From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 019 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: The essay discusses the fleeting nature of joys and sorrows in life, encouraging the reader to cherish meaningful memories. It reflects on how hopes and regrets shape one’s experiences and existence.

A Few Words
(Original Title: 三言兩語)
Hopes often add interest to your life. Past events, especially when revisited, spark some of the most profound thoughts. Experiencing loss can bring the deepest pain, while memories, much like the most fragrant roses, leave behind their scent long after they’ve faded. Love, though it sometimes brings heartache, is also what makes life sweet and worthwhile. If he lives for your sake, it means putting on a brave face and diving into life as it is. Hope ensures you won’t forever dwell in a crumbling city but will eventually embrace the beauty of a natural landscape.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent