Explore Chapter 25 of '老张的哲学' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Aunt Zhao returned from outside the city. Her lips were slightly purple from the cold, the tip of her nose red. She coughed hoarsely, yet the smile on her face remained as ever. She loved the scenery beyond the city the most. Every time she returned from outside, she was nearly frozen to death, but the smile on her face continuously expressed satisfaction.
She entered the room and saw Li Jing working inside. She asked, "Jing'er, haven't you eaten yet?" Li Jing smiled, put down her work, and replied, "I already ate." Aunt Zhao said as she took off her coat, "Look at me! I forgot to cook for you! Did you eat by yourself?" "I made it myself and ate." The aunt threw her coat onto a chair, walked to Li Jing's side, looked at her for a long time, and slowly said, "Girl, you've lost a lot of weight!" Li Jing lowered her head without a word.
The aunt sat down and earnestly said to her, "Jing'er! Your uncle and I have discussed it. Your lifelong matter can no longer be delayed. You're not young anymore, and staying with me here is not a permanent solution. Your uncle is worried day and night about your affairs, as you know." Li Jing slowly raised her head, tears in her eyes, and whispered, "Aunt, I know the kindness of Uncle and you."
"It's not about kindness or not, it's my responsibility!" Aunt Zhao raised her voice. "Your parents passed away and entrusted you to me. I can't watch you waste your youth. Now someone has come to propose marriage. The man's family is very good, very honest, and wealthy. I've already discussed it with your uncle. As long as you nod, the marriage will be settled. Girl, you must think carefully. This is not a joking matter!"
Li Jing's eyes filled with tears, but she did not reply. Aunt Zhao continued, "You can't just follow your own whims. In a family like ours, finding a master who can provide food and clothing is considered good fortune. You want freedom, freedom, but can freedom be eaten as food? Can freedom be worn as clothes? If you listen to me, I guarantee you a lifetime of happiness. If you don't, well, do as you please. But don't blame me for not caring if anything happens in the future!"
"Discuss what? He has agreed to everything. As long as you're willing, he can't wait for you to have a master earlier so he can rest assured!" Aunt Zhao showed some displeasure on her face. "Do you still not trust me? Would I harm you? I've been through it all and know everything. If you stay at home as a girl forever, in a couple of years, no one will want you anymore!"
Li Jing lowered her head, tears falling onto her lapel. The grievances in her heart could not be spoken. She wanted to protest but dared not. She wanted to plead but felt it useless. She only hated her own bitter fate, unable to choose a beloved man like other families' daughters.
"Don't cry! What's there to cry about!" Aunt Zhao's voice turned gentle again. "Girl, I'm doing all this for your own good. Think about it. Your uncle owes money to others. What can he rely on to repay it? If you marry into a good family, he can also feel more at ease, right? We're not a wealthy family, so we can't be willful. We have to be practical. You're a smart child, you understand with just a hint. Why make me spell it out completely?"
Li Jing still did not reply. Aunt Zhao waited for a while and sighed. "Sigh! Think it over slowly. I'll listen to your answer tomorrow." After saying this, she stood up and walked towards the kitchen, muttering, "Girls these days are really hard to deal with. Even a golden mountain seems too small!"
The room was left with Li Jing alone. She stared blankly at the oil lamp on the table. The lamp wick popped, but she seemed not to notice. The north wind outside the window grew stronger. It blew against the torn window paper with a flapping sound, like ghosts knocking on the door. Her tears had dried up. She only stared with wide eyes at the dying lamplight. She thought of her uncle's kindness, of Wang De's passion, of her own hopeless future. She dared not think further, yet she couldn't help but continue. Her lifelong partner would be that unfamiliar man, so-called "honest" and "wealthy"! Would her whole life be handed over like this? She was unwilling, but what could she do? Her uncle's Debt, her uncle's life, all rested on her. If she resisted, her uncle would be in immediate danger. She was a weak woman. The only things that could save her uncle were her own heart and this body. She couldn't help but shiver.
She suddenly remembered Wang De's words. "Sister! Why don't we die?" Death? Yes, death would be cleaner. But if she died, what about her uncle? Would the old man bear to see his niece die? Could he still live on? She couldn't die. For her uncle's sake, she couldn't die. Then, there was only obeying her aunt's command and marrying that stranger. Thinking of this, her heart felt as if pierced by a needle, the pain extreme, yet she couldn't even cry. She just sat there woodenly, like a statue.
The wind grew even stronger. A piece of the window paper was torn. Cold air whistled in, making the lamp flicker and nearly go out. With her frozen hand, she tried to cover the hole. Suddenly, she touched the small book Wang De had given her. Her heart leaped again. She hastily withdrew her hand as if scalded by fire. That book, she had read it countless times. Every word and sentence in it seemed like Wang De's voice, Wang De's smiling face. But now, all of this was about to become a dream of the past!
She could no longer bear to think. She threw herself onto the bed and covered her head with the quilt. Yet the quilt seemed filled with Wang De's shadow-his smile, his tears, his passionate words. She hastily threw off the quilt, sat up, held her head in her hands, and sobbed softly.
The door opened. Aunt Zhao entered carrying a bowl of hot soup. Seeing Li Jing's state, she placed the bowl on the table. She walked over, held her shoulders, and earnestly said, "Girl, don't be sad. I know your heart. But as women, this is how it is. There's no way. Have a bowl of hot soup to warm your heart. Tomorrow we'll discuss it in detail."