Search Results

Are you prepared to elevate your English language abilities? Assess your knowledge and enhance your fluency with our English Quiz ! Whether you're studying for enjoyment, getting ready for business discussions, or simply aiming to broaden your vocabulary, our quiz offers an ideal opportunity to challenge yourself and discover 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. Hold back Meaning : To restrain oneself or prevent something from happening. Chinese : 克制 (Traditional/Simplified: 克制) Example : She had to hold back her tears during the farewell speech. 中文例句 : 在告別演講時，她不得不克制自己的眼淚。 2. Hold on Meaning : To wait or remain in place. Chinese : 等一下 (Traditional/Simplified: 等一下) Example : Hold on for a moment, I’ll be right back. 中文例句 : 稍等一下，我馬上回來。 3. Hold up Meaning : To delay or stop something temporarily. Chinese : 延誤 (Traditional/Simplified: 延誤) Example : The bad weather held up our flight. 中文例句 : 惡劣天氣延誤了我們的航班。 4. Hold out Meaning : To last or resist, especially in a difficult situation. Chinese : 堅持 (Traditional/Simplified: 堅持) Example : The soldiers held out until reinforcements arrived. 中文例句 : 士兵們堅持到增援部隊到來。 5. Hold down Meaning : To maintain control or suppress something. Chinese : 控制住 (Traditional/Simplified: 控制住) Example : He managed to hold down his emotions during the argument. 中文例句 : 他在爭論中設法控制住了自己的情緒。 6. Hold off Meaning : To delay or postpone something. Chinese : 延遲 (Traditional/Simplified: 延遲) Example : Let’s hold off making a decision until tomorrow. 中文例句 : 我們把決定推遲到明天再做吧。 7. Hold in Meaning : To suppress emotions or reactions. Chinese : 忍住 (Traditional/Simplified: 忍住) Example : He tried to hold in his laughter during the meeting. 中文例句 : 他在會議上努力忍住不笑。 8. Hold forth Meaning : To speak or discuss something extensively. Chinese : 滔滔不絕地講 (Traditional/Simplified: 滔滔不絕地講) Example : She held forth about her recent travels. 中文例句 : 她滔滔不絕地講述她最近的旅行經歷。 9. Hold together Meaning : To keep unified or cohesive. Chinese : 維持團結 (Traditional/Simplified: 維持團結) Example : The team leader worked hard to hold the group together. 中文例句 : 團隊領袖努力讓小組保持團結。 10. Hold true Meaning : To remain valid or accurate. Chinese : 仍然有效 (Traditional/Simplified: 仍然有效) Example : The saying still holds true today. 中文例句 : 這句話在今天仍然有效。 11. Hold dear Meaning : To value or treasure deeply. Chinese : 珍惜 (Traditional/Simplified: 珍惜) Example : She holds her family dear. 中文例句 : 她非常珍惜她的家人。 12. Hold out for Meaning : To insist on waiting for something better. Chinese : 堅持等待 (Traditional/Simplified: 堅持等待) Example : He’s holding out for a higher salary. 中文例句 : 他在堅持等待更高的薪水。 13. Hold fast Meaning : To remain firm or unwavering. Chinese : 堅守 (Traditional/Simplified: 堅守) Example : They held fast to their beliefs during the crisis. 中文例句 : 在危機中，他們堅守自己的信念。 14. Hold in high regard Meaning : To respect and admire greatly. Chinese : 高度敬重 (Traditional/Simplified: 高度敬重) Example : The teacher is held in high regard by her students. 中文例句 : 這位老師受到學生們的高度敬重。 15. Hold one’s own Meaning : To maintain one’s position or perform well. Chinese : 保持立場 (Traditional/Simplified: 保持立場) Example : She held her own in the competitive debate. 中文例句 : 在激烈的辯論中，她保持了自己的立場。 16. Hold fire Meaning : To delay taking action or making a decision. Chinese : 暫停行動 (Traditional/Simplified: 暫停行動) Example : The committee decided to hold fire on the final decision. 中文例句 : 委員會決定暫緩作出最終決定。 17. Hold court Meaning : To captivate and entertain a group of people. Chinese : 吸引眾人注意 (Traditional/Simplified: 吸引眾人注意) Example : He held court at the party with his jokes. 中文例句 : 他在派對上用他的笑話吸引了眾人的注意。 18. Hold sway Meaning : To have control or influence. Chinese : 影響 (Traditional/Simplified: 影響) Example : The new manager holds sway over the entire department. 中文例句 : 新經理對整個部門產生了影響。 19. Hold one’s tongue Meaning : To remain silent or refrain from speaking. Chinese : 保持沉默 (Traditional/Simplified: 保持沉默) Example : He wanted to argue but decided to hold his tongue. 中文例句 : 他想爭論，但決定保持沉默。 20. Hold up against Meaning : To withstand or endure when compared to something. Chinese : 經得起比較 (Traditional/Simplified: 經得起比較) Example : This product holds up well against its competitors. 中文例句 : 這款產品在與競爭對手的比較中表現得很好。

Chapter 1: The High-Risk Deal Li Ming, a brilliant lawyer, has always been known for his sharp tongue and fearless approach in the courtroom. His reputation as a tough, no-nonsense legal expert has made him one of the most sought-after lawyers in the city. However, beneath his confident exterior, Li Ming hides a painful past: he once lost a high-profile case that led to the fall of a popular celebrity, and ever since, he has been determined to ensure that such a mistake never happens again. One day, Li Ming receives an unexpected call from a famous entertainment mogul, Zhang Mingguang. Zhang has been involved in a bitter dispute with a popular actor, Tang Jie, who has been accused of serious misconduct. Zhang is eager to have Li Ming represent him in the case, claiming that Tang Jie has tarnished the reputation of his entertainment empire. Li Ming, known for his expertise in high-stakes cases, agrees to meet with Zhang to discuss the situation. At the meeting, Zhang presents the case in detail: Tang Jie, once a rising star in the entertainment industry, had been involved in an extramarital affair that resulted in a public scandal. Zhang insists that Tang Jie’s actions have caused irreparable damage to his company’s brand, and he is prepared to take extreme legal action to ensure that Tang Jie is held accountable. Li Ming, however, starts to feel that there’s more to this case than meets the eye. Something about Zhang’s insistence on destroying Tang Jie’s career doesn’t sit well with him. As Li Ming begins to investigate the situation further, he uncovers a series of shady dealings that suggest Zhang’s motives may be far from pure. Despite his reservations, Li Ming decides to take on the case. But as he dives deeper into the legal battle, he realizes that he’s stepping into a web of manipulation, deceit, and corporate power that could threaten not only his career but also his life. Chapter 2: A Tangled Web As Li Ming digs deeper into the case, he begins to uncover unsettling details about Zhang Mingguang’s personal and professional connections. While Zhang presents himself as a victim of Tang Jie’s scandal, Li Ming starts to suspect that the mogul’s motives aren’t as transparent as they appear. Through his investigation, Li Ming learns that Zhang has been involved in several dubious business dealings over the years, with questionable financial transactions that point to a much larger network of corruption. Tang Jie, it turns out, isn’t the only one with a tarnished reputation. Zhang’s entertainment empire is riddled with hidden secrets—dirty money, blackmail, and manipulative contracts with other celebrities. Li Ming begins to question whether he’s been drawn into a battle between two equally untrustworthy parties. As he speaks with some of Tang Jie’s former colleagues, he uncovers disturbing rumors: Tang Jie’s fall from grace may not have been as self-inflicted as everyone believed. There’s evidence suggesting that Zhang himself played a significant role in orchestrating the scandal, using it as leverage to force Tang Jie out of the picture and take control of his career. The deeper Li Ming gets into the case, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Anonymous threats start to surface—phone calls in the middle of the night, shadowy figures lurking outside his office, and even suspicious accidents that almost seem too perfectly timed. It’s clear that someone wants to prevent him from uncovering the truth. Li Ming knows he can’t back down. Despite the growing threats, he decides to confront Zhang. But when he meets with the mogul once again, he realizes just how far Zhang is willing to go to protect his empire. Zhang offers Li Ming a bribe, attempting to buy him off in exchange for dropping the case. But Li Ming refuses, and the stakes are raised even higher. Chapter 3: Unveiling the Past Li Ming’s refusal of Zhang Mingguang’s bribe only serves to fuel the mogul’s wrath. The tension between them escalates, and Li Ming realizes just how dangerous this case has become. As he continues his investigation, he discovers an unexpected ally in Li Tingting, a former lover of Tang Jie, who has vital information about the actor’s past. Li Tingting reveals that she and Tang Jie were once in a passionate relationship during his rise to fame. However, their romance ended abruptly when Tang Jie’s career began to soar, and he became more focused on his ambitions than his personal life. Despite the breakup, Li Tingting and Tang Jie maintained a friendship, and she still holds a deep understanding of his character. As Li Ming and Li Tingting meet in private, she starts to open up about some of the darker aspects of Tang Jie’s career. She explains how Zhang Mingguang had tried multiple times to manipulate Tang Jie into making decisions that would benefit Zhang’s empire. Li Tingting also reveals that Tang Jie had received numerous threats from Zhang over the years, especially when he began to show resistance to Zhang’s control. The most shocking revelation, however, comes when Li Tingting describes a mysterious event that occurred just before Tang Jie’s scandal broke. She recalls seeing Zhang in an unusual meeting with Tang Jie—one that seemed more like an intimidation session than a business discussion. Li Tingting believes that Zhang had been blackmailing Tang Jie, coercing him into participating in the affair that would ruin his career. This discovery sets off alarm bells in Li Ming’s mind. He now realizes that the case is not just a matter of a personal scandal—it’s part of a much larger conspiracy. Someone is trying to destroy Tang Jie, and Li Ming is determined to find out who and why. Chapter 4: The Hidden Power Li Ming's investigation into the scandal takes a surprising turn when he uncovers evidence of a hidden power behind Zhang Mingguang's empire. He tracks down several former employees of Zhang’s company who have all quit under mysterious circumstances. Each of them, though reluctant to speak, hints at a web of shady dealings, from blackmail to corporate espionage, all of which appear to be orchestrated by a mysterious figure—Chen Hao. Chen Hao is a name that had never come up in the public eye, but as Li Ming digs deeper, he discovers that this man is the true mastermind pulling the strings behind Zhang Mingguang’s empire. Chen Hao was once a powerful entrepreneur with vast connections in both the business and entertainment sectors. However, his fall from grace was quick and brutal—he was linked to several high-profile corruption scandals and forced into hiding. Despite this, it seems that Chen Hao’s influence never truly disappeared. He has continued to control key figures in the entertainment industry, using his vast resources and shadowy dealings to maintain power. Li Ming uncovers documents that link Chen Hao to several of Zhang Mingguang’s most controversial business decisions. These connections suggest that Zhang and Chen have been working together for years, with Zhang acting as the public face of their operations while Chen remains in the shadows, controlling everything from behind the scenes. Li Ming is shaken by this discovery. He realizes that the case against Tang Jie is not just a personal vendetta—it is part of a much larger, more dangerous game, with far-reaching consequences. As Li Ming confronts more of Zhang’s associates, he finds that Chen Hao’s influence runs deeper than anyone could have imagined. Even some of the top celebrities in the industry are tied to Chen’s schemes, and many have been silenced or manipulated to keep his activities hidden. At the same time, Li Ming starts to receive more direct threats. Anonymous messages warn him to stay out of the case, reminding him that some truths are better left buried. But Li Ming is undeterred. He begins to realize that the only way to expose Chen Hao’s influence and put an end to Zhang Mingguang’s manipulations is to go after the true source of power. Chapter 5: The Undercover Operation Determined to expose Chen Hao’s shadowy grip on the entertainment industry, Li Ming decides to take a more direct approach. He understands that to bring down such a powerful figure, he’ll need more than just evidence; he needs to infiltrate the underworld of corporate corruption. The task is dangerous, and Li Ming knows it will require allies. He reaches out to an old friend, Gao Yang, a seasoned investigative journalist who specializes in exposing corrupt businessmen and criminal networks. Gao Yang has an impeccable reputation for getting to the truth, but his methods are often risky. Li Ming proposes a partnership: Gao Yang will help him gather more dirt on Chen Hao and Zhang Mingguang, while Li Ming will provide legal expertise to protect them from the inevitable backlash. The two form an unlikely team, and the investigation accelerates. Gao Yang goes undercover, posing as a low-level associate looking for work in Zhang Mingguang’s company. His goal is to get close to the people who work for Chen Hao and Zhang, while Li Ming uses his legal position to access court documents and corporate records that might reveal more about the hidden dealings. As Gao Yang dives deeper into the company’s operations, he uncovers even more startling information. He finds that Zhang Mingguang has been using his media empire to manipulate public perception, creating fake news stories to damage the reputations of anyone who stands in his way. He also uncovers evidence of large bribes paid to influential politicians and law enforcement officials to keep their activities under wraps. One evening, Gao Yang narrowly escapes an ambush when he’s discovered by one of Zhang’s hired goons. It becomes clear that the stakes are much higher than Li Ming anticipated. Chen Hao’s network is vast, and the people involved in it will stop at nothing to protect their interests. Despite the danger, Li Ming and Gao Yang press on, knowing that the truth must come to light. As the pieces begin to fall into place, Li Ming starts to see a larger, more sinister picture: Zhang and Chen are not just trying to destroy Tang Jie—they are using the scandal to eliminate any competition and take full control of the entertainment industry. Chapter 6: The Price of Truth As the investigation intensifies, Li Ming and Gao Yang begin to close in on the true extent of Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao’s control over the entertainment industry. They uncover an intricate network of puppet organizations, shell companies, and blackmail schemes that have allowed the two men to manipulate the careers of countless celebrities and corporate leaders. But with every new revelation, the danger surrounding them grows. Li Ming is confronted by his own internal struggle. As a lawyer, he’s always prided himself on following the rules and maintaining professional ethics, but now, faced with such widespread corruption, he begins to question whether the system itself is broken. Should he continue down this path of exposing the truth, even if it means risking his own life and career? Or should he back away, allowing the powerful to continue their reign of deception and control? Meanwhile, Gao Yang is becoming increasingly reckless. After narrowly escaping another close call, he dives deeper into the heart of the conspiracy, hoping to find the final piece of the puzzle. But his obsession with exposing the truth begins to take a toll on his mental state. He’s unable to trust anyone, and the constant threat of being discovered leaves him on edge. Li Ming, who is starting to see just how dangerous this investigation is becoming, tries to rein in Gao Yang’s impulsive behavior. However, Gao Yang refuses to back down. He’s determined to bring the story to the public, no matter the cost. One night, after a tense meeting with a whistleblower who claims to have firsthand knowledge of Zhang and Chen’s illegal dealings, Li Ming and Gao Yang are ambushed. The whistleblower is murdered, and both men narrowly escape with their lives. This act of violence serves as a stark warning that those in power will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. In the aftermath, Li Ming realizes that they are no longer just fighting for justice—they are fighting for survival. With enemies closing in on all sides, the stakes are higher than ever. Li Ming decides that they must confront Zhang and Chen directly, but he knows that doing so will require a carefully orchestrated plan, and he’ll need all the help he can get. Chapter 7: The Showdown With their lives at risk, Li Ming and Gao Yang prepare for the final confrontation with Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao. After the assassination attempt on the whistleblower, the urgency of the situation becomes undeniable. Li Ming knows that exposing the truth is no longer just a matter of legal integrity; it’s a matter of survival. They gather all the evidence they’ve collected over the past few weeks—documents, recordings, witness testimonies—and begin to build a strategy. Li Ming’s plan is to corner Zhang and Chen by leveraging the media. He knows that if they can get the evidence into the hands of influential journalists and public figures, it will be impossible for the duo to suppress it. But doing so will require timing, precision, and a bold move. They decide to hold a press conference, where Li Ming will reveal everything he knows about Zhang and Chen’s illegal activities, with the evidence to back it up. Gao Yang works on contacting trusted journalists, while Li Ming prepares the legal documents that will expose the corruption and fraud. The stakes are high, and the consequences of failure are dire. If they fail, it could mean the end of their careers—or worse. On the day of the press conference, Li Ming and Gao Yang are ready. The room is packed with reporters, media moguls, and curious onlookers. As Li Ming steps up to the podium, he feels the weight of the moment. This is it—the culmination of everything they’ve worked for. As he starts to speak, he lays out the full extent of Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao’s criminal empire, showing the world how they’ve manipulated the entertainment industry for years. The audience is stunned as the evidence is revealed, and a wave of shock and disbelief washes over the room. Just as Li Ming is about to deliver the final blow, Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao make their move. Security personnel storm the building, attempting to seize control of the situation. But Li Ming is prepared. Gao Yang, hidden in the crowd, triggers a backup plan by broadcasting the press conference live on social media, ensuring that the truth is exposed to the world, no matter what happens. In the chaos that ensues, Zhang and Chen’s attempts to silence the truth are futile. The public outcry is immediate, and the pressure from both the media and the authorities grows too great for them to handle. As the scandal unfolds, their empire begins to crumble. Zhang is arrested, and Chen Hao is forced into hiding once again. For Li Ming and Gao Yang, the victory is bittersweet. The truth has been exposed, but the cost has been high. They’ve lost friends, faced life-threatening situations, and risked everything to bring justice to light. But as they watch the downfall of Zhang and Chen, they know that they’ve done what was right. Chapter 8: The Aftermath In the wake of the press conference, the city is in shock. The entertainment industry is reeling as more and more revelations about Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao’s illegal activities come to light. The public’s perception of these powerful figures has been forever changed, and many of their allies begin to distance themselves from the two men. Li Ming’s role in exposing the scandal elevates his status in the legal community, but it also brings unwanted attention. As the media hounds him for interviews and praise, Li Ming finds himself in an uncomfortable spotlight. He didn’t get into law to be a celebrity, and he feels conflicted about the public attention. His primary goal was always justice, not fame. Gao Yang, on the other hand, revels in the success of his work. His journalistic reputation skyrockets, and he begins to receive offers from major news outlets. However, the emotional toll of the investigation has left him drained. He’s lost sight of the reasons he became a journalist in the first place, and he struggles with feelings of emptiness now that the case is over. For both men, the fallout from the case is far-reaching. Zhang Mingguang is sentenced to prison, and Chen Hao is exposed for his vast network of criminal enterprises. Several other influential figures in the industry are also implicated, leading to multiple arrests and scandals. The entertainment world is forever changed. But the victory feels hollow to Li Ming. He realizes that, while