The sound of the qin echoed in the large and quiet room, the tune was melodious, the melody was sometimes light, sometimes sad, it is euphemistic, and pleasant, and the listener rose and fell along with its melody, and fell into deep thought, or in other words, there was actually a story in their minds.
When the light melody at the beginning appears, they seem to see a young shy girl with countless beautiful fantasies, she runs freely in the countryside, keeps company with birds, and plays with small animals among flowers, her life is beautiful and happy.
However, the sound of the qin took a sharp turn for the worse1急轉直下 (jí zhuǎn zhí xià): to develop rapidly after abrupt turn (idiom); dramatic change; to suddenly and rapidly worsen or deteriorate; to take a turn for the worse; (of situations, events, etc) take a sudden unfavourable turn; go into a precipitous decline., and became mournful, there is a major change in the young girl’s family, and she is forced to do something she doesn’t want to do, and from then on she lives a hard life of being displaced from place to place2顛沛流離 (diān pèi liú lí): homeless and miserable (idiom); to wander about in a desperate plight; to be destitute and homeless; to drift; lead a vagrant life; drift from place to place, enduring many hardships; be dispossessed and forced to wander about.. She encounters ruffians on her way, but escapes these disasters, more scared than hurt, she also receives a gift of silver from a kind-hearted person, which helps her to survive the most difficult times.
The melody became gentle again, no longer the lightheartedness of innocence, nor was it miserable and tragic, instead, she has reached peace, which is the third stage of the young girl’s life, her life has become peaceful, and she may have a destination, she may be free from the suffering of this world.
As they listened, Director Fang and the others’ eyes actually reddened, they could hear the story that the qin was trying to convey, it was beautiful but somewhat helpless.
If she lives in modern times, the young girl may be able to live a happier and more fulfilling life.
As the last note fell, Shen Yuhan’s fingers paused in the air, and after an interval of two seconds, they returned to his knees, he closed his eyes and put away his own exposed emotions, and when he opened his eyes again, he was back to be Shan Qihuan’s wife, who could handle the kitchen and the living room with ease.
Shan Qihuan was also stunned, the same tune produced different feelings when it was played with the qin, isn’t his wife’s qin skills too high?
However, while he was listening just now, the story of a young boy appeared in his mind, he thought of Shen Yuhan’s 《Beginning of Summer》 and 《Winter Solstice》, as well as the painting 《Marketplace》 he painted for the competition3以及他替電影畫的那幅《市井》 (yǐ jí tā tì diàn yǐng huà dì nà fú 《shì jǐng》): as well as the painting 《Marketplace》 he painted for the movie. T/N: The author actually mentioned the painting SYH made for the Calligraphy and Painting Association Competition, 《Marketplace》 (Chapter 48.2 Disgraceful), not the painting for the movie, 《Happiness of the Lantern Festival》 (Chapter 59.1 Husband is the Best), so I change it accordingly., and he actually associated the background of a character, which was a bit one-sided, it was as though he had seen the young man’s growth in the painting.
He used to live a carefree life, warming up by the fire with his cats in the winter, in summer, surrounded by servants, he played freely on the swing, but his life suddenly changed, he went to a place far away from his home, and could never go back, in that place, he learned a lot, and encountered many things, his mood went up and down, sometimes sad, sometimes happy, and in the end, he thought that a young boy should be happy.
Perhaps this is what it means by there are a thousand Hamlets in the hearts of a thousand people4一千個人心中就有一千個哈姆雷特 (yī qiān gè rén xīn zhōng jiù yǒu yī qiān gè Hāmǔléitè): T/N: The phrase originally went like this, 一千個人眼裡有一千個哈姆雷特 (yī qiān gè rén yǎn lǐ yǒu yī qiān gè Hāmǔléitè), there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes. According to netizen, this is not an idiom from English. The phrase as it is originated in Chinese, though its spirit came from Tsarist Russia. It was popularized by the standardized Year 5 Chinese primary school curriculum, the phrase intends to be a statement about individual artistic interpretations, how different audience to Hamlet may have their own interpretations of the tale about the Danish prince..
“Have you finished playing?” Director Fang was obviously left wanting for more5意猶未盡 (yì yóu wèi jìn): to wish to continue sth; to have not fully expressed oneself; to be left wanting more; to yearn for more; unsatisfied pleasure..
Shen Yuhan nodded politely: “It’s finished, this is the whole piece.”
Director Fang and the others finally got the complete tune, and now they are so happy that they want to go back and continue to study it in depth.
“Thank you, thank you so much.” The excitement on his face could not be suppressed, so he stepped forward and extended his hand to Shen Yuhan, of course, Shen Yuhan was not willing to shake hands with a man, Shan Qihuan sensed his resistance, there was also the fact that he didn’t want his wife to shake hands with other people, so he shook hands with Director Fang on behalf of Shen Yuhan, and prevent the situation from becoming awkward.
