Sleepy Hollow

Capítulo 5

"Of course, we all expected the unfortunate outcome. One-Eyed Flower was dealt with by the urban management officers and was no longer allowed to 'operate' anywhere in the city. Because begging was detrimental to the city's appearance, and a large number of people gathered around to watch One-Eyed Flower ruin the aesthetics of public places, it was only natural that he was banned. One-Eyed Flower had earned enough money, and he was planning to quit anyway, so he quietly disappeared after that." Zhu Qingyuan ended his story.

I listened with great interest, never expecting the planner to be so capable, and couldn't help but envy Big Pig's profession. I shared my insights: "There are things in this world that are not impossible to do, but unimaginable. Some people have the idea but don't stick to it. Baida thought of it for him, that's the planner's brilliance. One-Eyed Flower stuck to his principles and did it, so he succeeded."

Yang Kai remained silent, listening and thinking without touching his chopsticks. Afterward, he drank some beverage, ate some food, and after a while, picked up the conversation. "This is an old story, I'm very familiar with it, and I know there's more to it. Actually, I'm not too keen on telling it, but since we're living together, it's fate, so I'll tell you the rest of the story."

“Okay, okay, I’d love to hear it, Teacher Yang, please don’t be stingy with your knowledge.”

"I will grant your request. But first, let me ask you, didn't you see me disguising two beggars the other day? Actually, I learned it from that. It's a long story, but I'll just tell you a little bit today."

That one-eyed guy's real name was Gai Tianli, right? He wasn't originally a boss; he was an employee, a low-level makeup artist at a film company. He was unemployed and had been looking for work for a long time without success. At the same time, he was quite insecure. He didn't have a high level of education, and at thirty, he was not only homeless but also without a stable job, let alone a girlfriend. He heard that beggars could become millionaires, so he begged for a few days. Unexpectedly, he was laughed at for being able-bodied and couldn't beg for money, which made him very depressed! He heard that Baida was a top-notch idea planner and really wanted to ask him for some ideas, but he didn't have the money to pay for the planning fee. Then a bright idea struck him, and he came up with a way to find Baida. That's how the story Zhu Qingyuan just told came about.

After the ban on professional beggars with one eye, he retired and returned to being Gai Tianli. He did earn some money, but not a lot; he was far from being a millionaire. After all, how much could one earn in half a year?

Having tasted the success of his scheming, Gai Tianli retired and began brainstorming new ideas. After wandering around for a few days, instead of seeking out Baida, he started thinking of new schemes on his own. Gai Tianli discarded his eye patch, his face became clean-shaven, and he dressed neatly, transforming into a white-collar worker in the city. No one recognized him anymore. He wandered the streets, and through careful observation, he discovered that disabled and unattractive people were more likely to beg for money, while young and good-looking people were almost impossible to beg for, just like when he first became a beggar, struggling even to earn enough for a meal.

He was standing under the overpass, staring straight ahead, when he suddenly felt his clothes being tugged. Thinking it was a pickpocket, he quickly turned around and saw a ragged beggar holding a broken ceramic jar in front of him. "Sir, please have mercy, give me a couple of coins. I haven't eaten for two days." He carefully examined the beggar. He was leaning on a cane, which he placed under his arm, and one foot was on the ground, but his body wasn't leaning on the cane. Gai Tianli had been a beggar himself and knew that some people weren't actually disabled but were using props. Also, his hair wasn't messy, and apart from his unkempt beard, he looked quite young and clean-cut. He said irritably, "I don't want to give you money because you haven't moved me."

The beggar turned and walked away, but Gai Tianli called him back: "Come back, why don't you ask me why? If you don't ask for reasons, you'll never get more money."

"I just want my money back. If they won't give it to me, so be it. Why are you asking so many questions?"

"What an unambitious beggar! I have an idea to help you earn more money. Would you like it?"

"Of course I'd be willing! It'll make me money, of course I'd be willing!"

Gai Tianli, originally a makeup artist at a film company, had a new idea: to disguise a beggar! He took the beggar to a nearby residence and carefully applied makeup. In no time, the young beggar had a pale face with haggard wrinkles, and his hair was disheveled, obscuring his eyes. "Go out and beg now. If you earn more than usual today, don't forget to come back and give me five yuan. You're also welcome to bring your friends."

