P.R: Permanent Residency

Author: Lana (New Zealand)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: The story takes place in the beautiful South Pacific island country—New Zealand. Auckland is a multicultural immigrant city. The protagonist of the story—Meng Rui—is an ordinary immigrant from China. Hard work and opportunities led him to rise from a small real estate broker to achieve great success in his career, ultimately becoming a renowned elite figure in New Zealand's real estate industry. His career was successful, but his inner world was empty. The novel depicts his ambition for fame and fortune. In pursuit of success, he did not hesitate to resort to any means, scheming and even violating his conscience to secure cooperation with his rival in real estate—a tycoon.
Meng Rui had his strengths in character—he was smart, capable, hardworking, knowledgeable, strategic, and had a sharp business mind as well as perseverance. However, in terms of human nature, he was selfish, (utilitarian), arrogant, and even ruthless. Yet, deep down, he still retained a little kindness. As his lover and confidante, Jane, once said to him, "In your heart, there is a seed of goodness planted by God. One day, it will grow and flourish!"
Meng Rui's transformation during his growth process was as he himself put it, "It's not that I'm ruthless—it's the reality that forces me to be. To survive, I must succeed! To succeed, I became cunning like a snake, cruel like a jackal, fierce like a lion, and humble like a dog." Yet, even at the peak of his career, he could not find peace. A "leaky house incident" plunged him into endless crises. "Meng Rui was sitting at the top of Rangitoto Volcano, able to 'gaze at the world,' but beneath him was surging molten lava, ready to erupt at any moment, destroying and melting him."
As the story progresses, the relationship between the protagonist, Meng Rui, and Jane also evolves—from initial mutual admiration to love, understanding, and ultimately, a deep, pure, and beautiful love between lovers, family, and confidantes. The story also portrays Amy—a shrewd woman who came to a foreign land to elevate her husband's status and betrayed friendships. "Just as the Taoist saying goes, 'The Tao is one step ahead of the devil,' she ultimately fell victim to her own cleverness, and both she and her husband became sacrifices in that hidden transaction."
The novel also depicts the extraordinary experiences of Chinese immigrants from different social classes: the struggles of entrepreneurs, the material wealth but spiritual emptiness of investors, the growth journey of students—cohabiting, working, and returning home, and the fragmentation of family, friendship, and love in the face of harsh reality. "The loneliness in New Zealand is a bone-deep loneliness." Immigrants caught between Eastern and Western cultures face helplessness, confusion, success, failure, pain, and joy. In the end, some chose to leave, while others stayed. To obtain Permanent Residency (PR) in New Zealand, many people went to great lengths, even risking everything. Some entered into fake marriages (business marriages), while others overstayed illegally. Their experiences leave one to wonder: Is New Zealand a paradise for everyone? The sweetness, bitterness, and struggles of life are perhaps only clear to those who have lived it.
This is a realistic novel about "human nature," "business," and "love," with delicate emotional descriptions and profound portrayals of characters' inner thoughts. The plot is full of twists and turns, the relationships between characters are intricate, and at the same time, it showcases the beautiful natural scenery and cultural charm of New Zealand.