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Chapter 1: Setting Sail Leonard "Leo" Hayes arrives at the docks, navigating a crowd alive with anticipation. Shouts of dockworkers mix with the calls of children playing tag and the cries of vendors peddling souvenirs. Clutching his ticket, Leo scans the faces around him, wary of the man he defeated in a card game the night before. The ticket felt like destiny, but he can't shake the feeling he might have taken someone else's chance. In the line for third-class boarding, Leo meets Tommy O'Malley, a wiry young Irishman with a cheeky grin and a rosary wrapped tightly around his fingers. Tommy jokes about being sent to America with "faith, potatoes, and a stubborn streak." They bond instantly, sharing tales of their struggles and dreams for the future. The Astraea  looms above them, a marvel of human engineering. Leo's breath catches as he steps aboard, marveling at the polished wood, gleaming brass fixtures, and the sheer size of the ship. He pulls out his sketchbook, desperate to capture the details. His pencil moves quickly, sketching families hugging goodbye, workers hauling cargo, and the hopeful faces of passengers boarding the vessel. On the other side of the dock, Eleanor "Ella" Worthington steps from her carriage, flanked by her overbearing mother, Margaret, and her fiancé, Charles Beaumont. Margaret immediately begins adjusting Ella's hat and gloves, reminding her to "make an impression" on the wealthy families aboard. Ella feels like a porcelain doll, her every move controlled and rehearsed. Charles, ever the businessman, is already discussing investments with a family friend, barely acknowledging Ella. His cold indifference feels suffocating. Ella forces a smile, her eyes drifting to the horizon as she imagines sailing far away from this stifling existence. Once aboard, Ella's first-class suite feels more like a prison than a luxury. The gilded mirrors and velvet drapes can't mask her growing despair. She wanders the promenade deck, longing for a moment of solitude. Below, her gaze catches a young man sketching amidst the lively third-class passengers. Something about him—his intensity, his easy smile—draws her attention. Their eyes meet for a fleeting moment before she hurriedly turns away. As the ship departs, confetti fills the air, and passengers cheer wildly. Leo and Tommy watch from the lower decks, their spirits buoyed by the promise of new beginnings. Above, Ella stands alone on the railing, her heart heavy despite the ship's jubilant sendoff. Chapter 2: Crossing Paths Leo spends his first day aboard the Astraea  sketching everything he sees. He captures the chaotic energy of the third-class mess hall, the thunderous roar of the engine room, and even sneaks glimpses of the luxurious first-class promenade. He feels like an explorer, venturing into worlds he never thought he'd see. While sketching near the grand staircase, Leo notices Ella descending in a gown of shimmering blue. Her grace and quiet sadness mesmerize him. Without thinking, he begins sketching her, capturing the longing in her eyes. Before he can finish, Ella notices him. Their eyes meet briefly, but Charles appears, pulling Ella away. Ella endures a painfully dull luncheon with Charles and his associates, their conversation revolving around investments and status. She feels invisible, her opinions neither sought nor valued. Afterward, she escapes to the deck for fresh air. There, she encounters Leo again, this time seated cross-legged on the deck, sketchbook in hand. A sudden gust of wind blows his sketches toward her, and she picks them up. Among them, she finds a drawing of herself—raw, emotional, and unflinchingly honest. For the first time in years, she feels truly seen. Their conversation is brief but electrifying. Leo's candidness and unpolished charm disarm Ella. He speaks of freedom, adventure, and creating a life on his terms. Ella, used to restraint and pretense, finds herself drawn to his uninhibited spirit. Chapter 3: Two Worlds, One Deck Ella’s curiosity leads her to the third-class quarters, disguised in a simple shawl. She is overwhelmed by the boisterous energy: children chasing one another, musicians tuning their instruments, and families huddled together over shared meals. It is a world apart from the rigid etiquette of first class. Leo spots Ella and guides her through the labyrinth of third-class corridors. He introduces her to Tommy, who immediately teases Leo about bringing a "princess" into their midst. Ella laughs, feeling an unfamiliar lightness in her chest. As the night unfolds, Leo shows Ella his sketches, each one revealing the vibrancy of life below deck. Among them is her portrait, unfinished but achingly beautiful. Ella confesses her envy of his freedom, admitting that her life has always been dictated by others. Their moment of connection is interrupted by a steward sent by Charles, who has begun to suspect Ella’s frequent absences. Ella hurriedly returns to her suite, but the thrill of the evening lingers, awakening a longing she can no longer ignore. Chapter 4: Breaking Free Ella receives a clandestine invitation from Leo to attend a third-class party. The promise of music and freedom proves irresistible, and she sneaks away under the cover of darkness. The party is unlike anything Ella has ever experienced. A fiddler plays a lively tune, and passengers stomp their feet in rhythm. The air is thick with laughter, sweat, and the intoxicating scent of ale. Leo takes Ella’s hand, teaching her to dance amidst the crowd. As the night deepens, Ella drinks her first pint of ale, savoring its sharp bitterness. Leo leads her to the ship's bow, where the stars seem impossibly close. He tells her of his dreams of becoming an artist, and she speaks of her desire to escape the gilded cage of her life. They share their first kiss, a moment both tender and exhilarating. Unbeknownst to them, Charles has sent a steward to follow Ella. The man reports back, setting into motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever. I will continue the expanded Chapters 5–10 immediately in the next response. Chapter 5: Love Exposed Ella awakens the next morning with a mix of exhilaration and dread. The previous night’s kiss lingers on her lips, but the reality of her engagement to Charles crashes down like a wave. She knows she is walking a tightrope between obligation and desire, and the tension is unbearable. Charles confronts her during breakfast. A steward has informed him of her whereabouts the previous night. His face is red with anger, his voice low but dangerous as he demands an explanation. Ella, for the first time in her life, finds the courage to push back. She denies him the details, leaving him fuming. Meanwhile, Leo senses trouble brewing. Tommy warns him that first-class men like Charles don’t forgive easily. Despite the risk, Leo and Ella meet again, this time in the ship’s library. They talk in whispers, sharing their dreams and fears. Leo sketches her once more, this time capturing her vulnerability and courage. Ella decides to take control of her life, announcing to her mother that she will not marry Charles. Margaret’s outrage is immediate and volcanic. She berates Ella, warning that her defiance will ruin their family’s reputation. Ella stands firm, determined to chart her own path, even if it means losing everything. Charles, however, is not one to accept defeat. He begins plotting his revenge, vowing to destroy Leo and ensure Ella has no choice but to return to him. Chapter 6: Betrayal and Disaster The tension aboard the Astraea  reaches a breaking point as rumors of Ella’s defiance spread through the first-class circles. Margaret conspires with Charles to isolate Ella, but Ella eludes them, spending her days with Leo in hidden corners of the ship. During one of their stolen moments, Ella and Leo discover a hidden storeroom filled with art supplies meant for the ship’s first-class passengers. Leo begins a grand painting of the ocean, pouring his dreams into every stroke. Ella watches, inspired by his passion and talent. Charles uncovers their hideout and bursts in, furious. He attacks Leo, accusing him of corrupting Ella. A violent struggle ensues, leaving Leo bloodied but standing. Ella intervenes, her voice sharp and unyielding as she declares her love for Leo. Charles storms out, his pride shattered. Unbeknownst to all, the Astraea  has entered icy waters. That night, the ship strikes an iceberg. The impact reverberates like thunder, shaking the vessel to its core. Passengers scream as water floods the lower decks. Chaos erupts, and the once-magnificent ship becomes a scene of unimaginable horror. Chapter 7: Chaos and Courage Water pours into the lower decks with terrifying speed. Passengers scramble to find their loved ones, their cries blending into a cacophony of panic. Crew members struggle to maintain order, but fear spreads like wildfire. Leo and Ella, separated by the initial chaos, search desperately for each other. Ella fights her way through a crowd near the first-class staircase, ignoring Margaret’s pleas to stay with her. Leo, meanwhile, helps Tommy lead a group of third-class passengers toward the lifeboats. When they finally reunite, Leo and Ella embrace fiercely, their relief short-lived as the ship tilts further. Together, they navigate the flooding corridors, stopping to help a trapped family break free from their cabin. Their selflessness delays their escape, but they refuse to leave anyone behind. Above deck, lifeboats are lowered, but the realization dawns—there aren’t enough for everyone. Charles, desperate to save himself, bribes a crewman for a seat on a lifeboat. When Ella spots him, she confronts him, her voice cutting through the chaos. Charles offers her a place, but she refuses, choosing to stay with Leo. Chapter 8: Against All Odds As the ship’s bow dips into the ocean, passengers cling to anything they can find. The Astraea  groans under the strain, its once-mighty structure crumbling. Families huddle together in prayer, while others leap into the freezing water below. Leo and Ella reach the stern, holding onto each other as the ship’s final moments approach. Charles appears one last time, his face contorted with rage and desperation. He lunges at Leo, accusing him of ruining his life. In the scuffle, Charles loses his footing and falls into the icy depths. The ship breaks apart with a deafening roar. Ella and Leo cling to a railing as they are thrown into the freezing water. The cold steals their breath, and the chaos around them is overwhelming. Bodies float lifelessly, and the cries of survivors pierce the night. Leo spots a piece of debris and helps Ella climb onto it. He clings to the edge, urging her to stay awake despite the numbing cold. They speak softly, sharing their dreams one last time. Ella begs Leo to join her, but he refuses, his love for her outweighing his own survival instincts. Chapter 9: A Frosted Fight for Survival The icy water feels like knives piercing their skin. Around them, the cries of survivors grow quieter as hypothermia claims more lives. Ella struggles to keep Leo awake, her tears freezing on her cheeks. Leo’s grip weakens, and Ella knows he is slipping away. She pleads with him, but his strength fades. With a final, whispered declaration of love, Leo slips beneath the water, leaving Ella alone on the floating debris. Hours later, a rescue boat appears. Ella, barely conscious, is pulled aboard. She clutches Leo’s sketchbook, the only piece of him she has left. Around her, other survivors sit in stunned silence, their faces pale and lifeless. The rescue ship arrives, and Ella disembarks in New York. The city is bustling with life, but she feels like a ghost, haunted by the memories of the Astraea  and the man she loved. Chapter 10: A Legacy of Love Years pass, and Ella rebuilds her life. She becomes a celebrated artist, her work inspired by the Astraea  and Leo’s memory. Each painting tells a story of love, loss, and resilience. At her first gallery opening, Ella unveils a portrait of Leo. Visitors are moved to tears, sensing the depth of her love and grief. Ella dedicates her career to preserving the memory of those lost, ensuring that their stories live on. Ella never marries, choosing instead to live a life of purpose and passion. She travels the world, carrying Leo’s sketchbook as a reminder of their time together. Though the pain never fully fades, she finds solace in knowing their love changed her forever.

