From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 036 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Story
Summary: In this humorous tale, a group of friends find amusement in bizarre word games, recalling moments where they accidentally combine unrelated phrases. The protagonist finds herself caught in a moment of levity when she sees her child’s laughably mismatched outfit, reminding her of a similar past experience.
Musings of the King of Comedy
(Original Title: 滑稽大王的字思)
Despite her anger, she adored her child. Often, she would glance at him in photos, lost in thought. One time, she saw her child in ragged attire, his tattered shoes barely holding together, trying to emulate the elegance of a gentlemanly pose. Rushing forward, she embraced him, laughing through tears. ‘My child, your shoes are worn down, but no matter the state of your clothes, you must carry yourself confidently!’ Her motherly words inspired him. ‘Your new shoes will come in time,’ comforted her mother, encouraging him to keep his spirit high despite their poverty. The memory of this filled her with both sadness and warmth.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent