The Great Dream God

Meng Jin and Wei Yanren, two postmen with a mission, crossed the vast barren land and the sandy Gobi Desert and came to an ancient post station that was eroded by time and devastated. This is a secret place forgotten by the years, like a dim pearl that slipped from the cracks in the long river of time, lying silently under the dust of history. They stopped here, hoping to find a trace of warmth in life in the short respite of two hours.

Although the post station is dilapidated, it has not been completely abandoned by the world. There are still three tenacious souls silently holding on here. Da Hu, this name is like his iron body, mighty and fierce. The hideous scar on his face is twisted like a centipede, which deepens his tough image. His eyes are as sharp as an eagle, as if they can pierce the silence of the desert, but they cannot see the way out of the future. His wife, a woman with a resolute face and a burly figure, exudes a strength that cannot be underestimated. The corners of her mouth often hang a mocking smile, which is a silent resistance to the injustice in the world.

Their son's eyes were as empty as the abyss, lifeless, like a wind-dried stone sculpture, indifferent to the hustle and bustle around him. Living in the shadow of the post station for a long time, his heart has been corroded by indifference, and he is indifferent to everything in the outside world. This family, as if tightly bound by the chains of life in this small world, cultivates the barren soil surrounding the post station day after day, getting up at dawn and resting at sunset, year after year, in a cycle.

This post station was both their shelter and their prison. Meng Jin and Wei Yanren's temporary stay was like a breeze blowing across the lake, briefly breaking the tranquility here, but then restoring the original silence in an instant.

Meng Jin pushed open the heavy wooden door that was weathered and full of marks of time. The door hinge creaked, as if whispering the endless bitterness of the journey and the vastness of history. He stepped over the threshold and entered a narrow and quiet post station. This place could only accommodate five or six travelers to take shelter from the wind and rain. The air was filled with a solemn silence, as if time was quietly frozen here, and only the sound of breathing echoed in the empty space.

The light in the room was dim, and only the blazing fire in the fireplace, like dancing life, dispelled the haze in the corner and illuminated the yellowed and creased map on the wall. The mountains and rivers depicted on the map seemed to tell endless stories. In Mengjin, Wei Yanren walked briskly and walked straight to the only small table in the corner, which was a touch of warmth in this post station and the source of the breath of life.

He sat down with a majestic posture, brushed the dust off his clothes, and laughed loudly: "Father-in-law, please bring me your treasured delicacies. Although I don't drink wine, I can't resist this meat. It can inject a bit of precious vitality into my tired body! Later, I will take this delicious fish to present it to His Majesty. There is no time to waste, so you guys better be quick!" His voice was like a loud bell, shaking the entire post station.

Hearing this, the wrinkled old man was touched by Meng Jin's boldness. He turned around silently, and although his steps were staggering, he was determined and disappeared behind the door, obviously going to the kitchen to prepare Meng Jin's meal. Da Hu and his son looked up and saw this scene, then lowered their heads and immersed themselves in their own thoughts. There were complex expressions in their eyes, and they were sincerely envious of Meng Jin for being able to eat meat next.

Wei Yanren exhaled gently, and that faint sigh was like the autumn wind caressing the fallen leaves, low and melodious, carrying the humility and endless indifference in his heart. His voice was as deep as an ancient well, echoing the insight into the warmth and coldness of the world, and permeating the deep understanding of the hardships of life. His eyes sparkled with soft moonlight, illuminating the rugged journey of life, and every dark corner was given the ups and downs of the story under his gaze.

Hearing this, Meng Jin smiled like a spring breeze. That smile was warm and peaceful, just like the spring sun gently brushing the lake, stirring up ripples and spreading endless warmth. His words were clear and transparent, like the gurgling stream in the mountain stream, flowing with a firm belief that could not be expressed in words, as if no matter what kind of difficulties he encountered, his determination was as solid as a rock. His promise was resounding, as if to declare that even if the road ahead was full of thorns, he had the power to pave a bright road for his best friend.

Not far away, a mother and her young child watched all this silently. The mother's eyes were deep and worried, like the stars in the night sky, illuminating the footprints of love in this wilderness. Her mood was like the vast Milky Way, endless and full of deep concern for her family. The child's eyes were full of curiosity and awe, like a cautious little deer, secretly spying on the two strangers. Their existence added a heavy poetic touch to this desolate place, silently revealing the hardship of life and the tenacity of life.

The afterglow of the setting sun poured down slowly, stretching their figures out as long and poetic, forming a sharp contrast with the desolate scenery around them.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the dilapidated post station, and the mottled stone walls seem to tell the vicissitudes of time. Da Hu, the taciturn old man, brings in a plate of steaming braised meat with a tired but determined step. The meat is plump and has been carefully cooked. The aroma of the sauce is overflowing, forming a sharp contrast with the white porcelain plate. On the side of the plate, a dish of sauce is waiting, with chopped green onions and coriander floating on it, like an exquisite miniature painting, making people salivate.

Meng Jin, the traveler with deep eyes, rubbed his hands, as if he could catch a hint of wine aroma from the air. He sighed: "How wonderful it would be if I had a glass of wine!" His voice echoed in the empty post station, appearing particularly eye-catching.

Wei Yanren, his companion, frowned and retorted: "We still have to hurry. How can we drink while riding a horse? It will only delay our progress!" His words revealed rationality and caution.

Da Hu, hearing this, nodded slightly, turned around and left, like an invisible wind, leaving only a faint shadow. He put down the dishes and disappeared behind the door silently, without leaving a single word, as if his existence was just to fulfill that simple duty.

Meng Jin stared deeply in the direction where Da Hu left, with a gleam of insight in his eyes. He retracted his gaze and said slowly: "People like this have much greater pressure in life than we imagined! Wei Yanren, they live more depressed than us!" His words were full of sympathy and understanding.

Wei Yanren blinked in confusion and asked, "How can you feel depressed when you have a wife and children around? What's going on?" Meng Jin continued to explain, "They don't want to get involved in the troubles of the world, so they won't do things that are beyond their ability. You see, when the child grows up, will he want to start a family? I can tell you that this kind of people will never give any substantial help to their children in getting married."

Meng Jin picked up a piece of braised meat and said vaguely while chewing: "So, when the children grow up, they won't be very grateful to them. This is human nature. We only remember what we got, but ignore why we got it and how to treat it."

He put down his chopsticks and whispered, "They think that other families are doing it, but their own family is not, so they feel that their family members don't love them. So, they openly ignore their family members and think it's natural."

Meng Jin picked up the teacup and took a sip. The aroma of tea and marinated meat intertwined. He continued, "Just like this old man Da Hu, believe it or not, when he gets old, no one will accompany him on his birthday. And the stern-looking mother Da Hu, when she gets old, every child will rush to visit her."