Men's 205 Vulnerabilities

Author: Ren Er Xiong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: The name Ren Er Xiong may be unfamiliar to some readers, but those who frequently browse the internet are quite familiar with it. Works like "East Side Men's Apartment" and "Good TV Citizen" have been transformed into flash animations that became hilarious classics on the web. This time, Yangtze Literature and Art Press proudly presents the four-panel comic "Natural Phenomena of Love," which is a typical representation of his quirky and humorous style. Meanwhile, "205 Vulnerabilities of Men" further extends his comedic approach by satirizing the romantic and sexual lives of urban men through a blend of text and illustrations.
In this book (a mix of text and images), "205 Vulnerabilities of Men" lists over 100 pages, yet it is already packed with irony. In fact, the different "vulnerabilities" of men in various situations, stages, and titles are already implied. But if the author's intention is truly as such, how can men's "vulnerabilities" be limited to just "205"? Many female friends suggest that perhaps it's time to change that line: "Men, your name is also weakness." Men's vulnerabilities are like an unsolvable puzzle. But it's said there's a popular explanation: men are "difficult" — the "difficult" in "difficult."
This explanation may be somewhat biased and pessimistic, but perhaps it's a more realistic sense of helplessness. Men are expected to establish families and careers, taking on the responsibilities bestowed upon them by society and family. It's hard for men to be rich, and it's also hard for them to be poor: If they have money, they have more desires — good houses, good cars. Once they have these, they worry about envy and theft. They become overly cautious and anxious. If they don't have money, it's even harder. Beyond the daily expenses of rice, oil, and salt, they also have to cater to their wives' vanity, working day and night to earn a living.
Men find it hard to get married, and staying single is also difficult: If they marry, they need houses and betrothal gifts, and they can't be less generous than others. But at a young age, where can they find so much money? If they don't marry, they're already too old. Seeing their friends in happy couples while they remain single is a great embarrassment.
Men find it hard to work, and working for others is even harder: When working, they have to endure others' gazes and fear making mistakes. They pretend to be subservient all year round. With a meager salary, they barely make ends meet and have to take on second jobs, working themselves to death. If they work for others, the distance is far, and even if they don't think about their wives, they can't stop thinking about their children. Every year, they even feel guilty about their travel expenses.
Perhaps in this harsh society, only after enduring countless hardships can a man truly transform into a "real man." The old saying goes: "A gentle gentleman is like jade, warm and smooth." But jade is fragile, especially when a man is in his thirties. Neither young enough to be respected by the youth nor old enough to be cherished by the elderly, he is caught in the middle. His family and children are his responsibilities, while his superiors and clients are his career. He must carefully weigh which is more important.
Some say that society has given men too many uncertainties, which has also created high demands for women. As a result, there are men who need to take brain, kidney, and calcium supplements, along with specialized health products, cosmetics, and medications to face the challenges that come their way.
Alas, men are truly hard to please. It's not that the boat hasn't reached the middle of the river, but it's already far from the starting point. They work so hard, yet there's no wind to help them set sail and reach their destination.