Open this link if you have any issue . Emoji English Meaning Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese ☹️ ( Frowning Face ) A simple sad or displeased expression 傷心的臉 伤心的脸 🙁 ( Slightly Frowning Face ) Mild sadness or concern 微微皺眉的臉 微微皱眉的脸 😟 ( Worried Face ) Anxious, worried, or uneasy expression 擔心的表情 担心的表情 😢 ( Crying Face ) A small tear showing sadness 流淚的臉 流泪的脸 😭 ( Loudly Crying Face ) Crying intensely with streams of tears 痛哭的臉 痛哭的脸 😞 ( Disappointed Face ) Sadness or disappointment 失望的表情 失望的表情 😔 ( Pensive Face ) Reflective, sorrowful, or regretful expression 沉思的臉 沉思的脸 😓 ( Downcast Face with Sweat ) Sadness or despair with a hint of stress 悲傷又緊張的臉 悲伤又紧张的脸 😕 ( Confused Face ) Uncertainty, confusion, or mild sadness 困惑的表情 困惑的表情 🥺 ( Pleading Face ) Sad and begging for help, pity, or forgiveness 哀求的臉 哀求的脸 😩 ( Weary Face ) Extreme sadness or exhaustion 精疲力盡的臉 精疲力尽的脸 😫 ( Tired Face ) Sadness or weariness, expressing frustration 疲倦的表情 疲倦的表情 😬 ( Grimacing Face ) Nervousness, awkwardness, or subtle sadness 痛苦的表情 痛苦的表情 😣 ( Persevering Face ) Struggling with sadness or emotional difficulty 咬牙堅持的臉 咬牙坚持的脸 😖 ( Confounded Face ) Severe sadness or frustration 痛苦困惑的臉 痛苦困惑的脸 😿 ( Crying Cat Face ) Sadness or sorrow expressed by a cat 哭泣的貓臉 哭泣的猫脸 🥲 ( Smiling Face with Tear ) Bittersweet smile with a single tear 強顏歡笑的臉 强颜欢笑的脸 😥 ( Sad but Relieved Face ) Sadness with relief or resignation 悲傷但鬆一口氣的臉 悲伤但松一口气的脸 😔 ( Disappointed but Relieved Face ) Sadness softened by relief 難過又釋懷的臉 难过又释怀的脸 🙍 ( Person Frowning ) A person showing frustration or sadness 皺眉的人 皱眉的人

Open this link if you have any issue . 1. Out of the blue Question:  What does "out of the blue" mean? Answers: a) Suddenly and unexpectedly. b) Coming from the sky. c) Turning something blue. d) Feeling sad. Correct Answer:  a) Suddenly and unexpectedly. Meaning: English:  Something that happens suddenly and without warning. Traditional Chinese:  突然且意料之外地發生。 Simplified Chinese:  突然且意料之外地发生。 Examples: She showed up at the party out of the blue after years of no contact. The news of his promotion came out of the blue. 2. Shoot for the moon Question:  What does "shoot for the moon" mean? Answers: a) Aim for something very ambitious. b) Shoot at the moon. c) Avoid failure. d) Follow the stars. Correct Answer:  a) Aim for something very ambitious. Meaning: English:  To set very high goals or ambitions. Traditional Chinese:  立下非常高的目標。 Simplified Chinese:  立下非常高的目标。 Examples: Don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon; you might achieve something incredible. He shot for the moon by applying to the best university in the country. 3. Spill the beans Question:  What does "spill the beans" mean? Answers: a) Reveal a secret. b) Spill actual beans. c) Cook beans. d) Create a mess. Correct Answer:  a) Reveal a secret. Meaning: English:  To disclose secret or confidential information. Traditional Chinese:  洩露秘密。 Simplified Chinese:  泄露秘密。 Examples: Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party! He accidentally spilled the beans about their engagement. 4. All ears Question:  What does "all ears" mean? Answers: a) Listening carefully. b) Hearing noises everywhere. c) Ignoring someone. d) Being very shy. Correct Answer:  a) Listening carefully. Meaning: English:  To be fully attentive and ready to listen. Traditional Chinese:  全神貫注地聆聽。 Simplified Chinese:  全神贯注地聆听。 Examples: Tell me about your trip; I’m all ears! The students were all ears as the teacher explained the experiment. 5. Bite the bullet Question:  What does "bite the bullet" mean? Answers: a) To face a difficult situation bravely. b) To chew on a bullet. c) To avoid danger. d) To ignore pain. Correct Answer:  a) To face a difficult situation bravely. Meaning: English:  To endure a painful or challenging situation with courage. Traditional Chinese:  勇敢面對困難或痛苦的情況。 Simplified Chinese:  勇敢面对困难或痛苦的情况。 Examples: She decided to bite the bullet and finish the difficult project. After weeks of postponing, he finally bit the bullet and went to the dentist. 6. All thumbs Question:  What does "all thumbs" mean? Answers: a) Clumsy or awkward. b) Very skillful. c) Using only thumbs. d) Being creative. Correct Answer:  a) Clumsy or awkward. Meaning: English:  Lacking physical coordination or skill. Traditional Chinese:  笨手笨腳。 Simplified Chinese:  笨手笨脚。 Examples: He’s all thumbs when it comes to fixing things around the house. I was all thumbs trying to wrap the gift quickly. 7. Play by ear Question:  What does "play by ear" mean? Answers: a) To improvise. b) To play music loudly. c) To listen carefully. d) To avoid planning. Correct Answer:  a) To improvise. Meaning: English:  To handle a situation spontaneously rather than planning in advance. Traditional Chinese:  隨機應變。 Simplified Chinese:  随机应变。 Examples: We didn’t have a fixed plan for the trip, so we decided to play it by ear. Instead of following a strict schedule, let’s play by ear and see what happens. 8. Raining cats and dogs Question:  What does "raining cats and dogs" mean? Answers: a) Raining heavily. b) A storm with animals. c) A light drizzle. d) Sudden weather changes. Correct Answer:  a) Raining heavily. Meaning: English:  To rain very heavily. Traditional Chinese:  傾盆大雨。 Simplified Chinese:  倾盆大雨。 Examples: It’s raining cats and dogs; don’t forget your umbrella! We got soaked because it started raining cats and dogs unexpectedly.

Chapter 1: The Discovery of the Past Lina stared at the old photograph in her hand, her mind racing with questions. It was an image of her grandmother, Margaret, standing next to a man she did not recognize. The photo was taken in a time long before Lina was born, yet something about it struck her as significant. Why had her grandmother never mentioned him? She flipped the photo over, and the name “J” was written in faint pencil on the back. The initial intrigue quickly turned into an obsession. Lina had always known that her grandmother carried many secrets from her past, but this, this was a mystery she couldn’t ignore. Her investigation began with the simplest of questions: Who was J? The deeper Lina delved into Margaret’s past, the more she uncovered a series of strange and incomplete records. There were whispers of a love affair, but nothing concrete. Yet the more she searched, the more fragmented pieces she found, until her investigation began to take her into a world of danger, betrayal, and lost love. Chapter 2: The First Clue Lina’s search took her to the local library, where she poured over historical documents from the era in which her grandmother had lived. There, she discovered a curious article from a newspaper, dated more than 50 years ago. The headline read, “A Lost Love: The Mysterious J,” and the article spoke of a woman named Margaret, who had been involved in a passionate but secretive relationship with a man whose identity was hidden behind the name “J.” This was the first concrete clue Lina had uncovered, and it raised more questions than answers. Who was J, and why had his identity been so carefully concealed? The more Lina researched, the more she realized that Margaret’s past was far more complicated and secretive than she had imagined. And as she dug deeper, the mystery began to take on a darker tone. Chapter 3: A Forbidden Love As Lina continued her research, she learned that Margaret’s love affair with J had not been a simple romance. It was a story tangled in politics and betrayal. J was not just a lover; he was involved in a covert mission, a mission that threatened to destroy everything Margaret held dear. The truth began to unravel in fragments: Margaret had been forced into a web of deceit, manipulated by forces beyond her control. Her love for J, though real, had been shaped by lies and secrecy. Lina now found herself questioning the nature of love itself. Could it survive under such conditions, or would it only lead to heartbreak? Chapter 4: Secrets in the Shadows Lina’s search began to take a more dangerous turn. She found herself meeting with people who had once known her grandmother, individuals who were all too eager to talk about Margaret’s past. Yet, the more they spoke, the more it became apparent that some things were better left unsaid. One old friend of Margaret’s told Lina about an event that had occurred during the height of the Cold War, a time when Margaret had been in love with J. The man was described as an enigmatic figure, someone who had disappeared without a trace, leaving only rumors in his wake. But one thing was clear: Margaret’s love for him had been both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness. Chapter 5: The Hidden Truth Lina’s determination only grew as she uncovered more about Margaret’s past. A particular letter, hidden in a dusty attic trunk, contained a heartbreaking confession from her grandmother. It described a love that had never been allowed to blossom, a love overshadowed by secrecy and political intrigue. The letter revealed that J had been a spy, a man sent to infiltrate and destroy Margaret’s family’s political influence. But, despite their secretive beginnings, their bond had deepened. Margaret had fallen in love with him, but when the truth was revealed, she had no choice but to walk away. Lina felt her heart break as she read the letter. The love her grandmother had experienced had been true, but it was also tragic, doomed from the start. Chapter 6: The Disappearance The more Lina uncovered, the more questions arose. What happened to J after his disappearance? Did he die, or had he faked his death to escape the consequences of his actions? Lina’s investigation led her to a government document, one that mentioned a man named J and his involvement in covert operations. The file was sealed, but it contained a brief mention of his disappearance, suggesting that he had indeed faked his death to avoid being captured. But no one knew for sure where he had gone, or whether he was alive or dead. The mystery of J’s fate only deepened as Lina continued her search. Chapter 7: The Lies We Live Lina’s obsession with her grandmother’s past grew, and the more she learned, the more she realized how little she understood about her grandmother’s life. Margaret had lived a life full of secrets, and those secrets had shaped Lina’s own identity in ways she hadn’t even realized. As Lina uncovered the lies and betrayals that had defined her grandmother’s love story, she began to understand the true cost of keeping such secrets. Margaret had been forced to choose between her love for J and her loyalty to her family, a decision that had haunted her for the rest of her life. Chapter 8: The Revelation One evening, as Lina sat in her grandmother’s old house, she was joined by Alex, a historian who had been following her investigation from afar. He revealed to Lina that he knew more than he had let on. He had known about J’s true identity and the political intrigue surrounding him. Alex explained that J had not been a simple lover; he was a man involved in espionage, tasked with undermining Margaret’s family. Their love had been part of a much larger scheme, and J had never intended for it to be anything more than a means to an end. The love Margaret had felt was real, but it had been manipulated from the start. Lina’s world shattered as she realized the extent of the manipulation her grandmother had suffered. She had been in love with a man who had never truly loved her back. Instead, he had been using her for his own political purposes. But despite the betrayal, Margaret had given everything to their love, and in the end, she had lost everything. Chapter 9: The Broken Truth Lina’s search for answers had taken its toll. She felt drained, lost in the sea of secrets and betrayals that had defined her grandmother’s life. But as she read through the last of the letters and documents she had uncovered, she finally came to terms with the truth. Margaret’s love for J had never been pure; it had been shaped by circumstance, by forces beyond her control. But it was real, nonetheless. It had been a love that had defined her grandmother’s life, and Lina understood now that the pain of that love was something her grandmother had never truly escaped. Chapter 10: The Love Poem In the end, Lina chose to honor her grandmother’s love story by writing a poem, one that would capture the essence of the passion, pain, and loss Margaret had experienced. Through the poem, Lina could finally express her own understanding of her grandmother’s life and the complexity of love. The poem was a tribute to the love Margaret had once shared with J, a love that had been both beautiful and heartbreaking. It spoke of the longing, the sorrow, and the deep connection that had existed between them, despite the forces that had torn them apart. Lina published the poem online, and it touched the hearts of many. Readers from all over the world shared their own stories of love and loss, finding solace in the words Lina had written. Through this act, Lina had finally come to understand that love, even when it is imperfect, is never truly forgotten.

