Autumn Charm

Author: Liu Xiangxin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Autumn Charm is sincere, mostly based on personal experiences, filled with the essence of familial, romantic, and friendly love. It is a genuine revelation of heartfelt emotions and an expression of love for life. The opening immediately introduces the father, describing him as "bone integrity," stating, "Bone integrity is the father, and the father is bone integrity." Then, it turns to the mother, "constantly discovering, creating, and transforming life, striving for deeper and newer layers of existence." The parents who gave birth to and raised me are the source of my life as "I." This blood bond formed by familial ties is indestructible by any force.
The second layer explores the space of life and survival, moving from close to distant, new experiences—Guizhou, the second homeland, with its mountains, waters, caves, forests, and rocks, steep, tranquil, elegant, ethereal, and detached, making one shed the dust of the noisy world and feel the serenity of life, while gaining insights into the philosophy of life; familiar memories—Hubei, the homeland, with its lotus flowers, simple in form and noble in spirit, "the most spiritual and poetic beauty of the homeland," with a soul and character of "rising from the mud unstained, and being cleansed by clear water without deceit," serving as a model for people.
The third layer is an ode to life. Even the weakest life possesses an indomitable strength. Even in the most harsh environments, tender sprouts still pierce through rocks and stones, extending life with unwavering perseverance. Mr. Jiguang, who traveled from Wuhan to Guizhou, after witnessing the mountainous households deep in Guizhou's karst landscape, laughed and said, "It's truly roots in the cracks of stones!" Isn't this a vivid portrayal of the power of life?
The fourth layer discusses the importance of knowledge for life and existence. It states that reading has three stages: understanding, appreciating, and comprehending. It asserts, "If a reader truly tastes the essence of a book, then they have truly 'smelled' the fragrance of literature, which is the highest realm of reading." There is a document that requires, "To consciously regard theoretical learning as a sacred duty, a spiritual realm, and a lifelong pursuit." The principle for leaders to study theory is the same. Another layer emphasizes that one must have the perseverance to turn dreams into reality and be supported by ideals and beliefs. Autumn Charm builds on these underlying themes, freely depicting the complexities of life. Its greatest characteristic is its closeness to contemporary life, being forward-looking and straightforward, speaking openly and expressing feelings honestly, without pretense or affectation—truly rare. Its essence lies in justice, understanding, tolerance, and a sense of humor.
At this point, I recall Lu Xun's Wild Grass, and the phrase "Wild grass burns but never dies, spring wind blows, and it grows again." It embodies the unwavering dedication to life, the spirit of stumbling in dark times yet firmly believing in the dawn of light, and the firm conviction that the future of the Chinese nation will surely flourish. It fills one with awe. Isn't this rooted in a deep love for life?