they’ve dismantled a corrupt empire, the system that allowed it to flourish still exists. There are still other powerful people who operate in the shadows, manipulating events for their own gain. The fight for justice isn’t over—it’s only just begun. Chapter 9: A New Beginning Months after the downfall of Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao, Li Ming and Gao Yang find themselves at a crossroads. The public’s attention has moved on to other scandals, and the immediate danger has passed. Li Ming’s career has been forever altered by the case, but he remains committed to his work. He is no longer the lawyer he once was, but he knows that his sense of justice has only grown stronger. Gao Yang, too, is starting to re-evaluate his life. After months of dealing with the fallout from the case, he decides to take a step back from the relentless pace of investigative journalism. He wants to find a balance between his passion for exposing corruption and living a life that doesn’t come at the cost of his personal well-being. He takes a break to travel and reconnect with the world outside the newsroom. Despite their different paths, Li Ming and Gao Yang maintain their friendship, knowing that they’ll always be linked by the case that changed their lives. They’ve come to understand that their fight for justice was never about the end of a single case—it was about challenging a corrupt system and giving a voice to those who’ve been silenced. As Li Ming reflects on everything they’ve been through, he realizes that his journey is far from over. The world may seem quieter now, but corruption is never fully eradicated. There will always be more battles to fight, more truths to uncover, and more people to stand up for. And as the sun sets on their tumultuous journey, Li Ming and Gao Yang know that they’ve made a difference. For the first time in a long time, they both feel a sense of peace, knowing that their work has brought about a new chapter—not just for them, but for the world. Chapter 10: The Legacy of Truth Years pass, and Li Ming’s reputation as a lawyer and advocate for justice only continues to grow. He becomes a mentor to younger lawyers, teaching them the importance of fighting for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. His experiences with Zhang Mingguang and Chen Hao serve as a constant reminder of the power of truth, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Gao Yang, too, has found his place in the world. After his time away from journalism, he returned with a renewed sense of purpose, focusing on investigative reporting that seeks not just to expose corruption but also to inspire change. He writes a best-selling book about his experiences with Li Ming, chronicling their journey and the lessons they learned along the way. Though their paths have diverged, Li Ming and Gao Yang remain close. They meet regularly, sharing stories and reflecting on how far they’ve come since the days of exposing Zhang and Chen’s empire. They both know that the fight for justice is never truly over, but they take comfort in the fact that they’ve made a lasting impact on the world. In the end, their legacy is one of courage, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of truth. It’s a legacy that will inspire future generations to stand up against injustice, no matter how powerful or insurmountable the forces may seem.

Chapter 1: The Return to the Old House The scent of dust and aged wood greeted them as they walked through the old house. The four siblings stood at the entrance, their gazes lingering on the familiar yet faded rooms. It had been years since they last stepped foot here, and in that time, much had changed—not just in the house, but in their lives as well. Suting, the eldest sister, walked in first. Her hands, once tender and protective, now held a firm grip as she surveyed the dilapidated house. She had never imagined that one day she would return to this place. For so many years, this house had felt like a relic from a past long buried, a past filled with both beautiful memories and painful ones. But now, it was all they had left. The house was theirs to restore. “Let’s start with the kitchen,” she said, her voice steady, though it trembled slightly. It was clear she had spent years suppressing the memories of this place. Jianming, the second eldest, looked around at the dust and debris. He felt conflicted—this house held his childhood, but it also represented the loss of his parents. “We’ll need to get a lot of things fixed,” he said, his tone practical, but tinged with sadness. He had always been the responsible one, the one who carried the weight of his family’s future. Yet, today, he felt a sense of uncertainty. Jun, the younger brother, stood near the doorway, leaning against the frame as if it were the only thing holding him upright. He had always been the least involved in family matters, preferring solitude. He wasn’t eager to revisit the past, but he had no choice. As the family gathered together again, something deep inside him stirred, a mixture of resentment and guilt. Meihui, the youngest, stood quietly by the stairs, her expression soft and contemplative. She wasn’t as strong as her older siblings, but there was a quiet strength in her too. The house had once been full of laughter and love. But now, it felt like a hollow shell of what it used to be. She didn’t know if the house could be repaired, but she knew she wanted to try. They all gathered in the living room. It was clear that this was more than just a physical project; it was a chance to rebuild their fractured family. The house, abandoned for years, now symbolized their shared past, but also the hope of a new beginning. Suting spoke again, this time with more emotion in her voice: “We need to bring this place back to life. We can do it, together.” It was an ambitious goal. They didn’t have much experience with construction or renovation, but they knew they had to try. The house, like their family, needed to heal. The journey ahead would be long and difficult, but at that moment, they made a silent pact: they would rebuild not just the house, but their relationships as well. Chapter 2: The Weight of the Past As the siblings stood together in the living room, they realized that the task ahead wasn’t just about fixing a house. The old memories, long suppressed, resurfaced with every crack in the walls, every worn-out corner. The house was a mirror of their lives, reflecting both the beauty and the pain they had all experienced. Suting, feeling the weight of the past, hesitated. She had always been the caretaker, the one who took responsibility for everyone. When their parents passed away, she had promised herself that she would hold the family together, no matter the cost. Yet, standing in this house, she questioned whether she had done enough. Had she been too controlling? Had she ignored her siblings’ needs in her efforts to protect them? “Do we really need to do this?” Jianming asked suddenly, his voice breaking through the silence. He had been quiet until now, but the tension was building inside him. The house, with its memories of their parents, felt suffocating. “We’ve been away for years. Is it really worth coming back?” Suting looked at him, her face tight with emotion. “We don’t have to, but I think we should. This house is all we have left of them.” Jianming’s eyes softened. He knew his sister was right. But he was torn. He had spent so many years avoiding this place, avoiding the memories of their parents’ deaths. Now, standing in the midst of it all, it felt like he was being pulled back into a past he had tried so hard to forget. Jun, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m not here just for the house,” he said, his tone flat. “I’m here because we need to fix what’s broken between us.” The others turned to look at him, surprised by his bluntness. Jun had always been the distant one, the one who kept to himself. It wasn’t like him to open up. But there was a rawness in his voice that made them listen. “I’ve been running away from everything for so long,” Jun continued. “I didn’t want to face it, didn’t want to deal with what happened. But we’re family. We need to face it together.” Suting felt a wave of relief wash over her. For the first time in a long while, she felt like they were all on the same page. This house, this family—it wasn’t just about the past. It was about moving forward, together. Chapter 3: Pieces of the Past The next few days were filled with hard work and long hours. The siblings divided the tasks between them, each taking on a part of the house that needed the most attention. But as they worked, they also began to confront the ghosts of their past. Suting, who had always been the protector, found herself struggling with the responsibility. She felt as if she were carrying the weight of her parents’ expectations, as if she had to make everything perfect. Yet, every time she looked at the house, she saw the cracks—both in the walls and in herself. Was she really doing what was best for the family? Or was she just trying to control everything to avoid the uncertainty of what lay ahead? Jianming, on the other hand, threw himself into the work with determination. He had always been the reliable one, the one who took care of things when no one else would. But now, he found himself questioning whether he was truly happy. Was this the life he wanted? Was he living for himself, or was he still living for his parents, trying to fulfill the expectations they had set for him? Jun, while working in the garden, found himself reflecting on his own choices. He had distanced himself from the family for so long, and now he realized how much he had missed. There had always been a part of him that wanted to fix things, but he had never known how. As he dug in the soil, he thought about the emotional walls he had built over the years. Could he really tear them down? Meihui, the youngest, seemed to be the most affected by the emotional weight of the house. She spent hours alone, sifting through old photos and letters, pieces of the past that her parents had left behind. Each photo, each letter, brought back memories of a time when things were simpler, when the family was whole. But now, she felt the loss more acutely than ever. How could they ever fill the emptiness left behind? As they worked together, they began to understand that the house was not just a place to restore—it was a mirror of their own emotional journeys. Each room, each broken window, represented a part of their own story. And as they repaired it, they were also repairing themselves. Chapter 4: The Silent Struggles The days wore on, and the work continued. But despite the progress they were making on the house, the tension between them was palpable. Suting found herself growing increasingly frustrated with her siblings. Jianming, who was usually so reliable, seemed distant, as if he were somewhere else entirely. Jun remained closed off, avoiding conversation at all costs. Meihui, though quiet, seemed lost in her own thoughts. One evening, after a long day of work, Suting sat down in the living room, exhausted. She had tried to keep everything together, to maintain some semblance of order, but it was becoming clear that her efforts were in vain. “Why does everything always fall on me?” she muttered under her breath. “Why can’t they see how hard I’m trying?” Jianming, who had been sitting quietly nearby, overheard her. He looked at her with a mixture of guilt and frustration. “You don’t have to do everything yourself, Suting,” he said softly. “We’re all in this together.” Suting turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise. “Then why do you always hold back? Why do you let me do everything?” Jianming hesitated, his expression troubled. “I don’t know. I’ve just... I’ve been trying to figure out what I want. What I need.” The conversation hung in the air, neither of them knowing how to continue. But for the first time, Suting felt a crack in the wall she had built around herself. Maybe, just maybe, they were all struggling with something deeper than the house, something they hadn’t yet acknowledged. Chapter 5: A New Perspective The next morning, the siblings decided to take a break from the physical work. They sat around the kitchen table, sipping coffee and discussing the future of the house. It was a rare moment of calm, a time to reflect and listen to each other. “I’ve been thinking,” Jianming began, his voice hesitant, “maybe it’s time we stopped pretending like everything’s fine. We’ve all been holding onto our own pain for so long, maybe it’s time to face it.” Jun, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. “I agree. We’ve all been pretending. Pretending we’re fine, pretending the past doesn’t matter. But it does. And we need to face it.” Suting looked at him, surprised by his openness. “What do you mean by that?” Jun took a deep breath. “I mean, we need to talk about our parents. About what happened. About how it’s still affecting us.” The room fell silent. For the first time, the siblings were confronting the one thing they had all avoided for so long: the death of their parents. Chapter 6: The Pain We Avoided The conversation was long overdue. The air in the kitchen felt thick as the siblings sat together, trying to piece together their emotions. Suting, Jianming, Jun, and Meihui all felt the weight of the past, but none had dared to address it until now. “I never realized how much I was avoiding it,” Suting confessed, her voice trembling. “I kept telling myself I was strong enough to hold it all together, but I never really dealt with what happened.” She looked at her siblings, her eyes full of unspoken words. “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing both of them, and I still can’t.” Jianming, who had been the most reserved about their parents’ death, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He had buried his emotions deep, focusing solely on being the responsible one. But hearing Suting’s words made him realize just how much he had been suppressing. “I thought if I just kept going, if I worked hard enough, I could make everything right,” Jianming admitted. “But it never felt like enough. It’s never been enough.” Jun, who had avoided the family for so long, looked down at his hands. “I never really let myself feel it. I thought if I shut everything out, it wouldn’t hurt. But I was wrong. I was just running away.” Meihui, the youngest, finally spoke, her voice soft yet filled with emotion. “I never understood what you were all going through. I was so focused on my own pain that I never saw yours. I thought I had to be strong, but I was wrong.” The siblings sat in silence for a long time. It was as though the floodgates had opened, and they were finally allowing themselves to feel the grief they had been avoiding. The loss of their parents had torn them apart in ways they had never fully understood. But now, sitting together in the kitchen, they could begin to heal. “Maybe the house can be a symbol of that,” Suting said quietly, her voice full of hope. “We’re not just fixing the house. We’re fixing ourselves. We’ve all been broken, but together, we can rebuild.” Chapter 7: The First Step Forward After their conversation, something shifted in the siblings. The weight of the past was still there, but now it felt manageable. They had finally acknowledged the pain they had been carrying for so long, and in doing so, they had taken the first step toward healing. The following days saw them working together with renewed energy. They approached the house with a new perspective, understanding that it wasn’t just about restoring the physical structure—it was about restoring their bond as a family. Suting took charge of organizing the work, but this time, she didn’t feel the same burden of responsibility. She allowed her siblings to contribute in their own ways, and together, they made steady progress. Jianming, for the first time in years, found himself enjoying the work. The physical labor gave him a sense of purpose that had been missing for so long. It felt like he was building something real, something that had meaning beyond just the walls of the house. Jun, despite his usual reticence, began to open up. As he worked alongside his siblings, he found himself talking more, sharing thoughts and feelings he had kept bottled up for years. It wasn’t easy, but for the first time in a long while, he felt connected to them. Meihui, the quiet one, found solace in the small tasks. She would often slip away from the group to work alone, but it wasn’t out of isolation—it was a way for her to reflect on the changes they were all going through. She began to understand that the house was more than just a place to live—it was a symbol of their resilience, their strength to overcome the past. As they worked together, they began to realize that the journey of rebuilding the house mirrored their own journey of healing. Each stroke of paint, each nail in the wall, brought them closer to the future they wanted to build, a future where they could truly move on from the pain of the past. Chapter 8: Tearing Down the Walls The days passed, and with every bit of progress they made on the house, the siblings began to feel a deeper sense of connection. It wasn’t just about fixing things—it was about breaking down the emotional walls they had built over the years. Suting, who had always carried the weight of responsibility, started to let go. She realized that she didn’t have to control everything. Her siblings were there for her, and they were in this together. She no longer needed to be the one holding everything together. Jianming, who had always put others’ needs before his own, started to focus on his own happiness. He spent more time talking to his siblings about his hopes and dreams, things he had never shared with anyone before. For the first time, he felt free to be himself. Jun, the most distant of them all, began to open up about his feelings. He started sharing more about his experiences and the reasons he had distanced himself from the family. It wasn’t easy, but with each conversation, he felt a little lighter. He began to understand that he didn’t have to hide anymore. Meihui, the youngest, learned to speak up. She realized that she didn’t have to be the quiet observer anymore. She had a voice, and it mattered. She began to take a more active role in the house’s restoration, using her creativity to bring warmth and life back into the space. As they tore down the physical walls of the house, they were also tearing down the emotional walls between them. For the first time, they were truly seeing each other—really seeing each other—for who they were and what they had been through. Chapter 9: The Bonds That Strengthen Us As the house began to take shape, so did the relationship between the siblings. The emotional distance that had once separated them was slowly closing. They spent evenings together, talking, laughing, and remembering the good times they had shared as children. It was a healing process, one that could not be rushed, but one that was necessary for their growth as a family. Suting began to realize that her role wasn’t to carry the weight of the family alone. She learned that it was okay to lean on her siblings, to ask for help, and to share the load. Jianming, too, began to see that he didn’t have to be perfect. It was okay to make mistakes, to admit when he was struggling. Jun, who had always been the most private, learned that he could be vulnerable with his siblings. He didn’t have to hide his emotions or shut people out. It was okay to need others. Meihui, who had often felt lost in the shuffle, began to find her own place within the family. She realized that her voice mattered, that her thoughts and feelings were important. She wasn’t just the youngest—she was a vital part of their story. Together, they were learning how to be a family again, not just through the act of rebuilding the house, but through the act of rebuilding their relationships. Chapter 10: A New Beginning The house was nearly finished, but the journey wasn’t over. The siblings had come so far, but they knew that the road ahead was long. They had rebuilt the house, but now it was time to rebuild their lives. It wouldn’t be easy, but they were no longer the people they were when they first stepped into this house. Suting stood in the living room, looking around at the completed space. It was brighter, warmer, more alive than it had ever been. The walls, once cracked and worn, were now fresh and solid. The house was no longer just a building—it was home. “This is our new beginning,” Suting said, her voice full of emotion. “We’ve come a long way, and there’s still more to do. But we’ll do it together.” Her siblings nodded in agreement. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they were no longer defined by the past. They were building something new, something stronger, and they would face it together.

第一章：初見的印象 在高中初期，安琪和浩然並不熟識。安琪是班級中的學霸，總是專心於學業，成績優異，總被老師和同學當作榜樣。而浩然則是一個頑皮的男孩，總喜歡開玩笑，成績雖然不差，但並不特別突出。他的存在常常讓班級氣氛充滿了輕鬆與活力。 有一天，老師安排了小組討論，安琪和浩然被分到了一組。初見的安琪對浩然的印象並不好，她認為浩然過於隨意，對學業不夠認真。浩然則對安琪有些排斥，覺得她太過刻板、沒有一點娛樂性。 討論開始時，浩然故意故障，假裝不懂問題，頻頻開玩笑讓安琪皺眉，但安琪依然堅持自己的態度，語氣認真地給他解釋。她不喜歡浩然的不負責任，並且覺得自己必須做得完美。然而，浩然卻逐漸被安琪的認真與堅持所吸引，他開始偷偷觀察她，並對她產生了些許好奇。 討論結束後，浩然慢慢開始放下對安琪的偏見，並決定要挑戰她，讓她有些不再那麼拘謹。 第二章：打破冰封的笑容 幾週後，浩然發現自己有點迷上了安琪的專注，特別是在班上集體活動的時候。每當安琪忙碌於學習或組織活動時，她總是專心而沉默，像是與外界隔絕。浩然心中產生了一股不知名的衝動，他決定再度挑戰這個冷漠的學霸。 一次語文課上，老師隨意提到了一個笑話，浩然立即抓住機會，大聲而誇張地講了起來，期待安琪會對他有些反應。然而，安琪卻仍然埋頭在書本裡，似乎根本沒有聽見。浩然輕輕一笑，對自己說：“好吧，這次我不給她台階下。” 不過，這一次他卻沒有得到自己預期的反應。安琪忽然停下了筆，抬起頭，看著他，眼神中的一絲輕微笑意讓浩然愣住了。她說：“你其實蠻有趣的，只是常常讓人覺得你不夠認真。” 浩然驚訝於安琪這句話，他不禁輕輕一笑，回應道：“那好吧，下次我試著讓自己認真一點。” 這一瞬間，安琪的心中閃過一絲複雜的情感。她開始發現，浩然不僅僅是一個愛開玩笑的男孩，還擁有一種與她不一樣的純真和幽默感。她忽然感到，或許自己可以放鬆一點，和他分享更多的笑聲。 第三章：意外的默契 隨著學期的進行，安琪和浩然的關係悄然發生了變化。在一次班級討論上，兩人意外地發現彼此的觀點竟然十分契合。安琪原本認為浩然不會在學業上有太多建樹，沒想到他卻提出了一個非常獨特的解釋方式，解決了他們討論中的難題。 這讓安琪對浩然的看法發生了翻天覆地的變化。她開始重新評價這個男孩，發現他並不如她最初所想的那麼浮誇和不負責任，而是有著一顆細膩的心。她漸漸地對浩然產生了好感，心中開始有了些微的波動。 浩然也察覺到了安琪的改變。儘管他仍然保持著一貫的幽默風格，但他開始在一些問題上更加認真，並主動與安琪討論學習上的問題。這種變化讓安琪感到驚訝，也讓她對浩然有了更多的好奇與期待。 第四章：心動的瞬間 隨著兩人越來越親近，班級裡的同學們也開始注意到他們之間不尋常的互動。浩然和安琪總是能夠在學習上互相協作，而在休息時間，他們也常常一起分享笑話和閒聊。這讓兩人之間的關係愈加密切。 某個午後，安琪正在圖書館讀書，浩然卻突然出現了。他帶著一杯咖啡走到她面前，輕輕放下，對她說：“嘿，學霸，這是你今天的獎勳，打破了我心中的學業神話。” 安琪抬頭看著他，心中突然湧上一股莫名的情愫。浩然的話語並不僅僅是玩笑，而是帶著一絲真心。安琪輕輕笑了笑，接受了這杯咖啡，內心的動搖越來越明顯。 她心想：“也許，這就是所謂的心動吧。” 第五章：友情的裂痕 然而，隨著彼此感情的增長，一些誤會和矛盾開始出現。安琪發現浩然有時候對學業的態度仍然不夠認真，這讓她產生了些許失望。而浩然則覺得安琪過於追求完美，總是對自己和他人過於苛刻。 一天，班上進行了一次重要的辯論比賽，安琪是組的隊長，而浩然則是她的小組成員之一。在比賽中，浩然因為放鬆了心態，失誤連連，這讓安琪感到非常生氣。比賽結束後，安琪忍不住指責浩然：“你怎麼總是這樣不負責任？這關乎我們的榮譽，你怎麼能這麼輕視？” 浩然愣住了，他並不是故意不認真，但聽到安琪的批評，他感到非常沮喪。這一刻，兩人之間的距離變得更加遙遠，誤會的裂痕逐漸擴大。 第六章：告白的預兆 時間過得很快，幾週後，兩人仍然保持著微妙的疏離。安琪的心情也開始變得複雜，她發現自己其實對浩然有著不一樣的情感，但同時又無法原諒他在學業上的態度。 一天，浩然在放學後主動找到了安琪。他看著她，語氣不再像往常那樣輕松：“安琪，我知道我做錯了，但我想讓你知道，我不想失去我們之間的友誼。” 安琪的心微微一顫，她看著浩然的眼睛，忽然明白，他其實並不只是個搞笑的男孩，而是一個有著真心的朋友。她輕輕地點了點頭，並沒有馬上回答，但內心的矛盾已經開始消散。 這一天，兩人之間的關係有了微妙的變化，仿佛一個新的起點。 第七章：畢業的離別 隨著高三畢業的日子一天天臨近，兩人終於在一次班會後面對面坐下。浩然突然對安琪說：“安琪，我一直想告訴你，我喜歡你，從小學開始。” 安琪聽後，愣住了，她的心跳加速，臉上微微紅了起來。她深吸一口氣，抬起頭，卻發現浩然的眼中充滿了真誠和期待。她沒有馬上回應，而是低頭，靜靜地思考了很久。 在她最終回應的時候，心中的情感早已無法掩蓋：“我也喜歡你，浩然，只是我一直沒勇氣說出來。” 兩人的笑容在那一刻定格，仿佛時間停滯了一般。

第1章：毒舌律師 李明的辦公室一如既往地凌亂，桌面上堆滿了案件文件和法庭的資料。他的辦公桌旁有一台高效能的筆記型電腦，鍵盤聲響清脆，似乎不管白天還是深夜，永遠都能聽見他忙碌的打字聲。他是一位著名的毒舌律師，以無所畏懼、直指要害的風格聞名。無論是法庭上的激烈辯論，還是對他人的犀利批評，李明總能將每一場戰鬥都打得天衣無縫，且每一回都能笑到最後。 今天，他剛接到一個看似簡單但背後暗藏危機的案件——幫助明星唐杰澄清性侵指控。唐杰的名字幾乎家喻戶曉，儘管他之前並不顯眼，但由於與一位知名導演合作後，事業突飛猛進。如今，因為一宗性侵案件被公佈，唐杰的名聲一落千丈。此事牽動了娛樂圈的神經，媒體紛紛猜測唐杰究竟是無辜還是心虛。 李明接受了這份工作，並未表現出太多情緒。對他來說，這只是一個商業交易，爭取最大利益的手段。他並未對唐杰的情況產生太多共鳴，畢竟他早已習慣了在黑白世界中游走。李明開始查看案件資料，翻閱唐杰的背景資料，並分析媒體的報導。他知道，這是一起「公關災難」，背後可能藏著更多的陰謀。他的目標很明確——找到真相，或至少利用漏洞贏得這場官司。 第2章：陰謀的蛛絲馬跡 李明開始對唐杰的過去進行深入調查。他發現，唐杰與被控性侵的女演員林小姐曾經有過非常親密的工作關係。林小姐不僅是唐杰的好友，還是他的事業起步階段的重要支持者。當唐杰的事業初見曙光時，林小姐一直在背後默默幫助，甚至不惜作出許多妥協與犧牲。然而，隨著唐杰逐漸成為明星，兩人之間的距離也逐漸加大。林小姐變得愈加冷淡，甚至公開批評唐杰的行為，指責他變得自私和功利。 李明與他的助理小楠仔細閱讀林小姐的指控，發現她的證詞有不少矛盾之處。她在媒體上說唐杰在某次派對上強行侵犯她，但當李明深入調查該派對的時間和地點時，發現當晚有許多人在場，且沒有人聽到過林小姐的求救聲或看到任何不當行為的發生。更有甚者，林小姐與唐杰的舊情仍然時有聯繫，這讓李明感到更加疑惑。究竟是唐杰的罪行，還是林小姐背後有人在操控她的行動？ 為了找出更多的線索，李明和小楠決定追蹤林小姐的過去，並發現她曾在某些場合與娛樂圈內的權勢人物有著隱秘的合作關係。這些人擁有極大的影響力，能夠輕易操控輿論，將事件引向不利的方向。 第3章：娛樂圈的黑暗 李明的直覺告訴他，這不僅僅是一場普通的性侵指控。唐杰與林小姐之間的矛盾背後，似乎隱藏著更多不可告人的秘密。李明開始深入了解娛樂圈的潛規則，他發現，娛樂圈的競爭遠比他想像的更加殘酷。在這個圈子裡，明星的形象與金錢、權力密切相關，一旦名聲受到損害，無論是公眾還是同行，都會毫不留情地對其進行打壓。 李明發現，唐杰的事業並非完全由他一個人支撐。事實上，唐杰在多年前曾經與一位名叫張明光的大佬有過深度合作。張明光控制著多家娛樂公司，是業界無人能敵的霸主。他的影響力滲透到每一個角落，無論是演員、導演，還是媒體，都無一不受他操控。 李明發現，在唐杰事業蒸蒸日上的同時，張明光卻選擇與他保持距離，將他推向了前台，享受名利的同時也要承擔風險。而在唐杰事業陷入低谷時，張明光卻毫不猶豫地切斷了與他的所有聯繫，將一切責任推到唐杰身上。這一切的轉變，無疑是一場精心策劃的陰謀，目的是要將唐杰從娛樂圈踢出局，並將他變成替罪羊。 第4章：不為人知的交易 李明深入研究案件的每個細節，並發現唐杰與張明光之間的合作並不僅僅是業務合作，背後涉及到一筆秘密交易。在這筆交易中，唐杰被迫接受了張明光的要求，為了保住自己的事業，唐杰不得不為張明光提供一些私人資料和許可，讓他能夠控制唐杰的未來。 這筆交易並未公開，而是通過暗中操作來進行。李明發現，這其中有許多不為人知的細節，這些細節讓唐杰的處境變得越發困難。他不僅要面對外界的誣陷，還要忍受來自張明光的操控與壓迫。李明通過一系列的調查，找到了證據，證明唐杰的指控背後並非單純的誤會，而是一次精心策劃的陰謀。 李明決定將這些資料公之於眾，他要揭露這一切，讓真相大白於天下。他知道，這場官司不僅是為了唐杰爭取清白，更是要打擊那些隱藏在陰暗角落裡的權力巨頭。 第5章：迷霧中的真相 在進一步追查的過程中，李明和小楠發現，唐杰的處境遠比他們想像的更加複雜。隨著案件的深入，他們找到了更多有價值的證據，這些證據揭示了唐杰與張明光之間的交易，並且指出張明光為了鞏固自己的權力，早已將唐杰視為一顆棋子。李明與小楠的調查逐漸揭開了娛樂圈內部的潛規則，這些規則讓每個人都不得不屈服於權力。 然而，李明發現，這些陰謀背後還有一個更大的棋局。他開始懷疑，這場風波並不僅僅是針對唐杰，還涉及到更高層次的政治與商業利益。他和小楠決定繼續追查，揭露這個迷霧中的真相。 第7章：背後的操控者 隨著案件的發展，李明發現自己陷入了一個更深的泥淖。每當他發現新的證據，就會有神秘力量試圖阻止他。某天，李明的辦公室突然遭到破壞，所有調查資料被竊取。更糟糕的是，李明還收到了一封匿名威脅信，警告他如果繼續揭發真相，將會面臨更大的危險。 李明並未因此退縮，他將所有精力集中在查找這些背後操控的勢力。他開始更加深入地調查那些與張明光有關的商業合作夥伴，發現其中有幾個跨國企業的高層也參與了這場陰謀。這些企業的利益與唐杰的事業密切相關，透過這些企業的合作，張明光可以更加輕鬆地控制娛樂圈內部的資源和人脈。 在一次偶然的機會下，李明得知了一個關鍵人物的名字——陳昊，這是一位曾經在商業界聲名顯赫的企業家，現在則成為了張明光的隱形合作夥伴。李明的直覺告訴他，陳昊才是背後最強大的操控者，而張明光只是他的一個棋子。 第8章：舊情人的重逢 在一次秘密的會議中，李明成功地接觸到唐杰的舊情人，李婷婷。李婷婷是唐杰早年的戀人，兩人因為事業的發展而分手，但一直保持著聯繫。李明知道，李婷婷擁有關鍵的資料和信息，能夠幫助他揭開案件的真相。 李婷婷的回憶對李明來說至關重要。她告訴李明，在唐杰事業初期，張明光曾經多次接觸過他，並試圖將他納入自己的勢力範圍。然而，唐杰並不願意成為張明光的傀儡，這也是兩人之間矛盾的根源之一。李婷婷透露，唐杰曾經收到過來自張明光的威脅信，警告他如果不聽從指示，他的事業將面臨重大危機。儘管唐杰當時選擇了反抗，但他並未真正擺脫張明光的控制。 李婷婷還透露了一個驚人的消息——陳昊其實早已在娛樂圈內部布局多年，他的目標並不僅僅是控制唐杰，而是希望能夠掌握整個娛樂行業的話語權。李明聽後深感震驚，這一切似乎比他最初預料的還要複雜。 第9章：最終的對決 李明決定將真相大白於天下。他與唐杰以及李婷婷一同策劃了一場最終的對決，打算在法庭上揭露所有的陰謀與背後的黑幕。為了準備這場對決，李明決定召集一個由專業律師、記者以及企業界專家的團隊，協同作戰，準備充分的證據，為唐杰辯護。 然而，當他們準備好一切並準備出擊時，李明突然遭遇了一場危機。他接到了來自陳昊的威脅，對方要求他放棄案件，否則將會面臨毀滅性的後果。這使得李明陷入了兩難的境地，他知道，這不僅僅是為了唐杰，也是為了揭開那些權力背後的秘密。如果他選擇放棄，則意味著那些陰謀將繼續蔓延，無數無辜的人將繼續成為權力的犧牲品。 但李明最終決定，無論如何，他都不能退縮。他深知，這一戰不僅是對自己職業生涯的挑戰，更是對正義與真相的捍衛。 第10章：光明的未來 在經過一場激烈的法庭對決後，李明最終成功揭示了背後的陰謀，並為唐杰贏得了無罪的判決。張明光和陳昊等人被揭發出來，並面臨了來自政府和司法機構的調查。娛樂圈內的格局因此發生了巨大的變化，唐杰的名聲得到了恢復，而李明則因為這一場勝利而成為了更具聲望的律師。 然而，這場官司帶來的不僅是事業上的成功，還讓李明對自己的人生有了新的認識。他開始反思自己過去的生活，曾經冷酷、無情的態度不再是他唯一的選擇。他學會了如何珍惜與人之間的關係，也開始尋找內心真正的平靜。 唐杰也從這場風波中吸取了教訓，他不再單純追求名利，而是希望能夠成為一個更真實的人，去面對自己過去的錯誤與未來的挑戰。故事的結局並不圓滿，但卻讓所有人都有了重新開始的機會。

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Choice Zhang Yisheng sat in the corner of his apartment, the deep night casting a gray hue over the entire room. His fingers lightly tapped on the job application form on the desk, his heart filled with unease and confusion. At that moment, he felt as if the whole world was slipping away from him. He had once had dreams—his life’s work for many years—planning weddings, creating the most beautiful memories for countless couples. Yet, a sudden business crisis had shattered his company, leaving his dreams broken like glass. The messages on his phone screen stung deeply—collaborators backing out, financial chains collapsing—each message a painful reminder that his career seemed to have hit a dead end. The work he once loved had now become a heavy burden on his chest. He set down his phone, stood up, and walked toward the window. Through the glass, he could see the lights of the city. On the streets below, people rushed about aimlessly, like busy ants unable to find their destination. Zhang Yisheng took a deep breath, knowing he, too, was trapped in this sense of confusion. At that moment, his gaze settled on an unfamiliar shop outside the window. It was a funeral service company, and the simple words on the sign strangely caught his attention. Wedding planning and funeral ceremonies—the contrast seemed vast, yet they didn’t feel so distant to him. He thought about his understanding of emotions from his years in wedding planning. Perhaps these experiences could help him step into a new field—a field both unfamiliar and challenging. In that instant, Zhang Yisheng made a decision. He picked up his phone and quickly searched for the company, determined to change the trajectory of his life. He knew this path would be full of uncertainties, but with nowhere else to turn, it might just be his only choice. Chapter 2: The First Collaboration A few days later, Zhang Yisheng arrived at Li Wendao’s funeral service company. Situated in an unassuming old building in the city center, the company’s exterior was simple, even a bit rundown. Stepping into the dimly lit lobby, the atmosphere felt cold and mysterious. Zhang quickened his steps, his heart filled with both nervousness and apprehension, as if he had entered an entirely new world. This place felt completely different from the wedding planning companies he used to know. The silence here carried an indescribable weight. The walls of the lobby were lined with black-and-white photographs capturing moments from past memorial ceremonies. The solemn expressions of the people in the photos—some bowed their heads, others stared blankly—made Zhang’s heart tighten. He was used to the laughter and joy of weddings, but here, every corner seemed to tell stories of loss and sorrow. The receptionist at the front desk noticed him but showed no particular emotion. Calmly, she asked, “How may I help you?” Forcing a small smile, Zhang replied hesitantly, “I’m here to apply for the funeral director position.” She glanced at him briefly before returning her gaze to her computer screen, seemingly unsurprised by his response. “Please wait a moment; Manager Li will be with you shortly.” Her tone was flat, lacking any warmth, which only added to Zhang’s unease. He suddenly felt as though he’d stepped into an entirely foreign world. Taking a seat, Zhang tried to stay calm, though his anxious thoughts were difficult to suppress. The air here felt heavy, as if every corner was braced for something significant to happen. The ticking of a clock on the wall added to the stillness, its sound amplifying the tension in the room. Zhang unconsciously tapped his fingers on the chair’s armrest, his heartbeat quickening in rhythm with the clock. Before long, a middle-aged man in a gray suit entered the lobby. His steady steps and composed demeanor exuded an air of confidence. Offering a slight smile, the man extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Li Wendao,” he said in a calm, reassuring voice. “Hello, Manager Li.” Zhang Yisheng stood up and shook his hand. Li glanced through Zhang’s résumé briefly before looking up, his expression serious. “From your background, your experience in wedding planning could be a great asset for this job. This role shares many similarities—it requires excellent organizational skills and a deep understanding of emotions.” Zhang nodded slightly, feeling a glimmer of hope. Though he knew almost nothing about the funeral industry, at least his experience with emotions and organization might prove useful. Putting down the résumé, Li’s tone grew more somber. “This job isn’t just about organizing funerals. Our role is to help people find solace during their most painful moments, providing emotional support alongside logistical services. It requires total commitment—not just managing tasks but guiding families through their grief.” Zhang felt a chill run through him. The work sounded far heavier than he’d imagined. Yet, he also knew he had no other choice but to press on. “I understand, Manager Li,” he said, his voice low but determined. Li nodded slightly. “If you’re willing, we’ll start you with simpler tasks so you can gradually learn the industry.” Zhang’s emotions were mixed. He knew this wasn’t just a career shift but a test of his resolve. Perhaps this would be his path forward—a road full of challenges and transformation. Chapter 3: The Test of Empathy Zhang Yisheng’s first task at the funeral company was assisting in preparing for a small memorial service. The client was an elderly woman mourning the loss of her husband. As Zhang entered her home alongside Li Wendao, he felt an inexplicable heaviness in the air. The living room was filled with photographs of the couple's happy moments, their smiling faces frozen in time. The widow sat quietly in a chair, her frail hands clutching a small photo frame. Her eyes, though red from crying, still held a distant tenderness. Li Wendao gently introduced Zhang. “Mrs. Liu, this is Zhang Yisheng, our new assistant. He will help with your husband’s memorial arrangements.” Mrs. Liu looked up at Zhang and nodded faintly. “Thank you for coming,” she said softly, her voice trembling. Zhang struggled to find the right words. He had once excelled at comforting nervous brides and stressed-out families, but now, facing such profound grief, he felt utterly inadequate. Li seemed to sense his unease and smoothly took over the conversation, asking Mrs. Liu about her preferences for the memorial. “What kind of flowers did Mr. Liu like?” he asked warmly. Mrs. Liu’s expression softened slightly. “Lilies. He always said they reminded him of purity and peace.” As Li continued to discuss details, Zhang quietly observed, taking mental notes on how Li managed to provide comfort without being intrusive. Later that evening, as Zhang and Li left the house, Zhang finally spoke up. “Manager Li, how do you always know the right thing to say?” Li smiled faintly. “It’s not about knowing the right thing to say; it’s about listening. Grief isn’t something you can fix—it’s something you guide people through. The more you listen, the more you’ll understand how to help.” Zhang pondered these words, realizing that his role here would be vastly different from his previous job. Weddings celebrated beginnings; funerals honored endings. But both required empathy, patience, and an understanding of human emotions. Chapter 4: Facing His Own Past As Zhang grew more accustomed to the work, he found himself reflecting on his own life. The stories of loss and love he encountered each day stirred memories he had long buried. One evening, as he organized photos for a memorial, he came across a family portrait that reminded him of his parents. It had been years since he’d visited their graves, too consumed by his career to make time. Now, surrounded by stories of loss, he felt a deep pang of guilt. Li noticed Zhang’s distracted demeanor and asked, “Something on your mind?” Zhang hesitated before replying, “I was just thinking about my parents. I haven’t been to their graves in a long time.” Li nodded understandingly. “Grief doesn’t follow a schedule, Zhang. Sometimes, it waits quietly in the background until we’re ready to face it.” Inspired by Li’s words, Zhang decided to visit his parents’ graves the next day. Standing before their tombstones, he felt an overwhelming mix of emotions—regret, sorrow, and a newfound sense of connection. For the first time in years, he spoke to them, sharing his struggles and hopes for the future. The experience left him feeling lighter, as if he’d taken a small step toward healing. He realized that helping others through their grief might also help him confront his own. Chapter 5: The Unexpected Request One rainy afternoon, Zhang Yisheng and Li Wendao returned to the funeral home after handling a memorial service. As they stepped inside, the receptionist approached them. “Manager Li, there’s a man waiting in your office. He says it’s urgent,” she whispered. Li raised an eyebrow but nodded, motioning for Zhang to follow. Inside the office sat a man in his 40s, his face pale and his eyes darting nervously. “Mr. Zhao, correct?” Li greeted, extending a hand. “Yes,” the man replied, his voice trembling. “I… I need your help. My wife passed away two weeks ago, but I—” He hesitated, as though grappling with words too heavy to utter. “I didn’t give her a proper burial. She’s still… at home.” Zhang’s eyes widened in shock, but Li’s expression remained calm. “I understand this must be very difficult for you, Mr. Zhao,” Li said gently. “Can you tell me why you waited?” Tears streamed down Mr. Zhao’s face. “I couldn’t let her go. She was my everything. But now…” He paused, visibly shaking. “I can’t bear to see her like this anymore.” Li placed a comforting hand on the man’s shoulder. “You’ve taken the first step by coming here. We’ll help you give her the farewell she deserves.” Zhang remained silent, observing how Li handled the delicate situation. This was unlike anything he’d encountered before. The balance between compassion and professionalism was a tightrope Zhang wasn’t sure he could walk. Chapter 6: The House of Shadows The next morning, Zhang and Li accompanied Mr. Zhao to his home to retrieve his wife’s remains. As they entered the dimly lit house, the air was thick with a musty smell. Zhang’s chest tightened with unease. In the living room, a covered figure lay on a makeshift bed adorned with wilting flowers and burnt incense sticks. Mr. Zhao knelt beside it, tears falling freely. “I couldn’t let her leave,” he murmured. Li knelt beside him. “You’ve honored her memory by keeping her close, but it’s time for her to rest peacefully.” With Mr. Zhao’s reluctant approval, they carefully prepared his wife’s body for transport. Zhang couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for the man, whose love had turned into an agonizing inability to let go. As they left the house, Zhang asked Li, “How do you stay so composed? Doesn’t it ever feel… overwhelming?” Li smiled faintly. “Every case leaves a mark, Zhang. But if I let the weight of one stop me, I wouldn’t be able to help the next. You learn to carry it without letting it crush you.” Chapter 7: A Lesson in Letting Go The funeral service for Mr. Zhao’s wife was small but poignant. As the casket was lowered into the ground, Mr. Zhao stood with trembling hands, clutching a letter he had written. “Goodbye, my love,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’ll cherish you forever.” Zhang watched as the man finally released years of pain. It was a moment of profound closure, both heartbreaking and beautiful. Later, Zhang approached Li. “I didn’t realize how much strength it takes to help someone through this process. It’s… humbling.” Li smiled. “You’re learning, Zhang. Empathy isn’t just about feeling—it’s about being there when someone needs you most.” Chapter 8: The Invitation Days turned into weeks, and Zhang Yisheng grew more confident in his role, though the weight of each story lingered in his mind. One quiet afternoon, as he was sorting through documents, Li Wendao approached him with an envelope in hand. “Zhang,” Li said, sliding the envelope across the desk, “this came for us. It’s an invitation to conduct a ritual cleansing at an old estate in the countryside. The family specifically requested our services.” Zhang opened the envelope and scanned the letter. The handwriting was neat, almost too perfect, and the language formal. The family’s request seemed ordinary—an ancestral home needing a ritual to dispel lingering spirits—but something about the tone unsettled him. “Isn’t this… outside our usual scope?” Zhang asked hesitantly. Li nodded. “It is. But sometimes, tradition and respect for the deceased extend beyond funerals. I thought you might find it interesting. Care to join me?” Despite a nagging sense of unease, Zhang agreed. Chapter 9: The Forgotten Estate The estate was vast but shrouded in decay. Ivy crept up its walls, and the windows were fogged with years of neglect. As Zhang and Li approached, an elderly man greeted them. “Thank you for coming,” he said, his voice gravelly. “This house has been in our family for generations, but strange things have happened since my mother passed away. We believe her spirit hasn’t found peace.” Inside, the air was thick with an unsettling stillness. Family portraits lined the walls, their subjects staring blankly into the void. A chill ran down Zhang’s spine as they entered a room where the family had prepared an altar for the ritual. Li instructed Zhang to light incense while he recited prayers. The room seemed to darken as the ritual progressed, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows. Zhang could feel an inexplicable tension, as though the house itself was watching. Suddenly, the air grew colder, and the candles flickered violently. The elderly man gasped. “She’s here,” he whispered, clutching his chest. Chapter 10: The Unseen Presence Li remained calm, his voice steady as he continued the prayers. Zhang, however, was frozen in place, his heart pounding. A faint whisper seemed to echo in the room, a voice too soft to discern but undeniably present. The elderly man pointed to a corner of the room. “There! That’s where she always stood!” Zhang forced himself to look, but the corner was empty. Still, an overwhelming sense of sorrow enveloped him, as though the air itself mourned. Li finished the ritual with a final chant, and the room grew still. The oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the candles burned steadily once more. “It’s done,” Li said softly, turning to the elderly man. “Your mother’s spirit has moved on.” The man wept, bowing deeply. “Thank you. I feel… peace for the first time in years.” As they left the estate, Zhang couldn’t shake the experience. “Was it real?” he finally asked Li. Li smiled enigmatically. “Real or not, what matters is that we brought comfort to the living—and perhaps to the dead as well.” Chapter 11: The Uneasy Return The journey back to the city was quiet, each man lost in his own thoughts. Zhang Yisheng couldn’t escape the feeling that something was left unresolved. The ritual had been successful, at least outwardly, yet he felt as if he had glimpsed something in the shadows, something that didn’t quite belong. Li Wendao seemed unfazed, his stoic demeanor as calm as ever. “You’re thinking about the house, aren’t you?” he asked after a long silence. Zhang nodded. “Yes. There was something… strange. Even after the ritual was finished, I felt the presence of that spirit, like it was still watching me.” Li glanced at him, his eyes sharp but thoughtful. “You’ve been in this line of work long enough to know that not all spirits are easy to let go of. Some linger, even if they don’t have a place in this world anymore. It’s not just about the ritual—it’s about belief, about closure for both the living and the dead.” Zhang couldn’t shake the feeling that Li knew more than he was letting on. He had always been a man of few words, but his cryptic remarks had a weight that Zhang couldn’t ignore. Chapter 12: The Cryptic Message Two days after the ritual, Zhang returned to his office to find a new letter waiting for him. It was written on the same elegant paper as the invitation to the estate, but this one bore no return address. Inside was a short, chilling message: "The house is never empty. The one you helped is not the one who needed help." Zhang’s hands trembled as he read the words. He felt a wave of dread wash over him, but he couldn’t make sense of it. He showed the letter to Li Wendao. “This came today. Do you know who might have sent it?” Zhang asked, his voice betraying his unease. Li took the letter and examined it closely, his face unreadable. “I’ve seen this type of message before. It’s a warning. Someone is trying to make you second-guess your actions.” “Who would do such a thing?” Zhang asked. Li handed the letter back to him. “That’s the question, isn’t it?” Chapter 13: The Unseen Hand The message haunted Zhang for days, gnawing at his mind. He spent countless hours researching the history of the family from the estate, trying to uncover any link that might explain the cryptic warning. But every lead turned cold, and his frustration mounted. Then, one evening, as he walked home through the dimly lit streets, Zhang felt an odd sensation—he was being followed. His footsteps echoed in the empty alleyways, and he could almost hear the soft padding of another pair of feet behind him. He spun around, but there was no one there. Yet the feeling lingered, like eyes were watching him from the shadows. His heart raced as he quickened his pace, his mind racing with possibilities. Was it the spirit from the estate? Or was someone else trying to send him a message? Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, stepping out of the alley in front of him. Zhang froze, his breath catching in his throat. “Looking for answers, Zhang?” The voice was cold, unfamiliar, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it. Zhang could only stare at the figure, the words dying in his throat. Who was this person? What did they know? Chapter 14: The Shadowed Truth Zhang’s heart thudded loudly in his chest as the figure stepped closer, the streetlight casting long, eerie shadows on the ground. The stranger was tall, dressed in a dark coat that blended into the night. The face, partially obscured by the brim of a wide hat, was unreadable. “Who are you?” Zhang asked, trying to steady his breath. The stranger’s lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile. “Someone who has been watching you, Zhang Yisheng. Someone who knows exactly what you did.” Zhang’s mind raced. He had encountered many strange and dangerous people in his line of work, but there was something about this man that made the air feel heavier. “What do you want?” The stranger took another step forward, his boots scraping against the pavement. “I want you to understand the price of what you’ve done. You think the ritual ended the curse, but it only delayed it. There are forces you cannot control, Zhang.” Zhang’s gaze narrowed. “I did what I was hired to do. If there’s something else, then you’re wasting my time.” He took a step back, his instincts warning him to flee, but the stranger’s next words rooted him to the spot. “You’ve meddled with powers beyond your comprehension. The house you left behind is still its prison, and you are its key.” Zhang’s pulse quickened, but he held his ground. “What are you talking about? The spirit was bound. It can’t return.” The stranger’s laugh was dark and hollow. “The spirit was never the true threat, Zhang. The house—its very foundation—is cursed. It’s a vessel for something far older. Something that even death cannot bind.” Zhang’s mind reeled, the pieces of the puzzle not fitting together. He had thought that he had helped free the trapped spirit. But now… now he was unsure of everything. “Why are you telling me this?” Zhang demanded. The stranger’s smile deepened. “Because I need you to do something for me. Something that will ensure that the darkness you’ve awakened doesn’t consume everything.” Chapter 15: An Offer in the Dark Zhang’s mind raced. The stranger’s words gnawed at him, filling his thoughts with questions and dread. He wanted to walk away, to dismiss this man as another crackpot, but there was something in the man’s eyes—a glimmer of truth. “What do you want me to do?” Zhang asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. The stranger stepped closer, his face now fully illuminated by the flickering streetlamp. His eyes were cold, unblinking, as if they saw through Zhang’s every thought. “There is one final step to the ritual. One final action to ensure the house remains sealed. But it requires you to go back.” Zhang’s stomach twisted at the thought of returning to the estate, the memories of the spirit still fresh in his mind. He had thought that he was done with it, that his work there had been finished. But now, it seemed, there was more to uncover. “You want me to go back?” Zhang repeated, disbelieving. The stranger nodded. “Not just go back. You must complete the ritual. The one you didn’t finish.” Zhang’s brow furrowed. “You’re asking me to go against everything I’ve been taught. No one—no one—has ever spoken of such a thing.” The stranger’s lips twisted into a dark smile. “That’s because they don’t know. But you will. You’ve already seen the cracks. Now you must face them.” Zhang stood there in the silence, the weight of the man’s words pressing on him. The choice was his—walk away and pretend none of this ever happened, or confront the darkness that was pulling him back. His instincts told him to run, to escape the shadows that threatened to swallow him whole. But something deeper, something buried beneath his fear, told him that this was the path he had to take. “I’ll do it,” Zhang