Loneliness is furthest from the mind when roaches invade

Before I was transferred to Fuzhou, Fujian's provincial capital - a city where I have no connections and I am supposed to stay for six months - I thought the periodic sense of loneliness would be the first challenge I had to face.

But the moment I entered my apartment in Fuzhou, I knew I was wrong.

A squad of cockroaches zigzagged on the floor and made a hasty retreat after sensing my footsteps.