Open this link if you have any issue . Word English Meaning Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Beam A broad and happy smile 燦爛微笑 灿烂微笑 Giggle A light, silly laugh 咯咯笑 咯咯笑 Chuckle A quiet or restrained laugh 輕笑 轻笑 Grin A wide smile showing teeth 咧嘴笑 咧嘴笑 Smirk A sly or self-satisfied smile 得意的笑 得意的笑 Guffaw A loud and boisterous laugh 大笑 大笑 Snicker A suppressed or sneaky laugh 偷笑 偷笑 Sneer A mocking or contemptuous smile 冷笑 冷笑 Titter A nervous or restrained laugh 竊笑 窃笑 Chortle A joyful, gleeful laugh 開心地笑 开心地笑 Cackle A harsh or loud laugh, often unpleasant 尖笑 尖笑 Roar A loud and hearty laugh 放聲大笑 放声大笑 Snort Laughing through the nose, often uncontrollably 噴鼻笑 喷鼻笑 Gleam A subtle, happy smile that lights up the face 微微一笑 微微一笑 Simper A shy or self-conscious smile 假笑 假笑 Belly laugh A deep and hearty laugh 開懷大笑 开怀大笑 Gigglesnort A combination of a giggle and a snort 噴鼻咯咯笑 喷鼻咯咯笑 Laugh out loud An audible and unrestrained laugh 笑出聲 笑出声 Cheeky grin A mischievous smile 調皮的笑 调皮的笑 Bubbling laugh A soft, effervescent laugh that expresses joy 嬉笑 嬉笑

第一章：2050年的孤單 2050年的晨光從莉娜的公寓窗外灑進來，冰冷的光線落在智能屏幕上。這是一個完美運作的高科技世界，無人機在半空中劃出優美的軌跡，將食物和物資送往每一個角落。街上的人們彼此擦肩而過，幾乎沒有人交談，取而代之的是耳邊的虛擬助手在低語指引。 莉娜站在全息屏幕前，專注地調整AI設計的細節。作為一家頂尖科技公司的設計師，她的工作是開發一種能模仿人類情感的智能機器人。然而，當她設計機器人如何表現愛與關懷時，她內心卻感到空洞，仿佛自己的生活早已失去這些真實的情感。 下班後，莉娜回到公寓，面對牆角的遺物箱發呆。這些箱子是母親去世後留給她的，但她一直沒有勇氣打開。直到今天，她心血來潮，蹲下身，拉開了其中一個最小的箱子。 裡面的東西並不多：一件舊毛衣、一條絲巾和一捆用絲帶綁好的信件。信紙泛黃，角落有些破損，但筆跡依然清晰流暢，顯然是用心書寫的。莉娜隨手抽出最上面的一封，打開一看，立即被吸引住了。 「瑪格麗特，我的生命中唯一的光。」 信的開頭如詩般優美，落款是一個簡單的字母： J 。 莉娜皺起眉頭，這似乎是寫給她的祖母瑪格麗特的，但她從未聽母親提起過這段故事。信中描繪了兩人在某個夏日午后的相遇，以及J如何無法自拔地愛上了她的祖母。字裡行間滿是炙熱的情感，與莉娜熟悉的冷淡科技世界形成鮮明對比。 讀完第一封信，莉娜的手有些顫抖。她小心地將信放回去，心中湧現出一個念頭： 這些信件背後，究竟藏著怎樣的故事？ 第二章：遺忘的信件 莉娜將那一捆信件搬到了書桌上，這是她第一次如此迫切地想要探索某樣東西。關於祖母瑪格麗特的記憶，她只停留在老照片上的慈祥微笑和一些模糊的片段。她不記得母親提起過祖母有這樣一段感情，更不要說一個名叫“J”的人了。 莉娜再次打開那封信，仔細閱讀每一句話。J提到的細節讓她感到驚訝，比如祖母年輕時愛穿一件帶白色領口的藍色洋裝，和在黃昏時分喜歡站在溪邊眺望遠方的習慣。這些畫面感讓莉娜仿佛親眼目睹了祖母的過去。 她繼續讀下一封信。J用細膩的語言描述了他們的第二次相遇： 「那天，陽光透過樹葉灑在她的肩膀上，我忍不住想，她是否知道自己的笑容足以驅散整個世界的陰霾。」 讀著這些話，莉娜心中不禁泛起波瀾。她無法想像，沉穩內斂的祖母，年輕時竟是這般讓人傾心的存在。更讓她不解的是，這樣一段深情厚意的愛情故事，為何從未被提起？ 她將信件整理好，發現最後一封信的日期停留在1943年。之後，再無新的信件。這意味著，這段愛情在戰爭的某個時刻戛然而止。是J出了什麼意外，還是祖母選擇了放下？ 莉娜的好奇心被點燃了。她決定打開更多的祖母遺物，試圖找到與這段愛情相關的蛛絲馬跡。 在翻找過程中，她發現了一本舊日記，封皮上繡著“1943”。翻開日記，裡面大部分頁面已經泛黃，有些字跡模糊不清，但仍能讀到一些零碎的句子： 「今天收到他的信，說他必須離開……」「不知何時再見面，我的心像被掏空……」 莉娜皺起眉頭，日記裡的文字充滿了悲傷與無助，但並未提到具體原因。 她將日記放回去，坐回桌前，對著那堆信件發呆。突然，一個大膽的念頭閃過她的腦海： 也許我可以利用科技，重新探尋這段被遺忘的愛情故事。 莉娜想到了一個新技術——時間投影技術，能根據歷史資料還原過去的場景。這種技術本來是用於考古和教育的，但或許可以用來揭開祖母與J的秘密。她決定第二天就申請這項設備，親自探索這段跨越時空的愛情。 第三章：消失的姓名 第二天，莉娜心情激動地來到公司，心中充滿了對這段神秘愛情故事的好奇。她已經決定，不論如何，都要利用時間投影技術來探究祖母和那個名叫J的男人之間的真實情感。 這項技術正處於突破階段，能夠從歷史遺留下來的物品、信件、甚至是家族成員的記憶中提取出具體的時間碎片，並將其重現為可視的影像。莉娜當時並不確定這種技術會有多麼精確，但她決定冒險一試。 在公司的實驗室中，莉娜與技術團隊溝通了幾個小時，解釋了她的需求。這一切並不簡單，尤其是要從一封封模糊不清的信件中提取足夠的資料進行投影。不過，工程師們同意嘗試，並給了莉娜一台最新的設備。 回到家後，莉娜迫不及待地打開了那堆信件，將其中的關鍵內容輸入到設備中。她選擇了祖母與J的第一次相遇的那封信作為起點，這封信中提到了瑪格麗特的居住地和她的家庭背景，這應該是還原過去的關鍵。 時間投影設備啟動，牆上的屏幕開始閃爍，漸漸映出一片朦朧的景象。這是一座小城鎮的街道，空氣中彌漫著歷史的氣息。莉娜屏住呼吸，屏幕上逐漸顯現出一對年輕男女。男子穿著軍裝，眉眼堅毅；女子則是瑪格麗特，一頭黑色長髮披散，臉上帶著淡淡的微笑。 影像中的他們正坐在長椅上，陽光透過樹葉灑在兩人身上。瑪格麗特輕輕低頭，看著手中的信件，似乎在等待著什麼。突然，男子站了起來，遞給她一束野花，並說道： 「你願意與我共度這段艱難的歲月嗎？」 瑪格麗特抬頭看著他，眼中閃過一絲困惑和猶豫，但最終她微笑著點了點頭。那一刻，莉娜似乎聽見了他們心跳的共鳴，仿佛自己也成了這段情感的見證人。 然而，影像並未持續太久，隨著設備的運行時間限制，畫面突然消失。莉娜回過神來，發現自己已經淚流滿面。她驚訝於這段影像的真實感，也對自己無法控制的情感波動感到困惑。這是一段她完全未曾了解的愛情，而它卻如此強烈地觸動了她的內心。 莉娜重新檢視信件和日記，試圖找到更多的線索。她發現瑪格麗特的信中並未提及J的全名，只有那個單一的字母“J”。這讓她心生疑慮：這段愛情是否真的如信中所說那樣純潔，還是隱藏了某些不為人知的秘密？ 無論如何，莉娜的心中已經決定，要繼續深入調查。她意識到，這不僅是對祖母過去愛情的探索，更是對自己內心的探尋。這段情感，無論它的結局如何，都將成為她人生的一部分。 第五章：時間的回音 隨著時間的推移，莉娜的生活逐漸圍繞著這段愛情故事展開。她無法擺脫那段時空中的回音，瑪格麗特與J的愛情如同一道深深的印記，永遠留在她心中。每一次啟動時間投影設備，莉娜總會陷入沉思，思索著祖母當年做出的每一個選擇，尤其是對J的感情。 但她的探尋卻始終無法觸及J的真實身世。雖然投影技術可以讓她看到兩人相處的片段，但關於J的一切細節卻依然隱藏在重重迷霧中。每當畫面聚焦到他身上，總是無法看清他的面容，影像中的細節總是模糊不清。這讓莉娜的內心充滿了不安，仿佛有一股無形的力量在刻意隱瞞真相。 有一天，莉娜又一次坐在屏幕前，翻看著祖母瑪格麗特的信件。她無意中發現了一封並未拆開的信，這封信的日期顯示在1943年11月。這封信與以往的信件不同，它的封面上用紅色印章封住，上面寫著一行字：“緊急：不容洩漏的秘密”。這封信給了莉娜一個新的突破，她決定打開它。 信中並未提及J的名字，但信的內容卻透露了一些深刻的線索。原來，瑪格麗特的家族曾經卷入過一場重大的政治陰謀，而J與這場陰謀有著千絲萬縷的聯繫。瑪格麗特的父親曾是當時政權中的高層人物，這使得瑪格麗特的愛情故事充滿了政治風險。這一切的真相，瑪格麗特並未告訴任何人，甚至她的女兒，也就是莉娜的母親。 信的最後寫道： 「不管如何，這段感情將是我一生的遺憾。無論結果如何，我必須放手。」 莉娜的心中一陣顫動，這封信揭示了瑪格麗特無法再與J繼續的深層原因。她意識到，這不僅僅是一場簡單的愛情故事，而是深深交織於戰爭與政治背景中的一段無法回頭的悲劇。 她的視野變得更加清晰，雖然真相依舊隱隱約約，但她知道，自己的探尋將不僅限於對愛情的好奇，更是對歷史與家族過去的深層挖掘。 第六章：家族的陰影 莉娜開始向家族中的長輩尋求答案，尤其是母親的姐姐，瑪格麗特的唯一姐妹。她記得自己小時候曾聽過這位姨媽提到過祖母，但從未深入了解過這些話題。這位姨媽住在郊外的一座老宅中，遠離城市的喧囂。莉娜一向不喜歡去那裡，但這次，她決定冒險一試。 當莉娜到達姨媽的家時，她的心情異常沉重。老宅散發出一股年代久遠的氣息，彷彿每一塊磚瓦都蘊含著無數未解的故事。姨媽見到她時，面無表情，只是簡單地邀她進屋。 她們坐在餐桌旁，屋內充斥著昔日的回憶。莉娜小心翼翼地提起了祖母瑪格麗特的過去，尤其是那段與J的愛情。姨媽的臉色立刻變得凝重，目光變得遙遠。 「你為什麼要追究這些過去？」  姨媽冷冷地問道。 莉娜愣了一下，心中卻越發堅定：“這不僅是關於瑪格麗特的過去，還關乎我們家族的歷史，我想了解真相。” 姨媽沉默了片刻，然後緩緩開口： 「J，這個名字對我們家族而言，是個禁忌。你祖母當年愛過他，但那段感情帶來了太多的痛苦和混亂。你也許無法理解，但那段愛情終究成為了我們家族無法擺脫的陰影。」 姨媽的話語中充滿了隱晦和憂傷，莉娜的心情越發沉重。她不禁問道：“那麼，J到底是誰？” 姨媽搖了搖頭，語氣低沉：“那個人，已經消失了。他和我們家族有著太多無法言說的牽連，最終，他必須消失在歷史的洪流中。” 莉娜的心跳加速，姨媽的話語讓她無法釋懷。她突然感到一股強烈的衝動，想要繼續深挖這段愛情的真相，不管它背後隱藏著什麼。 第七章：愛與背叛的抉擇 莉娜回到家後，決定不再依賴時間投影設備，轉而深入查找當年歷史上的政治事件。她開始翻閱與瑪格麗特家族有關的舊報紙，甚至請求一些歷史學者的幫助。這些努力讓她漸漸摸索到了一些線索：J的身份並非普通人，而是一位曾經在政權內部擔任重要職位的情報官員。 隨著這些真相浮出水面，莉娜的內心越來越複雜。她不禁想象祖母瑪格麗特當年所面臨的抉擇——愛情與家族責任，忠誠與背叛。這些選擇對於一個年輕的女人來說，無疑是巨大的壓力。瑪格麗特最終選擇放手，可能是因為她無法承擔這段愛情可能帶來的後果。 莉娜開始對自己也產生了疑問。她是否也會在某個關鍵時刻，面對這樣的抉擇？愛情與責任，究竟哪一個才是最終的答案？ 一個星期後，莉娜又回到了姨媽的家，帶著一份新的決心。她知道自己無法停下來，這段過去的愛情注定要成為她人生的一部分。 姨媽依然不願多談J的事，但她語氣柔和地對莉娜說：“無論你做出什麼決定，記住，愛情的力量是無法抗拒的，但它也會帶來深深的痛苦。” 這句話在莉娜心中回蕩，她知道，自己的命運也許正處於這樣的選擇之間。 第八章：重逢的機會 就在莉娜逐漸陷入沉思時，一個意外的消息打破了她的平靜。她發現，J在某個秘密的政府檔案中再次出現。檔案中提到他在戰爭結束後，曾經神秘失踪，似乎與某個政治事件有關。莉娜意識到，或許她還有機會找到J，揭開更多謎團。 她決定親自前往那些歷史檔案保存的地點，尋找更多的資料。當她到達目的地時，心中不禁充滿了期待與緊張。在檔案室中，莉娜翻閱了大量文件，直到一個名為“J”的名字再次出現在她面前。這次，文件中描述了J在戰爭後的行蹤，他似乎因為某次政治陰謀而消失無蹤。 正當莉娜深入調查時，一個熟悉的身影出現在她面前。那人正是她多年未見的舊友，亞歷克斯，一位從事歷史研究的學者。亞歷克斯看著她，微微一笑：“你還在追尋真相嗎？” 莉娜驚訝地看著亞歷克斯，心中泛起一絲疑惑：“你怎麼會在這裡？” 亞歷克斯笑了笑，坐下來與她並肩而坐：“其實，我早就知道你在追查祖母的過去。你一直對瑪格麗特的故事很感興趣，我也一直默默關注著。今天，你終於來到了這裡。” 莉娜有些困惑，但她也知道，亞歷克斯的話似乎並非隨口而說。他向來對歷史有著深入的理解和掌握，似乎早就察覺了她的調查動機。“那麼，你知不知道J究竟是誰？” 亞歷克斯看了看她，神色變得嚴肅：“我知道的比你想的要多一些。J並非普通人，他在當時的政府中有著極高的地位，與瑪格麗特的家庭有著深刻的關聯。事實上，他當年並不是純粹的情感糾葛，而是一次政治陰謀的核心人物。” 這些話讓莉娜心中一震，她從未想到過J的身份會如此複雜：“那麼他到底做了什麼？” 亞歷克斯低頭看著桌面，沉默了片刻，才緩緩開口：“J是一名間諜，他的任務是滲透並摧毀瑪格麗特家族的政權。兩人之間的愛情，實際上是一場精心設計的政治遊戲。瑪格麗特並非自願地愛上了J，而是被牽扯進了這場無情的計劃中。” 莉娜的心中像被雷擊中一般，這段愛情的真相遠比她所想的要黑暗得多。她不敢相信自己的耳朵：“所以，她的愛情根本就不是真心的？” 亞歷克斯搖了搖頭：“她當時是無從選擇的，她被迫選擇了這條路。瑪格麗特的愛，確實存在，但它從一開始便帶著血淚。最終，她不得不放手，因為她意識到，這段愛情已經不再屬於她，甚至無法回頭。” 這些話讓莉娜的心情變得沉重而複雜。她總是希望能夠揭開所有謎團，但現在，真相的發現卻讓她感到前所未有的痛苦。她不禁問道：“那麼J後來去哪了？他到底是死是活？” 亞歷克斯冷靜地回答：“他消失了。據說他被迫進行了偽造死亡的計劃，從此隱匿於世界的某個角落。所有關於他的記錄都被抹去，就像他從來不存在過一樣。” 莉娜感到自己被一股巨大的力量所撕扯。這段愛情曾經那麼美麗、那麼純粹，而如今卻成了歷史中的一個無解的謎。她的心中充滿了對祖母的敬意，也充滿了無法言喻的悲傷。她不再是單純的旁觀者，而是深深地陷入了這段過去的歷史中。 第九章：破碎的真相 莉娜的生活彷彿被這段歷史完全吞噬。無論她如何努力，她都無法從這些不完整的資料中找出J的最後下落。她知道，自己越是深入這段故事，就越是無法自拔。這不僅僅是對祖母瑪格麗特過去的挖掘，這也是對她自己心靈的探索。她已經不再是單純地調查過去的事情，而是試圖理解瑪格麗特所經歷的痛苦與掙扎，並在這其中找到某種答案。 某天，她再次在圖書館翻閱歷史檔案，發現了一個極為奇怪的報告。這份報告中的內容提到了瑪格麗特的家族，並且暗示了家族成員曾與一個名為「J」的人進行過某種密謀。這份報告並未記錄J的全名，而是僅僅提到了一個模糊的代號——“黑鷹”。這個代號讓莉娜的心中泛起一絲不安。她回想起亞歷克斯曾經提到過的那段故事，隨著越來越多的線索出現，她漸漸意識到，這些表面上的“秘密”背後，隱藏著無數深層的政治博弈和人性扭曲的真相。 隨著調查的深入，莉娜開始感到一種前所未有的孤獨感。每當她閉上眼睛，總是能看到祖母與J的身影，那些影像中，瑪格麗特的眼神中充滿了無奈和痛苦。她曾經愛過J，但卻無法與他走到最後。這段愛情，如同她人生的最大悲劇，注定無法圓滿。 然而，莉娜最終明白，無論她如何努力，都無法改變過去的事實。祖母和J的愛情，注定是一場注定失敗的美夢。她開始學會接受這個真相，並且放下對真相的執著。或許，這段愛情的意義不在於它的結局，而在於它曾經存在過，並且曾深深影響過瑪格麗特的一生。 第十章：愛情的詩篇 在經歷了長時間的調查後，莉娜終於放下了對過去的執著，決定將這段愛情故事寫成一篇詩篇，作為對祖母瑪格麗特的紀念。她用最真摯的語言，描述了那段跨越時空的愛情，並將所有的痛苦、掙扎與遺憾一一寫下。這篇詩篇充滿了深沉的情感，既是對瑪格麗特的理解，也是對自己心靈的一次釋放。 最終，莉娜明白了，愛情不一定非要有一個完美的結局，它的意義在於過程中的真心與投入。瑪格麗特的故事或許未曾圓滿，但它卻是真實的、動人的。她所經歷的每一個瞬間，都在歷史的長河中留下了不可磨滅的痕跡。 莉娜將這篇詩篇公佈在網上，並收到了無數的反響。人們感動於這段愛情的真實和深刻，並從中找到了共鳴。她明白，這不僅是她個人的故事，也是所有曾經經歷過愛情與痛苦的人們的共同記憶。 故事的結尾，莉娜站在祖母的墓前，低聲說道：“無論真相如何，你的愛情，永遠不會被遺忘。”

