He was devastated, and wanted to tell the bookstore owner that he was willing to lower the price, but he felt that this was too spineless, so he automatically terminated the cooperation with the bookstore owner.

When he was twenty-three years old, his family wrote to urge him to go back, saying that they had found a girl for him to go back and get married.

As soon as he thought that he had achieved nothing now, how could he afford to marry a wife and have children?

Having lost his job again, he was not very nervous because he still had a sum of money on hand, so he was not very nervous even if he had nothing to do all of a sudden, so he carried his luggage and traveled around, trying to find a career that would allow him to make a living.

He came to a city and met a young man who was studying hard, and this young man told him, "I am going to take the scientific expedition", and told him: "If you want to get ahead, it is the safest way to take the scientific expedition." You see how many people are still reluctant to give up until the age of 50, because they know very well how different life will be once they are admitted, and they will not give up after failing again and again for that dream. ”

Inspired by this young man, and he also felt that only by taking the road of scientific research could he have a bright future, so he also joined this long road of scientific research.

Unfortunately, he spent nine full years on this and did not pass the examination, and finally had to stop at Gongshi.

His friend had already been admitted to the Jinshi six years ago, and now he is a seventh-rank official in the capital.

Now, there seem to be only two choices in front of him - either continue to take the exam, or just forget it and become a petty official in the county.

He calculated, he felt that he was already thirty-two, and half of his life had passed, and if he took the exam again, the victory or defeat would be unpredictable, but he couldn't afford it, so he didn't continue to take the exam, but became a petty official in the county.

At this time, he finally had a half-official position, so he couldn't bear to worry his elderly parents anymore, so he married a wife that year.

A year later, his son was born.

Two years later, his daughter was born.

He's still the same petty officer.

Seeing that his contemporaries and officials were promoted, and he still did not move, his wife began to complain, thinking that he was not enterprising.

So, in order to be promoted, he went against his will to slap up with high-ranking officials, but in the end, he did not get promoted because his mouth was not sweet enough and his gifts were not diligent enough. Later, he violated the interests of a direct leader because of upholding justice, and was planted/stolen/framed/killed by this leader, and soon lost his black hat.

At this time, he was thirty-five years old, old and young, and every day when he opened his eyes, he had to plan for the expenses of the whole family.

What now? he asked himself.

In the two and a half years he has been an official, he has recognized one thing - he is not suitable to be an official.

Only then did he realize how worthless the nine years he had spent on scientific research.

But if he hadn't taken the road of scientific research back then, what other path would have been more suitable for him? He asked himself for days on end.

If he doesn't take the road of scientific research, but returns to his old job as a copyist, if he is lucky, he may be able to work for a few years, but if he is unlucky, he may still encounter the fate of being squeezed by better people.

Why didn't he devote himself to the study of calligraphy during the years he spent as a copyist, so that no one could replace it? He thought about this question for a long time, but found that he was not upset, because he was not interested in calligraphy, and the reason why he became a copyist at that time was only because he needed an income.

If you don't love something from the bottom of your heart, you can't be passionate about it forever.

So what was that he loved from the bottom of his heart? He suddenly remembered his instrument, and the happiness and joy in his heart when he was learning and playing the piano.

However, reality reminded him that even if he wanted to make a career playing the qin, his piano skills were far from being replaced. Then, if he just willfully returns to his old business just because he likes it, he will inevitably encounter his previous fate.

However, even if he repeats his previous fate, he does what he likes from the bottom of his heart.

Thinking of this, his blood boiled again, but he did not act impulsively.

He calmly asked himself - should he stick to his ideals desperately, or should he respect reality and then find something to do?

If he finds another job to do, how long will he be able to do it?

At this point he found that he was not interested in anything other than playing the harp.

But ideals can't compete with reality, don't they? he said to himself.

After a long time of uncertainty, he went to consult an elder whom he had always admired and respected.

The elder said, "If you don't have the determination to take a gamble, find something you can do." If you have the determination to take a gamble and have a practical way to achieve it, then stick to your ideals. I can't make decisions for you, it's up to you. ”

And he went back.

At this point, his decision began to lean towards doing what he loved, but he had not yet found a practical way to achieve it. He thought of his family again, such a big family needed him to support, how could he be willful?

But if he doesn't dare to be willful for what he likes now, maybe he won't have the courage to be willful in the future.

When he couldn't make up his mind, he discussed it with his family, and the family advised him to give up playing the piano and find a job to do in a down-to-earth manner.

"There are more good luthiers than you, and besides, you're older, so it's not easy to find an employer. Also, even if you find it, maybe one day people won't want you again, how unstable it is. His father persuaded him bitterly.

He didn't give up and responded: "But the income in this industry is also very high, as long as I perform well, I shouldn't be easily dismissed." ”

He muttered again, "I don't have anything bad in this world, do you?"

The family was unmoved, thinking that it was better for him to see the reality as soon as possible.

He thought about it for two days, but he still didn't want to find anything other than Fuqin.

But the family's daily expenses are there, and he can't put it off.

So, he made a decision - to become a pianist in the troupe.

This time, the whole family objected violently, thinking that he was a scholar anyway, how could he go to a place like the theater troupe to do things?

But he insisted on going his own way.

The family couldn't resist him, so they had to acquiesce.

So he took out his long-lost piano, wiped it carefully, and practiced well for a day.

The next day, he carried the piano on his back to the troupe to apply for a job.

There are many opera troupes in the county, because there are many theaters in the county, and sometimes some large families will invite the troupe to sing at the door, so this business is very prosperous in the county.

.............

Dear friends, the second watch is coming, good night!!