In the Blink of an Eye, Ten Years Have Passed ---- Dedicated to Those About to Turn Thirty
Ten years ago, when I listened to Luo Dayou's songs, everyone said I was very avant-garde; ten years later, when I listen to Luo Dayou's songs again, everyone says, oh, so you're actually such a nostalgic person. Who is Luo Dayou? -- the little girl next door asks me.
Ten years ago, other people's jokes often made me roar with laughter; ten years later, only the boss's jokes can make me roar with laughter -- even if I've already heard him tell them eight times.
Ten years ago I thought my life would have at least 500 possibilities; ten years later I know my life has only 2 possibilities -- going home for dinner at night, or not going home for dinner at night.
Ten years ago other people were always angry at me, as if I had always been a bad kid; ten years later I am always angry at other people, as if I had always been a good kid.
Ten years ago I saw her on the street, shyly holding the arm of a handsome, upright boyfriend, softly whispering something to him, and I resentfully whistled and kicked away a pebble; ten years later I saw her on the street again, hair tousled, dragging along a snot-nosed little boy while sternly scolding him about something. Five or six meters behind them was her husband, the top of his head slightly bald, his belly starting to stick out. Secretly delighted.
Ten years ago an upperclassman who could write poetry sat knee to knee with me and told me literature was a good thing; ten years later, now a boss, he again sat knee to knee with me and told me money was a good thing.
Ten years ago when classmates met, everyone talked about progress, progress in study; ten years later when classmates meet, everyone talks about getting rich, congratulations on getting rich.
Ten years ago I liked two singers, one seemed very weathered, one seemed very melancholy, so I saved money to buy every cassette of theirs; ten years later, the weathered one got divorced, got fat, and started singing again, dressed like some kind of trendy new-generation type, and the melancholy one went bankrupt, got fat, and started singing again too, in a really funny and vulgar way. I bought pirated CDs of their songs, listened while thinking that tomorrow I should also go buy a set of clothes and dress up like one of those trendy new-generation types for fun, and laughed out loud from being so amused. -- Those cassettes, I haven't listened to them in a long time, they've probably all gone out of tune by now.
Ten years ago I was an outsider in this city, someone people laughed at; ten years later I laugh at the outsiders in this city -- but not the outsiders who have more money than I do.
Ten years ago I watched idol dramas with great relish, and when commercials came on in the middle, I'd quickly change the channel or go to the bathroom; ten years later I watch all kinds of commercials with great relish, and when an idol drama comes on, I quickly change the channel or go to the bathroom.
Ten years ago, when I heard someone lie, I would immediately expose it loudly; ten years later, when I hear someone lie, I just smile and walk away.
Ten years ago I was often very foolish; ten years later I am often very good at pretending to be foolish.
Ten years ago I suffered because I didn't understand; ten years later I suffer because I do understand.
Ten years ago I said to a girl: "I love you." She said: "Sorry, we're still too young."; ten years later I say to a girl: "I love you." She says: "Sorry, I'm still too young."
Ten years ago, even knowing that girl liked me very much, I still didn't dare pursue her -- afraid of being rejected; ten years later, even knowing that girl doesn't like me, I still want to pursue her -- being rejected doesn't matter anymore.
Ten years ago the neighbor had a little dog. Every time I came home, it would dash out and rub its nose against my pant leg with little snuffling sounds; ten years later I happened to return to the old house, and the neighbor's dog was already very old, lying by the door in the sun. When it saw me, it suddenly wagged its tail and stood up. -- It actually still remembered me!
Ten years ago, someone told me a story, and I pretended not to believe it, but actually I did; ten years later, someone tells me a story, and I pretend to believe it, but actually I don't.
Ten years ago I thought a child was a miracle; ten years later I know that a mother is the real miracle.
Ten years ago I thought I needed the love of many people; ten years later I know many people need my love.
Ten years ago I had a pen pal who sent me a red leaf bookmark; ten years later, while cleaning out a cabinet, this bookmark suddenly fell out, along with several letters. The letters were thrown away. The bookmark was casually set aside, and later I couldn't find it either. -- Something kept for ten years was gone in just a few seconds!
My twenties and thirties have quietly left me just like this, amid comparisons and sorrow. Before I knew it, I had reached 30, with very mixed feelings.
A word of advice to all DDs and MMs: from age 25 to 30 is the most important stage of life, so treasure it doubly; this stretch of time passes the fastest. Before I knew it, I had become someone about to turn thirty!
