https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/three-books-set-in-chengdu-death-notice-and-fate....

It is a dark and steamy story of a car salesman who is cheating on his wife with his best friend’s fiancee, among others, and viciously jockeying for position with his colleagues. It was originally published on the online bulletin board of the company where the author worked as, er, a car salesman. It’s brutally honest self-observation by the main character; not quite Joyce or Salinger, but a gripping window into a society which is not really so very different from ours. Although I suppose a lot of the action could happen anywhere, the setting feels firmly rooted in the sordid suburbs and old-fashioned rural periphery of Chengdu, and the couple of locations that I checked out did seem to really exist. It’s a shame that the protagonist is such an asshole, but of course that is really the point. ( )

Three Jack-the-lads take on modern life in one of China's most dynamic cities. Chen Zhong (the narrator), Li Liang and Big Head Wang were all together at university. Now they are clawing their way through the city jungle. Li Liang is a Futures Trader, making big money but with a drug problem. Big Head Wang - to the surprise of his two friends - joined the local police force, which has given him umpteen opportunities for getting bribes and other income sources. Chen Zhong has become the successful Sales Manager for an automotive supplies company, but spends most of his free time drinking and whoring. He marries the girl of his dreams, but fails to keep faithful as he is always seeking the next sexual conquest.
Many readers might find this book crude and rude, but it shows a particular slice of the new capitalist China - warts and all. ( )