Chapter Nine, Feeling the People Beneath the Cypress

He smiled and said, "Of course I can't, I have to go back to work"

smile

Hmm?

"Let's get married, right before the New Year." I could hear my own voice lacking confidence. She smiled and said, "Okay, I'll go back and discuss it with my parents."

Professor Deng emerged from the restroom, and I introduced, "Lu Qingye, my friend, who is also a Japanese language teacher"

Hearing your description, I cannot help but feel an overwhelming joy. It seems that the baby from afar is very happy, and you are also very happy

"I truly hate you." In a moment of gritted teeth, I suddenly thought of something. How could I possibly hate him? How many dim and dreary days would I have sunk into despair if it were not for the hope he gave me? He is so good, so good; how could I ever hate him?

Mother. I move my lips, but cannot say anything.

It is Song Ximing. His eyes are still wrapped in gauze, his cheeks are thin, and he comes over step by step, supporting himself against the wall: "Qingye, do not be angry."

I said: "In a research center, everything is research; it all depends on one's personal interests."

With the new semester beginning, one of the research center's academic topics for the year is the origins of ancient Japanese and the Wu dialect. Several middle-aged teachers at the center are quite dissatisfied, stating that this topic has been explored for so long, and the patterns that should have been summarized have already been identified, leaving little else to investigate

I took a deep breath: "Zhao Tong, your life is truly rich."

She sighed: "What happened?"

Disgusting! She broke into tears, "I am willing!"

The waiting room is crowded with people. The scrolling screen displays that Train Z 2 has begun ticket checking. I rush towards the ticket gate, my gaze sweeping over each person; among the thousands, there is only one who is my travel companion. I wish to see him once more, to bid farewell to my past, as the memories are so difficult, causing me pain all over. As time passes, the people at the ticket gate continue to move forward, holding tickets, having their tickets checked, and entering the station, while I gradually grow colder. He must have already gone in. He is sitting by the window, reading a newspaper, waiting for the train to depart. As time passes, the people at the ticket gate continue to move forward, holding tickets, having their tickets checked, and entering the station, while I gradually grow colder. He must have already gone in. He is sitting by the window, reading a newspaper, waiting for the train to depart. I too should turn and leave, just as I have done many times before.

The hospital in Japan mandates that children must undergo a health check-up when they reach one month old. On the day of the check-up, my husband and mother-in-law accompanied us, looking quite proud. Among so many children, mine was the chubbiest, lying in the electronic scale's tray and giggling continuously. The midwife remarked on how adorable he was

But in the end, I suddenly stood up, rushed out of the classroom like the wind, dashed out of the school gate, hailed a taxi in a hurry, and shouted, "To the train station, as fast as possible"

I became frozen in place, and then I silently packed my things, leaving him alone in the room, turning to leave. As I walked downstairs, I caught the scent of the yellow jasmine. I was about to catch the bus back to Changning, but I hesitated, looking back at that room, uncertain whether to go or stay. At that moment, I heard someone calling me from behind: "Qingye."

Due to the nature of their work, my parents are often too busy to take care of me, and I have a lot of freedom.

He just smiled and said, "It's a trivial matter..."

This woman has exited my life, and I do not know whether I feel lost or relieved

I apologize to you.

I sat in the corridor reading, just like when I was a child, doing translation exercises. Mosquitoes buzzed around my feet, and when I stomped, they flew away, only to return again when I stopped. If I wasn't careful, one would bite me, causing an itch. Even after applying some medicated oil, it still itched. I said, "There are too many plants in the yard, which attracts more insects; let's plant a little less next year." My mother replied, "It's not just insects; there are also longhorn beetles, grasshoppers, mantises, dragonflies, flies, mice, hedgehogs, and perhaps even the snake you fear the most."

I am replying

Zhao Tong laughed heartily: "How could it be? Because I trust you, I call you 'kin.'"

As for Echizen paper, it is indeed very elegant. Lady Murasaki Shikibu has praised Echizen paper quite highly.

Gui Xin mentioned in the email that he has settled down in the United States. The sky in the United States is indeed incredibly blue, and American English is even more exaggerated and enthusiastic than what is typically heard during listening exercises or while watching videos. People seem to spin around like tops, and the number of courses is terrifying, making it feel as though one can never keep up with the pace of the classes

There is a traffic jam over there on the road. Hmm, how do you know that?

The wait for his response became unusually long. I hesitated, and suddenly heard the vibration of a message: "We have been apart for three months. How have you been lately? Have you prepared for work?"

The full moon gift has been received, and it was a delightful surprise. I had originally planned to prepare a meal for Qianli, but I have been too busy to do so. My mother-in-law from Fukui has also come to Shizuoka to help take care of the children. She is a bit reserved but has a very good temperament. She also brought Echizen crabs, Fukui plums, and taro; I really miss the Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs. The crabs from Chongming Island, although smaller than the hairy crabs, are extremely fresh. I can't say much more, or I will be drooling. The Fukui plums are pleasantly sour and very delicious; my mother-in-law sent some when I was pregnant. She also mentioned that those who enjoy sour foods are likely to have boys.

The master of dough figurines skillfully shaped two vividly lifelike figures in just a few moments. Johnny and Allen were astonished: "Make another uncle, uncle!" I led them away, saying: "No more. I made many when I was young."

He laughed and deliberately made a loud sound while sucking on the end of his chopsticks: "Hmph!"

Let this business deal go for now; taking care of your health is the most important thing.

She clapped her hands: "It is 'Treading the Waves'. When I was young, my mother liked to sing this song, and I always regarded it as a lullaby"

"Who wouldn't like someone like you?" she said

I kept watch over her as she slept peacefully until dawn

You should not have come at all

Yet I have never been able to be alone with her calmly

I am despondent; I have never dared to estimate my own worth. I only fear the uncertainty of tomorrow, and I seek nothing more than to be free from the worry of basic sustenance.

I found a few pieces of information and prepared to go to the library, and she said she wanted to go as well. She appears younger when she is with me than when we first met, and she enjoys walking with her arm linked through mine. I often cough and say, "Be careful not to let your students see you."

Well, I don't even remember what he looks like. I only remember that he truly dotes on me, wishing he could build a grand palace for me. However, his status is not recognized by the royal family; he is merely an ordinary businessman, living off his family fortune

I thought I was listening to a story, half believing and half doubting

I was taken aback. She lowered her gaze and said, "I am sorry, I deceived you; in fact, I need you to accompany me to see my son."

The structure of the dormitory is similar to the room Wu Wei had in the hospital, but it is 40 square meters. I set up a simple bed and a bookshelf, typing away at the keyboard all night. She kept me company for a while, but eventually became tired. I couldn't bear to see her drowsy, so I told her to go to sleep. She wanted to stay with me, and I said, "You have classes during the day; if you stay here, I won't be able to write quickly, and it will only distract me from you." She complied and went to sleep on the bed. I tucked her in tightly and poured her a glass of water to place by her bedside. She looked at me earnestly, and I smiled, saying, "I still have one chapter left to finish; they are waiting for it during the day." She still wanted to stay with me, and I reiterated, "You have classes during the day; if you stay here, I won't be able to write quickly, and it will only distract me from you." She complied and went to sleep on the bed. I tucked her in tightly and poured her a glass of water to place by her bedside. She looked at me earnestly, and I smiled, saying, "I still have one chapter left to finish; they are waiting for it during the day."

The teacher smiled: "It is not wrong for young people to have passion. However, we who study language are not scientists; language is inherently variable. The results of our research cannot fundamentally improve human life. To put it bluntly, the allure of linguistics is a trap, fundamentally different from the natural sciences. Language is merely a tool for communication between people, a medium for humans to express thoughts and emotions, and is a rather basic discipline. As human society continues to develop, languages influence and collide with each other, ultimately likely leading to a great integration of languages. This, of course, would be a disaster for human civilization, but it is merely one possibility, one hypothesis. I think we will not witness this possibility in our lifetime. However, as a new teacher, it is beneficial for you to undertake several projects while you are young for your professional title evaluation."

