From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 001 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: The narrator reflects on the recurring appearance of a man who leaves enigmatic letters, leading to personal introspection. In these encounters, a sense of curiosity and uncertainty prevails, highlighting the nuances of human connection.
Needless to Say
(Original Title: 毋庸贅述)
How could a complete stranger continually come into my life with such coincidence? I pondered this as I watched the shadowy figure retreat, leaving yet another perplexing letter in my mailbox. This mysterious exchange dazzled me—it was as though the universe conspired to present these strange, fleeting moments. Each letter contained its own enigma, urging me to decipher their cryptic messages. As a result, I would often rush to the post, eager and anxious, only to find myself alone with nothing but my thoughts and his elusive signals. These episodes left me wondering: why such efforts for a person who seemed to evaporate into thin air? Indeed, his correspondence stirred something deep within me—a realization that maybe, just maybe, not everything needs understanding.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent