A book's fragrance warms the world.
I first read Lin Yutang's *Moment in Peking* during my student days. I only read it once, but the image of the flowing water, winding through dawn and dusk, gathering a handful of clear, gentle water, softly singing and plucking the fragments of fleeting years into the strings of time, and the woman named Mulan from the Yao family, have lived on in my heart ever since. Her image, flashing before my eyes, has accompanied me throughout my life, never to be erased. Lin Yutang once said, "If I were a woman, I would surely be Mulan!" Clearly, Mulan is the ideal woman in his writing. Even after many years of working, I still feel a deep longing whenever I think of this book. Not long ago, while at the library with my daughter, I unexpectedly found a collector's edition of this book on the shelf, and I was overjoyed. This dazzling pearl in the history of Chinese literature, amidst the shimmering waves of time, has once again waded towards me…
Gently stroking the fabric-textured cover, a sense of peaceful tranquility washes over me. Boundless clarity, boundless warmth—this clarity evokes a joy that springs from the heart, a gentle warmth that seeps into the very marrow of one's being, an irresistible comfort. *Moment in Peking* is a long novel composed of several interconnected stories, but it doesn't become a rambling, unstructured narrative; rather, it's a large-scale epic. Divided into three volumes, it incorporates anecdotes, philosophy, historical narratives, changing customs, profound discussions, and casual conversations, blending the joys and sorrows of the characters with a portrayal of China in its transitional era, making it a great novel about modern China. The text reflects the author's strong patriotism, a sincere love for the culture and details of traditional Chinese life, and a vibrant Zhuangzi philosophical realm—a magnificent, encyclopedic work.
To truly appreciate *Moment in Peking*, one must do so in the quiet of the night, under the soft glow of a lamp, savoring each moment. In this moment, one realizes that life can be so serene, as simple as the cool, white moonlight; life is a crescent moon, a cup of tea, a book, the simple cycle of the seasons—enough to peacefully pass through the fleeting years; life is about quieting the mind, listening intently to the falling leaves, and perceiving that even falling leaves are a form of Zen. Just as this book, weathered by time, remains beloved by the world, we learn from its pages that everything has its destiny. The world's affairs are beyond our control; we only need to learn to take things lightly, to not force things, and to face the flourishing and withering of spring, summer, autumn, and winter to find peace of mind.
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