He quickly replied: "I was also thinking that complex names, when turned around, would probably be difficult to read in Japanese as well. It would be better to find something simple and beautiful."

He said that he had long wanted to pursue this topic, but she had few opportunities to return to the country. It would be better to collaborate separately; she has more opportunities to engage with Japanese literature, while we are more convenient in collecting Wu dialect. Therefore, may I invite you to join us?

Zhao Tong and I transferred to Maoming South Road. She kept holding my hand, her palm sweaty. I was also very nervous, but I didn't know how to ask. We arrived at the Garden Hotel. The glass door of the lobby was beautifully bright, and Zhao Tong squeezed my hand, then let go and quietly walked in. I mimicked her, trying to appear elegant and relaxed. The chandelier in the lobby was too dazzling, the floor too bright, and the Italian-style vases too vibrant, making one feel dizzy. In the small hall separated by tropical wood, guests were drinking coffee and having snacks, and a solitary tulip was placed in a white vase on the teak long table. It was then that I noticed two waiters in white shirts and black pants had joined Zhao Tong, politely asking, "Who is this young lady?" Zhao Tong's voice was firm and solemn: "This Miss Lu is my relative and must accompany me." The chandelier in the lobby was too dazzling, the floor too bright, and the Italian-style vases too vibrant, making one feel dizzy. In the small hall separated by tropical wood, guests were drinking coffee and having snacks, and a solitary tulip was placed in a white vase on the teak long table. It was then that I noticed two waiters in white shirts and black pants had joined Zhao Tong, politely asking, "Who is this young lady?" Zhao Tong's voice was firm and solemn: "This Miss Lu is my relative and must accompany me."

Thank you as well for bringing me so much joy he said I will contact you when I get to Beijing

Of course

At the end of March, I suddenly received an email from Chen Jiuxun

I am weary, sighing, I promised her that we would marry in the future, and I will certainly fulfill my duties as a husband, working from 9 to 5, so that you need not worry about life

I hope this letter finds you well

The bustling streets are filled with a sea of people, vibrant and lively, with the aroma of white pastries frying in hot oil mingling with the faint scent of firecrackers. The temperature seems not so low, and their greatest interests are kites, candied hawthorn, and colorful dough figurines, just like every child born in China.

There are no more answers over there. I pondered, trembling, and asked once more: "How are you and your fiancée doing?"

I laughed and said, "Then I might as well have your parents killed. And as for Teacher Huang, he would definitely clap his hands and stomp his feet, saying, 'Oh dear, this is a real mess now, it has delayed Teacher Luo's lifelong major event, to think she found a husband who doesn't even have a house..."

As soon as I returned to school, I received a text message from Song Ximing: I am going to the Su-Xi-Chang area to conduct a project on the collection of Wu dialect.

My heart stirs: waiting for your arrival

When I arrived at the ward, the first thing I noticed was his gray hair at the temples; he had aged, something I had previously overlooked. I had thought he was strong and resilient, never considering that one day I would witness his frailty. After a moment of silence upon our meeting, he spoke: "Who told you to come? I'm fine."

I smiled: "Not much. I have already looked at a few houses. When are you free for us to go see them together?"

Before I could respond, she laughed and said, "Forget it, let's just stay downstairs. It's a mess upstairs, and I don't want to embarrass you by showing it to you." We walked down the path in the community, passing by the flowerbed. She reached out to wipe the rainwater off a long bench and said, "Sit down, it's relatively clean." I stopped her, saying, "The stone bench is too cold. There are wooden chairs over there."

"In the days you have been absent, I have carefully reflected on our relationship. I found it quite terrifying, for you do not love me." She looked into my eyes and said, "Ximing, do you think a marriage without love can last long?"

I am also thinking.

What does that count for? In my childhood in Africa, I dared to carry a python across the river

This time, Luqiao did not provide me with a sense of belonging. After spending a night in silence without internet access, I read an old book with loose pages by my bedside. Early in the morning, I hurried to catch the first bus back to Shanghai. As the bus approached the toll station in the Shanghai area, I felt a sense of relief from the pressure of escape. Sadly, I realized that I seemed to have been walking blindly all along, missing one opportunity after another, and I would never be young again, nor possess the capital of pride.

Oh my, the jade seeks a good price within the box, tsk tsk. I gently nudged her, saying, "There is still no capital to speak of love. If we are not careful and waste time because of this, we will have to lament like a dried fish crying all day long in the future"

Apart from myself, there is also a professor of classical Japanese literature in the project team, surnamed Deng, who is about to retire. Professor Deng has a heart condition, so we are taking the train south. From the plains to the mountainous areas, the autumn scenery changes along the way, with the most prominent sight being the solitary, slender white poplars, their leaves lush and uniformly turning yellow. After passing Bengbu, the landscape of Huainan comes into view. The early autumn weather is clear, and the railway runs through the fields, with heavy rice plants on both sides ready for harvest. Occasionally, there are ponds, tranquil and reflecting the clouds in the sky. Although these scenes flash by in an instant, they are delightfully clear and blue. Across from us, a couple is pointing out the scenery to their little daughter: "That is a cow." The little girl, with her teeth not yet fully grown, elongates her pronunciation: "Cow—" The parents continue: "That is rice." "Rice—"

You? Son? Eight years old? I see her at most twenty-four years old, youthful and striking, her figure still as delicate as that of a young girl, how could she possibly have a seven-year-old son

In front of me lies a volume of "Wujun Zhi," sent by Lu Qingye, instructing me to read it carefully. Late at night, I arrived at Shanghai Station, where the platform was congested. A teacher from the Shanghai Foreign Language Institute called to say that the Yan'an Elevated Road was heavily blocked, and we might have to wait a while longer. Professor Deng and I followed the throng of people towards the exit, and it was at this moment that my phone rang: "Have you arrived?"

Lu Qingye

Flipping through on the train, my favorite is the "earthy" roll

He soon went with Professor Deng and his team to conduct research and inspections in the Suzhou area. Meanwhile, I continued to lead a hurried and busy life, returning home very late each day

In late autumn, Song Ximing was returning to Beijing. His investigation with Professor Deng seemed to have yielded quite remarkable results. On the evening before his departure, I went to the Foreign Language University to find him. The campus at dusk was very tranquil, couples walked with light and joyful steps, and birds chirped in the woods, dropping many notes. For some reason, I felt a sadness; when I looked up at him, I was at a loss for words. The twilight spread thickly, enveloping the picturesque and winding ground. I suddenly recalled two years ago at the Montmartre Church, when I was with this person, filled with running, intoxication, and tears. For some reason, I felt a sadness; when I looked up at him, I was at a loss for words. The twilight spread thickly, enveloping the picturesque and winding ground. I suddenly recalled two years ago at the Montmartre Church, when I was with this person, filled with running, intoxication, and tears. Who could have imagined that time could be so generous yet so cruel, allowing us brief encounters followed by long separations, then brief encounters again, and yet more long separations

She smiled and said, "No, I won't. I have never dared to ask you for even a little bit..."

I turned off the desk lamp, wrapped myself in a thick down jacket, and lay down on the desk to sleep. When dawn broke, I found myself under the covers, with a hot water bottle in my arms. As I opened my eyes and looked around, I suddenly saw her, already dressed and groomed, smiling as she said: "I bought you breakfast and placed it on the table. I will go to class first"

Mother replied, perhaps

I think I should just rent it out. Truly, I inadvertently became a landlord.