said, his voice firm despite the unease that coiled in his gut. “But I need to know more. What is it you’re asking me to do?” The stranger leaned in, his face inches from Zhang’s. “You’ll understand when you’re inside the house. When you confront what’s truly been lurking there.” Zhang nodded slowly, a sense of inevitability washing over him. The mystery was far from over. It was only just beginning. Chapter 16: The Return The night was still as Zhang stood at the gates of the estate once more. The house loomed ahead, dark and silent, its windows like eyes that watched him from the shadows. Every step he took toward it felt heavier, as if the ground itself was pulling him down. The stranger’s words echoed in his mind: “You must complete the ritual. The one you didn’t finish.” Zhang wasn’t sure what to expect when he entered the house. The air felt colder now, thicker with an almost tangible tension. The walls seemed to close in around him, and for the first time since he had entered the house, he felt the full weight of the curse pressing on his chest. As he made his way down the hall, his thoughts turned back to the ritual—the words, the gestures, the binding of the spirit. He had thought that was enough. But now, something told him that he had only scratched the surface. The final step awaited him. And only he could decide whether to face it, or leave the darkness behind. Chapter 17: The Hidden Chamber Zhang’s footsteps echoed through the silent halls of the estate, each step heavier than the last. The dim light from his lantern barely illuminated the vast, oppressive darkness surrounding him. The house, once a place of mystery, now felt like a prison, its walls closing in with every breath he took. He moved with caution, the weight of the stranger’s cryptic words pressing on him. “The ritual you didn’t finish,”  he repeated in his mind, but he had no idea what that could mean. He had done everything as instructed before, binding the spirit, ensuring it could never escape. Yet here he was again, summoned back to complete something that had been left undone. Zhang reached the doorway to the room where it all began—the place where the spirit had first revealed itself to him. The room was unchanged, its once-foreboding atmosphere now eerily quiet. The old wooden floor creaked beneath his feet, and the dust in the air seemed to dance around the lantern light. But it was what lay beyond the door that drew his attention now. A hidden door, nearly invisible against the dark wood of the far wall, beckoned him. It was as if the house had been holding this secret for centuries, waiting for him to return. His heart pounded as he approached it. Zhang placed his hand on the cool surface of the hidden door. His fingers traced along the edges, and he found a small, almost imperceptible latch. With a soft click, the door opened to reveal a narrow staircase that spiraled down into the darkness below. He hesitated, but something deep inside him urged him forward. The air around him seemed to thrum with energy, as if the house itself was alive, watching, waiting. Zhang took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. He had no choice now but to descend. Chapter 18: The Ritual Unraveled The stairs led him deep beneath the estate, into a cavernous, subterranean space. It was unlike anything Zhang had seen in the house above. The walls were covered in ancient symbols and carvings, each one twisted and grotesque. A faint, flickering light came from a brazier at the far end of the room, illuminating an altar made of black stone. Zhang stepped closer, the air growing colder with each movement. On the altar lay a large, weathered book, its pages yellowed with age. The symbols on the cover matched the ones he had seen throughout the house. This was no ordinary book—it was a record of something far older than the estate itself. He reached for the book, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened it to the first page. The writing was in a language he did not recognize, but the symbols seemed familiar. As his eyes scanned the pages, something inside him stirred, a faint memory surfacing. The ritual… it was there, outlined in meticulous detail. But there was something he had missed. The book described a second phase of the ritual—a dark, forbidden act that could either seal the curse forever or unleash it upon the world. Zhang’s heart raced as he realized the truth. The spirit he had bound was merely a fragment of something far more dangerous—a force older than time itself, waiting for its moment to rise. Zhang closed the book with a snap, his mind reeling. He had made a terrible mistake. He hadn’t completed the ritual properly. And now, he was the only one who could stop it. The ground beneath him trembled, a low rumble that seemed to come from deep within the earth. The house was reacting to his discovery, the curse awakening once again. Chapter 19: The Unraveling The trembling intensified, the room shaking violently as if the very foundations of the estate were being torn apart. Zhang stumbled back, his mind racing. The ritual was incomplete, and the forces he had thought he could control were now slipping from his grasp. He glanced around, searching for anything that could help him. His eyes fell on the brazier, its flame flickering in a strange pattern. It wasn’t just fire—it was a conduit, a link to whatever ancient power had been trapped within these walls. Zhang approached the brazier, his pulse quickening. The symbols on the walls seemed to glow with an eerie light, their meaning now clear to him. This was the final step. He had to finish what he had started, or the darkness would consume everything. With trembling hands, Zhang reached into the brazier and took hold of the flame. It burned cold and sharp, but he didn’t let go. The pain shot through his body, but he gritted his teeth and focused on the task at hand. The symbols on the walls began to pulse, the room shifting around him. The air felt thick, charged with a power that threatened to swallow him whole. He began to chant the words from the book, the ancient language flowing from his lips despite the fear that gripped him. The room responded, the symbols on the walls shifting and swirling, the darkness pressing in closer. Zhang’s body trembled, but he didn’t stop. He had no choice. As he spoke the final words, a blast of energy surged through the room, and the house seemed to groan with the force of it. The ground cracked beneath him, and a deep, guttural roar echoed from somewhere deep within the earth. For a moment, everything went black. Chapter 20: The Price of Power Zhang awoke to silence. The trembling had stopped, and the air was still. Slowly, he sat up, his body aching, his mind clouded with confusion. The brazier was now cold, its flame extinguished. The altar, the symbols, the book—they were all gone. It was as if the house had swallowed them whole, erasing every trace of the ritual. But something was different. The weight of the curse had lifted. The oppressive atmosphere that had haunted the estate for so long was gone. The house, once a prison, now seemed… empty. The darkness had receded, leaving only the hollow remains of its presence. Zhang stood, his legs shaky, and looked around. The room was now bathed in a soft, warm light. He had done it. He had completed the ritual. But at what cost? As he made his way back up the stairs, he felt a strange sense of finality. The house had been sealed, its secrets buried beneath layers of time. But Zhang knew that the darkness had not been eradicated—it had merely been contained. The forces he had dealt with were too ancient, too powerful to ever be fully destroyed. And as he stepped out into the night, Zhang realized that he would never truly be free of the shadows. They would always linger, just out of reach, waiting for the next person to come along and awaken them once again.

Chapter 1: The Class Clown and the Serious Girl In high school, a mischievous and playful boy, Haoran, was well-known for his antics. His favorite pastime was making everyone laugh, especially his classmates. But there was one person who didn't find his jokes funny—Anqi, a serious and studious girl who valued hard work above all else. Despite his popularity, Haoran couldn’t understand why Anqi always gave him a disapproving look. One afternoon, Haoran tried to make Anqi laugh by playing a prank during class. He threw a paper airplane at her head, but she didn’t even flinch. Instead, she glared at him with a stern expression. Haoran, sensing a challenge, decided to approach her after class. "Why do you always seem so serious?" he asked her. Anqi responded coldly, "I take my studies seriously. I don’t have time for jokes." Haoran didn’t know how to respond, but he couldn’t help but feel curious about this girl who didn’t seem interested in his usual jokes. Chapter 2: A Clash of Values The next day, Haoran saw Anqi studying during lunch break, her face buried in a thick textbook. He was curious. "Don’t you ever take a break?" he asked. Anqi looked up, her eyes serious. "I’m preparing for the upcoming exams. I can’t afford distractions." Haoran thought about it for a moment, then grinned mischievously. "You should lighten up. Life is too short to study all the time." Anqi didn’t share his view. "You’re wrong. Hard work is the key to success." Haoran felt the difference between them was too wide. While he believed in having fun and living in the moment, she saw only the importance of academic achievement. He couldn’t understand why she was so obsessed with grades, and she couldn't understand why he didn't seem to care about anything. Chapter 3: A Change of Perspective A week later, Haoran began to feel the weight of his words. He noticed how serious Anqi was about her studies, and in a way, it made him admire her. One evening, after a long day of school, he realized he hadn’t spent much time focusing on his future. Maybe Anqi was right, he thought. Maybe he should start taking things more seriously. The next day, Haoran approached Anqi, a little hesitant. "I was thinking... maybe you have a point. I’ve been pretty careless about my future." Anqi looked surprised but softened her stance. "I’m glad you’re starting to understand. It’s important to take responsibility for your own life." Haoran smiled awkwardly. "I’ll try harder. Maybe we can help each other out." From that moment on, Haoran began to take his studies more seriously, and Anqi tried to open up to a bit more fun and spontaneity. Slowly, the gap between them began to close. Chapter 4: Breaking Down the Walls As the days passed, Haoran and Anqi’s relationship grew more complex. Haoran would crack jokes during study sessions, and Anqi, though initially reluctant, began to laugh. He had a way of making her smile, and she appreciated his lighter approach to life. One afternoon, while studying in the library, Haoran noticed Anqi getting frustrated with a complicated math problem. He offered her a suggestion with his usual playful tone, "You know, if you look at it from a different angle, it’s not that hard." Anqi, exasperated, rolled her eyes. "How are you so carefree about everything?" Haoran shrugged. "It’s not that I don’t care; I just don’t want to get too stressed over it. We’re still young. Why not enjoy the ride?" Anqi sighed, feeling torn. She admired his carefree attitude but wondered if it was too much. Despite her hesitation, she started seeing the world a little differently, and Haoran learned to respect her determination. Chapter 5: Reflections and Apologies After an argument over a small misunderstanding, Haoran began to rethink his behavior. He realized that his pranks and carefree attitude might have hurt Anqi, and that wasn’t his intention. He sought her out the next day. "Anqi, I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad." Anqi was surprised by his sincerity. "It’s okay, Haoran. You don’t always understand, but I know you didn’t mean harm." Haoran smiled, relieved. "I’ll try to be more careful in the future. You mean more to me than just being the class clown." Chapter 6: The Bond Deepens As time went on, Haoran and Anqi grew closer. They studied together, laughed together, and slowly, they began to understand each other better. Haoran started taking his responsibilities seriously, while Anqi learned to let go of her constant need for perfection. One day, while they were studying for an important exam, Haoran said, "You know, I’ve been thinking a lot. I don’t want to just focus on grades; I want to enjoy life too." Anqi looked at him thoughtfully. "I’ve been thinking the same thing. Maybe I’ve been too obsessed with my studies. Life isn’t just about exams and achievements." They both realized how much they had grown, both individually and together. Haoran had taught Anqi to enjoy life more, and she had taught him to focus on the important things. Chapter 7: Unspoken Confessions At the school’s movie night, as Haoran and Anqi sat together, the atmosphere between them shifted. Their usual banter had given way to something deeper. Haoran turned to Anqi, a playful glint in his eyes. "What would you do if I told you I liked you?" Anqi froze for a moment, surprised by his words. She had always known there was something more between them, but hearing him say it out loud made her heart race. "I… I think I would like that," she replied softly. Haoran grinned, his voice a little teasing. "So, are we officially a couple now?" Anqi smiled, her cheeks turning pink. "I think so." And from that moment on, the connection between them deepened, not just as classmates, but as something much more profound.

