It's not easy to find restaurants that are still open during the Chinese New Year in London, but in Chinatown, there are restaurants that are open at any given time.

A Chinese restaurant called "Cai Kee" is overcrowded, but it will be more lively during the Spring Festival, with various traditional dragon and lion dances. However, in the eyes of foreigners, it is the New Year anyway, whether it is January 1 or the Chinese New Year, which changes the date every year, there are always activities to eat and have fun here.

In the private room on the third floor of the restaurant, Bai Wenyu held her chin, looked at the crowded street downstairs, and joked:

"In fact, the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year in Chinatown is better than that in China, and it may also be the feeling of homesickness.

Cao Aiqing, who was sitting opposite, opened his mouth and asked:

"Sister Bai, when you go back this time, will your focus be on China in the future?"

Bai Wenyu's career has been cultivated in Europe for many years, and the market environment for art trading in China is far less huge than in Europe, and two or three years is not a short time, so this decision seems to the girl who is familiar with Bai Wenyu to be somewhat sudden.

"Half and half, a while ago, Nature's father called me and said that Nature's business in the film and television industry is getting bigger and bigger, and asked me if I was interested in going back to help my son, I thought about it for a long time, and finally agreed to it."

"What do you do?"

Cao Aiqing didn't doubt Bai Wenyu's personal ability at all, but the industry she was originally engaged in was very different from what He Tianran was doing now, and the girl was inevitably a little curious.

The waiter outside the door knocked on the door, and a table of good dishes was served one after another, steaming hot.

Bai Wenyu handed a pair of chopsticks to Cao Aiqing and asked rhetorically:

"Ai Qing, do you know why the contemporary art market in the UK is so prosperous?"

The girl thought for a moment, "Because...... In the eighteenth century, the British government promoted and sponsored the arts movement. ”

Bai Wenyu nodded, but still added:

"This is just one of the links, it is the environment, not the market, the prosperity of the art market is the birth of modern auction industries such as Sotheby's and Christie's in the same period...... To package, to endorse.

In other words, people are the same, what is a person's potential, how much is worth, in a sense, it is similar to a work of art, the difference is only that the 'auction house' is changed to a more humane word, and naturally it is not the acquisition of a brokerage company? His dad showed me the financial statements, and they still have very few artists who can actually generate income, so I think I can help him with something. ”

Although the girl knew that what the other party said was a very realistic truth, somehow, Bai Wenyu's metaphor still gave Cao Aiqing a ...... Awkward feeling.

She lowered her head and picked up a piece of pineapple from the coo, put it in her mouth and chewed it carefully, hiding her expression.

The woman opposite did not move the chopsticks, but stared at the girl, saw what the other party was thinking, and said slowly:

"It's weird to put a price tag on someone, right? In this day and age, even advertisements are telling you to pursue independence and freedom, how different you are, and not to objectify yourself. But material talent determines survival, everyone flaunts their maverick at the same time, but secretly desperately tries to improve their own value, which worker doesn't want to get a high salary? What artist wants to die before becoming famous?

Those things that are packaged as 'freedom' and 'style' are all full of the smell of money, because this is a merit society, everyone is spurring themselves every day, oppressing themselves, behind this behavior, it is difficult for us to get satisfaction and security from the emotional relationship, so under the guise of declaring that they are eager to find a sustenance from the spirit of independence, but in essence, it is to realize a self that is more likely to be liked, paid attention to, and admired in terms of money status.

Therefore, under such an environment, it is often difficult to accept what we have been pursuing after being debunked.

This is the ills brought about by urban modernization, and it is also a theme that we have to face in the current society.

Child, you are not the kind of person who would rather live in ignorance, and some things are not necessarily bad if you understand them sooner. ”

The two women looked at each other speechlessly, Cao Aiqing thought about this argument that had an impact on her values, and after a while, she suddenly said:

"Sister Bai...... I have always respected your style of dealing with the world, your attitude towards life, since I met you, I have always regarded you as my role model, but listening to what you just said, I have a few doubts and want to ask. ”

"You ask."

