novelraw Chapter 48 Protecting One's Own
Chapter 48 Protecting One's Own
【Emotional Mediation Room】.
After taking his seat, Dong Qing said awkwardly, "I was out of line today, please forgive me."
Meng Fei expressed his understanding: "Who wouldn't lose their temper? I've seen people argue, but I've never seen anyone argue like this. When I saw 618, Singles' Day, and Double Twelve, I almost burst out laughing."
Le Jia said, "Li Shen isn't just a mouth double for the audience, he's actually our mouth double too. There are many things we can't say directly! I like this kid, he's got a few sharp edges!"
Dong Qing: "Okay, let's welcome our first female guest."
Merlin walked in, looking disheveled: "Hello, teachers!"
"Pfft! Cough, um," Dong Qing quickly ignored Li Shen's witty remarks, raised her hand to gesture for her to sit down, "Mailing, please sit down."
……
The waiting room for guests.
Tian Xiwei, Huang Shengyi, and He Meiyan sat on the sofa, watching the live broadcast of "Emotional Mediation Room" on TV, and each expressed their own opinions.
This "Emotional Mediation Room" segment is mainly divided into three parts: "The most unbearable flaws of the other person", "The biggest problem of the other person in the relationship", and "What if he is no longer the person he used to be?"
This segment allows guests to pour out all their pent-up frustrations behind their partners' backs.
Tian Xiwei watched quietly.
Mai Lin spoke ill of Li Hangliang, and Tian Xiwei, who was familiar with her, remained skeptical of every word she said.
Huang Shengyi complained that Yangzi hadn't come home for months, didn't care about the children or her, didn't give her any money, and even locked her jewelry in his safe...
Tian Xiwei wasn't familiar with Huang Shengyi, but she tended to believe her.
As for He Meiyan, she revealed a bombshell inside story in the mediation room.
The couple has not earned any money for three years!
The core issue affecting their marital relationship and causing them to argue frequently is financial!
Poverty is the original sin!
Tian Xiwei rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
She tried to empathize, but could only watch from the sidelines, detached and unable to grasp the situation fully in her young mind.
Tian Xiwei was the last to enter the mediation room.
Dong Qing said gently, "Xiao Tian, on the surface, your problem with Li Shen is the biggest among the four groups of guests. After being out of contact for six years, you reunited. To anyone, this sounds bizarre and dramatic."
But what I want to say is that six years is only a formal separation. The real disaster for a couple is lying in the same bed but not being together in spirit.
Okay, let's begin.
……
"Tian Xiwei, what are some of Li Shen's flaws that you find intolerable?"
Tian Xiwei rested her chin on her hand, thinking, "Snoring."
Le Jia wrote in her notebook: "Continue."
"Once I get into work mode, I ignore everyone else."
"Okay, continue."
"There's always internal strife."
"continue."
"Uh...that's all."
The three teachers looked at each other in bewilderment.
What kind of flaws are these?!
How many men don't snore?
Internal strife? Who doesn't have internal strife?
Also, once he gets into work mode, he ignores everyone. Are you sure this is a flaw, and not a compliment?
Meng Fei: "So, in your opinion, what is the biggest problem your partner has in your relationship?"
"cold war."
"You've solved this problem, what about the others?"
"He snores."
"Xiaotian, pay attention to the question! The biggest problem! The biggest!!!"
"He's fighting amongst himself."
Meng Fei sighed: "Xiao Tian, we know you're trying to protect his image, but we can't help you unless you tell us the most serious problem."
Le Jia: "You must open your heart and honestly tell me the biggest problem in your relationship with Li Shen!"
Tian Xiwei sighed: "Alright. He wants to go home and report."
Le Jia slammed her hand on the table, her eyes lighting up: "This is outrageous! The family newspaper is unforgivable!"
Meng Fei glanced at him: "Listen carefully, it's 'want'!"
"The idea of a family newspaper is absolutely out of the question! This is a matter of principle!"
Meng Fei nodded: "That's true."
Dong Qing was a little annoyed. Originally, she had a pretty good impression of Li Shen. He could write poetry and songs and was an upright person. But when she heard the words "family newspaper", she became serious.
