A Date with Tea: A Collection of Essays by Ji Xianlin

Author: Ji Xianlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: When writing "Reflections at Eighty," the author saw more wild lilies than graves. Today, however, the graves are numerous while the wild lilies are scarce. No matter what, the author had to move forward—whether it was graves or wild lilies, nothing could stop the author's steps. Mr. Feng Youlan's "Beyond Rice," the author has already surpassed that stage. The next step is "Meeting Over Tea." The author believes that the only choice available now is this path, and it is not far. When the author writes "Reflections at One Hundred" in another decade, then the author will be close to tea. The author is a rigid and conservative person, stubborn by nature. Habits formed over decades are something the author will never change. The khaki Zhongshan suit, both domestically and internationally, remains unchanged, regardless of the season. Others may see the author as a stubborn old fogey, but the author calls himself a "museum piece" to show resistance and strike back. The author also refuses to change his daily habits. For over four or five decades, the author has been accustomed to getting up early. Every morning, the author rises at half past five, with no more than five minutes of deviation. The ancients said, "Rise at dawn," which suits the author in summer; in winter, the author gets up several hours before dawn. The author eats breakfast first, arguably "before all others in the world." After finishing breakfast, the author immediately starts working. The author's work mainly involves writing. Over the decades, the author has written tens of millions of words. Are these worth writing? The author believes they are. The words the author writes may not all be pure gold and jade, or nectar that can make people ascend to immortality. However, there is no poison in them, no counterfeit or shoddy products. After reading them, at least people can gain some enjoyment, develop a sense of patriotism, love their hometown, family, nature, children, and all beautiful things. In short, they can benefit spiritually.