"Do you think love is more important to us women than career?"

"It doesn't matter."

To this question, Bai Wenyu's answer did not drag the slightest bit of mud and water, but in order to teach the juniors, she still added:

"Of course, this is just the answer of my age, in fact, most of our choices are different from time to time, when I was young, I felt that love was bigger than the sky, and then after the divorce, I felt that my own success was the key to grasping life, but now you ask me this, I can only answer that it doesn't matter.

But Ai Qing, when you asked this question, did you already weigh the pros and cons in your heart? After all, choosing one thing often means giving up another. ”

The opposite side seemed to be stunned by this rhetorical question, and Bai Wenyu smiled:

"Child, you don't have to worry about this, I won't emphasize the importance of love to you because I am a natural mother, and you know a little bit about the ending between me and his natural father, so as a person who has come over, I can't say anything about letting you believe in love."

Cao Aiqing avoided talking about whether he was weighing the pros and cons, but asked:

"What about family affection, Sister Bai? Or rather, what do you think about nature? ”

“……”

Bai Wenyu's face showed a rare hesitation.

Actually, the answer is not difficult to guess......

Combined with Bai Wenyu's views on human nature and society, Cao Aiqing boldly made an analogy:

"Can I ...... Compare nature to the piece you gave me? ”

“…… How so? ”

Bai Wenyu raised her eyebrows, but there was no strong emotion on her face other than that, her eyes looked directly at the transparent girl with a blue heart on the other side, and only listened to the other party continue:

"Of course, he has an extraordinary meaning to you, the kind of precious thing that can be placed in the most conspicuous position, but this is only temporary, because in that position, there are more things more suitable than him, such as your love with Uncle He, such as your freedom, which must have been more than ...... at that time He Tianran's 'work' is important, so weigh the pros and cons...... Sister Bai, you made the original choice, chose to fulfill yourself, and gave up He Tianran. ”

“……”

There was silence in the seats.

Downstairs, firecrackers were set off in Chinatown, and the New Year's Day parade had begun, and the gongs and drums were noisy and the voices of people were heard in this private room, floating in the air for a long time.

"Natural...... It's more important than the painting I gave you. ”

The noncommittal at the moment, like a disguised acknowledgment, the older woman took out a cigarette from her bag again and lit it, only this time, the action was a little less elegant and more helpless.

She turned her head again, looked at the crowd outside the window, and said calmly:

"Ai Qing, I was born in an era of rapid development with his father's generation, our parents gave us material wealth, and the times advocated that we should be brave enough to create our own value, which was undoubtedly a golden rule for us when we were still young......

By the way, Ai Qing, when you were in school, did your teacher say something like 'you were born in the best era'? ”

Cao Aiqing nodded lightly, and Bai Wenyu said with emotion:

"Our teacher said it at the beginning, and I've always believed it.

When there is no war or famine, and when we live in a peaceful society where there is abundance and stability, when the spirit of suffering and dedication becomes a kind of text, people no longer look outward, but begin to look inward, and their views on the world and the problems they face are bound to change.

When my mother gave birth to me in her twenties, she was already a woman who could hold up half the sky; And when I was born in my twenties, I was still naïve to think of myself as a child......"

Speaking of this, Bai Wenyu laughed self-deprecatingly.

"In my mother's time, she would sacrifice a lot for the sake of the family, and in my opinion, this sacrifice is completely fantastical, how can there be a shrewd and capable woman with a promising future, bound by a child, who would rather be trapped in a 'family' environment that may collapse at any time, and persist for more than 20 years?

I can't define whether such a 'sacrifice' is stupid or benevolent, but if it weren't for this 'sacrifice', I wouldn't be the Bai Wenyu I am now.

Selfless dedication, heavy love, and warm companionship, I have the impression that only such people can be called 'parents', but when such an identity comes to our generation......

