"Did you talk to them before deciding to pursue graduate studies?" Ning Youguang asked softly.
"No," Li Yanran shook her head, tears streaming down her face. A look of disgust appeared on her thin face. "Ever since I received the admission letter from our university, they’ve been bragging in our hotown, saying I got into a prestigious school in Beijing, and after graduating, I’d get a governnt job and marry an official. I really am..."
—"When I was very young, I swore that I would leave my hotown and never live with my parents. I could give them money, but I wouldn’t live with them. Living with them would drive crazy."
The word "crazy" was almost spoken through gritted teeth by Li Yanran.
"Were you left behind as a child?" Ning Youguang asked.
"Yes, teacher." Li Yanran nodded. "From the ti I was born, my parents left at ho with my grandparents while they worked in Jiangsu and later started a factory there. Then they had my younger brother who always lived with them, going to school there."
"Why did they want you to return to your hotown if they were in Jiangsu?" Ning Youguang asked again.
"With the economy down these years, they closed the factory in Jiangsu and ca back ho to start another one," Li Yanran replied.
Ning Youguang asked again, "How is your relationship with your brother?"
"Not great," Li Yanran said very coldly. "Before my parents ca ho to start their factory, he only ca back with them once a year during the New Year. I’m not familiar with him. Even after he ca back, we didn’t live together often because I was in a boarding school during high school."
Ning Youguang was silent for a while before saying, "With your grades, getting into graduate school is absolutely no problem."
"I think so too," Li Yanran always had confidence in her academic performance. "That’s why I must go to graduate school."
"That’s a great decision." Ning Youguang’s words were full of support. "As for your parents... if they don’t support you, can you afford your tuition during graduate school?"
Li Yanran looked down with a sorrowful expression. "I’ll start working hard now to save money. Even if they oppose and don’t give tuition or living expenses, I will definitely complete my graduate studies through my own efforts."
"I’m glad you didn’t give up your perseverance in the face of difficulties." Ning Youguang appreciatively glanced at the student full of sorrow. "There’s sothing I hope you consider."
"What is it?" Li Yanran raised her head in confusion.
Ning Youguang smiled and asked, "You said your family doesn’t agree with you going to graduate school, right?"
Li Yanran nodded without understanding.
"I’m also your family, and I agree," Ning Youguang smiled lightly. "Once a teacher, forever a father. Although I don’t have the big face to be your ’father,’ I feel like being ’family’ is sothing I can do."
Li Yanran’s eyes instantly turned red.
Ning Youguang continued to smile, "Would you be willing to let this family mber help share your tuition burden?"
"Teacher Ning..." Burning hot tears fell down Li Yanran’s cheeks.
...
When the sky beca completely dark.
Ning Youguang and Li Yanran slowly walked out of the small forest.
"Teacher, is there a natural process that best symbolizes the journey of personal growth?"
"Probably the process of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly."
In the small forest where the sounds of frogs could be heard, Ning Youguang’s gentle voice was like the falling petals above their heads.
"All of us, like caterpillars, endure hardships and injuries in life, which grow into thorns around us. We keep using indifference to cover and avoid our wounds, thinking that as long as we hide them and act as if everything is fine, it will be okay.
We think our thorn-covered selves are our true selves. Few people have the courage to stop and seriously wrap life and trauma around themselves, transform from it, perceive from it, and undergo a spiritual tamorphosis.
Every pain and setback is an opportunity for us to grow.
Everyone’s life requires experiencing the dark night of the soul and the embrace of solitude.
When we endure various hardships and decide to change our lives, the day we transform into butterflies will co.
Pain is the greatest teacher in life.
When we have suffered injuries, setbacks, and troubles, we seek various thods to accept, comfort, and heal these imperfect monts of life. This is when we achieve personal growth and develop a stronger inner self."
"Teacher, I hope I can beco strong soon," Li Yanran’s voice regained the vitality that suits her age because her future path had been illuminated. "When I’m strong inside, I will beco indestructible. I hope to beco an indestructible person."
Ning Youguang chuckled softly and said slowly, "Many people think that a person with a strong inner self is the ’first and foremost unbreakable heart of the universe,’ but in fact, it’s quite the opposite. A mature soul is sincere and consistent inside and out. Such a person will courageously show and express all aspects of themselves, including strength and vulnerability, happiness and sorrow. They open their heart to others, not shutting themselves off due to hurt. They easily feel joy and have empathy for the pain of others, treating themselves and others with acceptance and gentleness."
"If that’s the case, I don’t feel very good," Li Yanran suddenly felt less confident.
Ning Youguang said, "Life is a long path full of growing pains. You don’t need to rush to achieve anything now. As long as you’re on the path, a better version of you is waiting ahead." Ning Youguang looked expectantly. "One possessing a gentle, open, and serene heart that accepts all the joys and sorrows of life and discovers a unique aning of life for themselves."
...
Farewell to the silver car as it drove away slowly under the streetlight.
Li Yanran picked up her phone and wrote on her monts:
"All the regrets of last winter were just surprises laid out for this spring."
At the sa ti, she secretly made a vow in her heart —
"With the fairy as my witness, I will definitely beco a very gentle person to the world in the future."
...
For Shi Wangyue, the most relaxing mont of the day is when, after a busy day’s work, he cos ho and sees the warm lights of the house lit for the first ti.
Soone is sitting under the light, quietly watching over his ho.
This sense of security is not sothing he would trade for the world.
Unfortunately, when he got ho today, he found the house in darkness.
The one he’s waiting for hasn’t returned yet. 1314
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