That evening, several beggars surrounded Gai Tianli's door. The beggar in disguise from that morning had indeed earned ten times his usual amount. He brought a group of fellow beggars and readily paid Gai Tianli ten yuan. Gai Tianli only took five yuan and told the beggars to come back the next morning to disguise themselves again, promising to pay him another five yuan each after they earned money. The beggars, after being disguised, went to beg, and with some guidance from Gai Tianli, they all returned laden with much more money than usual.

Gai Tianli's business boomed. The beggars he disguised were incredibly effective, increasing his daily earnings by 5 to 20 times. Word spread, and more and more beggars came to him for makeovers, some even traveling from afar under the starlight. Gai Tianli adhered to his business principles: a standard makeover cost five yuan, a meticulous makeover ten yuan, and half price for severely disabled individuals. Those he made up or instructed were transformed into gaunt, ugly beggars with disheveled hair and gray spots, flat noses, sunken eyes, missing eyebrows, and black moles. Even those without disabilities were made to look disabled—in short, they were the quintessential beggars.

After his business took off, Gai Tianli's name became known throughout the beggar world. A third of the beggars in the city were his clients, and they all vied to give him money because everyone's income was much higher than before. This was a business no one could compete with. Gai Tianli earned far more than he used to, earning only five cents at a time, and he didn't have to worry about the city management interfering with his business or paying land taxes. Every morning, long lines of beggars waited for him to dress them up, some even waiting until noon to pay, because they could earn back their money in just one afternoon. Due to the overcrowding, Gai Tianli rented a quiet bungalow in a secluded spot and began his large-scale business.

A few months later, business was booming. Even in the afternoon, people were still queuing for makeup services, and some waited until dusk without getting their makeup done, so they would get it done at night and stay until the next day. This kept Gai Tianli busy all day long. He then trained several clever young beggars, teaching them makeup skills step by step. After they graduated, he hired several apprentices and opened "branch shops" under the Gai Tianli name, spreading throughout Pingcheng, which also made it convenient for beggars who lived far away. After opening the branches, to avoid overcrowding at his main branch, Gai Tianli doubled the prices at the main branch, while keeping the prices at the other branches the same. His business remained booming. Three years later, Gai Tianli had indeed become a well-known millionaire. At that time, housing prices were not very high, and it was quite difficult to become a millionaire without running a real business. After becoming famous, newspapers and television stations wanted to interview Gai Tianli, but he refused because he was operating without a license, and no one could regulate his business of serving beggars.

Gai Tianli was once a disillusioned man. A vocational school graduate, he repeatedly faced setbacks and often lamented the unfairness of fate. Aside from a little makeup training at a photo studio, he had no other skills. He wasn't tall or handsome either; his only source of pride was his quick wit and talent for imitation. He was kicked out of a film company at thirty, but unexpectedly, a few years later, his fortune was linked to his surname—a business related to beggars. At this point, he was very confident in his career, but lying down at night, he felt inferior. He had earned enough money, but his education was limited, his manners were poor, and at 33, he was still single. Therefore, he planned to quit after two more years and then find a life partner. However, due to his limitations and vanity, Gai Tianli made two fatal mistakes in his career and love life. I'll tell you about them later…

19. Woman Flower

The meal was finished, but the story wasn't over. Gai Tianli's transformation from a beggar to a millionaire truly inspired and encouraged me during my unemployment. It turns out, business opportunities and ways to make money are everywhere; we just haven't noticed them, or we're too lazy to try. Gai Tianli was truly extraordinary—sharp-witted, with a unique vision. He disregarded his humble origins as a "one-eyed beggar," and then transformed himself from a top-ranking scholar beggar into a millionaire serving beggars—truly admirable. I wonder what unexpected ending awaits. Considering Yang Kai said it was fatal, could he have been murdered? Terrifying!

Having my husband home over the weekend made things a bit happier, but with nothing to do and having been off work for so long, I couldn't help feeling bored. On Sunday morning, I wandered around the terrace, shaking my arms and legs, doing some light calisthenics. Having been off work for over two weeks, just eating, drinking, and sleeping all day, I'm sure I'm gaining a lot of fat, and that's my biggest worry—I have to lose weight! I'm definitely skipping breakfast!

I have a fear of heights, so I usually only stay in the middle of the terrace and don't dare to go near the sides. This morning, after exercising for a while, I saw the old man struggling to carry a bucket of water from the yard. It was a full red plastic bucket, and he was swaying back and forth. Strangely, the water was swirling in the bucket, but it didn't splash out.