Open this link if you have any issue . Emoji English Meaning Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese 😀 ( Grinning Face ) A broad, happy smile representing general happiness 笑臉 笑脸 😁 ( Beaming Face ) A big, toothy smile showing joy or excitement 燦爛的笑容 灿烂的笑容 😂 ( Face with Tears of Joy ) Laughing so hard you're crying 笑到流淚 笑到流泪 😊 ( Smiling Face with Smiling Eyes ) A gentle, warm smile 微笑 微笑 😇 ( Smiling Face with Halo ) Innocent or angelic smile 天使的笑容 天使的笑容 🤣 ( Rolling on the Floor Laughing ) Extremely funny, laughing hysterically 笑翻 笑翻 😃 ( Grinning Face with Big Eyes ) A big, cheerful smile 開心的笑臉 开心的笑脸 😄 ( Grinning Face with Smiling Eyes ) A cheerful smile with happy eyes 開懷大笑 开怀大笑 😅 ( Smiling Face with Sweat ) Nervous or relieved smile 緊張的笑容 紧张的笑容 😉 ( Winking Face ) A playful or cheeky smile, often flirty 眨眼的微笑 眨眼的微笑 😍 ( Smiling Face with Heart-Eyes ) Love-filled smile, expressing adoration 愛心眼的微笑 爱心眼的微笑 🤩 ( Star-Struck ) Amazed, awestruck smile 星星眼的笑容 星星眼的笑容 🥰 ( Smiling Face with Hearts ) A smile showing affection or love 心滿意足的笑容 心满意足的笑容 😘 ( Face Blowing a Kiss ) A flirtatious smile with a kiss 吻臉 吻脸 😜 ( Winking Face with Tongue ) A silly or playful smile 調皮的笑臉 调皮的笑脸 🤪 ( Zany Face ) A crazy or goofy smile, full of fun 瘋狂的笑容 疯狂的笑容 😎 ( Smiling Face with Sunglasses ) A cool and confident smile 酷酷的笑容 酷酷的笑容 🤭 ( Face with Hand Over Mouth ) Laughing quietly or shyly 偷笑 偷笑 🫠 ( Melting Face ) A smile that's awkward, embarrassed, or overwhelmed 融化的笑容 融化的笑容 🤤 ( Drooling Face ) A smile expressing desire or hunger 垂涎三尺的笑容 垂涎三尺的笑容

Open this link if you have any issue . 1. Hit the road Question:  What does "hit the road" mean? Answers: a) To start a journey. b) To hit something on the road. c) To repair a road. d) To block the road. Correct Answer:  a) To start a journey. Meaning: English:  To leave or begin traveling. Traditional Chinese:  出發或開始旅行。 Simplified Chinese:  出发或开始旅行。 Examples: It’s getting late; we should hit the road before traffic gets worse. After saying goodbye to everyone, they hit the road for their vacation. 2. Kick the bucket Question:  What does "kick the bucket" mean? Answers: a) To die. b) To kick a literal bucket. c) To quit a job. d) To give up easily. Correct Answer:  a) To die. Meaning: English:  A humorous or informal way to say someone has died. Traditional Chinese:  死亡的幽默說法。 Simplified Chinese:  死亡的幽默说法。 Examples: He left a fortune for his kids after he kicked the bucket. Everyone was shocked when they heard the old man kicked the bucket last night. 3. Piece of cake Question:  What does "piece of cake" mean? Answers: a) Something very difficult. b) Something very easy. c) A delicious dessert. d) A reward for completing a task. Correct Answer:  b) Something very easy. Meaning: English:  A task that is very easy to do. Traditional Chinese:  非常簡單的事。 Simplified Chinese:  非常简单的事。 Examples: Solving this math problem was a piece of cake. Cooking pasta is a piece of cake if you follow the instructions. 4. See eye to eye Question:  What does "see eye to eye" mean? Answers: a) To physically look at each other. b) To agree completely. c) To argue continuously. d) To avoid eye contact. Correct Answer:  b) To agree completely. Meaning: English:  To completely agree on something. Traditional Chinese:  完全同意某事。 Simplified Chinese:  完全同意某事。 Examples: We see eye to eye on the new marketing strategy. It’s rare for them to see eye to eye, but they agreed this time. 5. Throw in the towel Question:  What does "throw in the towel" mean? Answers: a) To give up. b) To clean something. c) To throw a towel at someone. d) To help someone. Correct Answer:  a) To give up. Meaning: English:  To admit defeat or quit something. Traditional Chinese:  承認失敗或放棄。 Simplified Chinese:  承认失败或放弃。 Examples: After trying for years, she finally threw in the towel on her business. Don’t throw in the towel just yet; you’re almost there. 6. Jump the gun Question:  What does "jump the gun" mean? Answers: a) To act too soon. b) To fire a gun. c) To be late. d) To prepare in advance. Correct Answer:  a) To act too soon. Meaning: English:  To start something prematurely. Traditional Chinese:  過早開始某事。 Simplified Chinese:  过早开始某事。 Examples: Don’t jump the gun by making a decision without all the facts. He jumped the gun and submitted the report before it was ready. 7. Hit the sack Question:  What does "hit the sack" mean? Answers: a) To go to bed. b) To punch a sack. c) To sleep on the floor. d) To feel exhausted. Correct Answer:  a) To go to bed. Meaning: English:  To go to bed or sleep. Traditional Chinese:  上床睡覺。 Simplified Chinese:  上床睡觉。 Examples: I’m so tired; I’m going to hit the sack early tonight. After a long day of work, he hit the sack as soon as he got home. 8. Break the ice Question:  What does "break the ice" mean? Answers: a) To destroy ice. b) To start a conversation in a tense situation. c) To stop talking. d) To play with ice. Correct Answer:  b) To start a conversation in a tense situation. Meaning: English:  To make people feel more comfortable in a social setting. Traditional Chinese:  打破緊張的氣氛。 Simplified Chinese:  打破紧张的气氛。 Examples: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting. The host broke the ice by asking everyone to introduce themselves. 9. Fit as a fiddle Question:  What does "fit as a fiddle" mean? Answers: a) Very healthy. b) Very sick. c) Very musical. d) Very strong. Correct Answer:  a) Very healthy. Meaning: English:  In excellent health. Traditional Chinese:  健康狀況非常好。 Simplified Chinese:  健康状况非常好。 Examples: Despite his age, he’s as fit as a fiddle. After the surgery, she’s back to being fit as a fiddle. 10. Break a leg Question:  What does "break a leg" mean? Answers: a) To perform well. b) To injure your leg. c) To run fast. d) To quit a performance. Correct Answer:  a) To perform well. Meaning: English:  A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. Traditional Chinese:  一種祝別人好運的方式。 Simplified Chinese:  一种祝别人好运的方式。 Examples: Break a leg at your audition tomorrow! The director told the cast to break a leg before the show started. 11. The last straw Question:  What does "the last straw" mean? Answers: a) The final problem that causes a reaction. b) The last straw of a haystack. c) A moment of relief. d) A random event. Correct Answer:  a) The final problem that causes a reaction. Meaning: English:  The final issue or problem in a series of difficulties. Traditional Chinese:  壓倒駱駝的最後一根稻草。 Simplified Chinese:  压倒骆驼的最后一根稻草。 Examples: The constant delays were frustrating, but losing the package was the last straw. She quit her job after her boss yelled at her; it was the last straw.

