Yan Qi suddenly realized that perhaps Guo Dalu wasn′t as cheerful as he seemed.

  Maybe he, too, had sorrows—ones he had hidden so well that no one ever noticed.

  He only let others see his joy and only shared his happiness. He never wanted anyone to share his pain or grief.

  Yan Qi gazed at him, his eyes suddenly shining with a rare crity.

  The more time he spent with Guo Dalu, the more he felt that this man was truly someone worth cherishing.

  No one knew how much time had passed when Wang Dong suddenly let out a long sigh and said, "We're almost there. Almost home."

  His sigh was filled with deep contentment and joy.

  Looking out the window, they could already see the small hillside in the distance.

  Guo Dalu couldn′t help but sigh as well. "It seems that no matter how grand a golden pace or silver mansion is, it still can′t compare to your little doghouse."

  Wang Dong gred. "My doghouse?"

  Guo Dalu ughed. "Our doghouse."

  Dusk.

  The setting sun bathed the hills in golden light.

  The half-withered autumn grass, illuminated by the sunset, looked like fields of gold.

  A narrow path paved with pale stone stretched forward at a gentle angle, resembling a string of white jade amidst the golden ndscape.

  The wind blew softly, birds chirped, and autumn insects murmured—blending into a sound more beautiful than music, as if a lover were whispering by one′s ear.

  The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, grass, and the wind itself. Even the sunset seemed infused with a gentle perfume, like the scent of a lover′s hair.

  Life, it turned out, could be so fragrant, so beautiful.

  Guo Dalu took a deep breath and ughed heartily. "Now I finally understand—being poor can actually be quite a joyful thing."

  Yan Qi asked, "Joyful?"

  Guo Dalu grinned. "How many rich people get to enjoy a view like this? To breathe in air this fresh? All they ever smell is the stench of money."

  Yan Qi ughed too.

  Guo Dalu suddenly noticed that Yan Qi′s smile was as brilliant as the sunset. He couldn′t help but tease, "I just realized—you′re not ugly at all. You′re just... a little too dirty sometimes."

  This time, Yan Qi didn′t snap back with a retort. Instead, he lowered his head slightly.

  He had never been one to take an insult lying down. So what had changed?

  Was it the sunset? The soft breeze?

  Or was it the warmth of Guo Dalu′s carefree ughter?

  Wang Dong suddenly said, “Having money isn′t a bad thing.”

  Guo Dalu asked, “What about being poor?”

  Wang Dong replied, “Being poor isn′t bad either.”

  Guo Dalu asked, “Then what is bad?”

  Wang Dong said, “Nothing is truly bad—it all depends on whether you know how to enjoy life.”

  Guo Dalu pondered those words carefully, and suddenly, his heart was filled with warmth, happiness, and contentment.

  He was content simply because he was alive.

  As long as he was alive, he could savor the beauty of life.

  So, my friend, never let wealth trouble you, and never let poverty trouble you either.

  As long as you know how to enjoy life, you haven′t lived in vain.

  And when the day comes that you must leave this world, you will go with a smile.

  Because you live more joyfully than most.

  Since the carriage couldn′t go up the mountain, they walked.

  They walked slowly.

  Because they knew that no matter how slow they went, they would get there eventually.

  The sky was gradually darkening.

  But they weren′t worried.

  Because they knew that soon enough, the sun would rise again.

  Their hearts were filled with joy—even Lin Taiping′s eyes seemed brighter.

  At st, they saw Wang Dong′s house.

  Though it was old and worn, under the golden hues of the setting sun, it looked as beautiful as a pace.

  Everyone has a pace—one that exists in their heart.

  The strange thing is, some people never seem to find theirs.

  Wang Dong′s sharp, angur face softened. He suddenly smiled and asked, "Guess what′s the first thing I want to do when I get back?"

  Guo Dalu and Yan Qi both blurted out at the same time, "Go to bed and sleep!"

  Wang Dong ughed. "Correct."

  But life often holds unexpected surprises.

  Before they even reached the house, they suddenly noticed a light flickering inside.

  At first, it was just one window—the one facing the door.

  Then, one by one, every window lit up.

  The warm glow of the mps filled the house.

  They all stopped in their tracks, momentarily stunned.

  Yan Qi asked, “Is there someone inside?”

  Guo Dalu said, “Could it be a friend coming to visit you?”

  Wang Dong replied, “There used to be. But ever since I sold my st chair, all my friends suddenly disappeared.”

  He smiled faintly and continued, “Maybe they′re just as zy as I am—afraid they′d have nowhere to sit if they came.”

  That faint smile was a reflection of how deeply he understood life.

  Because of that, he never had high expectations of anyone.

  When he gave something, he never expected anything in return. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he lived a happier life than most.

  Yan Qi frowned. “Then who lit the mp?”

  Guo Dalu ughed. “Why bother guessing? We just have to go inside and see for ourselves.”

  That was a perfectly reasonable approach—except this time, it was wrong.

  Even after stepping inside, they still had no idea.