I quickly called out, "Grandpa, let me help you," and hurried downstairs. When I got down, the old man had already put down the bucket. Seeing me approach, he just smiled and mumbled something, pointing east. Of course, I understood what he meant. I bent down to try and lift the bucket myself, but it was so heavy, I couldn't lift it at all. The old man helped me, and together we managed to carry the bucket eastward. I grew up in a small town and had never done any physical labor. I was incredibly weak, and even though it was two people carrying the bucket, I felt extremely strained after just a few steps. But I still stubbornly insisted on carrying it, ignoring how tightly the handle was pulling on my back.

Reaching the dry well on the south side, I couldn't lift any more and wanted to stop and rest. Since I'm taller than the old man, my grip was off, making my gait unsteady; I needed to adjust. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching from behind, and a large figure was about to rush up behind me. Startled, before I could even tell the old man to let go, I released the bucket and dropped it. The water spilled all over the cement cover of the dry well, seeping down through the cracks. My shoes and trouser legs were also splashed wet. I stood up and bumped into the figure behind me.

"Oh dear, why didn't you wait for me?" It was Zhu Qingyuan. But it was too late; the bucket was broken, and all the water had spilled. The old man looked regretful, but Da Zhu tried to smooth things over: "Grandpa, we'll buy you a new one later. We'll help you carry the water; you just focus on watering the plants." The old man kept waving his hands, shaking his head like a rattle-drum, clearly indicating that we shouldn't buy it for him. He went into the kitchen and got another large white bucket to fill with water. This time, Da Zhu and I carried the water to the vegetable garden on the east side, and the two of us worked together much better.

In the rows of vegetable plots, we saw various seedlings. We rested while the old man diligently watered them with a ladle. Zhu Qingyuan then teased me, "Look, you can't tell the difference between grains! Let me teach you to recognize these vegetables. This is a chili pepper, this is an eggplant, and over here are loofahs and pumpkins. And..."

"These are scallions and chives. Who says I can't tell the difference between grains?" I eagerly rattled off the names. The chives had grown to over ten centimeters long, a vibrant green, and were ready to eat. "And what's this?" Zhu Qingyuan asked, pointing to a seedling.

I crouched down to take a closer look, but I really didn't recognize what it was. However, I noticed a bean-like husk on top of the seedling, so I shouted, "It's a bean sprout!" Zhu Qingyuan burst into laughter, and the old man, who had probably heard me, was chuckling too. I suddenly realized I'd made one of the biggest jokes in history, and I scratched my head in embarrassment. "These are water pea sprouts! How can you plant bean sprouts in the ground?"

I was utterly ashamed. It seems I need to participate in more labor and become a member of the working class; otherwise, I wouldn't have made such a fool of myself. Feeling a bit resentful, I turned back to fetch water and noticed many wild seedlings sprouting beside the dry well. Of course, I didn't know what they were, so I tested Zhu Qingyuan: "You're amazing! What are these seedlings again?"

Zhu Qingyuan was nearsighted and couldn't tell what it was after a quick look, so he leaned down to examine it more closely. "I admit defeat, I don't know what this is either. We've never grown it at home."

"Ha, there are some you don't know! Let me tell you, I know this one, it's a woman flower." I deliberately made up a name, speaking it with little confidence, and the word "woman" was said very softly, as if it suddenly flashed into my mind.

"What does this 'woman flower' look like?" Zhu Qingyuan was persistent and wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"Just you wait, it's a very beautiful flower, you'll see it someday." I could only play along, and then I remembered something else, "Let's water them to make them grow faster." So, every time we carried water to the well, we used our hands to scoop water from the buckets and water these future "women's flowers".

20. Catwalk

While waiting, I finally received several interview invitations from companies, and I chose the ones that were relatively close by. I've been working for almost three years now, and in terms of experience and proficiency, I'm competent and not inferior to others. As for looks, I'm definitely not inferior; as for fashion, I'm a bit lacking. Although I do pursue fashion and dress in a modern style, it's always proper and I would never be a frivolous woman or an exhibitionist. Unfortunately, there are far more applicants than available positions. Waves of graduates flood the job market, making it incredibly competitive. For every vacant position, 10 or 20 people immediately compete for it. And that's just the norm. The competition is even fiercer for the highly sought-after multinational corporations and large state-owned enterprises; I simply don't have that opportunity.

