Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In a high-end community in Taipei, Taiwan, an elegant French rose garden exudes a faint floral fragrance.
On this weekend afternoon, Chen Yifan (Evan) walked into one of the luxurious villas here.
Passing through the spacious living room and the corridor adorned with decorative art pieces, he arrived at the study and found his nephew, Xiao An, engrossed in playing video games.
"Hey, Xiao An, why didn't you go out with your parents today?" Evan asked with a tolerant gaze, observing the teenager immersed in the virtual world.
"Oh, uncle, mom said she and dad are going to a friend's gathering, but I don't want to go," Xiao An responded, clearly not very interested in her parents' social activities.
"Well, what game are you playing? It looks very intriguing," Evan tried to connect with Xiao An.
"It's just a fighting game, very fun." Xiao An's tone was not very enthusiastic.
"Okay, but don't play for too long, or your eyes will get bad." Evan briefly observed the intense battle scene on the game screen, filled with a tense atmosphere.
"I got it, uncle," Xiao An said impatiently.
That evening, Evan and his girlfriend Lin Meichi (Michelle) met at a modern and trendy bar. The bar's atmosphere was filled with urban chic, featuring high-end leather sofas, a wide variety of cocktails, and a gorgeously decorated bar, all showcasing the vibrancy of the city.
Evan said, "Xiao An doesn't like attending family gatherings with his parents. I guess it's because Xiao An senses the disharmony in the family atmosphere, and everyone still has to put on a facade of harmony, which makes him feel repulsed."
His tone carried a hint of sadness, and then he finished the drink in his hand.
Michelle pondered for a moment and then responded, "Perhaps for Xiao An, this is a way of escape. He is unwilling to face the breakdown of his family and all kinds of entanglements."
"Yes, his attitude reminds me of my own experience seeing my parents' troubled relationship when I was young. I guess he must feel very disappointed and helpless," Evan fell into contemplation.
"If that's the case, should we show him a different model of love, a love that doesn't require the constraints of marriage?" Michelle posed a question.
"Maybe we should do that," Evan nodded in agreement.
Several days later, Evan and Michelle gathered with Xiao An in a coffee shop filled with industrial style.
The shop was adorned with various decorations, from green plants to vintage iron lamps, and black-and-white photos hung on the walls, all exuding the charm of modern urban life.
The chocolate-colored leather sofa and the gray cement wall form a rough but comfortable contrast, creating a small universe that feels not far from the bustling city but allows people to temporarily forget worldly worries.
Evan ordered a latte, Michelle chose rose strawberry tea, and Xiao An held a cup of hot cocoa sitting next to them. The three of them sat around a spacious wooden table, enjoying this rare intimate moment.
"Xiao An, are you doing okay at school?" Michelle asked with a smile, trying to start a conversation.
"It's okay, just a bit too much homework," Xiao An frowned, but quickly flashed a shy smile.
"Are there any girls at school that you like?" Evan asked curiously.
Xiao An awkwardly smiled, "No, we're just friends."
Evan and Michelle locked eyes, both understanding that at Xiao An's age, love was still just a curious concept.
"Actually, we brought you here today to talk about love and marriage," Michelle's tone turned serious, but still remained warm.
"Marriage?" Xiao An suddenly felt that this topic was a bit too heavy.
"We're not trying to tell you how good or bad marriage is, but we want you to know that love can take different forms, and it doesn't necessarily have to lead to marriage," Evan interjected.
Michelle continued, "We hope, Xiao An, that you can understand that loving someone doesn't necessarily mean getting married. What's important is finding someone who can give you peace of mind, no matter what path you choose."
Xiao An fell silent for a moment, then said, "That sounds reasonable. But it seems like society expects us to get married and have a so-called complete family in order to be accepted."
"Yes, societal pressure is always present. But ultimately, this is your own life, and you have the right to choose the happiness you want," Evan looked at Xiao An with a serious expression.
"We have all experienced our parents' imperfect marriage, not every marriage brings happiness. You can see from us that you can find genuine love and relationships without getting married," Michelle's voice was somewhat melancholic.
"I will remember, thank you all," Xiao An said, with a mature and understanding smile on her face.
Michelle took a sip of latte, then looked at Evan and Xiao An, feeling an unprecedented sense of family warmth.
Although this family structure may not be fully accepted in society, for her, this is what she wants.
"Uncle, would you choose love or freedom?" Xiao An suddenly asked a question, breaking the brief silence.
Evan looked at Xiao An and knew that there must be his own confusion and unease behind this question. After a moment of contemplation, he answered seriously, "I would choose the love that makes me feel free."
A hint of curiosity and puzzlement appeared in Xiao An's eyes as he asked again, "Do you think this kind of love exists?"
Evan turned to look at Michelle, and their eyes met in the air, as if they had found the answer in that moment.
"I think I found it," Evan said with a smile.
Michelle felt a warmth in her heart, feeling that they had not only provided a new possibility and choice for herself, but also for Xiao An. She also began to believe that love and freedom are not only not contradictory, but can also blend perfectly together.
"I feel the same way," Michelle joined the conversation, "I think freedom is not the opposite of love, but a part of it. If love makes you feel constrained, then it might not be real love."
Xiao An seemed somewhat relieved after hearing this. He looked at Evan and Michelle again, as if a seed had been planted in his young mind, a seed for a possibly better and freer concept of love in the future.
In that coffee shop filled with a modern urban atmosphere and a fusion of diverse values, three people, each in their own way, collectively experience the beauty of love and freedom coexisting. They also realize that choosing a non-traditional path does not necessarily mean facing loneliness or being misunderstood, because as long as there is love in their hearts, there are endless possibilities.
Comment 0 Comment Count