Dong Qing asked, "Why did he want to hit you?"
He said, "Tian Xiwei, you're being too nice to me. I'm going to beat you up too." He wanted to beat me up.
Meng Fei: "Huh? Haha!"
Dong Qing: "Pfft!"
Le Jia pressed on relentlessly: "If he had no problems, how could he have unilaterally broken up with you and disappeared six years ago? Tian Xiwei, what huge flaw does he have that would cause him to behave so outrageously? Please tell me!"
"Teachers, ask him! How would I know?"
"Tian Xiwei! Hey, you're too protective of your own!"
Dong Qing gave Meng Fei and Le Jia a look, ending this segment.
This segment not only failed to uncover any major flaws in Li Shen, but also established his image as a hard-working individual.
Dong Qing took an A4 sheet of paper from the folder and pushed it to Tian Xiwei's side: "This is a poem that Li Shen wrote in his diary last night, called 'Mistake.' Tian, take a look."
Tian Xiwei held it in her hand, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and read on line by line.
I traveled through Jiangnan.
That face waiting in the seasons is like the opening and closing of a lotus flower.
Upon seeing this opening, Tian Xiwei's heart tightened suddenly.
Flowers bloom and fade, year after year, six years have passed, and she has waited for him for a full six years!
A woman's prime only lasts a few years!
Her eyes softened, and she continued reading:
If the east wind doesn't come, the willow catkins won't fly in March.
Your heart is like a small, lonely city.
Just like the bluestone streets at dusk,
No footsteps were heard, and the spring curtains of March remained undrawn.
Your heart is like a small, tightly shut window.
Tian Xiwei's eyes gradually blurred.
He actually understood her!
For the past six years, she has been unilaterally dumped, leaving her with a lot of pent-up emotions!
As she continued reading, her hand trembled slightly when she reached the last two lines, and her expression froze.
My galloping horse's hooves were a beautiful mistake.
I am not a returning traveler, but a passerby.
Dong Qing, Meng Fei, and Le Jia carefully observed every subtle expression on Tian Xiwei's face.
When Dong Qing first read this poem, he was deeply moved.
She read Li Shen's delicate emotions in his poems and perceived the infinite meaning in his words.
But when she read the last line, "My clattering hooves are a beautiful mistake, I am not a returning traveler, but a passerby," she felt as if her heart had been torn apart.
At that time, Dong Qing was very saddened and disappointed by that last sentence.
Did we have to break up? Why couldn't I go back to Xiaotian? Why did we have to leave like passersby?
She didn't understand why Li Shen described his reunion with Tian Xiwei six years later as a beautiful mistake, and why he called himself a passerby instead of a returning traveler!
Dong Qing, she couldn't understand!
Just like when she heard the program team play the song "Resentful Heaven for Changing Its Heart" for her, she couldn't understand it either!
Although she couldn't understand it, she could read and hear Li Shen's melancholy and torment from "Mistake" and "Resentful Heaven for Changing Its Heart".
For her, who had hosted the "Chinese Poetry Competition," the poem "Mistake" was a treasure.
In modern poetry, she had never read a poem more subtle and lingering than "The Mistake".
And this was just one of Li Shen's nightly diary entries?
My God, this talent!!!
Tian Xiwei's vision was blurry, and the A4 paper she held in her hands trembled slightly.
Le Jia squinted, scrutinizing Tian Xiwei's micro-expressions: "Tian Xiwei, what do you think of this poem?"
A smile suddenly appeared on Tian Xiwei's lips: "Very good, he has always been very talented, a good poem, hmm."
Dong Qing said, "Actually, what you've seen is only the first layer."
"The first floor?"
"Yes, let me show you a photocopy."
Dong Qing pulled out another A4 sheet of paper from the folder, which still contained the poem "Mistake".
But unlike what Tian Xiwei had just seen, which was a Word document printed out, this one was a direct photocopy from the diary.
In this photocopy, the poem "Mistake" is marked with a big cross.
Dong Qing: "Xiao Tian, do you know what the 'X' in Li Shen's name means?"
Tian Xiwei shook her head.