Ten years ago, when I listened to Luo Dayou's songs, everyone said I was very avant-garde; ten years later, when I listen to Luo Dayou's songs again, everyone says, oh, so you're actually such a nostalgic person. Who is Luo Dayou? -- the little girl next door asks me.
Ten years ago, other people's jokes often made me roar with laughter; ten years later, only the boss's jokes can make me roar with laughter -- even if I've already heard him tell them eight times.
Ten years ago I thought my life would have at least 500 possibilities; ten years later I know my life has only 2 possibilities -- going home for dinner at night, or not going home for dinner at night.
Ten years ago other people were always angry at me, as if I had always been a bad kid; ten years later I am always angry at other people, as if I had always been a good kid.
Ten years ago I saw her on the street, shyly holding the arm of a handsome, upright boyfriend, softly whispering something to him, and I resentfully whistled and kicked away a pebble; ten years later I saw her on the street again, hair tousled, dragging along a snot-nosed little boy while sternly scolding him about something. Five or six meters behind them was her husband, the top of his head slightly bald, his belly starting to stick out. Secretly delighted.
Ten years ago an upperclassman who could write poetry sat knee to knee with me and told me literature was a good thing; ten years later, now a boss, he again sat knee to knee with me and told me money was a good thing.
Ten years ago when classmates met, everyone talked about progress, progress in study; ten years later when classmates meet, everyone talks about getting rich, congratulations on getting rich.
Ten years ago I liked two singers, one seemed very weathered, one seemed very melancholy, so I saved money to buy every cassette of theirs; ten years later, the weathered one got divorced, got fat, and started singing again, dressed like some kind of trendy new-generation type, and the melancholy one went bankrupt, got fat, and started singing again too, in a really funny and vulgar way. I bought pirated CDs of their songs, listened while thinking that tomorrow I should also go buy a set of clothes and dress up like one of those trendy new-generation types for fun, and laughed out loud from being so amused. -- Those cassettes, I haven't listened to them in a long time, they've probably all gone out of tune by now.
Ten years ago I was an outsider in this city, someone people laughed at; ten years later I laugh at the outsiders in this city -- but not the outsiders who have more money than I do.
Ten years ago I watched idol dramas with great relish, and when commercials came on in the middle, I'd quickly change the channel or go to the bathroom; ten years later I watch all kinds of commercials with great relish, and when an idol drama comes on, I quickly change the channel or go to the bathroom.
Ten years ago, when I heard someone lie, I would immediately expose it loudly; ten years later, when I hear someone lie, I just smile and walk away.
Ten years ago I was often very foolish; ten years later I am often very good at pretending to be foolish.
Ten years ago I suffered because I didn't understand; ten years later I suffer because I do understand.
Ten years ago I said to a girl: "I love you." She said: "Sorry, we're still too young."; ten years later I say to a girl: "I love you." She says: "Sorry, I'm still too young."
Ten years ago, even knowing that girl liked me very much, I still didn't dare pursue her -- afraid of being rejected; ten years later, even knowing that girl doesn't like me, I still want to pursue her -- being rejected doesn't matter anymore.
Ten years ago the neighbor had a little dog. Every time I came home, it would dash out and rub its nose against my pant leg with little snuffling sounds; ten years later I happened to return to the old house, and the neighbor's dog was already very old, lying by the door in the sun. When it saw me, it suddenly wagged its tail and stood up. -- It actually still remembered me!
Ten years ago, someone told me a story, and I pretended not to believe it, but actually I did; ten years later, someone tells me a story, and I pretend to believe it, but actually I don't.
Ten years ago I thought a child was a miracle; ten years later I know that a mother is the real miracle.
Ten years ago I thought I needed the love of many people; ten years later I know many people need my love.
Ten years ago I had a pen pal who sent me a red leaf bookmark; ten years later, while cleaning out a cabinet, this bookmark suddenly fell out, along with several letters. The letters were thrown away. The bookmark was casually set aside, and later I couldn't find it either. -- Something kept for ten years was gone in just a few seconds!
My twenties and thirties have quietly left me just like this, amid comparisons and sorrow. Before I knew it, I had reached 30, with very mixed feelings.
A word of advice to all DDs and MMs: from age 25 to 30 is the most important stage of life, so treasure it doubly; this stretch of time passes the fastest. Before I knew it, I had become someone about to turn thirty!
