bookrandom Chapter 27 About Love
Chapter 27 About Love
Time flies, and the leaves on the trees have all turned yellow. The once lush green landscape amidst the towering mountains has transformed; now, everywhere is ablaze with red leaves—patches of red, green, and yellow—a vibrant tapestry of colors, like a magnificent painting. The autumn wind rustles the leaves, as if whispering the passage of time. Each falling leaf, like a dancing butterfly, gently settles on the ground, carpeting it with a kaleidoscope of hues. Walking along these mountain paths feels like stepping into a dreamlike world, a place that enchants you, making you forget all your worries and weariness.
We've been on the mountain for 15 days now. Today, the monks on the mountain gave us, Lin Yue and Xiao Hui, a day off so they can wander around the Taoist temples and see the sights before heading back down the mountain.
Lin Yue and Xiao Hui didn't take the cable car; they walked slowly down the mountain. And since it was Wednesday, there were very few people going up and coming down. Strolling through the woods, Xiao Hui chatted with me. As we talked, Xiao Hui asked, "Lin Yue, how are you and Gong Yong doing?"
Lin Yue said, "Xiao Hui, to be honest, before I came to the mountain for spiritual practice, I was actually trapped in a dead end. I imagined love to be too good, and I imagined my current life to be too bad. In general, I was in a dead end, stuck in a rut. If we look at things from a different perspective, I believe in love, and I think I'm doing pretty well now."
Xiaohui said, "It's good that you can let it go. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something today. Look back at the girls in our university class—or even just the dorm, there were only four girls. You and I basically married for love, without considering the men's situations; we only considered our relationship before getting married. And in these ten..." Over the years, although we haven't been materially wealthy, you two, and Lao Xiao and I, have lived quite well. We haven't had any major upheavals; it's mostly just everyday trivialities and household chores. But the general direction has been correct. My husband helps with laundry, cooking, and childcare when he comes home. Unlike other men who come home and do nothing, he and Gong Yong help us with the children, cleaning, and tidying up. Although they might not be the most eloquent, and sometimes their words are harsh, we're all growing up too. When we were young and naive, we were a bit impulsive with our words. They might not be as eloquent as some smooth-talking people, but we can both feel their love through their actions.
Lin Yue said, "Xiao Hui, I know what you mean. I didn't say before that avoiding assets was to escape marriage or want a divorce. Maybe sometimes when I'm confused, I might mention the word 'divorce.' But actually, I'm thinking that if one day I'm taken away or killed, at least my children will still have their father, and he can take good care of these three children. Even if he marries another woman later, I believe Gong Yong will treat the three children well."
Xiao Hui said, "So all those things you did were just to protect them."
Lin Yue said, "Yes, everything I'm doing now is to protect my family. Possessing a treasure is a crime."
Xiao Hui said, "Why don't you tell Gong Yong and share the burden with him?"
Lin Yue said, "When it comes to interests, not everyone will stand with you through thick and thin. But to protect them, I will leave behind a substantial sum of money. Even after I'm gone, the children will still have their uncles, maternal grandparents, and maternal grandparents to look after them. Even without a father, they still have their maternal grandparents and uncles."
Xiao Hui said, "You've thought very far ahead; you've considered many things for the future."
Lin Yue said, "We are both college students, graduates from universities that are neither particularly good nor bad. We both worked for a few years before getting married. Although we sometimes make mistakes, we are very rational. We are just ordinary people from the bottom of society. I don't have much brainpower to plan or scheme. I just want the country to be stable and for our ordinary people to be safe and happy."
Xiaohui said, "I hadn't thought about such long-term issues. I only saw that in our four-person dorm, besides me, who married for love, got married early, had a child, and you also got married early and had three children, living a very ordinary and average life—not rich, but happy. But you know what? Of the remaining three, the three in my dorm, how many of them got married? Yes, they're living very carefree lives. Look, I'm over 40 now. Looking back, those who didn't get married haven't remarried. Even those who did, they basically married divorced men. It's so hard to marry a good man, but look at the economy these days, you could have married someone who's financially independent, but now you've married someone who's defaulted on their debts."
