Preface
Li Ming and Yang Li are a pair of old couples who depend on each other for their lives, and they have gone through decades of ups and downs together. As a diplomat, Li Ming has been in and out of high-level positions and has a good life. And Yang Li is at home with her husband and children, silently supporting the development of Li Ming's career.
When Li Ming retired, they thought they could enjoy the joy of family life and live a leisurely life in their old age. However, fate is always unpredictable. That year, Li Ming was 65 years old and Yang Li was 63 years old, and they suddenly decided to leave their former home and began a journey without saying goodbye, until Li Ming was seriously ill and admitted to the hospital 10 years later, and the secret of the old couple was revealed.
Life after retirement
After Li Ming retired, he no longer needed to travel frequently and could accompany Yang Li at home. At first, they fantasized about retirement and wanted to travel the world together, eat the food and enjoy the family.
However, when his dream came true, Li Ming realized that retirement life was not as golden as he imagined.
Li Ming faced the four walls every day, and felt that time passed extremely slowly. Yang Li still takes care of the housework diligently and cares for Li Ming, but Li Ming feels extremely empty in his heart.
He began to reflect on his past hard work for his career, and now looking back, he realizes that there is too much missing in his life. Time and outdoor sports are all taken up by work.
Now I want to get these back, but it's too late.
Yang Li saw Li Ming's unhappiness, but she didn't think too much. She thinks that the two can finally be together, and it is worth being happy. Yang Li doesn't understand that success and wealth do not directly bring happiness.
When Li Ming fell into a low point in his life, Yang Li's care could not let him out of his confusion. Gradually, a gap arose between the two.
Li Ming's inner monologue
Li Ming lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling in a trance. He began to recall his past life, those glamorous diplomatic occasions, those hardcore friends who went in and out of the high-level, all seemed so far away from him.
He suddenly realized that all he had gained as a diplomat was money and status. These outward vanities do not make the heart truly satisfied.
Li Ming flipped through his photo album, those official photos in high-end suits with decent expressions, he was so unfamiliar. He remembers taking those pictures with a formulaic smile.
Didn't really be happy. He suddenly realized that he had never been truly happy until now.
"What exactly do I want?" Li Ming asked himself. I gave all my youth and passion to my career, but when it was all over, I realized that I had lost myself.
I forgot the dreams of my youth, and I forgot the original meaning of life. When I stood at the watershed of my life, I realized what was most important to me.
Li Ming is determined to change, he does not want to spend his old age in material abundance and spiritual depression. Perhaps for Yang Li, retirement only means no longer working, but for Li Ming, it is a turning point in his life.
He had to start afresh and find his true dreams and passions. Even if it costs him, he has to live for the rest of his time.
Mysteriously missing
On a sunny morning, Li Ming had breakfast with Yang Li as usual, and then decided to go out for a walk by himself.
"I went out into the countryside and came back in the evening. Li Ming said briefly.
Although Yang Li felt that Li Ming's request was a bit sudden, she still readily agreed. After all, it's one of the most common things they do in retirement.
However, Li Ming did not return that day. Yang Li called him, but no one answered. Yang Li couldn't help but get worried, and went out to visit relatives and friends around the house, but they all said that they had not seen Li Ming.
Yang Li stayed up all night and called the police early the next morning.
The police launched a search, but Li Ming seemed to have evaporated from the world, without a trace. Yang Li was so anxious that she posted missing person notices all over the streets, frantically waiting for Li Ming's news.
Day after day, this anticipation has only been met with endless disappointment. Yang Li understood that Li Ming had left her, but she still opened the door every day, hoping that it was just a dream.
Ten years have passed, and Li Ming seems to have disappeared from the world. For Yang Li, she has lived in guilt and self-blame for the past ten years. knew that Li Ming would not come back, but she still had a glimmer of hope.
Truth
One day 10 years later, Yang Li received a call from the hospital, saying that Li Ming was confirmed to be Li Ming, who had been missing for many years. Yang Li came to the hospital excitedly and saw that Li Ming on the hospital bed was already unrecognizable.
"You're finally back. Where have you been in the last 10 years, and what has happened?" Yang Li was confused in her heart, and she didn't know what to do.
Li Ming weakly told Yang Li the story that had happened in the past 10 years.
It turned out that Li Ming did not go to the suburbs on the day he left home. He got on the train to the western town and began to fly away that he had been planning for a long time.
He didn't dare to tell Yang Li the truth, because this departure would inevitably cost him the rest of his life. He knew that Yang Li would be sad, but this was something he had to do.
After coming to the western town, Li Ming lived a completely different life from before. He lived in a modest inn and earned his living doing menial work. He didn't earn much from his work, but he felt the freedom and vitality that he had not seen for a long time.
Without the shackles of the top, he can live in the moment to the fullest. Looking at the sunrise and sunset, the flowing mountain stream, Li Ming felt a long-lost calm.
The day-to-day work made Li Ming see a lot. He no longer judges the rise and fall of life by material conditions. On the contrary, the simple life made him feel peaceful and more meaningful.
When Yang Li listened to Li Ming's story, she wiped away her tears and did not reproach Li Ming. Because she knew that this was Li Ming's inner call, and it was his journey to find himself again.
Although the process was arduous, Li Ming now finally gained inner peace, which is the most precious.
epilogue
The story of Li Ming and Yang Li is a portrayal of the confusion and choice in personal life.
When Li Ming stood at the watershed of his life and looked back at the past, he saw that his past struggle was just a vain. He longs to regain his true self and live a meaningful life.
Yang Li represents stability and comfort. She didn't understand Li Ming's changes and choices. But she finally accepted Li Ming's lost and returned home with tolerance and forgiveness.
Life is not something we take for granted, but a gift that needs to be treated with care. In it, confusion, searching, choice, and understanding will all accompany us.
When faced with life's big decisions, we need to be extra cautious and wise. When you can't see the road ahead, you must keep your faith. When you fall, stand up bravely.
Every life is unique, and everyone's answer is different.
The most important thing is to live your own life, listen to your heart, and not blindly follow others. Only when we are true to ourselves can we live without regrets. This is the message of Li Ming's story.
The journey of life is still very long; As long as we are not afraid of getting lost, we will eventually find our way home.