As a fashionable girl with a humanities background, I enjoy working as an entertainment editor. Being around a bunch of stylish, sophisticated people makes me feel especially happy and fashionable. I'm a decent writer; I like to write short, emotional pieces, which is enough to make a living. However, I lack the influence to handle large-scale projects or special features, so I'm stuck as an editor. That's where the risk lies; if there are layoffs, I'll definitely be among the first. I don't even know how many jobs I've changed in the past three years, but one thing is certain: I've never been a manager, and I've never worked for a well-known magazine or journal. This is probably why I've been unemployed for so long and haven't been able to find a job.

During this time, apart from Zhu Qingyuan being home, I leisurely enjoyed my boring life alone in the mansion. Occasionally, I would help the old man plant vegetables and water the plants, but unfortunately, he couldn't speak, so I could only awkwardly do so. Fortunately, the work was still enjoyable. Yang Kai rarely came out, mostly staying alone in the living room reading, painting, and contemplating, seemingly oblivious to what was happening outside. I always went out through a separate entrance, taking a walk after my morning exercise to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Then I would buy food for the day. I skipped breakfast because I wanted to lose weight, just buying two steamed buns or a few packets of instant noodles, which was enough for me. I was unemployed and could only afford this much. I found it quite satisfying, a kind of self-satisfaction! When I was tired, I would sleep. A phone call was the most exciting thing for me. If there was an interview opportunity, I would go; if the conversation didn't go well, I would find an excuse not to go.

The days spent waiting alone brought many memories. I imagined the wonderful future, reflected on past unpleasantness and pain, and reflected on my many mistakes and shortcomings. Memories sometimes brought me sadness and tears, and sometimes allowed me to savor them calmly, making me more mature and sensible. This is life—experiencing life, maturing through life, and slowly growing old! Regardless, I've decided to face life's joys and sorrows with equanimity and to learn its unspoken rules. I vow to strive on my path and persevere! I believe I will succeed!

An opportunity came my way; a company wanted me to interview. I mustered all my courage and confidence, determined to do well this time. I went; it was a fashion magazine company. This company was quite novel. First, I filled out a short form, submitted my resume, and then went to the waiting room. I had to walk around a bit in my clothes and bag, and if I wasn't wearing heels, I could change.

Fortunately, I've seen many models walk the runway, and I've even made a fool of myself in front of Zhu Qingyuan a few times when I'm in a good mood. I figured their company wasn't really hiring models, just looking for someone to walk the runway, which would also weed out a bunch of people who weren't "interested" in clothing. I came prepared, wearing my own high heels, and walked around a few times with a professional air, standing tall and straight as needed. As a result, I received applause from the other girls in the waiting room. One of the men from their company said, "This young lady has a great figure and walks very well. Applying for an editor position is a waste of her talent."

I simply thanked them and didn't pay much attention. I sat and watched others walk the catwalk. Some of them walked quite awkwardly, so it seemed they weren't cut out for fashion. However, writing was a different story.

The interview had three examiners. Such a big fuss over hiring an editor? I was truly impressed. They seemed to take it very seriously, so I didn't dare to be negligent. After settling in, I glanced at the examiners, and what I saw shocked me. The woman in the middle was truly unappealing; it was rare to see such a "beauty" in a fashion magazine. Furthermore, her eyes were like knives, making me lower my head in shock.

The questions started off casually, asking about my work experience and opinions on fashion magazines. I was well-prepared and answered them without even thinking. I could only honestly say that I had worked at a well-known magazine; exaggerating would make me unsuitable for the job. But the final, most important question completely surprised me…

My final question came from the examiner in the middle, whose appearance was rather unappealing: "Please comment on the beauty of my face!" Good heavens, this is what you call beauty? My head spun, and I didn't know how to answer. After stammering for a while, I managed to squeeze out a few words: "Beauty is a garment bestowed upon us by heaven; you can wear it or not… But… as modern people, we all need a garment. The wealthy and glamorous can use it to showcase their charm, while the poor and worn can use it to express their yearning hopes… The appearance given to us by our parents is difficult to change, but we can use clothing and cosmetics to modify it, and we can also embrace it with knowledge and learning… As for the beauty of your face, I see vicissitudes and weight, composure and wisdom. To be bold, I feel as if I'm seeing the beauty of Empress Dowager Cixi—extraordinary and remarkable!"