Chapter 1: The Discovery Lian, now in her late twenties, finds herself at a crossroads. It’s been two years since her fiancé Wei passed away suddenly, and despite her engagement to Zhang, she feels a sense of emotional distance from him. She’s haunted by memories of Wei, memories that seem to eclipse everything in her present life. Zhang, though kind and patient, can’t seem to reach her, and Lian wonders if she’ll ever be able to truly love again. Her life seems to be defined by a constant undercurrent of grief, as though she’s always living in the shadow of Wei. Lian’s mother, Mei, passed away just a few months ago, adding another layer to her sadness. Lian is now sorting through her mother’s belongings, unsure what to keep and what to discard. She finds it difficult to part with any of Mei’s things. There’s a sense of wanting to hold onto the past, as if keeping these objects close will somehow bring her mother back. In the far corner of a drawer, Lian uncovers a box that’s slightly dusty but sealed with a ribbon. Inside are bundles of old letters, each one carefully folded and tied with twine. The paper is yellowed with age, and the handwriting is elegant, beautiful in its simplicity. As she reads the first letter, Lian realizes that these letters were written by a man named Jun, and they are addressed to Mei. The letters span several years, from the time Mei was in her twenties, long before she met Lian’s father. Lian is shocked. She never knew her mother had a past like this—a passionate, secret love affair. The letters speak of deep affection, of longing and heartache, and of a love that seems to have been thwarted by circumstances. The more Lian reads, the more fascinated she becomes with this man, Jun, who was so important to her mother, but who was never mentioned to Lian or anyone else. Why had Mei kept these letters hidden? And why had Lian never heard of Jun? The mystery gnaws at her, and she becomes fixated on understanding the depths of this love that her mother had once experienced. Chapter 2: The Past Unfolds The love letters stir something within Lian—a sense of wonder and sadness. She is captivated by Jun’s words, which speak of a connection that transcends time and space. His love for Mei is palpable in every sentence. The letters speak of stolen moments, quiet conversations, and a love so strong that even separation could not sever it. Jun writes of the pain of being apart and the regret of not being able to be together. As Lian reads more letters, she starts to imagine her mother, Mei, as a young woman. Mei was vibrant and full of life, much like Lian had been when she was in love with Wei. Lian’s mind begins to merge the past and present—she wonders if her mother’s love for Jun was as intense as her own love for Wei. But there are differences. Mei and Jun’s love was marred by circumstance; they had to part ways due to unforeseen events that left them both with unresolved feelings. Lian, on the other hand, had been robbed of any closure with Wei. He had been taken from her too soon. The letters stir a deep sense of longing in Lian, and she feels an intense connection to Jun, despite never having met him. She becomes obsessed with these letters and the story they tell. Why did Mei never speak of Jun? Was it out of love for Lian’s father? Or was it a painful part of her past that she wanted to forget? Lian begins researching Jun, but there are no traces of him in her family’s history. Her father refuses to speak about him, and when Lian asks her relatives, they either become silent or offer vague answers. Some seem uncomfortable, as if there’s something they’re not telling her. Lian grows more determined to understand who Jun was, not only for her mother’s sake but for her own. If Jun’s love for Mei was real, what kind of man was he? Was his love something Lian could understand, something that mirrored her own? In the midst of her confusion and sorrow, Lian begins to question her relationship with Zhang. She feels disconnected from him, emotionally distant. She realizes that she is still grieving Wei and that she has never fully allowed herself to heal. The love letters to her mother stir a desire for closure, not just for her mother’s past, but for her own heart as well. Lian begins writing to Jun, telling him her own story—how she lost Wei, how she’s still unable to let go, and how she’s trying to rebuild her life. She hopes, in a way, that Jun can help her make sense of the love stories that have shaped her life. Chapter 3: The Mystery of Jun Lian’s obsession with Jun deepens as she continues to read the letters. Each one provides a new layer of insight into the depth of Mei and Jun’s love, and Lian finds herself captivated by the passion they shared. But there’s a mystery—Jun seems to have disappeared from Mei’s life. The letters, though passionate and full of longing, hint at a separation that neither party ever truly understood. Jun writes of having to leave, of being forced into a decision that tore them apart. Lian becomes determined to find out more. She digs through old family records, searching for any trace of Jun. She even visits old family friends and distant relatives, hoping to uncover some piece of information that will shed light on this man. But every attempt is met with silence or vague references. No one seems willing to talk about Jun, and Lian is left frustrated. She writes Jun a letter, pouring out her heart, asking him why he left Mei and why he never came back for her. She asks him to explain what happened. In her letter, Lian admits her own struggles—her inability to move on from Wei and her uncertainty about her future with Zhang. She hopes that Jun’s response will offer some clarity, not only for her mother’s past but also for her own life. The response arrives weeks later. Jun writes back, acknowledging that he had never intended to send another letter, but something about Lian’s words moved him. He tells her that he understands her grief, for he has lived with his own for many years. He writes that, even now, he has never stopped loving Mei, and that her memory has haunted him all these years. Jun tells Lian that he had to leave because of circumstances beyond his control, but he never stopped thinking about Mei. His life, though filled with other relationships, was never complete without her. Jun offers Lian a chance to meet him in person. He suggests they talk face-to-face and share their stories, as though their lives have been intertwined through their love for the same woman. Lian is hesitant. What would it mean to meet Jun? Could this help her find closure, or would it complicate things further? Lian isn’t sure, but she knows she has to find out. Chapter 4: A Parallel Journey As Lian prepares to meet Jun, she reflects on her own grief and the parallel paths their lives have taken. Jun’s story, though different in many ways, mirrors her own. Both he and Lian have experienced the loss of a great love—Jun with Mei, and Lian with Wei. Both of them are left with unanswered questions, unresolved emotions, and a deep sense of longing for something that cannot be. Lian writes to Zhang, telling him about the letters and the upcoming meeting with Jun. Zhang, though supportive, expresses his concern. He wants Lian to move forward, to allow herself to heal, but he understands why she feels the need to understand her mother’s past. He urges her to take whatever time she needs, but he also asks her to be honest with herself about her feelings for him. The emotional distance between Lian and Zhang grows as she prepares for the trip. She feels guilty for not being fully present in their relationship, but at the same time, she knows that she cannot move forward without confronting the past. She decides that meeting Jun might be the key to unlocking her own healing. Chapter 5: Letters from Jun When Lian arrives at Jun’s town, she’s filled with anticipation and fear. What will this meeting be like? Will it bring her closure or just open up more wounds? As she waits in the café, she feels a sense of nervous excitement. She imagines what Jun might be like—older, yes, but still carrying the memory of Mei in his heart. Finally, Jun walks in. He is a man in his late 60s, with silver hair and a calm demeanor. He greets her warmly but with an air of sadness, as though he’s been waiting for this moment for a long time. The meeting is both intimate and awkward, as they exchange pleasantries before diving into the depths of their conversation. They talk about Mei, about the love they shared, and about the ways in which time and distance separated them. Jun speaks with great affection for Mei, recounting their happiest moments and their deepest regrets. He admits that his life was never the same after Mei, that he never truly moved on, but that he also respected her decision to marry someone else. Lian is struck by Jun’s words, by the pain and love that still exists between him and Mei, even though they were never able to be together. She asks him why he never came back, why he didn’t fight for her. Jun takes a deep breath, his eyes clouded with regret. “There were so many things that kept us apart, Lian. I thought that by staying away, I was doing the right thing. But over the years, I’ve come to realize that I never truly let go of Mei. Even after all this time, I carry her with me. I think we both made choices—hard choices—because of the circumstances we faced. But neither of us was ever truly happy after we parted.” Lian listens intently, feeling both sympathy and sorrow. She can feel the weight of his words, as though he’s been carrying this burden alone for decades. In a way, it mirrors her own struggle with Wei’s death. She had never been given the chance to say goodbye or to understand why their love was so abruptly cut short. The lingering questions have haunted her, just as Jun’s regret has haunted him. “I never knew Mei had such deep feelings for you,” Lian says quietly. “She never spoke of you, not once. And now, reading your letters, I can feel her pain, her longing, her love for you. But it’s all so distant, so mysterious.” Jun nods solemnly. “I knew it would be painful for her to remember me, so I stayed away. I thought if I let her live her life, she would find peace. But I was wrong. She never forgot me, and neither did I.” He looks at Lian with a mixture of affection and sadness. “Your mother had a love that was rare. It wasn’t just the kind of love that you see in movies or books—it was deep, life-altering. And I know it left her with a piece of her heart that could never be filled.” Lian can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She has always thought of her mother’s life as perfect—she had a husband, a family, a successful life. But now, listening to Jun, Lian realizes that her mother’s life was not as complete as she thought. Mei’s love for Jun had been real, and it had shaped her in ways that Lian had never understood. “Do you ever wonder,” Lian asks, her voice soft, “if you and Wei would have ended up the same way? That maybe we would’ve been left with memories instead of a future?” Jun’s face softens, and he looks down at his hands, folding and unfolding the napkin in front of him. “I think the pain of losing someone you love never really goes away. But it changes. It becomes something you learn to carry. I lost Mei, but I didn’t lose everything. I had a life to live, and eventually, I had to accept that. I believe Wei would’ve wanted you to find happiness, just like Mei would’ve wanted me to.” Lian feels a deep, sudden understanding flood her heart. The years of grief, the endless questioning—it all begins to make sense. She hasn’t been grieving just for Wei, but for the version of herself that could never be. The version of herself that would have lived in the world she imagined with him. But life is never like that, Lian realizes. It’s a mix of losses and gains, regrets and decisions, and sometimes, we need to make peace with the things we cannot change. Chapter 6: Reconnecting with the Present After the conversation with Jun, Lian feels an overwhelming sense of clarity. She realizes that the past, no matter how deeply intertwined with her emotions, cannot dictate her future. Jun’s words, although painful, helped her see that both he and Mei had moved on—albeit in their own ways—and perhaps it was time for her to do the same. As Lian heads back to her apartment, her thoughts turn to Zhang. She had been so distant from him, too focused on the past and her unresolved grief. But as she reflects on her encounter with Jun, she realizes that Zhang is a part of her present, and maybe it’s time to stop living in the shadow of the past. The next day, Lian calls Zhang. Her voice is tentative at first, but there’s a sincerity to her words. “Zhang, I’ve been thinking about everything. I’ve been so caught up in my grief that I didn’t see what I had in front of me. I’m sorry.” Zhang, though surprised by her sudden openness, responds with warmth. “I understand, Lian. You’ve been through so much, and I’ve been trying to be patient with you. I just want you to know that I’m here for you, no matter what.” Lian smiles, her heart a little lighter. “I know. And I think... I think it’s time I started moving forward.” They agree to meet for dinner that evening, and Lian feels a sense of anticipation she hasn’t felt in a long time. She’s ready to embrace the present, to let go of the past and the painful memories that have held her hostage. The conversation with Jun has not only helped her understand her mother’s love but has also made her realize that she is not alone in her grief. Others, too, carry their burdens, but it doesn’t mean they should stop living. Chapter 7: The Unspoken Truth Back at home, Lian finds herself thinking about the future, and about the life she wants to build. The meeting with Jun gave her a sense of peace, and now she’s ready to focus on the things that matter—her relationships, her career, and the joy that she has been neglecting. But there is one more thing that Lian needs to face: the truth about her own feelings for Zhang. While she knows that she is ready to move forward, she also realizes that her heart has not completely healed. She has a long way to go, but it doesn’t mean she has to do it alone. Zhang has been there for her, even when she pushed him away, and that’s something worth acknowledging. The evening before their dinner, Lian sits down and writes another letter—not to Jun, but to Wei. She writes about the journey she has taken over the past few months, about the discovery of her mother’s letters, and about how those letters led her to realize that love, in all its forms, is complicated. She tells Wei that she will never forget him, that he will always be a part of her, but that she has to let him go in order to move forward. In the letter, Lian writes, “You were the love of my life, Wei. I know I can never replace what we had, but I have to find my way now. I hope you can understand. I hope you’re at peace, and I hope I can be, too.” Chapter 8: A New Beginning As Lian arrives at the restaurant to meet Zhang, she feels a sense of calm she hasn’t experienced in a long time. When she sees him, she feels a warmth in her chest. He’s still the same kind, caring man, and she realizes that perhaps, in his own way, he’s been grieving too. Their relationship has been filled with pauses, silences, and unspoken words. But now, it’s time to fill those silences with the possibility of something new. They sit down together, and the conversation flows more easily than it has in months. They talk about their lives, their dreams, and their struggles. Lian feels an old connection rekindling, and while it’s not the same as what she had with Wei, it’s something new—a new love, built on understanding and patience. It’s a beginning, not an end. And as Lian looks into Zhang’s eyes, she finally understands what it means to heal. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting; it means learning to live with the past, to embrace the present, and to look forward to the future. With the letters from Jun, Lian has unlocked a deeper understanding of her mother’s love and of her own heart. It’s time to move forward—not with regret, but with hope. The story ends with Lian and Zhang walking out of the restaurant, hand in hand, ready to face the future together, knowing that the journey they are about to embark on is just beginning. Epilogue: The Letters Live On Years later, Lian returns to the box of letters her mother had written to Jun. She smiles, feeling a sense of gratitude for the gift her mother had left behind. It’s a reminder of the love that transcends time, and it continues to inspire Lian to live her life with love, not just for others but for herself as well. As she sits in her office, preparing for another busy day, Lian writes a letter—not to Jun, but to her own daughter, passing on the wisdom she’s gained from the letters and from her own experiences. She writes about love, loss, and the importance of living fully, no matter what life throws your way. The letters, like the love they represent, continue to live on, passing from one generation to the next.