Proverbs encapsulate profound wisdom, blending advice and humor into succinct phrases—akin to the ancient art of tweeting! From Serious to Seriously Hilarious "Where there's a will, there's a way" is motivational, until your willpower is devoted to consuming an entire pizza—then it transforms into a mere blueprint for a food-induced slumber! "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs" prompts a deeper inquiry: why must breakfast be so ruthlessly chaotic? Proverbs That Leave You Pondering Some proverbs can indeed provoke confusion. Consider these curious examples: "A penny saved is a penny earned." — Unless it mysteriously vanishes into the abyss of your couch cushions! "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." — Particularly when breakfast plans are on the line! "The early bird gets the worm." — Yet the second mouse enjoys the cheese! Explore these sayings that highlight humor as the most effective approach to navigate life's proverbial obstacles! Challenge yourself and find out how many you can identify. Click this link if you'ave any issues. English Idiom:   Actions speak louder than words. Meaning:  What you do is more important than what you say. Simplified Chinese Translation:  行动胜于言语 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  行动比言语更有说服力。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  行動勝於言語 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  行動比言語更有說服力。 English Idiom:   Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Meaning:  Don’t risk everything on a single plan or idea. Simplified Chinese Translation:  不要把所有鸡蛋放在一个篮子里 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  不要将所有的风险集中在一个计划上。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  不要把所有雞蛋放在一個籃子裡 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  不要將所有的風險集中在一個計劃上。 English Idiom:   Slow and steady wins the race. Meaning:  Consistent, deliberate effort often leads to success. Simplified Chinese Translation:  稳扎稳打，赢得比赛 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  稳定而持续的努力通常会带来成功。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  穩紮穩打，贏得比賽 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  穩定而持續的努力通常會帶來成功。 English Idiom:   Practice makes perfect. Meaning:  The more you practice, the better you become. Simplified Chinese Translation:  熟能生巧 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  多练习才能变得更好。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  熟能生巧 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  多練習才能變得更好。 English Idiom:   Rome wasn’t built in a day. Meaning:  Great achievements take time and effort. Simplified Chinese Translation:  罗马不是一天建成的 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  伟大的成就需要时间和努力。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  羅馬不是一天建成的 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  偉大的成就需要時間和努力。 English Idiom:   Birds of a feather flock together. Meaning:  People with similar interests or traits often associate with each other. Simplified Chinese Translation:  物以类聚，人以群分 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  相似的人或事物总是聚在一起。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  物以類聚，人以群分 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  相似的人或事物總是聚在一起。 English Idiom:   The squeaky wheel gets the grease . Meaning:  The person who complains or demands attention is the one who gets help. Simplified Chinese Translation:  会哭的孩子有奶吃 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  善于表达需求的人更容易得到帮助。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  會哭的孩子有奶吃 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  善於表達需求的人更容易得到幫助。 English Idiom:  Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Meaning:  Don’t harm or criticize someone who helps you. Simplified Chinese Translation:  喂你饭的手不要咬 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  不要伤害或批评帮助你的人。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  餵你飯的手不要咬 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  不要傷害或批評幫助你的人。 English Idiom:  Two heads are better than one. Meaning:  Collaboration often leads to better results. Simplified Chinese Translation:  三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  合作常常会取得更好的结果。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  三個臭皮匠，頂個諸葛亮 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  合作常常會取得更好的結果。 English Idiom:  Better late than never. Meaning:  It’s better to do something late than not at all. Simplified Chinese Translation:  迟做总比不做好 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  做得迟总比不做好。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  遲做總比不做 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  做得遲總比不做好。

第一章：意外的選擇 張易生坐在公寓的角落，深邃的夜色把整個房間染成灰色。他的手指在桌上的招聘表格上輕輕敲擊，心中充滿了不安和彷徨。這一刻，他感覺整個世界都在擺脫他。他曾經有過夢想，那是他多年來的心血——婚禮策劃，為無數的新人編排最美好的回憶。然而，一場突如其來的商業危機摧毀了他的公司，這場夢想如玻璃般碎裂。 手機屏幕上的消息讓他感到無比刺痛——從合作夥伴到資金鏈的崩塌，每一條訊息都在提醒他，自己的職業生涯似乎已經無路可走。曾經熱愛的工作，如今成了壓在胸口的重擔。 他放下手機，站起來，走向窗邊。透過窗外的玻璃，他可以看到整座城市的燈火。街道上來來往往的人們匆忙而無方向，像是忙碌的蚂蚁，卻無法找到目的地。張易生深深吸了一口氣，他知道自己也處於這樣的迷茫之中。 就在這時，他的目光停留在了窗外一家陌生的商店上。那是一間殯儀服務公司，招牌上簡單的字眼讓他感到異常的吸引。婚禮策劃和葬禮儀式，這兩者的差距，似乎距離他並不遙遠。他想到了自己在婚禮策劃中對情感的理解，或許，這些經歷能夠幫助他走進另一個領域，這個領域對他來說既陌生又充滿挑戰。 在那一瞬間，張易生做出了決定。他撿起手機，快速搜索那家公司，決心改變自己的人生軌跡。他清楚，這是一條充滿未知的路，但他已經無路可退，這也許是他唯一的選擇。 第二章：初次合作 幾天後，張易生來到李文道的殯儀公司。公司位於市中心的一棟不起眼的舊樓裡，外觀簡單，甚至有些破舊。走進大廳，昏暗的燈光讓整個空間顯得冷清而神秘。張易生的步伐不由得加快，他心中既緊張又忐忑，仿佛踏入了一個全新的世界。這裡的氣氛完全不同於他曾經熟悉的婚禮策劃公司，這種寂靜，帶著一種難以言喻的沉重感。 大廳牆上掛滿了黑白的照片，記錄著每一場悼念儀式的瞬間，照片中的人們面容凝重，有的低頭輕垂，有的眼神空洞，這一切讓張易生不禁心頭一緊。他曾經習慣了婚禮中的笑聲與歡樂，而這裡，每個角落似乎都在訴說著失落和哀傷。 前台的女接待員見到他，並未表現出任何額外的情緒，只是冷靜地問道：「有什麼我可以幫忙的嗎？」 張易生勉強露出一絲笑容，語氣有些不確定：「我來應聘殯儀經紀人的工作。」 接待員看了他一眼，將視線重新放回電腦螢幕，似乎對這樣的回答並不感到驚訝。「你稍等一下，李經理馬上過來。」她的語氣平靜，沒有過多的關心，這讓張易生感到有些不安。他突然覺得自己像是被帶進了一個完全陌生的世界。 他坐下來，盡量保持冷靜，但心中的焦慮無法隱藏。這裡的空氣凝滯，似乎每一個角落都在等待著某種重大的事情發生。牆上的鐘表發出滴答的聲音，空氣中彷彿滲透著一種冷冽的感覺，與外界的喧囂形成鮮明對比。張易生的手指無意識地在椅背上輕輕敲打，他的心跳似乎也隨著這滴答的聲音變得愈加急促。 不久後，一位穿著灰色西裝的中年男子走進了大廳。他的步伐穩重，面容端正，給人一種無比堅定的印象。男子微微一笑，伸出手來：「你好，我是李文道。」語氣平和，帶著一種讓人放鬆的親和力。 「你好，李經理。」張易生站起來，與他握手。 李文道低頭翻了翻張易生的簡歷，然後抬頭看向他，眼中流露出些許認真的神情。「從你的背景來看，婚禮策劃經歷對這份工作來說，應該會有很大幫助。這份工作其實和婚禮策劃有很多相似之處，都需要極高的組織能力和情感管理。」 張易生略微點頭，心中默默感受到一絲希望。雖然他對這個行業幾乎一無所知，但至少，他對情感的理解和組織的經驗還能派上用場。 李文道放下簡歷，語氣變得更加沉穩：「這份工作不僅僅是組織葬禮那麼簡單。我們的工作是幫助人們在最痛苦的時刻找到一些安慰，為他們提供情感上的支持。這份工作需要你全身心投入，不僅是處理事務，更要幫助他們面對生死。」 聽到這裡，張易生心中不禁一凜，這份工作比他想象的更為沉重。然而，他也知道自己再無選擇，只能繼續前行。「我明白，李經理。」他的聲音低沉卻堅定，內心雖然忐忑，但卻也被某種無形的力量推動。 李文道微微點頭，「如果你願意，我們可以讓你先從簡單的工作做起，讓你逐步了解這個行業。」 張易生的心情變得更加複雜。他明白，這不僅是一次職業的轉變，也是一次人生的考驗。或許，這就是他未來的路——一條充滿挑戰與轉折的路。 第三章：沉浸於過去 張易生的第一天工作過後，疲憊的身體靠在出租屋的沙發上，腦海裡卻無法停下來。李文道給他布置的任務並不複雜，只是整理一些老客戶的資料，熟悉殯儀行業的基本流程，但他卻無法將自己從這份工作帶入的情感中解脫出來。每一場葬禮背後的故事，無論多麼簡單或複雜，都牽動著他心底最柔軟的部分。 這不是他原本想做的工作。他曾經是婚禮策劃師，將每一對新人視為自己未來的美好，總是把最真摯的祝福寄託在那些浪漫的儀式中。而如今，當他坐在這間陰暗的辦公室中，翻閱那些生死簿冊時，他不禁感到內心的沉重。過去所學的情感管理技巧似乎並不足以面對這些灰色的故事。 但他不敢放任自己沉淪。他知道，這是自己的選擇，他必須全身心投入，面對眼前的一切。想到這裡，他不由得拿起桌上的工作報告，開始默默處理起日常的事務。 「或許這就是我目前最好的選擇吧。」張易生暗自嘀咕，試圖說服自己。 當晚，他接到了李文道的電話，邀請他一同參加今晚的喪禮儀式。這場儀式是為一位80歲的老人準備的，家屬要求儀式簡單、低調，但又不失尊重與情感。 「今晚的活動，你最好親自參加，這對你來說是一個很好的學習機會。」李文道語氣沉穩，並未多加解釋。 張易生推開門，穿過樓道，走向停車場，他的內心充滿了緊張和焦慮。這不是他曾經熟悉的婚禮現場，這裡的每一個細節都蘊藏著一種無法言喻的哀傷。他記得自己曾經參加過一場婚禮，所有的親朋好友圍繞著新人，那是最光輝的一刻；而現在，他的目光投向了這些正在哀悼的人們，這些眼神中帶著的是深沉的悲痛與無奈。 儀式過程中，張易生的心情無法平靜。他默默地觀察著每一個環節，學習著如何在這種氛圍中維持冷靜與專業。他注意到家屬的每一個動作，無論是一句簡單的告別，還是低聲的祈禱，都蘊含著對逝者的尊重與愛。 然而，儀式的結束並不代表結束。張易生和李文道一起走出會場，回到了公司。李文道對他說：“在這個行業，我們並不單純地做一份工作，我們為他人提供的是一種情感的支持與陪伴。有時候，這比任何的技巧還要重要。” 張易生默默點頭。他知道自己還需要時間，還需要慢慢適應這份工作的無形重量。 第四章：情感的邊界 幾週後，張易生漸漸地開始習慣了這份工作，儘管每一場葬禮的情感壓力依然沉重，但他開始能夠以更冷靜的心態面對這些場景。李文道對他也逐漸放心，將更多的責任交給他，這讓他感到一絲欣慰。 然而，隨著時間的推移，張易生開始意識到，這份工作並不像他想象的那樣簡單。他開始處理一些更加複雜的葬禮，包括有家族矛盾的客戶，或者那些情感衝突強烈的儀式。每一場儀式後，他都會感到自己的心情變得更加沉重。 有一次，他遇到了一位年輕的遺孀，這位女性名叫林曉彤，她的丈夫在一次突如其來的車禍中喪生。儀式安排過程中，林曉彤的情緒極為激動，幾乎無法控制。她在儀式前突然崩潰，反覆訴說著自己丈夫生前的點滴，甚至質疑自己是否能夠承受這樣的悲痛。 張易生坐在她身邊，輕聲安慰著她：“我知道這對你來說有多難，這是一段難以承受的痛，但你必須明白，悲傷並不會讓他回來，我們能做的，僅是讓他平靜地走。” 林曉彤的眼中含著淚水，眼神中充滿了矛盾與痛苦。“你說得對，但我為什麼總是感覺自己無法放下呢？我是不是太過自私？” 張易生不由得陷入了沉默。他知道，這是一個無解的問題，很多人都無法在短時間內從失去摯愛的人中走出來。他強壓著心中的情感，將自己完全投入在眼前的工作中，確保儀式能夠順利進行。 儀式結束後，張易生向林曉彤道別，並承諾會協助她完成後續的手續。雖然他沒有說出口，但心中卻浮現出一個疑問：他能否在這份工作中，保持情感的距離？他開始質疑，自己能否在提供情感支持的同時，不讓自己沉溺於這些痛苦的情感中。 這是他工作的真正挑戰：如何在充滿哀傷的世界中，保持自己的情感邊界。 第五章：黑暗中的光芒 幾個月後，張易生漸漸融入了這個行業。他學會了如何處理各種情況，無論是簡單的葬禮儀式，還是複雜的家族爭執，每一個挑戰都使他更成熟。然而，這一切並未讓他完全放下心中的沉重感。儘管他努力讓自己冷靜專業，但每當他看見那一張張悲傷的臉龐，他的心中還是無法完全不動容。 某個週末，張易生與李文道一起參加了一場葬禮。這是一位年輕女性的葬禮，年僅四十歲。她死於癌症，家人充滿了哀痛與不捨。這場葬禮的現場比他以往經歷過的任何一場都更加悲傷。當他站在喪禮儀式的台前，看到她的年輕丈夫和年幼的孩子站在旁邊，張易生不由自主地感到一陣心痛。 他注意到年輕的丈夫全程低著頭，雙手緊緊地握住自己孩子的小手。那位小女孩的眼中滿是困惑與不解，彷彿她無法理解為什麼母親再也不會回來。當主持人宣布儀式結束時，那對父女的悲傷幾乎把整個場地的空氣凝固了。 張易生的目光無意中碰上了李文道，他的表情同樣凝重。李文道微微點頭，示意張易生來到一旁。「這是我們最重要的工作，張，這不僅僅是為他們安排葬禮，我們的任務，是幫助他們走過這段痛苦的時光。」 李文道的話語在張易生心中響起，他深吸了一口氣，努力讓自己平靜下來。他突然明白，這個行業的價值並不僅僅在於處理儀式的專業性，更在於他們能否在最黑暗的時刻，為人們帶來一絲光芒。他開始理解，這樣的工作不僅僅是工作，更是一種情感上的承擔。 「我明白了。」張易生的聲音有些沉重，他的目光再次落在那對父女的身上。那一刻，他的心情無比複雜——他不僅是為他們處理一場葬禮，更是在為他們的未來提供希望。 第六章：過去的陰影 張易生的情感逐漸被這些經歷所吞噬，尤其是在工作上遇到的每一個挑戰，似乎都讓他更加難以平復自己的內心。每當他看到死者的家屬，他的心中便會回想起自己的過去，尤其是他失去父母的那段痛苦時光。張易生的父母在他年幼時便去世，那是他生命中的一個深刻傷痛，儘管時間已經過去了多年，但每當面對生死的問題時，這段記憶總會不經意地浮現出來。 有一次，張易生整理一位客戶的檔案時，他無意中發現了一封遺書。這封遺書屬於一位病重的中年男子，他在遺書中寫下了對妻子和孩子的告別，並表示對家人的愛與歉疚。張易生不禁被這封遺書打動，心中湧起了一股難以言喻的情感。他的思緒開始回到了自己的童年，回想起自己父母在世時，雖然他並未像其他孩子那樣擁有豐富的家庭溫暖，但父母曾經也給了他愛，甚至在他們生病時，他曾經想過如果他能有更多時間陪伴他們，是否能改變他們的命運。 然而，命運並不總是那麼仁慈。他的父母去世得早，張易生一直無法釋懷。每當他處理這些死者的遺物，讀到那些遺書與告別的話語時，他總會想起自己的父母，那些未曾說完的話語，成為了永遠的遺憾。 那天晚上，張易生走進公司外的公園，靜靜地站在一棵老樹下，任由微風拂過臉龐。他望著天上的星空，心中充滿了無數的疑問：為什麼有些人能夠安詳地離開，而有些人卻總是遺憾和未了？他不禁問自己，是否應該放下對過去的執念，學會更好地面對當下和未來。 就在這時，他的手機響起，是李文道的來電。「張，明天有一場特別的儀式，你需要準備一下。」 張易生深吸一口氣，點了點頭，雖然心中充滿了疑惑，但他知道，這份工作，他已經無法回頭。他答應了李文道，並決定無論如何都要將工作做好，因為這不僅是對他自己，還是對每一個逝者與生者的責任。 第七章：決心的抉擇 幾週後，張易生再次面對了一個艱難的決定。這一次，他接手了一場極為特殊的葬禮，這場葬禮牽涉到一位著名企業家的死訊。企業家的去世引起了媒體的廣泛關注，這場葬禮不僅是一場悼念儀式，更是一次公開的儀式，所有人都在關注這位企業家的死後事宜。 儀式前夕，張易生接到了李文道的指示，要求他處理所有相關事宜，並確保儀式不會因為媒體的關注而出現任何問題。這對張易生來說是一個巨大的挑戰。這不僅是一場普通的葬禮，而是涉及到名人和媒體的高度關注，任何一個細節都可能引發公眾的反響。 張易生在處理這些事務時，內心掙扎不已。他開始意識到，這個行業不僅僅是照顧死者的親人，還需要處理更多複雜的情感與社會層面的問題。他的心情變得更加沉重，他感到自己在這個行業中不僅是見證者，還是參與者，並且深深地被這些責任所困擾。 儀式當天，當他站在會場的前排，與李文道一起觀察著所有的一切時，張易生忽然有了一種不再回頭的決心。他清楚，這條路雖然充滿挑戰，但也讓他學會了如何面對自己的內心，如何真正理解生與死的關係。