"It's a no, it's a deletion! It's a rejection of the poem 'Mistake'! Li Shen has rewritten a poem, this is the Word version."
Dong Qing took out an A4 sheet of paper and pushed it to Tian Xiwei.
This poem is very short, with only four lines:
Those who abandon me,
Yesterday's days cannot be retained;
Those who disturb my mind,
Today is a day filled with worries.
Tian Xiwei stared blankly at the poem, not quite understanding it.
The last two sentences are easy to understand; Li Shen must have been tormented by troubles last night. But what do the first two sentences mean?
What exactly has left him? Why can't yesterday's time be retained?
Dong Qing then gave Tian Xiwei a photocopy of the poem from her diary.
On the photocopy, this short poem also has a big cross marked on it, and below the poem, there are four words: Refuse internal strife!
Just as Tian Xiwei was trying to understand the poem, Dong Qing pushed another piece of paper towards her.
On this photocopy is a sentence:
Do not dwell on old friends and a lost homeland; instead, let us brew new tea with newly kindled fire. Enjoy poetry and wine while we are young!
Dong Qing said, "This is a sentence that Li Shen wrote on another page."
He first wrote the poem "Mistake", then crossed it out, then wrote the poem "Those Who Abandon Me", crossed it out again, and wrote the four words "Refuse Internal Friction".
Finally, he wrote, "Enjoy poetry and wine while you're young!"
I think you could sense the fluctuations in Li Shen's emotions and the change in his attitude from these three consecutive poems!
Tian Xiwei remained silent.
Last night, after the lights were turned off, Li Shen stood by the window, sighing occasionally, clenching her fists, pacing back and forth—a scene she vividly remembered.
Dong Qing's gaze fell on the two poems and a sentence, and he was filled with amazement.
Some guests didn't even know what to write in their diaries; they couldn't even fill up the word count.
Li Shen not only wrote poems in his diary, but he also wrote three poems in one night?!
In ancient times, there was "Li Dong who could write a hundred poems while drunk," and now there are three poems of sorrow by Li Shen!
Moreover, she was absolutely certain that the poem "The Mistake" would redefine the pinnacle of artistic value in modern poetry.
She had never read such excellent modern poetry before!
If those poets knew that this poem, "Mistake," was just a diary entry written casually by Li Shen, would they fall into self-doubt about their profession?
Meng Fei: "Zhang Ruonan, the angel of love, told us that when she checked the footage from the courtyard camera, she found that Li Shen stood in front of the window for more than three hours."
We don't know what kind of psychological struggle Li Shen went through during those three hours, but we did see the crossed-out "Mistake" and the crossed-out "Those who disturb my mind, today is full of worries."
He spent the entire night fighting his own weakness and eliminating all his negative emotions!
Finally, what we are presented with is a positive, uplifting, and optimistic message: "Let us not dwell on old friends and the past, but rather use the newly kindled fire to brew new tea, and enjoy poetry and wine while we are young!"
Dong Qing said, "Xiao Tian, although I can't fully understand the emotional shifts in Li Shen's three poems, and I can't truly empathize with the struggles he went through last night, I saw his courageous change of attitude and the final result!"
Tian Xiwei held the photocopy in her hand, reading it over and over in her mind, her thumb unconsciously rubbing the paper.
Let us not dwell on old friends and lost country, but rather use the newly kindled fire to brew new tea. Enjoy poetry and wine while we are young!
Forget the past, fear no future, start a new life with a fresh attitude, and live freely and unrestrained in the prime of your youth! Is that what you mean?
Tian Xiwei wasn't sure if she understood it correctly, so she read it silently over and over again.
Dong Qing: "Xiao Tian, I know that being out of contact for six years is an indelible scar for anyone."
But what if he's no longer the person he used to be? Would you still be willing to give him another chance?
Last night's diary entry revealed Li Shen's struggles, but also his transformation.
But, Oda, you chose not to talk about your struggles!
We haven't seen any changes in you.
Li Shen has made his stance clear; now it's your turn!
Are you willing to make a change? No need to answer us, we'll continue to follow this program.
……
Tian Xiwei walked out of the [Emotional Mediation Room] with a solemn expression.