Ready to boost your English skills? Test your knowledge and improve your fluency with our English Quiz ! Whether you're learning for fun, preparing for business meetings, or just looking to expand your vocabulary, our quiz provides the perfect chance to challenge yourself and learn something new. Tags #ImproveYourEnglish #BusinessEnglish #EnglishVocabulary #ESLLearners #OnlineQuiz #LanguageLearning If you want to improve your English together, please follow us in social media or subscribe our blog. Click this link if you'ave any issues. 1. Cut to the chase Question : What does the phrase "cut to the chase" mean? A) Stop cutting paper B) Get to the main point without unnecessary details C) Run very quickly D) End a conversation abruptly Correct Answer : B) Get to the main point without unnecessary details Explanation : "Cut to the chase" means to go straight to the main topic, skipping unnecessary details. Traditional Chinese : 直接進入主題 Simplified Chinese : 直接进入主题 Examples : "We don’t have much time, so let’s cut to the chase and discuss the project’s main challenges." "After some small talk, she cut to the chase and explained why she was there." 2. Cut corners Question : What does "cut corners" mean? A) Make sharp turns B) Skip necessary steps to save time or money C) Decorate a room D) Start a new path Correct Answer : B) Skip necessary steps to save time or money Explanation : "Cut corners" means to do something in a quicker or easier way that results in lower quality. Traditional Chinese : 偷工減料 Simplified Chinese : 偷工减料 Examples : "The company cut corners on quality to increase their profit margins." "Don’t cut corners with safety; it could lead to serious consequences." 3. Cut it out Question : What does "cut it out" mean? A) Finish cutting paper B) Stop doing that C) Start over D) Turn the lights out Correct Answer : B) Stop doing that Explanation : "Cut it out" is an expression used to tell someone to stop doing something that is annoying or inappropriate. Traditional Chinese : 停止 Simplified Chinese : 停止 Examples : "The kids were making too much noise, so I told them to cut it out." "If you keep bothering her, she’s going to ask you to cut it out." 4. Cut back Question : What does "cut back" mean? A) Go backwards B) Reduce the amount of something C) Trim a tree D) Leave the house Correct Answer : B) Reduce the amount of something Explanation : "Cut back" means to reduce or decrease the amount of something, such as spending or consumption. Traditional Chinese : 減少 Simplified Chinese : 减少 Examples : "We need to cut back on expenses to save more money." "He’s trying to cut back on his coffee intake." 5. Cut down to size Question : What does "cut down to size" mean? A) Make clothes smaller B) Reduce someone's perceived importance C) Lose weight D) Chop trees Correct Answer : B) Reduce someone's perceived importance Explanation : "Cut down to size" means to show someone that they are not as important or powerful as they think. Traditional Chinese : 讓某人認清現實 Simplified Chinese : 让某人认清现实 Examples : "The new manager was cut down to size after the board meeting." "He needed to be cut down to size after bragging too much." 6. Cut through the noise Question : What does "cut through the noise" mean? A) Use scissors on something noisy B) Be noticeable among distractions C) Cut through the sound waves D) Silence everyone Correct Answer : B) Be noticeable among distractions Explanation : "Cut through the noise" means to stand out and be heard in a crowded or cluttered environment. Traditional Chinese : 在雜音中脫穎而出 Simplified Chinese : 在杂音中脱颖而出 Examples : "Her innovative ideas helped her cut through the noise in a competitive market." "The campaign was designed to cut through the noise and reach more viewers." 7. Cut someone off Question : What does "cut someone off" mean? A) Stop providing them with resources B) Let them pass C) Remove them from a group photo D) Introduce them to others Correct Answer : A) Stop providing them with resources Explanation : "Cut someone off" means to stop supplying or supporting someone, often abruptly. Traditional Chinese : 中斷聯繫 Simplified Chinese : 中断联系 Examples : "The landlord cut him off after he missed three rent payments." "Her parents cut her off financially when she dropped out of college." 8. Cut your losses Question : What does "cut your losses" mean? A) Sell everything you own B) Stop investing in a failing project C) Keep working harder D) Cut down a tree Correct Answer : B) Stop investing in a failing project Explanation : "Cut your losses" means to stop pursuing something that is no longer profitable to prevent further loss. Traditional Chinese : 止損 Simplified Chinese : 止损 Examples : "After months of poor sales, they decided to cut their losses and close the store." "You need to cut your losses before you lose more money." 9. Cut ties Question : What does "cut ties" mean? A) Mend broken relationships B) Sever relationships or connections C) Join a group D) Tie a knot Correct Answer : B) Sever relationships or connections Explanation : "Cut ties" means to end a relationship or association with someone or something. Traditional Chinese : 斷絕關係 Simplified Chinese : 断绝关系 Examples : "After the scandal, he decided to cut ties with the organization." "She cut ties with her former employer after a dispute." 10. Cut the crap Question : What does "cut the crap" mean? A) Clean up a mess B) Stop talking nonsense and be serious C) Start telling stories D) Stop doing chores Correct Answer : B) Stop talking nonsense and be serious Explanation : "Cut the crap" is an informal expression used to tell someone to stop speaking nonsense and get serious. Traditional Chinese : 別胡扯 Simplified Chinese : 别胡扯 Examples : "We’re running out of time, so cut the crap and tell me what happened." "Cut the crap and get to the point; we need to make a decision." 11. Cut in line Question : What does "cut in line" mean? A) Leave the line B) Join the line at the front without waiting C) Stand quietly in line D) Cut the line with scissors Correct Answer : B) Join the line at the front without waiting Explanation : "Cut in line" means to unfairly move ahead of others waiting in line. Traditional Chinese : 插隊 Simplified Chinese : 插队 Examples : "It’s rude to cut in line; everyone should wait their turn." "He got angry when someone cut in line at the concert." 12. Cut a deal Question : What does "cut a deal" mean? A) Refuse to negotiate B) Negotiate and agree on terms C) Cut a piece of paper into a specific shape D) Break an agreement Correct Answer : B) Negotiate and agree on terms Explanation : "Cut a deal" means to negotiate and come to an agreement or arrangement. Traditional Chinese : 達成協議 Simplified Chinese : 达成协议 Examples : "The company cut a deal with a major supplier to reduce costs." "They managed to cut a deal that satisfied both parties." 13. Cut the mustard Question : What does "cut the mustard" mean? A) Use mustard in cooking B) Meet a required standard or expectation C) Make a mustard sandwich D) Fall short of expectations Correct Answer : B) Meet a required standard or expectation Explanation : "Cut the mustard" means to meet or exceed the necessary standards or requirements. Traditional Chinese : 達到標準 Simplified Chinese : 达到标准 Examples : "He couldn’t cut the mustard in his new job, so he resigned." "If you want to make the team, you need to cut the mustard." 14. Cut one's losses Question : What does "cut one's losses" mean? A) Double the investment B) Stop investing time or money to prevent further loss C) Start over D) Keep trying harder Correct Answer : B) Stop investing time or money to prevent further loss Explanation : "Cut one's losses" means to stop investing in a failing project to avoid greater loss. Traditional Chinese : 止損 Simplified Chinese : 止损 Examples : "After realizing the business wasn’t profitable, they cut their losses and closed it down." "It’s better to cut your losses now before you lose even more money." 15. Cut someone some slack Question : What does "cut someone some slack" mean? A) Be strict with them B) Give them a break and be lenient C) Leave them out of a task D) Make them work harder Correct Answer : B) Give them a break and be lenient Explanation : "Cut someone some slack" means to be less critical and more lenient with someone. Traditional Chinese : 體諒 Simplified Chinese : 体谅 Examples : "I know he made a mistake, but cut him some slack—he’s new here." "Cut her some slack; she’s been under a lot of pressure lately." 16. Cut both ways Question : What does "cut both ways" mean? A) Be double-edged or have both positive and negative effects B) Cut through two objects C) Be indecisive D) Fail at a task Correct Answer : A) Be double-edged or have both positive and negative effects Explanation : "Cut both ways" refers to something having both positive and negative consequences. Traditional Chinese : 兩面俱有影響 Simplified Chinese : 两面俱有影响 Examples : "The new policy could cut both ways; it may save money but also reduce employee morale." "Being famous cuts both ways—you gain popularity, but you lose privacy." 17. Cut and dried Question : What does "cut and dried" mean? A) Simple and straightforward B) Complicated and unclear C) Half-finished D) Always changing Correct Answer : A) Simple and straightforward Explanation : "Cut and dried" describes something that is clear, unambiguous, or decided. Traditional Chinese : 明確的 Simplified Chinese : 明确的 Examples : "The rules are cut and dried—no room for negotiation." "The decision to close the store was cut and dried." 18. Cut a rug Question : What does "cut a rug" mean? A) Dance enthusiastically B) Destroy furniture C) Clean a carpet D) Argue loudly Correct Answer : A) Dance enthusiastically Explanation : "Cut a rug" is a playful idiom meaning to dance, usually with energy and joy. Traditional Chinese : 舞動身影 Simplified Chinese : 舞动身影 Examples : "The music was so good that everyone wanted to cut a rug on the dance floor." "She loves to cut a rug at weddings and parties." 19. Cut to the bone Question : What does "cut to the bone" mean? A) Reduce to the bare minimum B) Perform surgery C) Make a sharp cut D) Be deeply hurt emotionally Correct Answer : A) Reduce to the bare minimum Explanation : "Cut to the bone" means to reduce something as much as possible, often to a painful extent. Traditional Chinese : 減到最少 Simplified Chinese : 减到最少 Examples : "The company had to cut expenses to the bone to stay afloat." "Her criticism cut to the bone, leaving him deeply affected." 20. Cut loose Question : What does "cut loose" mean? A) Set free or act without restraint B) Cut a rope C) Become wealthy D) Behave cautiously Correct Answer : A) Set free or act without restraint Explanation : "Cut loose" means to let go, act freely, or separate from restrictions. Traditional Chinese : 解放自己 Simplified Chinese : 解放自己 Examples : "It’s time to cut loose and enjoy yourself on the weekend." "The boss decided to cut the underperforming employee loose." 21. Cut out for Question : What does "cut out for" mean? A) Be suited for something B) Leave abruptly C) Quit a task D) Start a new hobby Correct Answer : A) Be suited for something Explanation : "Cut out for" means to be naturally suited or qualified for something. Traditional Chinese : 適合 Simplified Chinese : 适合 Examples : "She’s cut out for teaching; her patience and passion are unmatched." "I don’t think I’m cut out for a desk job." 22. Cut in Question : What does "cut in" mean? A) Interrupt a conversation B) Make a cake C) Create something new D) Stop a machine Correct Answer : A) Interrupt a conversation Explanation : "Cut in" means to interrupt someone while they are speaking or doing something. Traditional Chinese : 打斷 Simplified Chinese : 打断 Examples : "He always cuts in when others are speaking—it’s so rude." "I was explaining my point when she suddenly cut in with her opinion." 23. Cut no ice Question : What does "cut no ice" mean? A) Have no effect or influence B) Slide on ice C) Make a sharp comment D) Ignore someone Correct Answer : A) Have no effect or influence Explanation : "Cut no ice" means to fail to make an impact or impression. Traditional Chinese : 毫無影響 Simplified Chinese : 毫无影响 Examples : "His excuses cut no ice with the principal, who demanded immediate action." "Your complaints cut no ice with me—I won’t change my mind." 24. Cut corners Question : What does "cut corners" mean? A) Do something cheaply or quickly by omitting details B) Drive around corners C) Take a longer route D) Avoid obstacles Correct Answer : A) Do something cheaply or quickly by omitting details Explanation : "Cut corners" means to save time or money by skipping necessary steps or using shortcuts, often resulting in lower quality. Traditional Chinese : 偷工減料 Simplified Chinese : 偷工减料 Examples : "If you cut corners during construction, the building might not be safe." "The company was accused of cutting corners to increase profits." 25. Cut a long story short Question : What does "cut a long story short" mean? A) Skip unnecessary details to summarize a story B) Tell a detailed story C) Start a new story D) Forget about the story Correct Answer : A) Skip unnecessary details to summarize a story Explanation : "Cut a long story short" means to condense a story by focusing only on the main points. Traditional Chinese : 長話短說 Simplified Chinese : 长话短说 Examples : "To cut a long story short, we missed the train but managed to get a taxi." "She started explaining, but he asked her to cut a long story short." 26. Cut the cheese Question : What does "cut the cheese" mean? A) Pass gas (informally) B) Slice actual cheese C) Take a shortcut D) Finish quickly Correct Answer : A) Pass gas (informally) Explanation : "Cut the cheese" is a humorous way to refer to passing gas. Traditional Chinese : 放屁（幽默） Simplified Chinese : 放屁（幽默） Examples : "Who cut the cheese? It smells terrible in here!" "The kids couldn’t stop laughing after someone cut the cheese." 27. Cut through the red tape Question : What does "cut through the red tape" mean? A) Bypass bureaucratic obstacles B) Ignore laws C) Avoid work D) Use a red ribbon Correct Answer : A) Bypass bureaucratic obstacles Explanation : "Cut through the red tape" means to overcome excessive bureaucracy or formalities to accomplish something. Traditional Chinese : 剪除繁文縟節 Simplified Chinese : 剪除繁文缛节 Examples : "The new policy aims to cut through the red tape and speed up the process." "They hired a consultant to cut through the red tape and secure the permit." 28. Cut one's teeth Question : What does "cut one's teeth" mean? A) Gain initial experience in something B) Lose a tooth C) Start speaking D) Learn about dentistry Correct Answer : A) Gain initial experience in something Explanation : "Cut one's teeth" means to gain experience or develop skills in a particular field or activity. Traditional Chinese : 磨練經驗 Simplified Chinese : 磨练经验 Examples : "She cut her teeth in the publishing industry before starting her own company." "He cut his teeth as a junior reporter before moving into investigative journalism." 29. Cut someone off Question : What does "cut someone off" mean? A) Interrupt or block someone B) Assist someone C) Continue a conversation D) Ignore rules Correct Answer : A) Interrupt or block someone Explanation : "Cut someone off" means to interrupt them while speaking or to block their way physically. Traditional Chinese : 打斷/阻擋 Simplified Chinese : 打断/阻挡 Examples : "She got frustrated when he kept cutting her off during the meeting." "A car suddenly cut me off on the highway, and I had to brake." 30. Cut to the quick Question : What does "cut to the quick" mean? A) Hurt someone's feelings deeply B) Finish something quickly C) Start over D) Take a shortcut Correct Answer : A) Hurt someone's feelings deeply Explanation : "Cut to the quick" means to wound someone emotionally or offend them deeply. Traditional Chinese : 深深刺傷某人的感情 Simplified Chinese : 深深刺伤某人的感情 Examples : "Her harsh words cut him to the quick, leaving him speechless." "The betrayal cut her to the quick, and she couldn’t forgive him."