Lin Yue said, "Back in college, when we could date freely, and even after graduation, we had so much freedom. But now that we're over 31, finding someone like Lao Xiao or Gong Yong is considered good, right?" Xiao Hui said, "Yes."
Lin Yue said, "No matter what you choose in life and with your lover, there will always be regrets. So, sometimes you only truly understand the good and bad of marriage after experiencing life firsthand. Many young people today don't believe in love. Actually, everyone is focused on money, too much on interests, too much on economics. But when it comes to marriage, without economic stability, without a certain economic foundation, it's really difficult, extremely difficult. Xiaohui, we don't have your economic foundation, so our lives are particularly difficult. But who can truly understand the joy and happiness that children bring us? We've experienced all the joys and sorrows of life. Life has its ups and downs, its bitterness and sweetness. Some people can go through fire and water with you, some can endure hardship with you, but they can't accompany you to the peak of life. So..." Marital relationships and interpersonal relationships are often driven by self-interest and vanity. Love is something that cannot be traded for anything. Do you see some self-made men who abandon their wives in middle age? Do they live a good life afterward? It's easy to imagine that most of them live a terrible life. Then look at those couples who started from scratch, weathered storms together, and still have a family in their later years. At the very least, their children are much better off than those from divorced couples; they won't face extreme problems or suffer from mental health issues. So think about it, life is full of temptations and choices. Some people give up halfway, some are blinded by greed, and some are seduced by this dazzling world. It's best to stay true to yourself and maintain your original intentions. That's why I've always been myself.
Xiaohui said, "Yes, I couldn't have had such a profound understanding in the first 10 or 20 years. But now, after practicing for a while, to be honest, I've calmed my mind. In this restless society, if you stand on the mountaintop like an observer and look down on all living beings, you will find that you have been elevated."
Lin Yue said, "Yes, before you were in the game, now you're outside the game, or even the one who orchestrated it. Doesn't it feel incredibly easy all of a sudden?"
Xiao Hui said, "Yes, it was very relaxing."
Lin Yue said, "So all we need to do is live the life we want step by step, peacefully and simply. Think about it, some people are carrying the burden for our country and protecting us from external factors. We are fortunate to be born in this peaceful era, which I think is really great."
Lin Yue and Xiao Hui continued their conversation like this for three hours. They leisurely walked from the top of the mountain to the bottom, then drove their car, which they had parked at the bottom, to a supermarket in the city to buy some daily necessities and snacks for the children. They then leisurely drove back and walked back up the mountain.
The two continued their stroll hand in hand along the ancient path, through the winding mountain trails near the Taoist temple. The setting sun cast long shadows upon them. A gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of grass and trees, a truly refreshing experience. They talked softly, their laughter echoing through the mountains, as if all their worries had been left behind, and only this peaceful and beautiful time remained with them.
In her final words, Xiao Hui asked, "Lin Yue, do you believe in love?"
Lin Yue said loudly, "I believe that I married for love. Although married life has had its ups and downs and some difficulties, it's been good overall."
Xiao Hui said, "I believe it too, because I also married for love. Although my husband Lao Xiao is much better off financially, so my life isn't as difficult as yours. But everyone's perception of happiness is different. Some people think having a lot of money is happiness, while others think that being together and supporting each other is happiness. So the concept of happiness depends on oneself and each person's understanding."
Lin Yue added, "Love without a certain economic foundation is bitter. Many people will lose patience in this bitterness and won't be able to endure the hardship. So it's actually better for a couple to have a certain economic foundation, but this economic foundation should not be used as a transaction for love. So when you look at many people in love, don't worry too much about this. As long as the lovers work hard together, it may be tough, but there is also happiness, because we are just ordinary people."