Her mind was filled with those two poems, and the last line, "Do not dwell on old friends and the old country, but rather try new tea with newly kindled fire, and enjoy poetry and wine while you are young."
She doesn't think the three teachers can do anything for the guests' love lives. If their guidance were really useful, what would be the point of having psychologists?
If psychologists were useful, why would people with depression jump off buildings?
When it comes to relationship problems, you can only save yourself.
Inside the [Emotional Mediation Room].
Dong Qing said, "Xiao Tian still has feelings for Li Shen."
Le Jia said, "That's for sure!"
Meng Fei said, "The feelings are definitely there, and Xiao Tian is a respectable person who cares about his partner's image."
Dong Qing: "Let's wish them well."
After the four female guests left the waiting room, the male guests entered the waiting room and began recording their segment.
Li Shen was the first to enter the "Emotional Mediation Room".
When Dong Qing saw Li Shen, she smiled subconsciously again: "Li Shen, sit down."
As soon as Li Shen sat down, Le Jia bombarded him with questions: "I heard from Xiao Tian that your family's newspaper is...?!"
Li Shen: "Huh?!"
The three teachers then smiled brightly, leaving Li Shen completely bewildered.
"Li Shen, please tell me the one flaw of Tian Xiwei that you find most unbearable."
Li Shen frowned and thought carefully: "Is the handwriting ugly?"
"What kind of flaw is that? Think again!"
"What's the general idea?"
"That's not exactly a flaw. I do use 'fucking' a lot when I talk, it's just a personal language habit, it doesn't count."
"Uh...that's all."
Le Jia tapped the table: "Li Shen, you're not being sincere at all. How can anyone be without flaws?"
"You can do without a fairy."
"Is Xiaotian a fairy? Please answer my question properly."
"Of course not."
"Then why did you say that nonsense about 'little fairy'?"
"Because you said that I wasn't sincere first, which is pointless."
Le Jia: "??!!"
"Hahaha!" Meng Fei lowered his head, pretending to flip through a folder.
"I'm being very honest. Tian Xiwei has no problems. The problem has always been with me."
The comments section was touching:
[Li Shen, his personality shone throughout the entire event!]
[Taking responsibility makes you a real man!]
[From this moment on, I'll look at Dog Bro with new respect!]
[Oda: I feel so safe!]
……
After spending these few days together, Li Shenzhen didn't find anything wrong with Tian Xiwei, and that's the truth.
"If Tian Xiwei has no problems, then why did you unilaterally break up with her six years ago, even to the point of completely cutting off contact? So, what serious problem does she have that you couldn't tolerate?"
"I don't know, you should ask her!"
Dong Qing, Meng Fei, and Le Jia looked at each other in bewilderment.
Clearly, neither of these two people wanted to expose the other's fatal flaws to the public.
This is what makes them different from the other three groups of guests.
Le Jia asked sharply, "Li Shen, six years ago you only dared to break up with me unilaterally and then disappeared without a trace. Doesn't this cowardly behavior show that you are incapable of love?"
Li Shen nodded: "Six years ago, I think."
He had also thought about this problem; the original owner of this body had a similar issue.
Le Jia was taken aback: "Huh? I didn't expect you to be so frank about it!"
"What's the big deal? It's not like he's incompetent."
Le Jia's face tightened and instantly turned ashen.
After glancing at Le Jia, Meng Fei couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Hahaha~~~"
Le Jia frowned: "Li Shen, you have many pessimistic views on love. For example, you say, 'Even a dog wouldn't talk to you about love,' or 'Let's part ways amicably and each find our own happiness.' Why do you have such pessimistic views?"
"Then I must mention my friend. But, well, the journey is over! Let bygones be bygones, and set sail again!"
"How can we help you if you refuse to communicate?"
"No help needed, I am self-consistent!"
Dong Qing asked, "So, you wrote, 'Do not dwell on old friends and the old country, but rather use the newly kindled fire to brew new tea. Enjoy poetry and wine while you are young?'"
"right."
Li Shen nodded.
Everything is in the past; a new chapter begins.
Those who tormented him ultimately did not live up to his wishes!