Happiness is so simple

Author: Lianzi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: This is a contemporary travelogue full of charm. As an editor of a best-selling magazine, she visited Britain as a scholar. Amidst the lively social gatherings, she casually gleaned the secrets behind the success of global publishing giants while exploring the stories and protagonists hidden in the history during her sightseeing tours. In a foreign land, she returned to being a scholar, a traveler, and a mother. Happiness Is So Simple is Mom’s 12th book, a notebook recording her observations, thoughts, and experiences in Britain. When Mom asked me to write a preface for her new book, I must admit, I felt a mix of nervousness and honor. Although I often enjoy writing, it was more of a pastime or a way to vent, something that happened naturally without pressure. Mom’s writing is for readers and society, and I worried that my limited Chinese skills wouldn’t do justice to her hard work. But thinking of the deep motherly love behind it, I happily accepted.
On a bright spring day in 2002, I left my family, friends, and everything familiar, traveling alone to the distant and unfamiliar land of Britain. At first, I felt lonely, cried, and even considered giving up. Now, though I’ve adapted to life and studies in Britain and started integrating into the society, it’s still not my home. In Britain, I always feel a sense of belonging, as if I’m an outsider, far from my roots. When I first heard that Mom was coming to Britain for a study trip, I was both happy and excited. But at the same time, I was more worried. Although Mom is highly adaptable and has traveled to many countries, living abroad for such a long time was still a new experience for her. In Britain, I was the host and her only support. Every time I thought about this, I felt an invisible pressure, as if I had a responsibility to take care of her daily needs. Though Mom is an adult, in a foreign land, she felt like my child, worrying me over every little thing. Mom’s English isn’t strong, and her vocabulary is limited. Before coming to Britain, she prepared a phrasebook for emergencies, but she’s a person who dislikes hassle, so even such a simple tool felt too cumbersome to use. Therefore, when she first arrived, I gave her a small notebook with common Chinese-English phrases, such as greetings, asking for directions, and paying for groceries, along with my contact information and her hotel address. Even after taking precautions, I still held my phone with me during classes, so Mom could reach me anytime she faced difficulties. I once jokingly told Mom that if she ever got lost, couldn’t read signs, and couldn’t find anyone to ask, I might have to rely on the GPS on my phone to “locate” her. But Mom is smart and picks things up quickly. From the second day she arrived in London, she was already using her Bus pass to explore the city alone. Often by 10 p.m., Mom would suddenly appear at my dorm door, smiling and placing a large bowl of delicious chicken soup on my desk. While marveling at her skills, I also truly felt the warmth and happiness of having her by my side.
Mom has a strong passion for literature. As a writer, she has a keen observation and a delicate touch. She is always experiencing and feeling. Despite her heavy study mission, traveling constantly, she still made time to experience Britain from different perspectives. During this trip, Mom visited places like Bath, Leeds, Oxford, and Edinburgh, finding inspiration and insights at every turn. She always enjoyed discussing the cultural landscapes and histories of each city with me. Mom also participated in many leisure activities loved by locals, such as watching musicals, football matches, afternoon tea, and visiting galleries. In my view, one can only truly understand a country’s culture after experiencing its atmosphere firsthand. This cultural awareness became a source of inspiration and reflection for Mom. Mom’s stay in Britain was long, and for some reason I can’t quite explain, I hoped she would truly integrate into the society rather than just act as a tourist. Interestingly, Mom often unconsciously brought Chinese habits to Britain, leading to many funny situations and cultural clashes between us. For example, when buying garlic at the supermarket, Mom would meticulously pick the smallest one, still not feeling secure, and even split it in half at the last moment, thinking it would save money. But in Britain, garlic is sold by quantity, not weight, so she ended up spending more. Another time, when queuing for a bus, Mom would follow the person in front of her so closely that when they stepped into the door, she’d place her own foot in it to prevent others from cutting in. At the bank, she wouldn’t stand a meter behind the person in front but would stand right behind them. In China, such behavior is easily understood, but in Britain, it’s considered impolite because British people value personal space and privacy. Perhaps this is also an evolution of personal privacy rights.
There are many funny stories between Mom and me. When riding the Bus, Mom would use her limited English to chat with elderly women on the bus. British elderly women are always dressed in elegant dresses, with stylish light makeup, kind and graceful, exuding the charm of young ladies. The funniest part is that whenever Mom couldn’t understand or speak what she was saying, she’d simply say, “Sorry, I don’t speak English well.” The most classic story was when we went to a café for dessert. I ordered a cake for 3.9 pounds, but Mom thought it was too expensive. Seeing a slightly larger cake next to it priced at 1.65 pounds, she bought it without hesitation. After paying, she realized something was wrong and suspected the cashier had overcharged her. Upon further inquiry, she found out that the cake was sold in six portions, so 1.65 pounds was the price per slice. The total, plus service fees, came to 13 pounds. Though it was a bit embarrassing, Mom’s “unique” “Chinese humor” brought many laughs to my otherwise dull study life. Mom often says that I am her greatest love in life, and the time in London was the happiest in her life. For me, having Mom by my side is no different. Though we sometimes disagree on certain values, after Mom experienced this land where I’ve studied and lived for five years, it seems our bond has grown even stronger. Mom’s trip to Britain was both an exile of body and mind and a dialogue between two generations, a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
As a reader of this book, I feel that due to the limitations of the subject and material, Happiness Is So Simple might not be the most significant work among Mom’s writings. However, it is sincere, light, and easy to read, with no pretense, filled with personal aesthetics and a lively, vibrant spirit. Clearly, Mom wrote it in a natural, warm, and earnest mindset, a genuine expression of her feelings. Moreover, because Mom left behind her busy work and complex social relationships, stepping away from her role as a leader and professional woman to return to being a scholar, traveler, and pure mother, this little book offers us a heartwarming journey filled with life and life lessons. I hope everyone will truly love these stories, just as I love Mom.