第一章：信的開始 蓮從未想過，母親的秘密會以這種方式展開。那封未送達的情書，無論是對過去的回憶還是對失落的愛情，都深深吸引了她。當她打開那個尘封的箱子，發現母親多年前寫的那些信件時，仿佛回到了過去，回到了那個她一直未曾了解的時光。 這些信是母親在年輕時寫給一個名叫君的男人的，但這段情感從未被告訴過蓮。她一直以為，母親的愛情故事只是與父親平靜而穩定的婚姻，然而，這些信的內容徹底顛覆了她對母親過去的認知。 蓮捧著那封摺疊整齊的信，細細讀著母親的文字。信中透露著一段深刻的愛情，這份愛情似乎從未消逝，甚至在多年後，仍然帶著不可言喻的痛苦與悔恨。每一個字，每一行都如同敲打著蓮的心，她感受到母親在信中所承載的情感和未竟的愛。 然而，蓮也感受到一種深深的失落。她曾經認為自己是母親生活中的一切，卻忽略了母親心中那段未被實現的愛。她開始質疑，自己對母親的了解是否太過狹隘，或許她從未真正了解過母親。 蓮緩緩放下信，心中彷彿被無數疑問填滿。為什麼母親從未提起這段過去？她是否遺忘了君？還是說，她選擇將這段回憶深埋在心底，永遠不再提起？ 這些問題像潮水般湧來，蓮無法忽視。她的心情變得沉重，因為她發現，母親的愛情不僅是她生命的一部分，也深深影響著她的成長和世界觀。這不僅是一封信，而是一段歷史，一段被隱藏的真相。 這時，蓮聽到門鈴聲響起。她站起來，將信放回箱中。她知道，無論自己有多少疑問，答案不會這麼輕易得來。她決定先冷靜下來，或許與外界接觸，能幫助她理清自己的思緒。 當她打開門，看見站在門外的君，她的心跳不禁加快。這是她第一次見到這個在母親的信中出現過的男人。君微微一笑，眼神中帶著一絲熟悉的溫柔。 “你就是蓮吧？”君低聲問。 蓮點了點頭，心中充滿了不安和期待。她並不知道，這次會面的後續將改變她的一生。 第二章：命運的相遇 蓮與君坐在餐廳的角落，桌上一杯杯茶冒著熱氣。他們都沉默著，像是在消化彼此的存在和這場不期而遇的會面。 “我不知道該如何開口，”蓮終於打破沉默，她低頭看著杯中的茶，“我只是想知道，您對我母親的信是什麼感覺？這些年來，她似乎從未忘記過您。” 君抬起頭，眼神深邃，彷彿正回憶那些埋藏在記憶深處的日子。“梅——你的母親，她是我這輩子唯一真正愛過的人。但命運並沒有讓我們在一起。那時候，我們年輕，生活中充滿了不確定性和困難。她選擇了一條她認為更穩妥的路，而我……我沒有能力挽留她。” 蓮的心不禁為母親揪緊。她可以感受到君的痛苦，也能想像母親當時的掙扎。她想問更多，但又害怕揭開更多的傷痛。 君微微一笑，帶著一絲淡淡的苦澀。“我很驚訝你找到那些信，也很感激你願意和我見面。梅可能從未告訴過你我們的故事，但那是我一生中最珍貴的回憶。” 蓮點了點頭。“我一直以為母親的生活只有我和父親，沒想到她曾經有這麼深刻的愛情。我想了解她，也想了解您。” “那麼，讓我告訴你我們的故事吧。”君看著窗外，眼神彷彿穿越了時光，回到了那個青春年少的年代。 第三章：青春的秘密 君的聲音柔和而深沉，彷彿每一個字都帶著回憶的重量。 “那是我們在大學時代認識的時候。梅很特別，她有一種讓人無法忽視的光芒。她聰明又堅強，但也帶著一絲害羞。每次看到她的笑容，我都感覺自己被治癒了。” 蓮微微一笑，她能想像年輕時的母親有多迷人。從小到大，她就一直覺得母親是一個完美的典範。 “我們一起參加了很多活動，也有許多共同的朋友。但有一件事讓我們的關係特別——那是一場雨。”君的嘴角浮現一抹懷念的笑容。 “那天，梅忘了帶傘，而我剛好經過。她站在校門口，看起來既尷尬又無助。我走過去，把我的傘遞給她。從那天起，我們開始交談，也開始互相了解。” 蓮感到一股溫暖湧上心頭，彷彿君的話語帶她回到了母親青春的歲月。 第四章：遺憾與選擇 “然而，”君的聲音低沉下來，“並不是所有的故事都有完美的結局。我們相愛，但生活的現實讓我們不得不做出艱難的選擇。那時候，我家裡的經濟狀況不太好，而梅的父母對她有很高的期待。” 蓮皺起眉頭，她開始理解母親為什麼會選擇父親，也理解君內心的掙扎。 “我曾試圖說服她與我一起離開，開始新的生活。但她說她無法放棄家庭，也不想讓她的父母失望。我知道這對她來說很痛苦，但我尊重她的選擇。” 蓮點了點頭，低聲說道：“這麼多年過去了，您有後悔過嗎？” 君看著蓮，眼中閃爍著複雜的情感。“後悔？或許有，但更多的是懷念。每當我想起她的笑容，我就知道那段愛情是真實的。即使我們無法在一起，那些回憶也成為了我生命中的一部分。” 第五章：君的信 蓮回到家中，翻看著母親留下的信件。那些文字充滿了愛情的熱烈與失落，彷彿每一行字都在述說著母親心底最深處的秘密。 “親愛的君，”信中寫道，“我不知道你是否還記得我們在一起的日子。對我來說，那些回憶就像燈塔，在我迷茫的時候為我指引方向。即使我們無法在一起，我依然感激生命中有你的存在。” 蓮輕輕合上信，眼中充滿淚水。她感受到母親對君的思念和愛，這份情感超越了時間，深深地烙印在她的靈魂中。 第六章：未寄出的情書 蓮無法停止翻閱母親的信件。每一封信都像是一個秘密窗口，讓她窺見母親內心深處那些從未被揭開的情感。信件中充滿了母親對君的愛意與遺憾。 其中一封信特別觸動了她的心： 「君，當你讀到這封信時，我可能已經不在你的生命中了。這些年來，我一直試圖說服自己遺忘你，但每當我閉上眼睛，你的笑容總會浮現在我腦海中。這是痛苦的，但也是美好的，因為這讓我知道，我曾經愛過。如果可以重來，我願意選擇跟隨我的心，但生活從不給我們重來的機會。即使如此，我仍希望你能幸福，因為你的幸福，對我來說比什麼都重要。梅」 蓮讀完信後，手微微顫抖。她感受到母親內心的掙扎，也明白了母親為何從未提起過君。這些信或許是母親的寄託，但也是她無法面對的遺憾。 第七章：與君的對話 幾天後，蓮再次與君見面。他們坐在一間小咖啡館裡，蓮將那封信帶給了他。 君接過信，雙手微微顫抖。他讀完後，久久無語，眼角泛起了淚光。 “她一直愛著你，”蓮輕聲說，“即使她選擇了另一條路，她的心從未離開過你。” 君深吸一口氣，將信輕輕放在桌上。“我以為她已經忘記我，過上了她的幸福生活。但現在我知道，她的愛情比我想像的更深刻。” 蓮看著他，心中充滿了複雜的情感。“我想知道，對她來說，這樣的愛是否值得？這些年的痛苦是否能被那些回憶彌補？” 君低聲說：“愛情從來不只是關於結果，它更多的是關於過程。雖然我們沒有在一起，但我們的愛情是真實的。這就足夠了。” 第八章：母親的回憶 蓮開始整理母親的舊照片和日記。她發現了母親與君在年輕時的合照，照片中的母親笑得燦爛，眼中閃爍著幸福的光芒。 在一本日記裡，蓮讀到了一段文字： 「今天，我又想起了君。我以為時間會抹去一切，但我錯了。愛情不會隨時間消逝，它只會藏得更深。我希望他過得好，這是我唯一的願望。」 蓮輕輕觸摸著那頁日記，彷彿能感受到母親內心的悸動。她開始明白，母親的愛情不僅塑造了她的過去，也深深影響了她的未來。 第九章：重拾遺失的片段 蓮和君決定一起走訪母親與君曾經去過的地方。他們來到一個小湖邊，君告訴蓮：“這是我們第一次約會的地方。我記得那天她穿了一條白色的洋裝，笑容比陽光還要明亮。” 蓮微笑著聽著，彷彿透過君的描述看到了母親年輕時的模樣。 “她說她喜歡這裡的寧靜，”君接著說，“所以每次我們吵架後，我都會帶她來這裡平靜下來。” 蓮感受到一股暖流流過心頭，這些故事讓她與母親的距離拉得更近，也讓她重新認識了母親作為一個女人的另一面。 第十章：新的開始 在整理母親的遺物後，蓮決定寫一封信給君，代表母親表達未盡的情感。 “君，雖然母親已經不在了，但我相信她會希望你知道，她從未真正離開過你。你們的愛情雖然沒有完美的結局，但它是真實的、永恆的。 現在是時候放下過去，開始新的生活了。母親一定也希望你能幸福，因為那是她最大的願望。 蓮” 君收到信後，對蓮說：“謝謝你，蓮。你讓我重新面對自己的感情，也讓我找回了內心的平靜。” 蓮微笑著點頭，感受到一種前所未有的釋然。她明白，母親的愛情雖然充滿遺憾，但它也教會了她如何珍惜當下，如何去愛。

