Explore Chapter 26 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.
Wang De's small notebook was now filled with dense handwriting, recording all he had seen and heard in the city over the past half year. Sitting on a bench in Central Park, he leafed through its pages, and a complex, indescribable feeling welled up in his heart. These notes contained his observations of society, his reflections on life, and his deep longing for Li Jing.
Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, spilling onto the park's green lawns where several children chased and played, their laughter crisp and bright. Yet Wang De felt a pang of loneliness. He thought of Li Ying, of his uncle, of everything back in his hometown. Li Ying was now busy within the Salvation Army, seeming to have found her own direction, while Wang De remained a Proofreader at the Newspaper Office, facing dull words every day as the dust of disillusion gradually settled upon his ideals.
Yesterday, he had argued again with the Editor-in-Chief for refusing to fabricate news. The Editor-in-Chief sneered coldly, "Wang De, you are far too naive. How can one survive in this world without lying?" Wang De stormed out of the Newspaper Office and walked the streets, feeling the entire city was shrouded in a blanket of falsehood.
He decided to seek out Li Jing and pour out his distress to her. Li Jing was always so gentle, a source of solace. But upon reaching Aunt Zhao's doorstep, he hesitated again. Aunt Zhao had grown increasingly cold towards him these past days, as if sensing the affection between him and Li Jing. Not wishing to cause trouble for Li Jing, Wang De could only turn and leave.
Walking aimlessly, he found himself once again on Huguo Temple Street. Pedestrians hurried past, the cries of street hawkers rising and falling. Wang De spotted an old man selling candied haws on sticks and recalled the times he and Li Jing had shared them as children. A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth.
It was then that he encountered Sun Ba. Clad in a new silk robe, his face flushed with vigor, Sun Ba clearly had some joyful news. The moment he saw Wang De, he greeted him warmly, "Wang De, long time no see! Come, let me treat you to tea."
Wang De meant to refuse, but Sun Ba gave him no chance, pulling him into a teahouse. The place bustled with noise and the rich aroma of tea. Sun Ba ordered tea and snacks, then lowered his voice to say to Wang De, "Wang De, do you know what Lao Zhang has been busy with lately?"
Wang De shook his head. Sun Ba smiled mysteriously. "Lao Zhang is arranging a marriage for Long Shugu's daughter, and the other party is me. The bride price is already settled. Lao Zhang is about to make a fortune from this." Hearing this, Wang De was startled. He knew Long Shugu's daughter, Long Feng, was a good girl. How could she marry someone like Sun Ba?
"Lao Zhang is a cunning man, but he gets things done," Sun Ba continued. "My uncle has also agreed, saying it's time I took a wife. Once this is settled, I'll invite you all to the wedding feast." A surge of anger rose in Wang De's heart, but he forced himself not to show it.
After the tea, Wang De hurriedly bid farewell to Sun Ba. He decided to go find Li Ying immediately to discuss how to stop this marriage. Even though Li Ying had joined the Salvation Army, there must still be a way. Wang De quickened his pace toward the Salvation Army quarters.
At the Salvation Army, Li Ying was distributing food to a group of poor people. Seeing Wang De, she looked surprised. "Wang De, what brings you here?" Wang De told Li Ying what Sun Ba had said. After listening, Li Ying fell silent for a long moment before speaking. "I've heard about this too, but Officer Long owes Lao Zhang money. I fear it will be very difficult to stop."
"So we just stand by and watch Long Feng leap into the fire pit?" Wang De said urgently. Li Ying sighed. "I'll think of something. Perhaps I can ask the brothers at the Salvation Army for help." They discussed it for a while but had no sure plan.
Leaving the Salvation Army, Wang De felt heavy-hearted. He wandered aimlessly until dusk fell. Street lamps flickered on, illuminating the damp streets. Wang De suddenly remembered Li Jing's words: "Brother, in this world, we cannot foresee what is good and what is bad." Yet he refused to accept it. He believed that with effort, there would always be a turning point.
Returning to Aunt Zhao's house, Li Jing was helping in the kitchen. Seeing Wang De, she gave him a discreet glance. After Aunt Zhao returned to her room, Li Jing asked softly, "Wang De, what's the matter with you today? You look so troubled." Wang De told Li Jing everything. After hearing it, a flash of worry passed through her eyes.
"Wang De, we cannot force this matter," Li Jing said. "Lao Zhang is cunning, and Sun Ba has wealth and influence. A head-on confrontation would only bring us harm. It's better to observe the situation first, then decide what to do." Wang De nodded, but in his heart, he secretly vowed to protect Long Feng, just as he would protect Li Jing.
That night, Wang De lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The wind howled outside the window as if lamenting the world's injustices. He picked up his pen and wrote in his small notebook: "Day twenty-six. Met Sun Ba. Learned of Lao Zhang's marriage scheme. Heart seethes with indignation. Vow to aid the helpless girl. Shall not betray my original purpose."
After writing, he blew out the candle and lay with eyes open wide in the darkness. The road ahead was long, but he would not retreat.