Then I saw them smile, and my nervousness eased. The interview was over. Whatever, I did my best; whether they hired me or not, I'd wait for their response. It was still early, and it was the weekend, so I went straight to Zhu Qingyuan's company. Today, I wanted her to treat me to Starbucks.

Coffee is both exciting and intoxicating, and it also helps to relax, especially in a romantic place like Starbucks filled with soothing music. Listening to "Yesterday Once More" is truly delightful.

When I was young I'd listen to the radio

Waiting for my favorite songs

When they played I'd sing along,

It makes me smile.

Those were such happy times and not so long ago

How I wondered where they'd gone.

But they're back again just like a long lost friend

I love all the songs so well.

Every shalala every wo'wo still shines.

Every shing-a-ling-a-ling that they're starting to sing so fine

...

No wonder this is a place where the petit bourgeoisie can spend the whole day. I think if I get the job from this company I interviewed with today, I can come here every day to write about fashion and petit-bourgeois sentiments at Starbucks – it would be the perfect place. But there's a condition: the company has to fatten my wallet. Right now, unless my boyfriend treats me, I'm afraid I can only afford to eat Yunnan rice noodles.

“Let me tell you a joke,” Zhu Qingyuan said, sipping his coffee. “Today, a big foreign client came to our company. When he came in, the receptionist hurriedly asked what he would like to drink. The foreigner, who spoke Chinese, said, ‘I want tea, with a little sugar, just a little.’ The receptionist was puzzled. This foreigner was really strange; he wanted sugar in his tea. Fine, I'll add it, but I didn’t know exactly how little he meant, so I just added a small spoonful. The receptionist brewed a cup of Pu’er tea, added sugar, and quickly brought it over. The foreigner picked up the teacup and rubbed the lid a couple of times.” He took a small sip, then stuck out his tongue and put the cup aside, refusing to drink any more. The receptionist noticed and quietly brewed him another cup of tea, this time with plenty of sugar, replacing the previous one. The foreigner, oblivious, picked up the cup and took another small sip, still sticking out his tongue. Now the receptionist was perplexed; why was this foreigner so difficult to please? The receptionist went over and quietly asked, "Sir, would you like another cup?" "No, no, it's too hot for me, let it cool down," the foreigner said, sticking out his tongue.

We sipped our coffee, listened to music, and chatted about gossip. Lisa Ono's languid Bossa nova music played in the background, beautiful and nostalgic. As darkness fell, three people tried to come in but were stopped by the waiter. We happened to be near the door and saw that two of them were wearing T-shirts with Che Guevara's image on them, carrying a golden knife and spatula respectively. The third person was wearing white overalls and carrying a tall white hat; he must be a high-ranking chef. The waiter firmly refused to let them in.

"What's wrong with me? I'm rich!" The man with the gold shovel handed over a hundred-yuan bill.

"We don't allow weapons here. Thank you for your cooperation!"

"Are you blatantly lying? This isn't a murder weapon, it's cooking utensils. We're here to discuss business with the head chef. Can't we do it here?" The waiter was speechless and had no choice but to return the money and let them go in.

The three of them sat down near our seats. Just then, a bespectacled office worker carrying a laptop ran in, found a seat against the wall with a port, ordered a latte, and started typing away on his laptop with a smile on his face. I guess he was having a flirtatious chat with someone.

The three "chefs" next to us were speaking in loud, gruff voices:

"Hey buddy, your restaurant is really popular. Hiring two people is a piece of cake. Just say the word."

"Yes, yes, brother, your cooking is absolutely amazing! From now on, we'll eat and drink the best food you can and do whatever you say!"

"Hey, it's not that easy. Our executive chef here is some shrew from Taiwan. I'm fucking pathetic, you know?"

At this point, the bespectacled office worker couldn't take it anymore and looked up at the three of them, saying, "You bastards, you're all uncultured!"

"Who are you calling 'cultured'? You son of a bitch..."

"Look at you, all you can do is type two broken characters. And you make such a loud clattering noise, you have no regard for public morality at all."

"How am I not paying attention to public morality? You're disturbing others by shouting like that, don't you know that?"

"Someone as tasteless and uncultured as you would be messing around with this junk."

"What? This piece of junk? The brand is IBM? You're just a donkey head hotpot at best! I earn 20,000 a month."