I was taken aback, contemplating the subtlety of this statement, and remained silent for a long time. However, he continued to share the findings from his dialect survey, mentioning that many words in Wu dialect ending with "兮兮" such as "红兮兮", "神经兮兮", and "妖怪兮兮" bear a striking resemblance to the ending words in Japanese. I laughed at him, questioning whether such a discovery could be considered a new continent. He further noted that in Wu dialect, the term for father is "daidai", and that in a certain commentary on "The Tale of Genji" from the Kamakura period, the father was also annotated as "daidai".

That evening, I hurried to the airport for my flight to Narita. The assistant received me and informed me that my father had suffered an acute myocardial infarction, but he had already regained consciousness, did not require surgery, and was not in serious condition

Fortunately, he only has a common cold and fever, and the wound on his eye has completely healed. After the bandage was removed, he was receiving intravenous fluids in the infusion room. There are many people with colds in autumn, and the beds in the infusion room are simply insufficient; even the benches are filled with people. He originally had a spot, but soon gave it up for a child. He stood by the door of the infusion room, with the IV bottle hanging on the rack. I scolded him, saying, "Standing will tire you out," but in my heart, I felt genuinely proud. Who said that the person you love only needs to be treated well? I cannot tolerate a man who is selfish and cold, indifferent to the suffering of others. This detail has given me an additional layer of certainty.

But it has already arrived

He no longer speaks and closes his eyes to rest his mind

I buzzed my head: "What illness is this, and when did it happen?"

Does my smile unconsciously carry a sense of indulgence? I replied, yes

Not long after, she replied:

"I want to pinch one!" Johnny said, his eyes sparkling, revealing a grin with uneven little white teeth.

We can finally sit down and enjoy our porridge at ease. I tapped the edge of the bowl with my chopsticks and smiled, "Your porridge is better than mine."

In the past, I turned away resolutely time and again, yet who called out to me, commanding me to stop and causing me to shed tears? And he, of course, could not see my tears. I was once again at a loss, paused for a moment, then turned and boarded the bus, leaving. As the bus window shook, he became invisible to me. Although I was in tears, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief

The car fell silent again, and a familiar tune was playing on the radio. After a moment of stillness, she smiled and said, "Which song is this, after all"

I try to appear calm: "Children are maturing early now; how can toys and fairy tales satisfy them? It is best to engage them with online games."

Later, when I arrived at the bottom of the small apartment building where she was renting, she kept looking at me. That night, the rain was faint, and the various styles of buildings in the night had subtle undulating lines. The streetlight's glow was partially consumed by the lush tree shadows, creating a familiar scene. Suddenly, I heard her invite me: "Would you like to come up and sit for a while?"

I met a young female teacher named Zhao Tong at the institution. We teach parallel classes, and our schedules are completely aligned. Often, when I am lecturing in one classroom, I can see her in the classroom across the corridor. She often turns back to look at me, and we exchange smiles, which signifies our acquaintance. After class, we walk back to the office together, and the male students we encounter along the way particularly enjoy greeting her, saying, "Hello, Teacher Zhao!" She has a round and delicate appearance, with light and refined makeup, which makes her very approachable to the students, contrasting sharply with my usual silent and serious demeanor, as well as my aversion to makeup. However, sometimes when I catch a glimpse of her gaze, it is strikingly clear and unusual.

You have been to many places

She smiled thoughtfully: "I raised him when I was sixteen. The legal marriage age for girls in Spain is twelve. You still haven't told me what such a big boy likes. Toys? Fairy tales?"

She said, "Be more composed; having a house is at least not a bad thing"

However, at times, one may feel tired

She seemed to have received some encouragement and began to speak incessantly: "Actually, I knew about you when I was studying. I would attend every speech competition you participated in... Let's not talk about that. I know you are from the French department, so I chose French as my second foreign language... Later, I heard that you went to Japan, so I started learning Japanese... Until one day, I suddenly realized that you had returned to the school, and we might actually become colleagues... It was me, it was me who asked Teacher Huang for this... I thought I could marry you... Until later, I suddenly discovered that you had returned to the school, and we might actually become colleagues... It was me, it was me who asked Teacher Huang for this... I thought I could marry you... Xi Ming, I just want to love you well. But being with you, I never know what you are thinking... Xi Ming, let's not talk about it."

She was so disappointed, yet she maintained her composure, responding that a stable marriage was already sufficient

Carlos's father

She said with great composure: "I have read the collection of Japanese waka from the medieval period that you compiled. Ximing has also introduced you to me."

The most awkward situation is the family gathering, where I, as the eldest grandson, am weary of facing everyone's inquiries: "Ximing should bring his girlfriend back for us to see, right?" I have broken my promise. As the new year begins, I remain single. Now even my cousin Yuming is pregnant. However, my father rarely adopts a stern attitude anymore. I feel guilty; the old eagle has aged.

"Help me with my homework." He smirked, "You first assist me with this dialect survey report."

I just hung up the phone when I received another call from my mother: "Your father is currently in Tokyo, he is ill and urgently needs you to come over."

Mother replied, I do not know

One day after class, Zhao Tong came over and said, "I find it very boring to go out alone. How about we go together?"

He stepped out, his face fresh and moist. I slightly lowered my head and quickly slipped inside that frosted glass door to freshen up.

Of course I know. They were very angry. However, we still secretly held the wedding, and my husband called me 'Eastern Little Bride'. I was caught by the adults, and my husband pleaded with me to give birth to the child. His family also insisted on this, and it seemed they offered my family a considerable reward. Thus, I gave birth to Carlos and then dissolved my marriage with my husband, after which I was sent back to my home country

The air was cold and hard. After bidding farewell to the students, I walked down the steps, circled around a cluster of withered vines, and looked up to see Luo Yiping walking with a man. The man had a straight posture and broad shoulders, while she appeared delicate and dependent, her smile radiant—was this the first time I had seen her smile like that? It was only when they passed by me that I remembered it was Teacher Gong from the Spanish department.

I scrutinized him, deliberately trying to frighten him: "You have a large scar on your eyelid, now your appearance is ruined"

Mother's tone fluctuated, filled with anxiety: "His assistant just called, saying that he has been sent to the hospital and is still being diagnosed. The negotiation has only just reached the halfway point—"

Which district do you live in

Things seem to be going smoothly, and the woman nodded in agreement to Zhao Tong: "Rest assured"

Qing Ye, so hastily, we shall discuss it again later

I was suddenly embraced by someone

Lu Qingye

She is very obedient: "Yes, just go out. It has been rainy in Shanghai these days, very humid"

She quickly curled up on the bed, so calmly indulgent, her face buried in the quilt, which had a special fragrance. She was clearly tired, murmuring, "This is indigo-dyed cloth. Indigo, do you understand? The blue is harvested in May, called first blue, and in June and July, it is harvested again, called second blue. ... Soak the clay in a pool of water, stir it with lime a thousand times, and after skimming off the water, it becomes indigo ... . ... Like a murmur, she did not forget to giggle lightly, "Song Ximing, it’s exhausting for you to accompany me for a night." Soak the clay in a pool of water, stir it with lime a thousand times, and after skimming off the water, it becomes indigo ... . ... Like a murmur, she did not forget to giggle lightly, "Song Ximing, it’s exhausting for you to accompany me for a night." My heart trembled, suddenly witnessing a period of dark silence with nowhere to anchor the days and nights. I had never felt so close to her. There was a sense of nasal congestion, along with compassion and gratitude.

I held my breath for a moment, and when I returned to normal, I smiled calmly, as if I had made a bold bet with myself and won

What are we going to do now

She smiled and said, "What time we start work tomorrow doesn't matter, and running so much doesn't matter either. I just heard you were coming, so I thought I should come to pick you up." She paused, slightly turning her face away, the streetlight casting a glow on her face. Outside, it was indeed misty and damp. She asked, "Where do you want to go? Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road have become quite quiet. It's similar to abroad here; the night markets are not lively. I have classmates from Shenzhen and Chongqing, and they say the night markets there are particularly bustling, with people singing and drinking in the streets even after midnight." Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road have become quite quiet. It's similar to abroad here; the night markets are not lively. I have classmates from Shenzhen and Chongqing, and they say the night markets there are particularly bustling, with people singing and drinking in the streets even after midnight.