Whether it's selfish or cruel, at least for me, I won't repeat the mistakes of the previous generation, the times have made us pay more attention to ourselves, and at the same time, it has also made me lose this consciousness and can't make such sacrifices, this is my choice. ”

Now, twenty years have passed since Bai Wenyu's "generation" in his mouth, and their material life is richer, and they are facing more choices, but can people's mental state really match today's social environment?

An increasingly "meritorious" society has led many people to develop a sense of "burnout", and for feelings, even though young girls have not yet encountered the situation that the other person is experiencing, they have indeed come to the same crossroads.

Every choice at the moment, according to the environment and the personality of the parties, has created a different fate fork for everyone, and for the young Cao Aiqing, love and career, which side of the balance is heavier?

After much thought, the young girl said with great seriousness:

"Sister Bai, I haven't been a mother, so I can't evaluate your choice at that time, I asked these questions, I really want to know what you think, but it doesn't mean that I don't have answers in my heart......

I guess it's not a trade-off.

It is a very passionate thing to pursue the career you love and realize the value of life; Having a love that is either plain or ups and downs, and forming a new happy family is also a thing that can make people feel extremely happy.

These two things, neither will run through our lives, I am glad that fate is not a single thread, it is an intertwined web, there is no saying that you choose this one, you must let go of the other, they are all common pursuits, we should cherish it, why do you want to put it together now which is more important?

I think this may be the result of what you said earlier, in this day and age, we focus too much on our own interests and feel that we are the most important, so that we ignore the feelings of others.

But friends, colleagues, and friends in the career; Partners, lovers, and children in the relationship, these are all important parts of the web of destiny, give up them, can you really weave this web of your life?

It is true that in each different era, people's definition of success and the goal pursued are different, but the concept of "happiness" has not only referred to a person from ancient times to the present, it must always be in love, friendship, career and even in parents and other people, can only obtain a kind of spiritual nutrients, which can not be completed by individuals alone.

Therefore, I will not weigh my career and love to achieve a successful life, because what I pursue has always been a happy life. ”

The New Year's parade under the restaurant still continued, and after saying this, Cao Aiqing also looked out the window and devoted his eyes to the lively crowd.

Unlike Bai Wenyu's self-deprecating smile that maintains sobriety and distance, the young girl's smile is more like seeing people's liveliness and laughter, without a trace of impurities, followed by joy and joy.

Simple, pure, and beautiful.

Doesn't she understand some realistic truths?

No, she understands it very well, and she understands it very well.

Cao Aiqing, Cao Aiqing, still pity the grass and trees.

Bai Wenyu, who felt a lot of emotion today, thought silently, this girl's parents must have some good meaning when they gave her such a name......

"Ai Qing, do you believe in natural ...... Will it bring you the happiness you want? ”

Bai Wenyu, who may not know much about his son, asked this little girl.

"I believe he has the power to bring happiness to people."

Cao Aiqing did not hesitate.

"It's a little evasive, I don't care if my son can bring happiness to others, I only care if he can let the little girl in front of me continue to be so carefree and get a happy ending that she deserves, after all, only in this way can I be worthy of what you just said."

Bai Wenyu said softly.

"Sister Bai......"

Cao Aiqing was a little surprised, and she didn't know what to say.

Both women are smart people, and this is also Bai Wenyu's first statement on the long-distance relationship between Cao Aiqing and He Tianran.

"Ai Qing, you know, I support your approach of not impulsively confirming the relationship after the separation of the two places, this is very wise, you have left enough retreat and dignity for this relationship between you, I fully believe that after these years, when you return to China, your love will be extremely loyal and unbreakable.

But why is that? You believe in nature so much, but you put such a test between you for years. ”

Cao Aiqing thought about it, shook his head, and said a little unnaturally: "It's not a test...... In fact, it can be said that it is a kind of ...... What about punishment. ”

"Punishment?"

"Yes, we ...... In college, it was true that he betrayed me, and it was true that he loved me, I was more popular, and I snubbed him for more than half a year before I began to forgive him, but what did he say in the end when he confessed...... Let time tell, this is a promise, I thought to myself, wow, then if you say that, I will punish you...... Wait a little longer. ”

Speaking of the past, the resentment and shyness unique to the girl climbed up her cheeks.