這不僅僅是一份工作，而是一段深刻的心靈之旅。 第八章：悔恨的回憶 隨著時間的流逝，張易生越來越覺得自己逐漸融入了這個行業，但這並不意味著他放下了心中的重擔。每一次的葬禮，無論他如何努力保持專業，他的內心都無法避免受到觸動。最近，他開始回憶起自己父母的離世，這些回憶如影隨形，無時無刻不在折磨著他的心。 那一天，張易生收到了一個電話，對方是他一位舊友，許大偉。許大偉是他中學時期的朋友，當年兩人曾一同度過了無數個快樂的日子。許大偉如今是一名記者，從事的是社會新聞的報導工作。電話中，許大偉告訴張易生，他最近追蹤到了一個涉及慈善機構的案件，這個案件與張易生的家族有某些關聯。 「易生，我知道這對你來說可能不容易，但我覺得你應該知道。你的父母當年創辦的慈善機構現在似乎出了點問題，這可能與某些高層的腐敗有關。」許大偉的語氣中充滿了憂慮。 聽到這番話，張易生的心瞬間沉了下來。父母的慈善機構在他們去世後，一直由他家族的其他成員管理。雖然他已經脫離了這個圈子，但當聽到有關機構的不正之風時，他心中不禁湧起了無數的情感。他知道，如果這個消息被公佈出來，無論是真是假，都會對他家族的名聲造成無法挽回的損害。 張易生的內心充滿了矛盾，他不想再次觸碰過去的傷痛，但也無法視而不見。他將這個消息深藏心底，決定不讓這個問題影響到自己現在的生活。可是，無論他怎麼努力，過去的陰影總是無法輕易擺脫。 幾天後，他收到了李文道的邀請，要求他參加一次高層的會議。這是一場與幾位富裕家庭有關的葬禮策劃會議。這些家庭中的每一位成員都是名流，葬禮的規模和安排都需要極高的專業水準。 然而，這次會議中，張易生遇到了某些過去熟悉的面孔。當他進入會議室，看到其中一位來賓時，他的心跳突然加速，那個人正是當年與他父母合作的商業夥伴。這位商業夥伴在當年曾經是他家族的朋友，但在他父母去世後，這位商人與家族的關係變得疏遠。如今，他再次出現在這場葬禮的策劃會議中。 這讓張易生的內心變得更加複雜。他無法忽視過去的傷痛和疑問。這些年來，他一直努力保持專業，但此刻，他發現自己無法再像以前那樣對這些人視若無睹。他開始明白，這場葬禮不僅僅是處理死者的儀式，更是他與過去的較量。每一次的選擇，都在考驗他是否能放下那些過去的痛苦和回憶。 第九章：決裂的真相 隨著時間的推移，張易生在工作中越來越得心應手，但他心中的疑雲卻始終無法散去。他的內心開始進一步撕裂，在工作與家庭、過去與現實之間徘徊不定。雖然他仍然專注於自己的職業，但他感到自己一直在逃避某些問題，尤其是關於父母的事。 一天，李文道找到了張易生，這次，他的表情格外嚴肅。「張，我們有一個問題需要面對。最近，我收到了一些來自行業內部的反映，似乎有人在背後散播你家族的謠言。這些謠言不僅會影響你的名譽，還可能讓我們的工作陷入困境。」 張易生聽後，一瞬間愣住了。這一刻，他的內心猶如被一把鋒利的刀割裂。原來，這些年來，他一直以為自己能夠擺脫過去，卻沒想到過去依然無法擺脫自己。這些謠言不僅是對他家族的抹黑，更是對他所有努力的挑戰。他感到自己的信任和努力在一瞬間崩塌。 「你知道嗎？」張易生的聲音低沉而帶著不解，「我一直以為，我能夠專注於我的工作，把一切都做好。可是，無論我多努力，過去的陰影還是一直揮之不去。」 李文道沉默了一會兒，然後語氣柔和地說道：「張，這不是你能控制的事。你要知道，這個世界上，很多事情是無法預測的。我們能做的，是選擇如何面對它，而不是逃避。」 張易生陷入了沉思。他的內心充滿了掙扎與痛苦。這一刻，他感受到一種無法言喻的壓力。隨著他所面臨的謠言與家庭的困境，張易生終於意識到，他無法繼續回避這一切。他必須做出選擇，無論是與過去決裂，還是迎接真相的來臨。 他抬起頭，深深吸了一口氣。「我會面對它，李文道。無論結果如何，我都不會再逃避。」 第十章：挑戰的決定 張易生的內心越來越煎熬，過去的陰影似乎永遠無法擺脫，而他的一切努力都無法使他真正與這些過去決裂。在面對李文道的忠告和無數的挑戰之後，他開始清晰地認識到，無論他再怎麼掩飾，他依然在這個行業中掙扎著，無法擺脫過去的束縛。 在一個風雨交加的夜晚，張易生走進了自己父母曾經經營的慈善機構。雖然他多年來對這個地方有些疏遠，但今晚，他卻感覺到一種莫名的召喚。踏進這片熟悉的土地，仿佛一切又回到了原點。 這座建築見證了無數的故事，也見證了他和父母的承諾。他站在大廳裡，周圍是一排排的照片，這些照片記錄了當年那些曾經受到幫助的人的笑臉。張易生伸手觸碰一張照片，那是父母在創辦機構初期的合影。 突然，他聽到背後傳來了腳步聲。轉過身來，他看見了許大偉。許大偉的臉色陰沉，眼神中充滿了焦慮。 「易生，你來了。」許大偉輕聲開口，語氣中有一絲不尋常的緊張，「我剛剛收到一些更詳細的消息，那些關於慈善機構的謠言並不僅僅是謠言。」 「什麼意思？」張易生皺起了眉頭。 許大偉沉默片刻，然後語氣沉重地說：「我們查到了一些證據，可能涉及洗錢和非法交易。如果這些消息曝光，將會摧毀你家族的名譽。」 聽到這些話，張易生感覺自己的世界瞬間崩塌。他無法接受這樣的事實，無論是對家族還是對自己。他的父母曾經教導他要做正直的人，而如今，他發現自己所依賴的一切可能都是建立在謊言之上。 「這不可能，許大偉。」張易生的語氣變得急促，「我不相信。」 然而，許大偉的眼神讓張易生感到一種無法言喻的沉重。他明白，這一切可能是真的，無論他多麼不願意面對。 「這是我們能找到的所有證據。」許大偉繼續道，「這些事情一旦曝光，你的家族和整個行業都將陷入無法挽回的困境。」 張易生的心中充滿了掙扎。他知道自己無法繼續逃避，但又不知道該如何處理眼前的這個巨大難題。最後，他深吸一口氣，做出了艱難的決定：「我們必須揭露真相。」 第十一章：真相揭示 張易生決定面對一切。當他做出這個決定的時候，他心中充滿了痛苦與掙扎。揭開這個隱藏了多年的謊言意味著，他不僅要與自己的家族過去決裂，還要面對全世界的指責與非議。他知道，這將是一場不折不扣的戰爭。 「我們必須小心行事。」許大偉的語氣嚴肅，顯然他也意識到事情的嚴重性。兩人都清楚，一旦這個消息洩漏，後果將不堪設想。除了家族的名譽，還有許多不明的勢力在背後運作。 接下來的幾天，張易生和許大偉密切合作，整理出了一些涉及洗錢和非法交易的文件和證據。他們明白，僅僅依賴這些文件是不夠的，必須將這些證據呈現給公眾，讓這些不公正的行為曝光，才有可能讓真相浮出水面。 然而，隨著調查的深入，張易生也開始發現更多不為人知的真相。有些他從未想過的秘密逐漸揭開。他的父母，雖然是這個慈善機構的創辦人，但他們背後似乎牽涉到了更深層的黑暗交易。張易生不得不面對一個殘酷的事實——他所尊敬的父母，可能並非如他所想那般清白。 「這一切，真的是我們的父母所創立的嗎？」張易生自言自語地問道。 許大偉沉默片刻，才答道：「有時候，我們所看到的並不是事實。每一個成功背後，可能都有你無法想像的陰暗面。」 這樣的話語讓張易生感到心如刀割。他一直以來都認為自己是父母的驕傲，是他們所建立的一切的延續者。可現在，他發現自己所熱愛的工作，所信任的家庭，似乎在某個時刻已經偏離了最初的理想。 「但無論如何，真相必須被揭開。」張易生堅定地說，他的眼神充滿了決心。 接下來的一週，張易生和許大偉將證據公之於眾。他們向媒體透露了有關慈善機構的資料，並公開了涉及洗錢的細節。隨著這些消息的爆料，整個社會開始一片嘩然。人們對於慈善機構的信任徹底崩塌，而張易生也成為了這場風暴的中心。 然而，隨著媒體的報導，更多的問題浮現出來。這不僅僅是一場關於家族名譽的危機，更是一次關於道德、正義和個人選擇的巨大考驗。張易生開始質疑自己的過去，並陷入深深的迷茫。 「我們終於揭開了這一切，然而，這也帶來了更多的困惑。」許大偉說道。 張易生的眼神凝視著遠方，「或許，有些真相揭開後，並不會讓人感到輕鬆。」 他深知，這一切並不會簡單結束，這只是冰山一角。隨著更多的證據浮出水面，張易生知道，真正的挑戰才剛剛開始。 第十二章：內心的戰爭 張易生並未因為揭示真相而感到如釋重負，反而心中充滿了更多的困惑與痛苦。揭開真相並沒有帶來他所期待的解脫，而是讓他進入了更深的內心戰爭。雖然他已經將過去的陰暗面曝光，但這並沒有改變他對家庭的感情，也沒有簡單地讓他放下所有的包袱。 每晚，張易生總會陷入沉思。這場風暴的中心，無論他如何努力，始終無法擺脫過去的烙印。他愛著的家族，似乎早已變得面目全非。 「我到底該怎麼做？」他自言自語。每次看到那些父母的舊照片，他都會陷入深深的矛盾。他曾經的英雄，如今卻成了他必須面對的傷痛。 不久後，張易生收到了一個陌生的電話。電話那頭傳來了一個熟悉的聲音，是李文道。 「張，我們有更重要的消息要處理。」李文道的語氣不再像往常那般冷靜，反而帶著一絲急迫。「有些勢力似乎開始針對你，這不僅是針對慈善機構的問題，還涉及到你目前的工作。你需要更加小心。」 這通電話再一次讓張易生的內心掀起了波瀾。即使真相已經曝光，似乎還有更深層的力量在背後操控著一切。他已經無法再回到過去那種平靜的生活。 「我知道了，我會小心的。」張易生回應道。 但內心的掙扎依然無法停歇。他並未像表面上那樣冷靜，而是陷入了自我懷疑。他開始懷疑自己所做的每一個決定，甚至開始動搖是否應該繼續走這條路。 第十三章：破局 張易生深知，事情已經無法回到從前。每個選擇，每個步伐，都仿佛徹底改變了他的命運。在揭露了家族過去的黑暗面後，他不僅面對著來自外界的壓力，也必須應對自己內心的掙扎。真相揭示的那一刻，並未帶來所謂的解脫，反而讓他陷入了更加深沉的迷茫。 然而，張易生知道，逃避並不是解決問題的方法。他必須找到一條道路，無論這條道路多麼曲折。他依然愛著這片曾經給予他無限希望的土地，這個曾經創立慈善機構的家族，儘管一切看似已經崩塌。他從未想過，自己會站在這樣的十字路口，面對未知的未來。 在一次深夜的會議中，張易生再次與許大偉相見。這一次，會議的氛圍格外沉重。許大偉早已察覺到，除了外界的聲音，還有一股更為強大的力量在背後操控著一切。 「易生，我有一個消息要告訴你。」許大偉語氣沉重，語中隱隱透出一絲不安。 「什麼消息？」張易生的心中一緊，直覺告訴他，事情不會那麼簡單。 「我們發現，背後有一個更強大的勢力在介入。」許大偉拿出了幾張文件，遞給張易生，「這些資料證明，有人早就設下了圈套，無論是慈善機構的運作，還是我們這次的揭露，似乎都在他們的計劃之中。」 張易生的視線定格在那幾張文件上，這一刻，他的心跳加速。這不僅僅是對家族的挑戰，也許還涉及到整個社會的權力結構。 「那麼，我們該怎麼辦？」張易生冷靜地問。 許大偉沉默了片刻，然後緩緩開口：「我們不能再單打獨鬥了。現在，我們需要聯合其他力量，找到真正的背後操控者。」 張易生感到一絲寒意襲來。面對這樣的局面，他的每個決定將不僅關係到自己的命運，還關係到整個社會的公正。他知道，自己不能再停留在對過去的迷戀中，必須決斷前行。 「那麼，聯合其他力量？」張易生問道。 「對，我有一些關係，可以幫助你聯絡到一些有影響力的人物。」許大偉說道。 張易生點了點頭，內心感到一陣劇烈的動搖。這不是他當初所計劃的道路，但他知道，只有這樣，他才有機會將這場風暴引向真正的結局。 第十四章：背後的陰影 隨著張易生決定聯合更多的力量，事情進入了新的階段。此時，整個社會的矛頭已經指向他所在的慈善機構，無數的媒體報導和公眾輿論都在圍繞著這一事件進行。每一篇報導，每一個訪談，都在進一步撕裂著這個曾經光鮮亮麗的組織，揭露它背後的陰暗面。 然而，這些表面上的風暴只是冰山一角，真正的挑戰正在暗中蔓延。隨著許大偉的協助，張易生逐漸接觸到更多不為人知的層面。他們發現，這場陰謀的背後，竟然牽扯到一些跨國企業和高層政治人物的勾結。這些人，無論是在金錢還是權力的交易上，都有著深厚的背景。 每當夜深人靜時，張易生總會回想起自己所經歷的一切。從一個單純的青年，到如今成為了這場鬥爭的中心。他無法否認，這場鬥爭不僅改變了他的人生，也改變了他對世界的看法。他曾經以為，自己可以改變一切，維護正義，但當他真的置身其中時，他才發現，這一切遠比他想象的要複雜得多。 「易生，我們不能再這樣拖下去了。」許大偉再次提醒道，「這些勢力並非簡單的人物，他們的行動極其高效，我們必須盡快找到核心，才能將局勢控制在我們的手中。」 張易生點點頭，他的眼神中透露出一股堅定。「我知道，但我們必須小心，這樣的對抗，可能會讓我們失去更多。」 許大偉深深看了他一眼，語氣中帶著一絲無奈。「有些時候，失去才是唯一的選擇。」 這句話如同警鐘在張易生心頭敲響。他深知，這場斗爭，已經不僅僅是關於家族的名譽，更關乎到整個社會的正義與未來。 第十五章：最後的抉擇 隨著時間的推移，張易生感覺到自己越來越接近真相。他與許大偉合作緊密，聯合了數個關鍵人物，並逐漸揭開了這場陰謀的核心。然而，他也開始意識到，這一切並不僅僅是商業與政治的勾結，還有更深層的情感與人性的掙扎。 最終，張易生來到了那個關鍵的時刻，當所有的證據和計劃都已經就緒，他必須做出最後的抉擇。他能夠決定自己的未來，但同時，也需要選擇是否將這場風暴引向終結。 第十六章：背叛的代價 張易生在深思熟慮後，做出了最艱難的選擇。他知道，無論他做出什麼決定，都將帶來無法預見的後果。此刻，他站在正義與情感的邊緣，每一個決定都將決定他未來的命運。 當他與許大偉再次見面時，張易生的眼神中透露出一種冷靜而堅定的光芒。他知道，這一切已經不是單純的權力與金錢之爭，而是一場關於人性、關於忠誠與背叛的鬥爭。 「我們必須將所有的資料公之於眾，這是唯一能夠結束這場鬥爭的方式。」張易生語氣堅決。 許大偉看著他，臉上寫滿了憂慮。「你知道，這樣做不僅會讓你徹底失去一切，還會把那些曾經支持你的人拖下水。」 張易生深吸一口氣，「我知道，但如果我們再不做出決定，這場鬥爭將不會有結束的一天。」 許大偉沉默了片刻，最終點了點頭。「好，既然你已經做出了決定，我也會站在你這邊。但你得小心，這些人可不像我們想像的那麼容易對付。」 隨著決定的作出，張易生與許大偉將計劃付諸實行。他們將所有掌握的證據提交給了有影響力的媒體，並聯絡了政府部門，開始準備全面揭露那些背後的勢力。 然而，當所有的資料被公佈後，張易生也開始感受到背叛的痛楚。他曾經相信過的盟友，現在竟然站在了他的對立面。那些他曾經依賴的人，無一例外地選擇了背叛，將自己推向了更加危險的境地。 「我沒想到，這些人會這麼快翻臉。」許大偉的語氣充滿了無奈。「這是權力遊戲的規則，你必須學會如何在其中生存。」 張易生深深地感受到了這些話的重量。每一步，他都在被逼迫著，無法停下，也無法回頭。這一場背叛的代價，對他而言，可能比他所面臨的任何敵人都要沉重。 第十七章：權力的爪牙 在證據揭露之後，局勢變得更加複雜。張易生和許大偉意識到，他們所面對的對手，遠不是表面上那麼簡單。這些人不僅僅是商界的巨頭，更與國際間的多個勢力有著深刻的聯繫。 隨著事情的發展，張易生接到了來自未知勢力的威脅。他們警告他，如果繼續推進這場揭露，將會付出沉重的代價。那些曾經為他提供幫助的朋友也紛紛與他保持距離，生怕捲入其中的風暴。 「他們不會輕易放過你。」許大偉提醒道，「這些勢力早已深入到每一個角落，我們的每一個舉動，都在他們的監視之下。」 張易生深知，自己已經無法回頭。他所做的每一個決定，無論對錯，都無法改變眼前的現實。他必須繼續走下去，揭開一切的真相，無論這條路有多麼危險。 他知道，背後的那些勢力，將不會容忍任何威脅。而這場鬥爭，已經不僅是家族的危機，而是關乎整個社會結構的挑戰。 第十八章：漸行漸遠的界線 在隨後的幾周內，局勢變得越發緊張。張易生逐漸感到自己像是一隻被困住的老虎，四周的陷阱越來越多，任何一個錯誤的步伐，都可能讓自己陷入無法自拔的境地。 他發現，無論自己如何努力，似乎總有一些無形的力量在阻撓著他的每一步。這些障礙不僅僅來自外界，更來自他內心深處的恐懼與疑慮。 「我們真的能夠擊敗這些人嗎？」張易生終於向許大偉提出了這個問題。過去的自信與勇氣似乎在這場無情的鬥爭中逐漸消退。 許大偉沉默了一會兒，然後冷靜地回答道：「這場戰鬥，沒有簡單的勝利。我們所做的一切，或許能夠改變一些東西，但我們必須準備好，接受這一切可能帶來的後果。」 張易生的內心深處彷彿被一股力量所推動，讓他不得不繼續這場充滿危險的旅程。他知道，這條路注定不會平坦，但他已經無法選擇停下。 第十九章：絕境中的選擇 隨著事情的發展，張易生的處境變得越來越危險。來自各方的壓力和威脅讓他感到窒息，但他依然堅持著。他不僅要面對外界的敵人，還要處理自己內心的糾葛與矛盾。每一步，都讓他感到無比沉重。 就在此時，他收到了一封神秘的信件。信中提到了一個關鍵人物，這個人可能掌握著整個陰謀的核心。張易生意識到，這可能是他唯一的機會，能夠讓他揭開一切的真相。 然而，這也意味著，他將再次進入一個更加危險的境地。這個選擇，對他來說，將是一次真正的生死考驗。 第二十章：真相的盡頭 張易生決定，無論如何，他都必須找出那個真正的主謀。他與許大偉聯手，深入調查，最終發現，背後操控一切的，是一個他從未想過的人。 這個發現震驚了他，也讓他感到無比的痛心。他一直以為自己是為了正義而戰，但此刻，他才明白，正義有時並非那麼簡單，背後的真相常常充滿了無奈與失望。 然而，即使真相已經揭開，張易生並未因此獲得安慰。他面對的，不僅是對手的力量，更是自己內心的掙扎。他能否完成這場徹底的反擊，將不僅取決於外界的力量，更取決於他自己如何面對這場艱難的抉擇。

Wisdom is shared through proverbs, offering guidance and humor in few words—like ancient tweets! From Serious to Seriously Funny "Where there's a will, there's a way" is great, until your will is to eat a whole pizza—then it’s just a food coma! "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs" makes you wonder: why does breakfast need a demolition? Proverbs That Make You Go "Huh?" Proverbs often leave us puzzled. Here are a few: "A penny saved is a penny earned." — Unless it’s lost in the couch! "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." — Especially if breakfast is involved! "The early bird gets the worm." — But the second mouse gets the cheese! Explore these sayings that remind us laughter is the best way to crack open life's proverbial eggs! Challenge yourself and find out how many you can identify. Click this link if you'ave any issues. English Idiom:   The early bird catches the worm. Meaning:  Those who act quickly or arrive early have an advantage. Simplified Chinese Translation:  早起的鸟儿有虫吃 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  提前行动的人会有更大的优势。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  早起的鳥兒有蟲吃 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  提前行動的人會有更大的優勢。 English Idiom:   The grass is greener on the other side. Meaning:  People often think others have it better than they do. Simplified Chinese Translation:  别人的总是好的 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  人们常认为别人的生活比自己的好。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  別人的總是好的 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  人們常認為別人的生活比自己的好。 English Idiom:   The pen is mightier than the sword. Meaning:  Writing and communication are more effective than force. Simplified Chinese Translation:  文胜于武 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  文字和交流比武力更有效。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  文勝於武 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  文字和交流比武力更有效。 English Idiom:   Time flies when you’re having fun. Meaning:  Time passes quickly when you enjoy what you are doing. Simplified Chinese Translation:  快乐时光过得快 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  当你享受的时候，时间过得特别快。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  快樂時光過得快 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  當你享受的時候，時間過得特別快。 English Idiom:  Too many cooks spoil the broth. Meaning:  Too many people trying to manage something can ruin it. Simplified Chinese Translation:  人多手杂 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  太多的人插手会把事情弄糟。