In early April, Song Ximing informed me that Jiu Xun had given birth to a healthy and robust baby boy in Shizuoka, and indeed named him Qianli

"Marriage, huh?" She smiled sweetly, "You are the only one beside me who knows my past. Who else knows that I was once a little bride from the East of Spain? I want to marry an extraordinary man, one who is willing to build a palace for me"

As I turned, the crowd was bustling, and there was nothing unusual. At that moment, my shoulder was gently tapped: "Song Ximing."

I am not very good with computers; my machine often gets viruses, and when it gets serious, it repeatedly shows a blue screen and cannot boot up. It is truly frustrating. Whenever I encountered such situations in college, I would always ask Zhu Ping for help. He was always willing to come to my dormitory to fix my computer. Oh, Zhu Ping, we could still run into each other at school, but after graduation, we completely lost contact. Now, Zhao Tong can help. She is quick and efficient, and she quickly reinstalled the system and installed new antivirus software for me. Oh, Zhu Ping, we could still run into each other at school, but after graduation, we completely lost contact. Now, Zhao Tong can help. She is quick and efficient, and she quickly reinstalled the system and installed new antivirus software for me

Everyone has their own obsessions, yet often finds themselves hesitant: why must it be so? Could it be that nothing is predetermined, or that change is indeed possible? It may be better to adhere to the rules and live a stable life. In old age, one often reflects on what might have been had they not given up in their youth. So why not take action while still young? As long as one tries and puts in their best effort, even without a favorable outcome, there will be no regrets in old age: although not successful, at least one has acted.

I have been heartbroken since childhood due to my parents' discord. They divorced, and I once deeply resented his cruelty for abandoning my silent and submissive mother even in his later years

Does your family know

He said, "Girl, your eyes betray you—look at the unwillingness and grievance in your gaze. How can you be willing to be buried in a language school like this?

He replied: "I will return as soon as the negotiations are over"

I also informed her of the current situation, stating that although the language school is demanding, the income is quite high, and the students are relatively obedient. Sometimes they even accompany me to fast food restaurants to eat chicken wings. Naturally, I did not mention the detail of someone eating boiled food every day, nor did I mention that the school only signed a six-month contract with me. These aspects sound rather bleak and harsh, and I did not want to distract Guixin from her studies by making her worry about me

The passage of two years seems to have brought no change to her. She remains the same slender girl, with a smooth forehead and slightly pursed lips. Upon closer inspection, the only difference is in her gaze, which seems to have gathered more silence and tenderness. I struggle to recall, and it appears that I too have undergone no change during these two years. This span of time seems to have been sealed away, neglected. She approaches, unlike any previous occasion, revealing a calm and gentle smile: "It is good to see you." I struggle to recall, and it appears that I too have undergone no change during these two years. This span of time seems to have been sealed away, neglected. She approaches, unlike any previous occasion, revealing a calm and gentle smile: "It is good to see you."

I was in a daze; I once thought he did not love his mother and had someone else. After their divorce, he built another house. But now, I realize that I had wronged him.

In the kitchen, my mother is making lotus root cakes, while in another pot, she is braising pork with water chestnuts. Rainwater continuously drips from the eaves, and with little Black absent, little Yellow lazily lies on the bamboo chair, its tail hanging down comfortably. Everything feels quiet and serene to the point of being unreal. The oil in the pan continues to sizzle, and my mother takes a moment to bring me a freshly fried lotus root cake, which is very hot, requiring careful nibbling to adjust. The minced meat is finely chopped, and the white lotus root is very fresh. The oil in the pan continues to sizzle, and my mother takes a moment to bring me a freshly fried lotus root cake, which is very hot, requiring careful nibbling to adjust. The minced meat is finely chopped, and the white lotus root is very fresh.

After the joke, we agreed to go to Xuhui to see the house left by Ms. Shi Zhaochun. On the way, I became heavy-hearted again: "I always feel unworthy of this house, and my heart is extremely uneasy."

I understand her forbearance and perseverance, and I also understand her love. She has told me more than once, "Ximing, I feel great being with you. I enjoy listening to you speak, and I find everything you do to be wonderful.

Please do not rush, I will be back shortly

She understands a great deal, often astonishing others. For instance, one time, I heard her singing in this classroom and unconsciously stopped to listen to her. After class, I asked her, "What a strange song, it sounds very much like the language from Hokkaido." She replied, "It is a song of the Ainu people." "How do you know?" "I used to play there before."

He is very sincere, Qingye, your abilities exceed your own estimation

In my childhood, I would always attend temple fairs during the festive seasons, enjoying the various foods that were diverse and colorful, which I could not see on ordinary days. I also liked the bustling crowds; amidst them, I felt secure. At that time, I did not have a clear concept of words like deception or ugliness; I simply enjoyed the peace and joy presented in the throngs, much like my love for Peking opera and the lively atmosphere when the gongs and flutes first began to play, a grand spectacle with a magnificent aura. An elder once told me: "The previous generation of the Song family understood elegance very well, being generous and humble, and they loved lively gatherings, always dressing brightly and neatly during festivals. Strolling through the theater district, dining at Quanjude for roast duck, and going to Donglaishun for hot pot. The women of the Song family were lively and dignified, well-versed in poetry and literature, yet not bound by conventions. When the mood struck, they would wave their folding fans and head to Liulichang, purchasing any agreeable books or paintings they found. Who would dare to deceive them? For instance, your great-aunt was an expert in jade appraisal, able to discern the authenticity of blood stains at a glance, and she was quite well-known in old Beijing. Now, mentioning these things may seem meaningless, yet I feel that you, Ximing, possess a trace of the demeanor of the elders. After all, the bloodline of a family will never be severed. Elders often enjoy reminiscing about the past. This is the essence of capital and experience.

I proposed to join the research. A teacher specializing in the history of Japanese political thought intervened, saying: "Professor Song was not interested in the overseas research last year, so why is there enthusiasm now? It is quite challenging for someone from Beijing to study the Wu dialect; it is not like going to Japan to conduct a dialect survey, where the funding is higher."

Time flies swiftly

I am filled with trepidation: "What have you done? What can I do now?"

As we exchanged words, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious, taking on a hint of playful teasing. It felt somewhat frivolous. He had already restrained himself, and the room fell into silence. I couldn't help but scrutinize him closely, sensing that he was squinting at me through the gauze, and I quickly returned to the main topic.

We have little to discuss. Suddenly, I heard her say: "What do eight-year-old boys like the most?"

I am choking, Song Ximing, oh Song Ximing, why must you be so harsh? Can you let me off the hook and refrain from being so cutting?

"Your father means the same thing." Mother quickly shelled the beans, the tender beans accurately falling into the white porcelain bowl, gradually piling up. "He is doing well there, and you shouldn't always think about seeing him, otherwise both sides will be uneasy. In the future, you shouldn't frequently return to Luqiao; you are still young, and you should broaden your horizons.

They took train Z 2 back to Beijing, with a departure time of 7:40 PM, which coincided perfectly with my evening self-study. Zhao Tong came over from the opposite classroom and patted me on the shoulder, saying, "What’s wrong? You seem distracted." I was startled, realizing it was exactly 6 o'clock; he should have already arrived at the train station. Why didn’t I go to see him off? Was it fear of the difficult parting, or fear of an uncertain future?

Two hours later, I arrived at a certain hospital in Suzhou and met Song Ximing. His eyes were bandaged, and his face was very pale. I gasped in shock: "How could this happen?"

