A personâs life, to have a few friends who truly consider your best interests, is a blessing. After all, itâs rare to find someone who, without any familial ties, genuinely thinks about whatâs best for you.
For Hualing, Cheng Su was such a person. It wasnât considered that rare before, but now that both families are going to part ways and wonât often see each other, itâs only then that this connection feels precious.
And her previous conduct...
Hualing pursed her lips and said, "Iâve been spoiled since childhood, being the only girl in the family, so my temper grew big. In the past, I might have offended you with my words, but you were magnanimous and didnât hold it against me."
Cheng Su was sipping soup leisurely, upon hearing this, she couldnât help but be surprised, looking at her: "Suddenly saying this, whatâs up with you? Getting sentimental all of a sudden!"
Hualing glared at her, this person, talking like this, canât even take a good word, so she retorted without good humor: "Sentimental? Arenât we about to leave? Iâm afraid youâre petty and will slander me behind my back!"
Cheng Su raised her eyebrow: "Is it you who is petty, or me?"
The two of them glared at each other, then both burst into laughter.
Hualing coughed once, then seriously said: "Iâm not being sentimental, itâs true. Iâm not someone who doesnât know whatâs good or bad, youâve helped and advised me, I remember it all! About those unpleasant things I said to you, just forget them."
"Alright, but youâre overthinking it, lifeâs too tiring, who would still dwell on the unpleasant things you said? Iâm not looking to make myself uncomfortable, I donât remember them at all!" Cheng Su responded nonchalantly.
"I know you are generous-hearted, thank you!" Hualing sincerely expressed her gratitude.
Cheng Su put down the soup bowl and said, "No need for thanks, itâs still the same old saying, in the future, come back to visit when you have time. The kids are about the same age, bring them over, we can have tea or something. Weâve been neighbors for years, I only wish the best for you."
Hualing nodded.
Cheng Su thought for a moment, then chimed in: "Though you think Iâm long-winded, I have to say one more thing. Past affairs are past, though they might have been painful, you shouldnât keep them in your heart, itâs just making life difficult for yourself. If you want to live comfortably, learn to be open-minded, donât sweat the small stuff, over time, life will be more forgiving."
"Back to lecturing!" Hualing snorted lightly.
"If you donât want to hear it, I wonât say it!"
Hualing said, "Itâs not that I donât want to hear, if you want to say it, go ahead, youâve got all the great principles laid out, and they canât be refuted!"
"Of course, Iâve got the insight right there!" Cheng Su boasted with pride, laughed for a while, then said: "Itâs not really lecturing, just feel that we women have it tough enough. We need to handle relationships with in-laws, with children, but most importantly, with our husbands. Who doesnât want to live freely? And that freedom, it mostly comes from ourselves, not relying on others..."
"Anyone can complain, but if a person constantly complains, turning themselves into a grumbling wife, over time, the man will become tired and annoyed, and the kids might say something too. Who would want to face a grumbling wife every day?" Cheng Su said: "Thereâs a saying, a good horse with a good saddle, a good ship with a good sail, a good woman with a good man, and the reverse is also true. When you complain about others, you should also introspect whether you are perfect yourself? Of course, this isnât just for you, it applies to me too, I continually review and self-reflect. Letâs share this wisdom and encourage each other."