第一章：舊宅 當四個兄妹走到那座老舊的房子時，空氣中彌漫著濕潤的泥土氣息，秋天的微風輕輕拂過。他們的父母早已去世，這座家傳的老房子成了他們唯一的聯繫。兄妹們在這裡度過了童年的時光，每一個角落都蘊藏著回憶。今天，他們回來了，但這不再是他們熟悉的家。 蘇婷是長姐，總是承擔著重任。她步伐堅定地走向房子，雖然她的心裡感到一陣沉重，但她知道這是她的責任。"我們要把這個家修復好，"她看著弟弟妹妹們說，語氣中透露出一種不容置疑的決心。 建明，蘇婷的哥哥，站在一旁，皺著眉頭看著那破舊的房子。"這麼老舊的房子，我們真的能修好嗎？"他的語氣中有些不安，畢竟，他這個人天生比較謹慎。 美慧則是最敏感的那個，她靜靜地走向屋前，觸摸著一塊長滿青苔的石板。"這房子曾經擁有過很多美好的回憶，"她輕聲地說，似乎在與這個老宅進行一場無聲的對話。她總是能夠在破碎的事物中看到美。 最小的俊，則有些不耐煩，站在屋外的圍欄旁，輕鬆地撐著欄杆，顯得有些漫不經心。"這只是座房子而已，別太當回事。"他的語氣雖輕鬆，但眼中的陰影卻透漏出他心中的不安和無助。 四個人站在這裡，面對這個承載了太多回憶的家，每個人都有著不同的情感交織在心中。最終，蘇婷再次開口："我們不能讓這座家再繼續衰敗下去，我們要重建它，為了我們，也為了父母。" 第二章：發現記憶 在修復房子的過程中，每一個房間、每一個角落似乎都在述說著過去的故事。蘇婷負責整體的規劃與指導，她總是力求完美，毫不妥協。建明則負責修繕那些結構性的問題，屋頂塌陷，窗戶破裂，這些他一個人默默地解決著。美慧則像一個考古學家，翻開家中的舊照片和信件，每一張照片、每封信都讓她不禁回想起與父母度過的時光。 然而，真正的突破來自於他們清理閣樓時的一個發現。蘇婷無意間翻到一箱舊信封，其中有一封是母親寫給父親的信。信紙泛黃，上面寫著：“親愛的，這些年來我們為了孩子們拼搏了那麼多，但我常常擔心，是否能夠給他們最好的生活？我不怕艱苦，只怕我們無法一起度過這些難關。” 蘇婷低頭看著那封信，眼眶濕潤了。她一直以為父母的選擇是為了他們的未來，而她從未真正理解過母親心中的壓力與掙扎。這封信讓她深刻地感受到了母親當時的無奈與堅持。 建明走過來，看到蘇婷手中的信，沉默片刻後說：“我們一直覺得他們的愛很堅強，但其實，他們也承受了很多。” 美慧輕輕放下手中的舊照片，眼神微微茫然。她從來沒有真正了解過父母的難處，只覺得他們是無所不能的存在。現在，她開始意識到，這些年來，父母的愛與付出並不是那麼簡單。 俊這時走過來，看到大家都在沉默，他有些不耐煩地撇了撇嘴：“你們不覺得這些都太沉重了嗎？我只想修好這房子，回到我們曾經的生活。” 然而，正是這些回憶，才讓他們明白，這座房子不僅僅是一個住所，更是父母的期望和曾經的夢想。 第三章：修復之路 隨著修復工作進行，四兄妹各自分工合作。蘇婷負責監督所有的修繕工作，她的要求總是非常高，但也因為這樣，大家都能夠更快地完成任務。建明在屋頂上忙碌，汗水從額頭滑落，卻不曾停下。他知道，這份工作不僅是為了修好這座房子，更是為了修補自己與父母的關係。 美慧則負責整理家中的舊物，每一件舊家具、每一個小物件，她都小心翼翼地清理著。她總是能從這些破碎的物品中感受到父母的愛與關懷。俊則時常帶著相機，拍下每一個修繕的過程，雖然他表面上對這一切並不關心，但內心的真實感受卻是難以言喻的。 在一天傍晚，當四人坐在一起休息時，蘇婷提出了下一步計劃：“我們需要做更多的事情，不僅僅是修補房子。這房子是我們的根，我們要讓它成為我們的家。” 第四章：記憶的回歸 在修復的過程中，四個人發現自己不僅在重建房子，還在重建對過去的理解。蘇婷開始思考，她與父母的關係並不如她所想的那樣簡單。她回憶起當年離開家時，母親那句無言的叮囑：“無論你去哪裡，記得回來。” 這句話仿佛是一道無形的鎖鏈，將她與這座家緊緊相繫。她意識到，自己從未真正理解母親的孤獨與堅強。 建明則逐漸理解了父親過去的辛勞。他曾經覺得父親冷酷無情，但現在，他明白了父親背後的深沉與無言的愛。 美慧則開始接納自己曾經忽略的那些小細節，她開始明白，母親對她的期望並不僅僅是學業上的成功，而是希望她能夠擁有一個幸福的家庭。 俊最終也放下了對這一切的抗拒，他發現，這座房子對他來說，並不只是過去的回憶，而是未來的一部分。他開始更珍惜與兄妹們的每一刻，也更加努力地去理解他們。 第五章：父母的秘密 在修繕過程中，四兄妹發現了更多父母留下的秘密。他們從舊信件、相片中發現了母親對父親的深情，而這些情感的流露，使得他們對父母的了解更為深刻。蘇婷不禁思索，父母的每一個選擇，背後都是他們對家庭、對孩子們的愛與責任。 他們開始重新審視自己與父母的關係，並在修復這座房子的同時，也在修復自己與過去的關聯。 第六章：再度團聚 隨著房子的修復逐漸進行，四兄妹的關係也悄然發生著變化。他們之間曾經有過不少的隔閡，隨著時間的推移，每個人都找到了各自的生活方式，彼此的聯繫逐漸減少。然而，在這座老房子裡，他們重新找回了曾經的默契，甚至開始重新理解彼此。 蘇婷開始反思自己作為長姐的角色，她常常過於強勢，覺得自己應該承擔起所有的責任，甚至忽略了弟弟妹妹們的感受。她察覺到自己對建明、俊和美慧的控制欲，無意中讓他們感到壓力山大。每當她提出決定時，總是想著「這樣是對的」，卻忽略了他們每個人的想法。 建明從未表達過自己對蘇婷指揮的抗拒，但他內心的矛盾逐漸浮現。他總是默默承擔自己份內的工作，卻發現蘇婷對一切的掌控讓他感到無形的束縛。他開始思考自己的角色——是否真的應該這麼依賴她？他開始學著表達自己，甚至在某些時候，提出一些反對的意見。 俊則是整個過程中最不願意表露情感的人。他覺得自己只要完成任務就行，並且希望自己能遠離那些沉重的回憶與情感糾葛。他開始對家人漠不關心，甚至在他們忙碌的時候，偷溜出去拍一些外面的風景，或是到附近的小咖啡館待一會。儘管如此，他心底其實一直有著無法言喻的焦慮，那就是，當他回到這個家時，他不知道自己究竟應該擁有什麼角色。 美慧一直是四人中最為感性的一個，她總是以一種不顯山露水的方式，默默關心著每個人。她擔心的是，雖然他們修復了房子，但是否也能修復彼此之間的隔閡？她努力理解每一個人的情感需求，卻始終無法釋懷過去父母的離世所帶來的傷痛。她開始記起母親臨終時的模樣，那種無奈和堅強的眼神，讓她至今無法忘記。 然而，正是在這樣一個過程中，四兄妹在一起工作、一起生活，彼此的默契重新建立。他們開始打破過去的防備和隔閡，學會了如何在這個家庭中找到彼此的位置。 第七章：家的重建 房子的修復工作進入了更為細緻的階段，蘇婷提出了一個新的提議——不僅要重建房子，還要重建這個家的意義。她希望能夠創造一個新的家，而不是單純地恢復過去的生活。 「這不僅僅是修理一棟房子，而是讓它成為我們的家，」蘇婷說，語氣充滿了堅定，卻也隱隱透出一絲焦慮。她開始重新思考過去與父母的關係，思考自己與這個家的關聯。她知道，這不僅是一次物理上的修復，更多的是心靈上的重建。 建明則在這個過程中發現了自己真正想要的生活。他曾經被家庭責任束縛，習慣性地迎合父母的期望，卻始終未曾想過自己真正的夢想是什麼。修復房子的過程讓他明白，他不需要再把自己困在過去，他可以去追求屬於自己的生活。他開始與蘇婷談論自己的未來，不再只是依附於家庭的角色。 美慧也終於決定，無論如何，她都要面對母親的過世。她將母親留下的信件和照片整理好，並將它們放在家裡一個專門的地方。每次走過那裡，她都能感受到母親的存在，彷彿她的愛依然在這個家中。 俊開始變得更加開放，雖然他依然不喜歡談論過去的痛苦，但他開始理解自己對這座房子的情感。他不再只是將這裡看作一個過去的象徵，而是將它視為他生命的一部分。他開始主動與兄妹們分享一些自己的想法，漸漸不再那麼冷漠。 第八章：衝突與理解 隨著重建工作的深入，兄妹之間的衝突也漸漸浮現。蘇婷的領導方式讓大家產生了疲勞感，尤其是建明，他開始越來越不滿蘇婷的專斷。在一次討論中，建明忍不住發火：“你怎麼老是這樣決定一切？難道我們都不應該有話語權嗎？” 蘇婷愣住了，她沒想到建明會這麼直接表達自己的不滿。她的臉上露出了一絲愕然，然後慢慢放下手中的工具，深吸了一口氣：“我...我只是不希望你們辛苦，所以才一直試著替大家分擔。” 建明冷靜下來，看著蘇婷的眼睛，心裡的怒火逐漸熄滅：“我知道你的用心良苦，但我們不是小孩子了，我們有自己的選擇和看法。”這一刻，建明明白了，自己不應該只是扮演一個默默承擔的角色，而應該發聲，表達自己的意見。 俊也終於敞開了心扉，對美慧說：“我知道你們一直在努力把家變回來，但我從來沒想過這些。我...我一直覺得無論怎麼做，都沒辦法讓一切回到從前。” 美慧聽後，眼中帶著柔和的光，她輕輕拍了拍俊的肩膀：“我們每個人都在走自己的路，過去的已經無法改變，但現在的選擇才是最重要的。” 第九章：告別與成長 隨著時間的推移，房子修復得越來越好，四兄妹也在這個過程中各自成長。蘇婷開始學會放下自己對家人的控制，願意讓每個人都有自己表達的空間。建明則決定放下對家庭的過分責任，選擇追求自己一直想做的事——他開始嘗試開設自己的小企業，挑戰自我。美慧終於放下了對母親的過度依賴，學會獨立面對自己的情感，並且開始寫作，將她內心的痛苦化為文字。俊則學會了在這個家庭中找到了自己的位置，他不再只是外面的旁觀者，而是積極地參與其中，為這個家付出自己的努力。 這座房子不再只是過去的回憶，它已經被重新賦予了新的意義。每一個角落都承載著兄妹們的成長與改變，這個家，終於重新找回了它的生命力。 第十章：新的開始 在家修復完成的那一天，四兄妹一起站在門前，回望著這座曾經破敗的房子。他們都知道，這不僅是物理上的重建，更是對彼此過去的修復和對未來的憧憬。 蘇婷站在最前面，對兄妹們說：“我們每個人都經歷了各自的痛苦與迷茫，但現在，我們終於走到了一起。” 建明點了點頭，眼中透出一絲堅定：“這座家，不僅屬於我們，也屬於過去的父母。它承載著我們的記憶，並且將繼續見證我們未來的故事。” 美慧微笑著看向每個人：“我們已經不是過去的我們了，這是我們的全新開始。” 俊則沉默不語，但他眼中的堅毅，已經不再像當初那般迷茫。他知道，這個家將永遠是他與兄妹們一起成長的地方。 隨著夕陽的光輝灑落在這座房子上，他們知道，無論未來如何，這個家的重建，將是他們新的起點。