Nephews and nieces almost regard English as their mother tongue, and after stuttering a few sentences in Chinese, they switch to exaggerated American English. They each have Chinese names: Zhi Fan and Zhi Qing, bestowed by their grandfather. However, they are accustomed to their English names, with Zhi Fan being called Johnny and Zhi Qing called Allen. Many Chinese children born in the West are like this. As they grow a little older, their parents suddenly realize that the children should also understand Chinese, and thus hurriedly supplement their education. Yet, the children have clearly become accustomed to the enthusiastic openness of American-style education, and their personalities are indistinguishable from those of American children, lacking any trace of the subtlety and shyness typical of Chinese children. As they grow a little older, their parents suddenly realize that the children should also understand Chinese, and thus hurriedly supplement their education. Yet, the children have clearly become accustomed to the enthusiastic openness of American-style education, and their personalities are indistinguishable from those of American children, lacking any trace of the subtlety and shyness typical of Chinese children. At this point, when they turn back to learn Chinese, it feels as awkward and strange as Western children who are used to suits and jeans suddenly wearing wide-sleeved traditional Chinese garments.

Song Ximing's arrival brought some subtle changes to my life. That night, he indeed stayed to keep me company, and in the morning, I caught the aroma of rice porridge. I felt very sorry and hurriedly searched for toiletries for him. The bathroom door was ajar, and I sat at the small table in a daze, unsure whether I was in a trance or feeling grateful, listening to the sound of running water from behind the frosted glass door, along with the quiet and swift movements of an adult man washing up. The sky cleared. The faint morning sunlight reflected on the curtains, and the shadows of the trees were cast on the floor and walls, with the small leaves rustling gently, shaped like camphor.

She sat beside me; apart from the time spent in Japan with Chen Jiu-xun, I rarely found myself this close to a woman. I am accustomed to distance and indifference, yet the proximity at this moment felt just right. I experienced a long-lost tranquility and initially intended to tease her a bit as I used to in the past, or perhaps to amuse her, but when the words came out, they softened: "What time do you start work tomorrow? Why did you go through so much trouble to pick me up?"

How is your mother doing now

Once, when discussing the arrangement of this house, he said: "It is better to rent it out; the rental income can be set up as a fund for public welfare activities. For example, to hold art exhibitions or music concerts. Did you not say that you come from the Shi Zhaochun family, which is known for its elegance?"

She looked at me firmly: "No, you are good. In fact, I no longer love you. Being with you makes me cautious in everything, always looking ahead and behind, fearing that I might not do well. It is too exhausting"

How can I escape this? At night, I worry about him, yet I feel embarrassed to call him. I want to send a text, but suddenly remember that he cannot see it. I can only be anxious all night, and the next morning I still go to see him, bringing him warm rice balls and steaming hot freshly made soy milk. To my surprise, he has a high fever, and I am horrified, asking him what is wrong and if he has taken any medicine. He remains calm, saying it’s nothing serious, probably an infection from his wound. I manage to keep my composure and quickly call the emergency center, then ask for leave from school to accompany him to the hospital. He is very clear-headed, knowing to say, "Qingye, you’re not angry anymore, right?" I am both angry and anxious: "You made me miss class, which affects my salary; how can I not be angry?" He still manages to smile: "Come and settle the score with me." I hold back my tears and joke, "What if you get worse? What if you go blind? Your parents will kill me and make me pay a lot of money." The nurse expresses her dissatisfaction, and I am both angry and anxious: "You made me miss class, which affects my salary; how can I not be angry?" He still manages to smile: "Come and settle the score with me." I hold back my tears and joke, "What if you get worse? What if you go blind? Your parents will kill me and make me pay a lot of money." The nurse expresses her dissatisfaction and blocks me, saying, "The patient needs rest; do not talk."

That night was as dark as the night in Montmartre, and I seemed to see the Montmartre Basilica quietly suspended atop the high mountains in my view, like a sanctuary. I lingered in that night, my heart a tempest; that was my Montmartre, a place that time, no matter how cruel, could not change or erode. I felt warmth on my fingers, the warmth of his grip as we ran. He said, "Qingye, you work so hard; everything you gain is not unexpected." I was so obsessed with this fleeting moment that I was always unwilling to truly bow my head, unwilling to extinguish my youthful, stubborn, laughable, yet uncertain ideals. I felt warmth on my fingers again, the warmth of his grip as we ran. He said, "Qingye, you work so hard; everything you gain is not unexpected." I was so obsessed with this fleeting moment that I was always unwilling to truly bow my head, unwilling to extinguish my youthful, stubborn, laughable, yet uncertain ideals. I know this is a tragedy, destined to encounter cooling, destined to face annihilation, but why should I still feel sad, why should I still run?

And I cannot, indeed cannot, continue any longer. She is not unaware, yet she quietly sits, holding my hand, gently stroking it.

I returned to my residence, lay down at the head of the bed, propped my feet on a pillow, and gazed at a volume of notes from the Song Dynasty. Reading the vertical traditional characters was tiring, so I simply picked up a novel by Jin Yong, which was very relaxing and comfortable. When Jing Ge first saw Rong'er dressed as a woman, he was so astonished that he couldn't speak. Rong'er shyly smiled and asked, "Jing Ge, do you not recognize Rong'er?" This passage nearly captivated my youthful self, as I believed it to be the most beautiful encounter and the best expression of a daughter's feelings. Between men and women, one must be exquisite and transparent, while the other should be honest and broad-minded. Thus, in my childhood, I always liked to refer to close boys as 'Gege,' which was both ambiguous and gentle. Reflecting on it now, it truly makes me break into a cold sweat from embarrassment. I read two pages, and my eyelids grew heavy, increasingly so. I felt ashamed and lonely. However, at this moment, the loneliness was not merely psychological, but even more so physiological. I could only feel my heart racing, in a state of panic, unable to catch my breath, with urgent music ringing in my ears, forcing tears to my eyes. In the flowing water, people continuously passed by—my travelers, my companions—whom I could never catch up with, stranded on the shore. I could only feel my heart racing, in a state of panic, unable to catch my breath, with urgent music ringing in my ears, forcing tears to my eyes. In the flowing water, people continuously passed by—my travelers, my companions—whom I could never catch up with, stranded on the shore. A multitude of emotions surged within me, incomprehensible, better to just fall asleep.

"Do not look anymore," she said with great effort, "Song Ximing, we should not be together."

He was silent for a moment: "I was originally going to go back too"

I said: "Ha, Simple and Joyful, then it is called Double Happiness, Joyful, Chongqing"

She replied: "This is good, it saves you from working so hard in the future"

He ordered that his condition be kept completely hidden. After being admitted to the hospital outside the city, only his mother came to visit him. She brought soup in a thermos, varying it each day. After tidying up the ward, she quickly left.

I shivered all over: "Mom!"

My father has always been in good health, exercising by running every day, and even in the harsh winter, he insists on taking cold showers. He has a regular health check-up every six months without fail. Aside from slightly elevated blood lipids and blood pressure, he has no other illnesses. I first reassured myself and contacted the assistant manager on the way. The person on the other end said that the business negotiations were not going smoothly this time, as the conditions proposed by the Japanese side were too demanding. Another competitor had offered more favorable terms to the Japanese side. Yesterday, General Song felt a bit unwell; he took some medicine and said he was fine, but today he fainted. I first reassured myself and contacted the assistant manager on the way. The person on the other end said that the business negotiations were not going smoothly this time, as the conditions proposed by the Japanese side were too demanding. Another competitor had offered more favorable terms to the Japanese side. Yesterday, General Song felt a bit unwell; he took some medicine and said he was fine, but today he fainted.

She smiled and said, "Even if it means renting a place to live, as long as I can be with you, that is enough."

