About the Series
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Story Description
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Week 1
Xiaomei fails her Chinese exam and blames its difficulty instead of admitting she didn’t study. Her teacher explains the idiom ‘掩耳盗铃’ (to deceive oneself by ignoring obvious problems) and helps her understand that only by facing problems can she make progress.
Wang Ming wins the lottery and quits his job, believing luck will strike again. His wife Li Na explains the idiom ‘shǒu zhū dài tù’ to teach him that success comes from work and learning, not just waiting for luck.
Xiao Wang, a student, becomes scared of shadows at night, thinking they are snakes. His friend Xiao Li helps him understand they are just tree branches and clothes, teaching him not to be overly suspicious like the idiom 杯弓蛇影.
The class monitor, Xiaoming, uses the teacher’s name to order classmates around. When the teacher finds out, she explains the idiom ‘狐假虎威’ and teaches that true respect comes from one’s own actions, not borrowed authority.
Xiao Wang is often late for work and ignores warnings from his boss and friends. When his boss threatens to fire him, he realizes he must change. He learns the idiom ‘亡羊补牢’ and fixes his habit just in time.
Two students prepare for a Chinese exam. Xiaoming studies long hours but struggles, while Xiaohong uses smart methods like flashcards and group study. Her teacher explains 事半功倍 means working smarter, not harder, and Xiaohong achieves better results.
A tourist tries to ask an old man for directions in English, but the man doesn’t understand. His friend explains that some audiences aren’t receptive, just like playing beautiful music to a cow. This teaches the idiom 对牛弹琴.
Week 2
This section does not have any lessons.
Week 3
This section does not have any lessons.
Week 4
This section does not have any lessons.
Week 5
This section does not have any lessons.
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 |