Shan Qihuan said very officially: “You’re welcome, this is what Xiao Han should do, he just contributes a little bit to the traditional culture of our country, and it’s good if he can help.”
It was only then that Director Fang realized that his behavior just now was inappropriate, Shen Yuhan seemed to be protected by Shan Qihuan, they were husband and wife, and he had been a bit abrupt just now.
Shen Yuhan finished his task, but the time was also quite late, he and Shan Qihuan were about to go home.
When he reached the door, Director Fang suddenly chased out, he stopped Shen Yuhan, and asked: “Xiao Shen, what is the title of the song?”
Shen Yuhan didn’t have the title when he first got the music score.
He thought about it for a while and suddenly smiled: “A fleeting moment6白駒過隙 (bái jū guò xì): lit. (the amount of time it takes for) a white colt to pass by a crevice; a white steed flits past a crack (idiom); swiftness of the lapse of time; fleeting of time; in the twinkling of an eye; From Zhuangzi: 人生天地之間，若白駒之過郤，忽然而已。, That human beings live between heaven and earth is similar to a white colt’s bolting past a crevice; it is but an instant., it is but an instant.”
–
The next morning, Shen Yuhan and Shan Qihuan saw off Director Fang and the other two, and it happened to be the 30th day of the Lunar New Year.
Shen Yuhan immediately began to put up couplets and hang lanterns at home, in the past, these things were done by servants, but now he does it himself, which is quite different because there is Shan Qihuan beside him, it was Shan Qihuan who was mainly put it up, while he was holding □□ and help him to the left or right.
Shen Yuhan raised his head and said: “Husband, stick it to the left a little bit.”
Shan Qihuan moved the couplet a little to the left: “Like this?”
Shen Yuhan felt that it was not right and added: “It seems to be a little to the right again.”
Shan Qihuan lowered his head and asked him: “Is it the left or the right?”
Shen Yuhan: “Just like that, just like that!”
Finally satisfied, Shan Qihuan followed his instructions and put up the couplets.
In previous years, it was always a cold and quiet year, but this year seems to have become different.
The Shan family also needs to worship their ancestors every year, after the two of them finish putting up the couplets, they have to go to the Shan family ancestral hall to worship their ancestors, Shan Tianfeng and Shan Qiyuan are in poor health this year, so this year’s ancestor worship will be hosted by the uncle of the Shan family, Shan Qihuan represented their branch, and the brothers of the other houses can only follow him.
Shen Yuhan, who is married to Shan Qihuan with a certificate of marriage, can also be present this year.
The place where the ancestral hall was built was not in the urban area of Jiang City, the ancestral hall was actually built on a mountain, they had to walk a short distance after getting out of the car.
It was freezing outside, Shen Yuhan wrapped his coat tightly and walked towards the ancestral hall step by step, almost sweating from the climb.
Shan Qihuan took his hand and said: “Are you tired?”
“Not bad.” Shen Yuhan was a little out of breath.
Shan Qixin put his hands on his waist and said: “Sister-in-law, you are lacking exercise, you shouldn’t stay at home every day, you should go out more for a walk.”
Shen Yuhan thinks what he said is reasonable: “Then I will go out for a walk more after the New Year.”
Shan Qihuan rolled his eyes at Shan Qixin: “Nosy.” There’s nothing wrong with his wife liking to stay at home.
When they arrived, Shan Qiyun and other people from several houses were already there.
The process of worshiping ancestors went relatively smoothly without any problems.
It could be seen, compared to previous years, the faces of the brothers from the other three houses were brighter, and their sense of superiority was getting stronger and stronger, especially for Shan Qiyun, with the help of the Qi family, not only did he dared to challenge Shan Qihuan, but also had quite a bit of intention to trample him down, Shan Qihuan didn’t bother to pay attention to him, and didn’t even look at him.
In the evening, everyone returned to Shan’s residence, accompanied Shan Tianfeng for a New Year’s Eve dinner, and then went home.
Shan Qixin followed Shan Qihuan away again.
They ate dumplings together and watched the Spring Festival Gala7春晚 (Chūn Wǎn): Short for 春節聯歡晚會 (Chūn jié Lián huān Wǎn huì), CCTV New Year’s Gala, Chinese New Year special, also known as the Spring Festival Gala, and commonly abbreviated in Chinese as Chunwan. It is broadcast annually on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1 and internationally through the China Global Television Network. The Gala has the largest audience of any entertainment show in the world, and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s most watched television program., Shan Qixin occupied a sofa by himself, Shen Yuhan and Shan Qihuan sat together, and Shan Qixin spouted off crazy complaints about the Spring Festival Gala.
“What the hell is this skit about?”
“How come this year’s invitations are all traffic, to be honest, not many people know traffic, this year’s director is not good and needs to be replaced, the pattern is too small.”