He placed his finger to his lips: "Shh, I didn't intend to scare you, but now I can only think of you. In this investigation, Professor Deng and I are assigned to two different locations; I am in Suzhou, and he is in Changshu. Today, I had a minor car accident; everything else is manageable, but the glass shards injured my eye. I'm afraid it will take a week to heal. If I tell him, he will have to conduct the investigation for two people by himself, and he will be very worried."

In fact, there is a paper workshop in Xi'an that produces high-quality mulberry paper. Unfortunately, most Chinese tourists who visit there show little interest. However, it is often the case that Japanese individuals diligently go there to learn the craft, which is quite frustrating

We kiss, both of us extremely cautious, merely sampling, as if fulfilling a procedure

Qingye

I respond: "If I have not done well, please let me know, and I can make changes"

One night, while I was translating a manuscript in the school dormitory until the early hours, she suddenly knocked on the door and brought me a late-night snack. I smiled and said, "What are you doing here so late?" She leaned against the edge of the desk, took off her scarf, her face flushed—one must know how cold the winter nights in Beijing can be. She replied, "I knew you would be hungry at this hour."

She was stunned for a long time and retorted, "What?"

He has regained his health, and I have noticed that he is no longer taking sleeping pills. He said that apart from medication and courage, no one can rescue oneself. Medication is addictive and harmful; one can only overcome it by oneself, and once one decides to quit, it can be done. He looked at me, smiled, and said that I should be thanked.

It is encouraging that Gui Xinchao has taken an important step in the right direction.

I suddenly sat up: "Song Ximing?"

Qingye, what do you think would be a good name for my child

I was taken aback; when I met her in Hong Kong last year, she was already twelve weeks pregnant. Calculating the days, the child is about to be born. I felt a mix of anxiety and joy, frantically searching through my dictionary and word collection. However, due to my caution, it seemed that not a single word was appropriate. In my frustration, I thought of Song Ximing and couldn't help but send a text: "What do you think would be a good name for the long-awaited child?"

She laughed and said, "When did that happen? You remember it more clearly than I do."

The confrontation between father and son was particularly awkward. I insisted, "Before you have taken good care of your health, you should refrain from going to work." Surprisingly, my father remained quiet and heeded my advice. After being cleared by the doctor, we returned to Beijing the following day

I sit by the bedside, the facilities in the ward of Tokyo General Hospital are well-equipped, and the atmosphere is warm. I ask, "Has the doctor mentioned when I can be transferred back to Beijing"

I rented a small 40-square-meter room near the school, which has a private bathroom but no kitchen. When I don't order takeout, I cook porridge, noodles, and dumplings myself, truly living in the era of boiling water. Sometimes, on my way home from work, I pass by the farmers' market and feel inexplicably excited when I see the fresh and lovely vegetables. I can't help but stop to buy a bunch of Chinese water spinach and pick a few shiny tomatoes. There are also red-shelled eggs, small and delicate, fitting snugly in my palm, as if they contain life itself. Since my place lacks a frying pan, I boil water in a rice cooker until it reaches a rolling boil, add slices of tomato, crack in an egg, and add a pinch of seasoning. The soup I make is quite plain, but it is still much tastier than instant noodles with seasoning packets.

I felt a stir in my heart and returned to the stall, saying: "Master, could you please mold a girl for me"

Finally, I saw a Chinese woman, her age was hard to guess, perhaps around thirty. The boy she was holding had bright, dark eyes and slightly curly black hair, indeed possessing the beautiful features of a mixed-race child. The boy looked at Zhao Tong, appearing quite unfamiliar.

I can finally rest assured. I scolded him: "Why didn't you report your car accident injuries? Keeping this from the medical expenses makes it difficult to reimburse, and there are no subsidies either. What a fool."

The autumn dusk in Shanghai is suffused with the calm and tranquil evening sun, while a cool breeze gently brushes against the face, and the bus passes each stop at a leisurely pace. Zhao Tong smiled at me, making it easy to feel close.

In the future, your father will come out, and he will live here with me anyway. We never think about going anywhere else. But you cannot. Aoyama, you have had many thoughts since you were young. "Mother looked at me firmly, "Your life has just begun, while our lives are almost at their end. The next few decades will be yours to live, we do not need anything from you, nor can we give you anything.

I am very calm: "I will come to find you after your class."

I was stunned, as if I wanted to reach out and grab her, I murmured: "Yiping, wait a moment."

And she calmly said in a tone I had never seen before: "Do not be afraid, we cannot only deal with people"

The warmth and joy brought by cooking dilute the monotony of work and the solitude of living alone. As time goes by, if I were to learn from my elder sister and raise a few pots of plants, the house would surely become more suitable for human habitation.

"I do not force you to do anything." She sat beside me, peeling edamame. The edamame was fresh and robust, having been planted by her own hands. "Wherever people go, they are never satisfied with the status quo; they will always be greedy. In this life, I have no other expectations, only hoping that you can free yourself from the shadows cast by your family and live your own life. You do not need to prioritize us in your endeavors; you are the most important. Keep your vision long-term, otherwise, you will find yourself constrained." "You do not need to prioritize us in your endeavors; you are the most important. Keep your vision long-term, otherwise, you will find yourself constrained."

Allen blinked and said, "We should make two. Mommy said that during the Spring Festival, we prefer even numbers."

I asked my mother, does he not have a home outside?

I recall my grandmother's judgment, stating how good-natured she was, and that marrying her would lead to a stable "life together," growing old side by side

You are not merely holding your ground. " She smiled, " but rather gathering strength for a decisive move.

Once, I went to bed with wet hair after washing it the night before, and my hair became messy and unkempt due to my poor sleeping posture. In the morning, I didn't have time to wash it again, and I could only grit my teeth in frustration, constantly pressing my hand against my head to hold down a tuft of hair that was sticking up on the right side, feeling quite embarrassed. Zhao Tong saw me and waved for me to come over. She took off her brooch and pinned it to the right side of my hair, securing it with a small hairpin. To my surprise, it looked stunning. As soon as I entered the classroom, a female student asked, 'Where did Teacher Lu buy that hairpin?' I replied seriously, 'It was a gift from someone.' The female student admired, 'It's so beautiful.'

He stated that Wu dialect is a regional language with very few recorded materials, yet one can still glimpse the indelible influence of ancient Wu dialect on modern Japanese through contemporary Wu and Japanese. Language continuously evolves with the advancement of civilization; some words change rapidly while others do so more slowly. If research from a specific perspective can aid in understanding the influence of Wu dialect on Japanese and the developmental patterns of both languages, as well as help clarify the complexities found in historical materials of both countries, it would indeed be a meaningful endeavor

Nonsense

Her room requires one to tiptoe in, as it is filled with an abundance of items: inscriptions and rubbings, bamboo carvings, New Year paintings from Taohua Wu, various books, Japanese magazines, a pair of fish hanging beneath the lamp, a smooth and tender yellow wheat straw woven locust cage, and a small bed covered with blue printed fabric from Wuzhen.

I quickly replied: "I like this as well. The swan soars high, covering a thousand miles in a single leap. What great ambition."

"Why didn't you come?" I recalled, "So you didn't come to Beijing for the finals during your junior year?"

After graduating from university, I temporarily stayed in Shanghai to teach Japanese at a foreign language training school. As I do not have a formal background in this field, I inevitably feel somewhat lacking in confidence. However, the high salary has satisfied me. The teaching workload for instructors at language training institutions is quite heavy; for instance, I, despite being a novice, have been assigned to teach an eight-period beginner class in one day. By the end of the day, my throat is dry and sore, and without consuming several packets of throat lozenges, I simply lack the strength to speak again

In fact, I would prefer to obtain Echizen paper. Fukui is truly a great place for paper production. The teacher mentioned that there are Echizen paper craftsmen in his hometown of Fukui, and it would be worthwhile to visit them when I have the time in the future

I live in Changning, and the place you want to go is Hongkou. It is not far by taxi. Tell me, should I take you, or should you take me?