"Dare to curse me? I'll kill you! Get him!" Two thugs with knives and shovels raised their weapons, rushed forward, and swung their knives and shovels down...

Someone was about to die! I couldn't bear to watch anymore. A spotlight flashed, and my eyes were intensely stimulated. I felt like I was going to faint.

22. Black Ghost & White Ghost

The spotlight flashed, and I heard someone shout, "Tch, Very Good!"

What happened? If that knife and spatula had actually struck, this Starbucks would have been a bloodbath, and we wouldn't have been able to escape. But no one panicked, and no one ran. That spotlight was just a flash, capturing the moment they were about to strike. After the photo was taken, the office worker and several "chefs" were laughing and hugging each other. Looking around, we realized they were filming a movie. We saw a sign that read "The Mad Chef Film Crew." I had such a scare! I should demand compensation for my emotional distress from them.

Zhu Qingyuan said it was alright, actually he had already noticed, but he didn't want to ruin the atmosphere. He comforted me for a bit, telling me to hurry back, or I'd be scared on the way back. I thought about it and he was right. We don't live in the city anymore, where we can go back whenever we want and have fun however we want. Now we live in Xiushan, and there's no public transportation if we go back late. If we run into a ghost or a thief on the way back, we're doomed.

The nights in Pingcheng weren't particularly beautiful. Aside from a few bars and clubs, the city was almost completely quiet. People who had worked hard from nine to five all day needed to rest in order to be ready for the next day's work. If there was a major international sporting event, some people would go all out at night, making their eyelids droopy during the day. The main streets were still brightly lit, but there were far fewer cars, making the journey smooth. We took the bus and returned to Xiushan as quickly as possible.

After getting off the bus, we walked slowly, enjoying the tranquility of the summer night. We didn't care that it was a remote mountain dirt road; on the way back, we were still thinking about the petty thief, but now that thought was completely forgotten. Big Pig massaged my shoulders, and I leaned against his arm, feeling romantic and sweet. It had been a long time since we'd felt this happy.

"Zi'er, when will you marry me?"

"Marrying you is so tacky! No, no, I'll be your Zi'er. You have to take care of me like a little sister forever. When I'm tired, I'll lean on your shoulder; when I'm annoyed, you'll be my punching bag; when I cry, you'll be my tissue; when I'm angry, you'll be my punching bag, okay?"

"Sure, sure, didn't you promise to be my little piggy last time? Why did you change your mind again?"

"Haven't you heard that a woman's temper is like the weather at sea, changing every moment? If I were to marry you, you'd have to marry me with a house like the Mona Lisa Mansion."

"I often hear men lament about women, saying things like: 'Beautiful women don't cook, women who cook aren't gentle, gentle women lack assertiveness, assertive women lack femininity, feminine women are spendthrifts, women who don't spend money recklessly aren't fashionable, fashionable women are unreliable, and reliable women are unattractive. You're the perfect woman, yet I can't marry you. It seems I'm still far from that level. I think I'll wait until I'm 60 before marrying you.'"

"Hmph, you dare! Looks like you men are quite picky. Haven't you heard women lamenting about men like this: talented men are ugly, handsome men don't earn much, high-earning men neglect their families, family-oriented men are unambitious, ambitious men aren't romantic, romantic men are unreliable, and reliable men are spineless. You're still a loyal pig, so next year you'll have to prepare a grand wedding sedan chair for me..."

"Okay, baby, let's get in the bridal sedan chair!" He grabbed me and carried me on his back.

"Love is beautiful! When you have love, you are so attached to each other, you love each other to the point of life and death;

Love is gone, and the two are so unfamiliar with each other, becoming the most familiar strangers.

Memories remain, and even when they fade away, they are still beautiful!

"What does it mean when the memories are gone?" I asked Big Pig.

Love is an awkward encounter.

If you love, stay by each other's side; if you part ways, wish each other happiness.

This cycle of coming and going, with its joys and sorrows, will eventually return to peace.

We will still live, and we'll be happy that we'll live even better. What in this world is more beautiful than forgetting?

"Hey, you big pig, I didn't expect you to be so poetic! You're so philosophical. Have you hit it off with some girl lately?"

"How could I dare? Didn't you bring all of these? I'm listening to a beautiful radio program every night now. Let me recite a poem from it for you; it's also a gift from me:"