In the world of the game “Mingchao”, Zanni’s growth seems to be more silent and profound than anything else. She has broken through limits and overcome obstacles in the virtual world again and again, but she has never found her true belonging at the beginning. Her name, perhaps like her fate, carries a kind of unspeakable loneliness, as if she is tightly surrounded by invisible shackles. Every battle she has experienced is not only a crushing of the enemy’s power, but also a deep reflection on her inner loneliness and hesitation.
In this virtual world, Zanni is undoubtedly a lonely existence. She does not belong to any faction, nor does she form a deep bond with other players. Every time she breaks through, it is just to build a more solid wall in her heart that cannot be touched. In this seemingly colorful world, she is still the silent bystander. The beauty and enthusiasm of the virtual world did not soothe the loneliness deep in her heart, but made her more confused. Every victory she won seemed unable to break the shackles of her heart. Each material is like the scars that keep accumulating on her body, but what she desires has never been obtained.
In her world, the definition of breakthrough has never really been “victory”, but more of a kind of helplessness. Although each upgrade represents the enhancement of strength, it does not mean her inner peace and satisfaction. In this fragmented information world, Zanni’s existence is like an abandoned seed, waiting for an unknown opportunity to sprout, but all this always passes silently and quietly. In the virtual battle, she desires not only survival, but also to find some kind of truth and belonging that belongs to her.
Just like the characters in Zhang Ailing’s works who are teased by fate, Zanni’s world is also full of incompleteness and lack. Every breakthrough of hers is just a short escape from loneliness. The victory in the virtual world can never replace the emptiness in her heart. The deep sense of loneliness makes every victory of hers seem like an endless temptation. She is still floating in the air, unable to find a real harbor to dock.
She seems to live in a world full of false beauty but untouchable, trying hard to find that tiny bit of comfort, but she can never really get rid of loneliness. Every time she defeats the enemy, collects materials, and upgrades the circuit, it seems that she does not bring inner peace. Her story may be a microcosm of many lonely individuals in this era-always seeking some kind of broken perfection, but eventually falling into endless loss and emptiness.
Zani’s growth is a deep self-examination, a thorough understanding and abandonment of this world. She never gives up easily, but every breakthrough is telling herself that there may never be a final “end”. In this virtual world, she can only be the wanderer who can’t touch true happiness.