In the future, I will always recall that rainy, misty night. The flower garden was quiet, and the weary birds rested with their wings folded. I engaged in light conversation with this girl who was much younger than I. It was only when I heard the wild birds flying low near the thickets that I realized it was too late, and the night air was too cold. I hurriedly scolded myself and urged her to go back to sleep. Her clear, bright eyes revealed a child's cunning as she said, "Why not go up together?"

I will put down my pen for now and wish for a peaceful spring

During the Lunar New Year, I was pestered by my niece and nephew from Tennessee, insisting that we go to the temple fair. The weather was pleasant, and the Baigong Temple fair was particularly lively. Leading these two children, an old classmate mistook me for a father enjoying the blessings of a harmonious family: "Song Ximing, when did you become a father? You didn't even let us know!" I am their elder uncle—cough, to be addressed as such, I am aware of my age, yet I do not deserve to bear such a title.

"Make another one!" Johnny commanded

However annoying it is, even the rare moment of leisure for a brief rest is disturbed by the ringing of the phone, and someone on the other end asks, "Is this Lu Qingye?"

He laughed, "How can you still be so happy when I have been disfigured?"

Therefore, even though facing the beginner class students and repeatedly reciting the fifty sounds chart every day is a very boring and tedious task, I have found strength.

Thank you for bringing me so much joy I said I am very content From now on I will love life even more

Whether it is regret or relief, in any case, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. I quickly replied, "Yes"

Qingye called a taxi for us, and coincidentally, the teacher arrived as well. Professor Deng, being very understanding, said, "I will go ahead; you two can chat slowly." However, Qingye felt quite embarrassed, slightly tilting her neck and smiling as she said, "We have time to chat, as long as it doesn't delay the important matters." Professor Deng replied, "Even if there are important matters, there's no need to rush them tonight." Seeing this situation, I said, "Alright. Then I will come back later."

"It's nothing. What do you know?" He said irritably, "You should leave first."

I said, unfortunately, it is too strenuous for people from the north to do such work

"If they see it, they see it." She was very satisfied, "I wish they could all see it." After saying this, she probably felt she had lost her composure and cautiously shifted the topic.

I said, "I have thought about this as well, but who will manage the operations? You?"

And Stanford University... I was dizzy, holding her arm and saying, "You are actually going to study at the best business school in the world"

I asked the doctor if his eyes were serious. The doctor said that the shattered glass did not injure the eyeball, it only scratched the eyelid, and once the wound healed, there would be no problem. I also asked if it would affect his vision. The doctor said it would not. I still felt uneasy, so I asked if the wound would be large and if it would leave a scar. The doctor smiled and reassured me, saying that even if there was a scar, it would not be noticeable and was not a concern at all

She laughed and said, "You are not at home, and I am living here alone; wouldn't I be bored to death? At first, I was not used to it, but now I have discovered that there are many other things around, and I feel that the space is full and the world is rich"

I do not refuse: "Alright."

"I won't say anything more." She shook her head, "I'm sorry, it is only today that I have come to understand all of this. Because I was afraid. I cannot imagine our marriage"

She smiled like a virtuous wife: "It's no problem, with the housing prices in Beijing, which family doesn't have a mortgage? At least we still have a stable salary, we can pay it off together in the future. By the time our child finishes elementary school, it should be paid off."

Her expression changed suddenly, and she fell silent in contemplation. After a long while, she spoke slowly, word by word: "Ximing, I am with you not because of your family background—there are many official and wealthy families in vast Beijing. Of course, I am not claiming that I have the ability to aspire to that. I am with you simply because..." She lowered her head, suddenly embraced me, pressing her face tightly against my back. I could smell the fragrance on her, and I did not want to hear her continue, so I turned to comfort her.

Yiping mentioned marriage to me. I candidly replied, "At present, aside from taking out a loan to buy a house, it seems that I cannot purchase a new home right away."

The summer course of the Japanese class has finally concluded, and surprisingly, the beginner class I taught ranked second among the six classes in the comprehensive evaluation. These students received complimentary reference books from the school, as well as the promised discount policy for the intermediate class. I feel quite reassured and took the opportunity of the short break to return to Luqiao.

I hesitate, perhaps it is still not too late to go now, but I do not know when we will meet again. Or by the next time we meet, we may have both started our own families.

I slowly recalled: "A slender figure, with slightly squinting eyes. Wearing... a white blouse and a light gray-green pleated skirt."

The two attendants seemed to be dressed differently from the other attendants in the hall. Without my further inquiry, they had already led us into the elevator, through the corridor, and suddenly before us stood two gray, intricately carved doors, resembling a maze, which someone opened for us. A Western woman with her hair styled in a bun emerged, speaking what seemed to be Spanish; I could barely make out a few words. Zhao Tong mentioned that they had a brief conversation, and that woman was very respectful towards us. I felt somewhat perplexed when I suddenly heard Zhao Tong whisper in Chinese, "My first husband was Spanish. At that time, I was in Spain." I whispered back, "Zhao Tong, today is not April 1st." Zhao Tong laughed, "I thought you were a clever person, which is why I brought you here alone." I was left speechless, and Zhao Tong continued, "Actually, I am quite scared now; you just need to accompany me."

Because he is finally leaving, he only needs me during the brief moment when his eyes are covered with gauze. I am afraid to take another step closer to him, and I feel ashamed of my quiet indulgence. I sadly realize that, after two years, I still cannot escape him. Because of him, I have closed myself off, disdainful of any interaction with other men. If I were to describe it in a line of poetry, it would be: "The capital is filled with grandeur, yet this person stands alone in sorrow." Thus, I can only escape, continuously escape.

She smiled at me; the last time we met was actually two years ago, when I hurriedly came to see her after a long search, and she quietly listened to my story.

Then the Chinese woman said, "You are still youthful, but Carlos's father has aged significantly."

Mother has become accustomed to living in Luqiao, and she often has friends visiting, mostly teachers from the elementary school, along with a few neighbors. While they are certainly curious about the changes in our family, their interest wanes over time, and they become more concerned with the rising prices of pork, the cost of housing in the city, and a new knitting technique for sweaters. On the day I returned, it was raining in Luqiao, the air was fresh, and the stone-paved road was exceptionally clean, as the usual murky water had been washed away, revealing green moss in the crevices of the stones. When I was young, my grandfather would create bonsai and cultivate moss on lake stones. He would carefully scrape a layer of moss from the cracks in the wall and cover the stone surface with it, binding it with straw and watering it daily. Within a week, the moss would take root and flourish.

Anyway, I told myself that everything will be alright

She smiled and said, "I didn't expect that either"

Long sought after

"What should I say?" she chuckled, "I don't know why, I once swore I would never see you again. But now that I know you are here, I hurried over."

Once again, the school teacher assigned night classes and we went out for barbecue. There was a dish of eggplant, grilled until soft and steaming, sprinkled with pepper, and we ate it with gritted teeth, thinking it was very good. Zhao Tong sat silently beside us, smiling, her profile extremely beautiful. We asked her why she wasn't eating, and she got up to borrow the tools from the barbecue stall owner, took another purple eggplant, and quickly flipped it over until it was cooked and brought it over. Everyone hesitated, and I was the first to reach for my chopsticks, only to taste an unusual fragrance, surprised, "How did you do that?" The charcoal on the grill crackled, and she replied calmly, "It's nothing. If you add garlic, basil, and olive oil, it would taste even better." I joked, "This method has a Turkish flair to it." Everyone was lively, Zhao Tong lit a cigarette, her demeanor quite different from the composed elegance in the daytime teaching area, and I only felt her gaze deeply upon me.

