Noise

The place where I live is an old residential complex. There are no elevators, and the windows offer absolutely no soundproofing. There are a couple of cats nearby—or to be precise, I’m not even sure how many there are. The cries of these cats are utterly terrifying. Sometimes they sound like the wailing of a baby being scolded by its parents, and other times like the hysterical cries of a schoolchild who has committed some grave mistake. Hearing these sounds alone at night is quite horrifying, not to mention how they disturb one’s peaceful sleep. It always makes me pause and try to discern whether it’s really a cat or a person making those noises. ...

I am envious of certain things, not the luxurious ones like wealth or power, but rather talents and the like. For instance, people like Zhu Ziqing, Shi Tiesheng, and Lu Xun, to name a few, though I can’t list more due to my limited knowledge. There are many people in this world who possess extraordinary talents, minds, and inspirations. They often create works that strike a chord with people’s hearts. They can shape the world through their creations, or at the very least, earn a living by exchanging their works for sustenance. ...