Chapter 142 Fireworks Atmosphere
Tu Hengsha became interested and wanted to hear what Mr. Su would say, so he leaned against the door to eavesdrop. Yet he heard Su Ronggui deflecting, "Grandma, I went back and forth on the subway with that girl today."
"What does taking the subway have to do with eating dinner?" Grandma asked the question Tu Hengsha wanted to ask.
"For the first time this morning, I squeezed onto the subway with that girl. There were a lot of people, so crowded it was hard to breathe, and some people even had a smell. But watching each of them hustle and bustle for life and future, busy yet fulfilled and full of hope, I found it intriguing. Even when I went to buy food at the cafeteria today—I occasionally eat at the company cafeteria, but I never felt the way I did today—some of them came together, one person weak while the other was their support, there were young people, elderly people, young people helping the elderly; some came alone, eating hurriedly, gobbling up their food before leaving, anxiety written all over their faces. Some sat in their chairs staring at their food in a daze, not taking a bite, until tears rolled down their faces. Some were full of joy, talking about how it was their last meal in the hospital and they’d be discharged tomorrow. Grandma, I feel that this is life, rather than just living. The sweet and sour, bitter and spicy, joy and sorrow, hope and despair—all these make up the many parts of life, and such days have a touch of everyday smoke and fire."
He narrated plainly yet profoundly, and she leaned outside, listening intently as if he was reciting a poem or reading an essay.
"Everyday smoke and fire," such beautiful words. Did his life lack smoke-filled everyday moments before?
Then she heard Grandma laugh and say, "Whether it’s smoke-filled or full of joy and sorrow, it’s always been there in this world. It’s just that you’ve never recognized it."
"Yes, I’m a journalist too, but I’ve always completed tasks mechanically. I haven’t really opened my eyes to see the world properly. Everyday smoke and fire, I think this aura is great; I wish for days filled with it," he held Grandma’s hand. "Grandma, let me stay in the alley with you."
Grandma Xu looked at him, sighed, and in the end, said nothing more.
He glanced at the closed door, "In the future, I’ll take her to better places to eat! Today’s just an exception."
Outside the door, Tu Hengsha stuck out her tongue at him, as if he implied she was gluttonous. She thought the cafeteria was just fine! Yet his words still echoed in her ears: The sweet and sour, bitter and spicy, joy and sorrow, hope and despair—they are all parts of life, and such days have a touch of everyday smoke and fire.