子，就是最好的诱惑，于是小摊主们纷纷招呼起来。要知道，这两个迷路的人想要问路，用他们那浓重的口音说普通话简直就是一场战斗。他们的长相，他们的衣着，他们的乡音，一切都像是被贴上了标签：“异乡人”。
En: A lost traveler is the best lure, so the stall owners start greeting them one after another. It is a struggle for these two lost individuals to ask for directions in Mandarin with their heavy accents. Their appearance, clothing, and accent all seem to be labeled as "foreigners".

Zh: 他们试着去沟通，可每次尝试都以失望告终。都说大城市的繁华可以让人眼花缭乱，梦得彩色，他们是有这种体验了，只是特别的痛、特别的绝望。
En: They try to communicate, but every attempt ends in disappointment. It is said that the vibrancy of the big city can be dazzling and dreamlike, and they have experienced this, but in a particularly painful and desperate way.

Zh: 突然，从人群中走出一个白发苍苍的老人。他用慈祥的目光看着张伟和李明:“小伙子们，需要帮助吗?”老人用普通话慢条斯理的问道。幸福就像一道晨光，从迷雾中射出，那一刻，他们的眼神里闪出了希望的星芒。
En: Suddenly, an old man with white hair emerges from the crowd. He looks at Zhang Wei and Li Ming kindly and asks in Mandarin, "Young men, do you need help?" Happiness shines like a morning light breaking through the fog. In that moment, a glimmer of hope appears in their eyes.

Zh: 他们跟着老人，穿过了夜市的迷宫，平息了那份迷茫与恐惧，也稀释了那份对北京的陌生。老人像是开启了一扇窗，让他们看到了北京更加人性化的一面，它虽繁华，但每个角落还是充满了温暖的人情。
En: They follow the old man, navigating through the maze of the night market, calming their confusion and fear, while also easing their unfamiliarity with Beijing. The old man seemed to open a window for them, showing them a more humane side of Beijing where, despite the prosperity, every corner is filled with warmth and camaraderie.

Zh: 查看城市的叮咚声里，路灯为他们照亮了前方。短短的普通话交流也让他们看到了希望。是的，他们是乡下人，是异乡人，但他们还是坚强地生活着。
En: In the bustling city's sounds, the streetlights illuminate their path. The brief exchange in Mandarin also gives them hope. Yes, they may be country folk, they may be foreigners, but they are still living strong.

Zh: 在这里，他们不仅找到了路，也找到了属于自己的自尊和自信。那个令他们望而生畏的北京夜市，在两人的记忆中，是那么温暖而又充满了友情。大城市的冷漠与热情，在这个夜晚，都被他们深深地感受到了。
En: Here, they not only find their way but also discover their own dignity and confidence. The intimidating Beijing night market, in their memories, appears warm and full of friendship. The indifference and warmth of the big city, they deeply experience it on this night.

Zh: 年轻的张伟与李明，用他们双脚行走的速度，迈进了北京，他们的故事，却将留在北京这个大城市里，像一颗永恒的星，照亮他们未来的道路。
En: With their young feet moving forward at their own pace, Zhang Wei and Li Ming stride into Beijing. Their story, however, will remain in this metropolis, shining like an eternal star, lighting up their future path.


Vocabulary Words:

• starlight: 星光
• beijing: 北京
• obscured: 被掩盖
• neon: 霓虹
• lights: 灯
• bustling: 熙熙攘攘
• navigate: 辨识路
• figures: 身影
• remote: 偏远
• rural: 农村
• accent: 乡音
• meandering: 蜿蜒
• stalls: 摊位
• colorful: 五颜六色
• dazzling: 耀眼夺目
• lively: 热闹
• maze-like: 迷宫般
• anxiety: 不安
• snacks: 小吃
• nervousness: 紧张
• disappointment: 失望
• vibrancy: 繁华
• dreamlike: 梦幻
• kindly: 慈祥
• hope: 希望
• confusion: 迷茫
• fear: 恐惧
• unfamiliarity: 陌生
• prosperity: 繁荣
• streetlights: 路灯