Gui Xin has been awarded a scholarship from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Studying in the United States, without scholarship support, is generally unaffordable for an average family, as the tuition fees typically range from 80,000 to 90,000 per year

He also laughed, "I have never eaten the porridge you made."

You have not placed us on an equal footing. You could have completely asked me.

"My son," she smiled, "he is coming to Shanghai for a week's vacation"

"This is very good." She smiled, "When you have some free time, I will find each item from the book for you to compare."

"Quite good," she said after a moment of silence, "but they are just urging me to leave and not return home. By the way, have you read the 'Wujun Gazetteer'?"

She smiles, I want you to love me

I did not know why I was angry: "Well, who asked you to come here? Go back to your Beijing early."

I clicked my tongue and said, "Zhao Tong, I must sell you and your story; it will make a fortune."

She smiled gently and said, "When I was around ten years old, I was taken by adults to southern Spain, where I fell in love with the scenery and became passionate about traveling and exploring. Then, I fell in love with a very handsome man and had a child for him"

I sent the prepared silver lock, silver bracelet, and pouch to Shizuoka. As far as I know, the customs of Aomori are similar to those of Lukqiao Town, where the full moon of a child is a grand festival, and the family must present a full moon gift. Although the customs have now been simplified, the longevity lock is still indispensable.

She turned around and left cleanly, and we had little to do with each other anyway. She lowered her eyes and smiled slightly, saying, "What is it?"

"Yes, at Shanghai Station." I naturally smiled.

You are truly bold

I feel a dull pain in my heart, knowing that I have made another mistake and let down someone who is unrelated to me. She has no intention of discussing it further and waves goodbye. So graceful, just as she was when we first met, with her hair in a bun and wearing a fitted skirt, her demeanor elegant. She must be right; only by leaving me can she truly be herself, Luo Yiping. She should not have to live in my shadow. For a moment, I feel as if I have aged a bit more, my heart withering. I force myself to regain my spirits, as I still need to clarify things with both our parents. I will take on all the blame; this is the only thing I can currently do for Yiping.

It is quite inexplicable; after saying all this, I feel relaxed, with a hint of excitement in my emotions. While taking a shower, I hum songs, from the elementary school tune "The Little Girl Picking Mushrooms" to a piece from "The Collection of Paintings" called "The Brocade Path." The warm water raises tiny bumps on my skin, gradually opening my pores. I close my eyes, feeling a connection that had been severed for a long time quietly reestablishing itself. I hold my breath, afraid to disturb it; just like this, it is already very good.

I hope this letter finds you well

I said, "Let the master drive casually, and let's have a conversation."

Professor Deng nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work in making the trip. The train station is quite crowded."

Song Ximing

You turn around

Song Ximing

He said quite seriously: "What about Qianli? Xichuan Qianli, Chen Qianli, all sound resounding. Suitable for both men and women"

I replied, "The hired caregiver is never as attentive as a son."

Zhao Tong asked, "What exactly is going on?"

The first thing I do after getting up is to call Yiping: "Let's get married before the New Year."

I followed this mother and son outside, and our actions were quite intriguing. On the way, Zhao Tong sighed, "I didn't expect it to be so easy; I thought they would make a big fuss about it." Carlos sat beside her, obedient and silent, like a doll. Zhao Tong smiled, "He doesn't understand Chinese. This child has a bit of royal blood; that Chinese woman just now is his aunt, my sister-in-law"

During university, I attended an English class at New Oriental and had a very good relationship with my speaking teacher, Miss Tiffany. Tiffany had just graduated and was very young. She often complained that the language class teachers worked harder than dogs... After venting, she would smile happily and say that the joy of counting her salary was truly indescribable. Which university teacher could earn such a high salary? It was such a thick stack!

After my father was discharged from the hospital, I remembered Yiping. Upon seeing her, I felt very sorry: "Something came up suddenly, and I didn't have time to contact you."

May I ask for your assistance

Sitting in the taxi with Aoyano, her pair of jet-black eyes sparkled in the dazzling lights: "It is already 10 o'clock. If it gets any later, what time do you plan to go back?"

Eating hairy crabs is not difficult. When you return, we can go eat together. If we catch the blooming of the chrysanthemums, we will take a boat to Chongming Island. We can stay for a few days and see how it goes

I laugh; you are all very professional, how could I dare to join in the fun. There are countless Japanese language scholars in Wu region, just call out casually and someone will come.

Later, a colleague from the office brought back packaged clams from their hometown. I took them home to make a soup with Chinese cabbage, and surprisingly, I simmered a pot of rich, clear broth. The clam shells were completely opened, revealing the delicate, pristine meat inside, which was quite magnificent

Zhao Tong smiled and said, "May I take Carlos away now and return him on time in one week? These seven days are for my son and me, and I do not wish for anyone to disturb us"

At a little past three in the morning, the manuscript was finally completed, and weariness began to set in. I noticed her body, wrapped in the blanket, appeared even smaller, with half of her face exposed outside the covers, her sleeping posture very peaceful

I suppressed my overwhelming anxiety and answered casually. I forced myself to remain calm.

I ask, has he been living alone outside all this time

Allen, who was smaller, also shouted, "There is one more of me!"

Originally, I casually said, "I will cook for you in the future," but suddenly I realized how abrupt and blunt that was, and I felt too embarrassed to say it out loud. While I was still secretly contemplating, he had already eaten more than half a bowl, and his skillful manner of picking up the fermented tofu with his chopsticks and bringing it to his mouth was quite familiar. I praised him, saying, "That's right, eating fermented tofu is best done by sucking the chopsticks; it adds so much flavor! Although I know that in Japan, sucking the chopsticks is considered the height of rudeness"

The master quickly shaped it without a word, saying, "Is this how it is?" - A young girl in Han attire, with serene brows and eyes, embodies the image from a theatrical novel. My scattered words may not fully capture her appearance, yet her demeanor and attire already convey her essence

I saw you long ago, girl

After discussions with Song Ximing, we ultimately decided to rent Grandma Shi's apartment to a fellowship from a nearby university. The church members can gather here for meetings, prayers, and worship, which does not go against Grandma Shi's wishes

One day later, while I was researching at the Institute of Japanese Studies, I encountered several students as I was leaving. They surrounded me and inquired about bibliographies, gradually leading the conversation to figures such as Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, Matsuo Bashō, Ryūda Koga, Rengetsu, Natsume Sōseki, Nagai Kafū, Ōe Kenzaburō, and Ozu Yasujirō along with Kurosawa Akira. I sighed

Aoyama

Is no one here to pick you up from the station

She said seriously: "Online games... this seems a bit difficult. I have to go meet him now. Would you be willing to accompany me"

Although I frequently expressed my dissatisfaction verbally, I could not help but feel a sense of compassion in my heart. I brought him back to Shanghai and let him temporarily stay in the room left by Grandma Shi. Every day, I ordered takeout for him, and after work, I assisted him with his dialect survey, reading the survey forms to him on time. He would ponder while giving me pointers, his head wrapped in white bandages slightly tilted, resembling a big child—innocent and dependent. I felt a stir in my heart, pausing there, unsure of when the conversation would come to a halt. He asked, "Why have you stopped talking?" I was startled back to reality and replied stubbornly, "I just won’t say anything." He laughed, "If you don’t listen, I won’t pay you." "There’s a salary?" "Of course, it will be deducted from the survey funds."

I was taken aback and smiled; all I seek is to be a stable couple

Of course, I will send you

I was taken aback: "I am sorry."

I urgently expressed, "I will earn money as soon as possible to bring you to the city."

long sought

I laughed and complained, "Then I would have to endure until now."

I went to Kuang Duxing to return a book. He still lamented that I did not take his graduate entrance exam. As I walked out, Gui Xin was waiting for me under a cluster of roses, smiling and saying, "This gentleman likes you"