Shen Yuhan suddenly asked: “Brother-in-law, you are also a traffic, why didn’t they invite you?”
Shan Qixin was rendered speechless by the question, it really poked where it hurts.
This kind of new era Spring Festival Gala, of course, he couldn’t get in, because his surname is Shan.
After Shan Qixin got over the pain of being poked by the third sister-in-law, he said: “Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, I’m going to be recording a program in the next two months, and I may need to film the process of me getting along with my family, so can I film it here?”
Shan Qihuan wanted to refuse on the spot, but asked first: “Wouldn’t Eldest Brother be more appropriate?”
Shan Qixin let out a ha ha: “Don’t bother, there’s a minor in his family, and the Eldest brother is not in good health.”
Shan Qihuan had no choice but to ask Shen Yuhan’s opinion: “What do you think?”
Shen Yuhan didn’t know what was being recorded, and said casually: “I have no objection.”
Shan Qihuan made some basic rules8約法三章 (yuē fǎ sān zhāng): to agree on three laws; three-point covenant; (fig.) preliminary agreement; basic rules; agree on a three-point law—make certain rules to be observed by all concerned; From Shiji, Volume 8: 父老苦秦苛法久矣，誹謗者族，偶語者棄市。吾與諸侯約，先入關者王之，吾當王關中。與父老約，法三章耳：殺人者死，傷人及盜抵罪。餘悉除去秦法。, Elders are suffering from Qin’s draconian law for a long time: those who libel had their family exterminated, those who whisper were publicly executed in markets. I have promised with other feudal rulers that the person who first entered the pass (Hangu Pass) would become the king (of Guanzhong), and I shall reign as the king of Guanzhong. I also promise with elders that there will be only three laws: murderers shall be punished with death, those who hurt others and steal from others shall be punished according to their offence. The rest of Qin laws are repealed. with Shan Qixin: “It’s okay to record, but it must be reviewed by me before it can be broadcast, write this into your contract, otherwise you won’t be able to join this show.” Shen Yuhan cannot be allowed to show his face, he doesn’t want netizens to disturb his life.
“Okay, okay, okay.” After getting the desired result, Shan Qixin laughed.
Shen Yuhan insists on keeping vigil, and the three of them stay together until the clock strikes zero.
Shan Qixin received a red envelope from Shen Yuhan and Shan Qihuan, he took the red envelope and suddenly turned his head away and ran upstairs.
“I’m going to sleep, good night.”
Out of sight of his third brother and third sister-in-law, he wiped the corners of his eyes.
Don’t know why, he suddenly wanted to cry.
Shan Qixin went back to his room, Shan Qihuan took out a red envelope with a card from his pocket, and handed it to Shen Yuhan: “It’s yours.”
Shen Yuhan was stunned for a moment, and then he also took out a thick cash red envelope from his pocket and patted it on his hand: “Husband, Happy New Year.”
Shan Qihuan put away the red envelope, picked up Shen Yuhan while he was not paying attention, and went upstairs, he ran up three steps with two steps9三步並作兩步 (sān bù bìng zuò liǎng bù): same as 三步並做二步 (sān bù bìng zuò èr bù), three steps and two steps; quick steps; move forward quickly; describe the appearance of walking fast., very anxious to return to the room, Shen Yuhan gave a low shout, didn’t even call him husband: “Shan Qihuan, put me down!”
Shan Qihuan patted Shen Yuhan’s butt: “So bold, call me husband.”
Shen Yuhan pursed his lips, and didn’t call out until he was laid flat on the bed, only then did he put his arms around Shan Qihuan’s neck and murmured in a low voice: “Husband.”
Shan Qihuan lowered his head and kissed the corner of his lips: “Um?”
Shen Yuhan licked his kissed lips: “I miss you.”
This year has been lived in a simple and unpretentious way but with warmth everywhere.
The author has something to say:
Chapter 69~ Have to live a happy life.
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me between 2021-04-20 12:02:37~2021-04-21 12:01:04 or irrigated me with nutrients!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the grenade: [T/N: username]
Thanks to the little angels who threw the landmine: [T/N: Lots and lots of usernames]; Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
Have anyone watch 2017 Chinese coming-of-age musical film, Our Shining Days? It’s such a fun movie, very cringey too, LoL. But still good, especially the music, there’s a lot Chinese traditional music instrument featured in the movie, the female lead plays the Yangqin, the male lead play Chinese drums, there’s also otaku girls who plays Guzheng, Erhu, Ruan, and Pipa. Some of my favorite scene (YT link): Flight of the Bumblebee (Chinese vs Classical), ACG Performance 權御天下 Sun Quan The Emperor. Looks like there’s also a TV Drama remake, Our Shiny Days.
![I Mistook the Paranoid Gong for a Shou [Book Transmigration]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-12-at-01.24.02_47d1acd0.jpg "I Mistook the Paranoid Gong for a Shou [Book Transmigration]")