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  人多手雜 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  太多的人插手會把事情弄糟。 English Idiom:   When it rains, it pours. Meaning:  Problems tend to occur all at once. Simplified Chinese Translation:  祸不单行 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  问题往往接二连三地发生。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  禍不單行 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  問題往往接二連三地發生。 English Idiom:   You can’t judge a book by its cover. Meaning:  Don’t judge something based solely on its appearance. Simplified Chinese Translation:  人不可貌相 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  不能仅仅根据外表判断事物。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  人不可貌相 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  不能僅僅根據外表判斷事物。 English Idiom:   You reap what you sow. Meaning:  Your actions determine your results. Simplified Chinese Translation:  种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  你的行为决定了你的结果。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  你的行為決定了你的結果。 English Idiom:   You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Meaning:  You can’t enjoy the benefits of two incompatible things at once. Simplified Chinese Translation:  鱼与熊掌不可兼得 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  不能同时享有两种对立的好处。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  魚與熊掌不可兼得 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  不能同時享有兩種對立的好處。 English Idiom:   Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Meaning:  Determination leads to success. Simplified Chinese Translation:  有志者事竟成 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  有决心就会成功。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  有志者事竟成 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  有決心就會成功。

In every culture, wisdom is handed down through proverbs and sayings across generations. These concise yet impactful phrases capture centuries of human experience, providing guidance, humor, and life lessons in just a few words. From the reassuring notion that "where there's a will, there's a way" to the humorous reminder that "you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs," these timeless expressions continue to resonate with us today. Join us as we delve into the beauty and relevance of proverbs that have withstood the test of time, and uncover how they still influence our thoughts and actions in the modern world. Challenge yourself and find out how many you can identify. Click this link if you'ave any issues. 11.English Idiom:   Call it a day . Meaning:  To stop working for the day. Simplified Chinese Translation:  收工 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  结束一天的工作。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  收工 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  結束一天的工作。 12.English Idiom:   Cut to the chase . Meaning:  To get straight to the point. Simplified Chinese Translation:  开门见山 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  直接切入正题，不绕弯子。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  開門見山 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  直接切入正題，不繞彎子。 13.English Idiom:   Don’t cry over spilled milk. Meaning:  Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened. Simplified Chinese Translation:  覆水难收 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  不要为已成定局的事情感到后悔。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  覆水難收 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  不要為已成定局的事情感到後悔。 14.English Idiom:   Every cloud has a silver lining . Meaning:  There is always something positive in a difficult situation. Simplified Chinese Translation:  乌云背后总有阳光 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  困难中总能找到积极的一面。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  烏雲背後總有陽光 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  困難中總能找到積極的一面。 15.English Idiom:   Hit the nail on the head . Meaning:  To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem. Simplified Chinese Translation:  一针见血 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  准确描述问题的关键。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  一針見血 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  準確描述問題的關鍵。 16.English Idiom:   Kill two birds with one stone. Meaning:  To achieve two things at once. Simplified Chinese Translation:  一箭双雕 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  同时达到两个目标。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  一箭雙雕 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  同時達到兩個目標。 17.English Idiom:   Let the cat out of the bag . Meaning:  To reveal a secret by accident. Simplified Chinese Translation:  泄露秘密 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  不小心透露了秘密。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  洩露秘密 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  不小心透露了秘密。 18.English Idiom:   No pain, no gain. Meaning:  Hard work is necessary to achieve something worthwhile. Simplified Chinese Translation:  不劳无获 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  要取得成果必须努力工作。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  不勞無獲 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  要取得成果必須努力工作。 19.English Idiom:   Once in a blue moon. Meaning:  Something that happens very rarely. Simplified Chinese Translation:  千载难逢 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  非常罕见的事情。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  千載難逢 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  非常罕見的事情。 20.English Idiom:   The ball is in your court. Meaning:  It’s your decision or responsibility to take action. Simplified Chinese Translation:  决定权在你手中 Meaning in Simplified Chinese:  由你来做决定或采取行动。 Traditional Chinese Translation:  決定權在你手中 Meaning in Traditional Chinese:  由你來做決定或採取行動。

In every culture, wisdom is passed down through generations in the form of proverbs and sayings. These simple yet powerful phrases encapsulate centuries of human experience, offering guidance, humor, and life lessons in just a few words. From the comforting idea that "where there's a will, there's a way" to the humorous reminder that "you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs," these age-old expressions continue to resonate with us today. Join us as we explore the beauty and relevance of proverbs that have stood the test of time, and discover how they still shape our thoughts and actions in the modern world. Challenge yourself and find out how many you can identify. Click this link if you'ave any issues. 1.
English Idiom: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
 Meaning: It’s better to hold on to what you have than risk losing it for something uncertain.
Simplified Chinese Translation: 一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 保持手中的东西比追求不确定的东西更好。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 一鳥在手勝過雙鳥在林
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 保持手中的東西比追求不確定的東西更好。 2.
English Idiom: A blessing in disguise .
 Meaning: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 因祸得福 
Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 看似不好的事情最终变成好事。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 因禍得福
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 看似不好的事情最終變成好事。 3.
English Idiom: A dime a dozen .
 Meaning: Something very common and of little value.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 多如牛毛 
Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 非常常见且不值钱的事物。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 多如牛毛
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 非常常見且不值錢的事物。 4.
English Idiom: Actions speak louder than words .
 Meaning: What you do has a stronger impact than what you say. 
Simplified Chinese Translation: 行胜于言
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 行动比语言更有说服力。 
Traditional Chinese Translation: 行勝於言
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 行動比語言更有說服力。 5.
English Idiom: Add insult to injury .
 Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 雪上加霜
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 在糟糕的情况下再添麻烦。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 雪上加霜
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 在糟糕的情況下再添麻煩。 6.
English Idiom: Beat around the bush .
 Meaning: Avoid talking about the main topic.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 拐弯抹角
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 避免谈论主要问题。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 拐彎抹角 
Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 避免談論主要問題。 7.
English Idiom: Better late than never .
 Meaning: It's better to do something late than not at all.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 迟做总比不做好 
Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 迟做总比完全不做好。 
Traditional Chinese Translation: 遲做總比不做好
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 遲做總比完全不做好。 8.
English Idiom: Bite the bullet .
 Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 硬着头皮
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 忍受痛苦或困难的情况。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 硬著頭皮
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 忍受痛苦或困難的情況。 9.
English Idiom: Break the ice . 
Meaning: To make people feel more comfortable in a social setting.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 打破僵局
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 缓解社交场合的紧张气氛。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 打破僵局 
Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 緩解社交場合的緊張氣氛。 10.
English Idiom: Burn the midnight oil.
 Meaning: To work late into the night.
 Simplified Chinese Translation: 开夜车
 Meaning in Simplified Chinese: 熬夜工作或学习。
 Traditional Chinese Translation: 開夜車
 Meaning in Traditional Chinese: 熬夜工作或學習。