This kind of irrational and slightly angry psychology that can only be produced in love makes Cao Aiqing, who was originally a little detached in temperament, a little more real at this age, and Bai Wenyu laughed when he learned that it was such a reason.

"I don't know if you want to punish nature, or punish yourself, after all, you still don't believe that nature can be consistent, for fear that he will repeat the mistakes of the past, but you cherish your relationship very much, so you leave each other a way out, can I think so?"

Cao Aiqing shook his head again, "It's because I believe in him that I don't want him to have any burden, but I won't forget the promise he gave me." ”

"Let time tell?"

"Yes......"

"You believe this?"

"Hmmm......"

"Didn't he have a criminal record?"

"But he's never lied to me about it, we've known each other for so many years...... Not once. ”

“……”

Bai Wenyu was a little at a loss for a moment, she was silent for a long time, just because when she said this, Cao Aiqing lowered her eyes, and her face was as tranquil as the "happiness" she said.

After a long time, Bai Wenyu, who had been thinking for a long time, finally confided in this sentence:

"Time can tell, but you can't stop others from breaking into their lives."

Cao Aiqing raised her eyes, and for a moment she couldn't tell whether this sentence was said to her or Bai Wenyu herself.

Ai Qing ...... Let me give you a suggestion. ”

"What?"

Bai Wenyu is colored:

"Silly child, in terms of love, you need to be more selfish, treating others with yourself may be derogatory to others, but for you, it is tolerance for others, and this tolerance should not appear in love."

……

……

She is far away, she can know at this moment

This love is always in my heart......

On the set of Hengdian, thousands of miles away, during the transition of the crew, He Tianran was wearing headphones on his ears and was leaning on the director's chair to close his eyes and take a nap.

The song "Distant Her" in Eason Chan's gradual performance from low to high-pitched singing is like a party's crying and complaining.

Just as He Tianran's thoughts gradually drifted away, one of his earphones was suddenly taken off......

"He Dao'er, what are you listening to?"

A playful voice sounded in his ears, and He Tianran opened his eyes, and there was a bright and delicate face in front of him.

"Don't make a fuss, look for inspiration, the music teacher told me a few days ago that I can start the production of a few OSTs of our film now."

He Tianran stretched out his hand helplessly, wanting to take back the earphones from Wen Liang's hand, but the other party's small hand shrank, dodged the man's claws, and stuffed the earphones into his ears.

"Then let's look for it, I can also give some advice~"

Wen Liang smiled and squatted beside He Tianran, like a rabbit guarding his radish pit.

Because this time the girl will be responsible for the interlude and the end of the singing, He Tianran did not refuse, and both of them focused on the music in their ears.

Thousands of miles away, is there a deviation in the heart?

It is to let this love test the truth and the fake......

……

"Hey, I thought it would be an ancient song, but I didn't expect it to be this style."

“…… Here's the music software's recommendation of the day, which comes randomly. ”

"Wouldn't this kind of bitter love song not suit me well?"

The cool and upturned little nose wrinkled, and a thoughtful look was on his face.

He Tianran glared at her, picked up her headphones, waved his hand, and said impatiently:

"Go, go, you have a lot to do, let me rest for a while."

"Hmph, I know you're lazy, and you're talking about finding inspiration! Then you can squint for a while, and I'll call you. ”

Wen Liang made a grimace, everyone in the crew was very tired from filming, seeing that the other party was really tired, she no longer entangled, stood up and found a position not far from He Tianran, took the script by herself, and pondered the next scene.

After the girl left, He Tianran lay on the chair and took out his mobile phone, looking at the lines of highlighted lyrics on the screen, his eyes were confused, and he didn't know what to think......

Finally, he clicked the button to loop the single song, closed his eyes, turned off the screen of his phone, and landed on his heart with the palm of his hand, allowing the song in his ears to fill his mind.

Far away, she seems to be talking to me through the wind

If the enthusiasm has not changed, it does not care about the vicissitudes of life......

(End of chapter)