Xiaohui said, "Yes. But you still have to look at a man's family background. If his parents have a poor mindset, are petty and find fault with everything, and are always nitpicking at you, then it's not worth it. It's a good thing you didn't marry into that kind of family."
Lin Yue said, "That's true. Xiao Hui, your in-laws are so good to you."
Xiaohui said, "Yes, I feel very happy too. Your in-laws are not like that."
Lin Yue said, "Yes, my in-laws are no good. Look at you, when you had a child, your in-laws and your parents all helped take care of the baby, and you and Lao Xiao lived a carefree life. But look at me, my in-laws never helped me. My family came to help for a while, but I have brothers in my family too. In the end, Gong Yong and I took care of the child ourselves. So it's tiring. You can't blame Gong Yong; you can only say that we chose our own path."
Xiao Hui said, "If they come back to you when they're old, will you still take care of them?"
Lin Yue said, "I wouldn't say that. When my husband and I needed help the most, my in-laws didn't help me at all. It's said that you need to take care of your mother-in-law for 10 years and your daughter-in-law for 10 years. It's only right that Gong Yong should come home to take care of them when they get old, since they raised their son. But asking me to go to their bedside to clean up their excrement, I can't do it, I really can't."
Xiao Hui remained silent for a long time before saying, "Old Xiao's parents treat me like their own daughter. If they get old and become bedridden, I think I can take care of them by cleaning up their excrement and urine."
Lin Yue said, "Yes, because when you two young people are arguing, your mother-in-law never interferes or participates in your words or actions. That's a matter of upbringing."
Xiao Hui said, "That's true. Her parents never interfere in my or her son's life."
Lin Yue said, "So what I need now is to live a good life with Gong Yong, so that my children can grow up in a cultured and warm family, learn to be tolerant, learn to have a skill, and learn how to live a good life. You see, even scholarly families need the efforts of several generations, and prominent clans also need the efforts of several generations. I want Gong Yong and I to be the first generation, to work hard so that they can stand on our shoulders and become a cultured, refined, and family-oriented family!"
Xiao Hui said excitedly, "I just want to avoid becoming a burden to my children, and to do my best to help them grow up so that they can live in an environment where they understand human relationships, are well-mannered, and will not be overwhelmed by pressure in any situation."
Lin Yue said, "Twenty years from now, I hope our daughters-in-law and sons-in-law will be cultured people, so that they can live a better life than our generation. So whether we complain or feel discouraged, we can only digest the hardships ourselves and let our children grow up in a better environment. Weren't our grandparents like this? Although they are old, you have to acknowledge their contributions."
This is the result that Lin Yue and Xiao Hui have gradually obtained after nearly a month of cultivation on the mountain, and they have also come to understand many things. Only when people calm down and leave that restless society can they think more deeply and see clearly the hazy and intractable road ahead.
During this month, they escaped the hustle and bustle of the city, spending their days in the tranquility of the mountains and forests, gradually finding peace and clarity within themselves. Free from external distractions and temptations, they were able to deeply contemplate the meaning of life, the value of family, and the direction of their future.
Life on the mountain is simple and pure; they work at sunrise and rest at sunset. The first rays of sunlight in the morning fall on their faces, awakening their sleeping souls; the twinkling stars at night illuminate the deepest corners of their hearts. In such an environment, they have ample time to reflect on their past experiences, and the confusion, bewilderment, and pain of the past gradually find their answers in this tranquil atmosphere.
They understood that life's journey is not always smooth sailing; there will be bumps and setbacks. But as long as there is love in their hearts and a sense of responsibility and commitment to their families, they can bravely face everything. At the same time, they also learned to cherish the present moment and the people around them, and to stop worrying and arguing over trivial matters.
When they returned down the mountain to that familiar yet unfamiliar world, although the surrounding environment remained unchanged, their state of mind was entirely different. Carrying the insights and wisdom gained from their mountain practice, they walked towards the future with greater determination, believing that no matter what difficulties they encountered, they could calmly cope and create a better life for themselves and their families.