Colorful years

The novel "Bitter Herbs" has more than 300,000 words. In an era before online novels flooded the market, this was undoubtedly a monumental work that could captivate countless readers.

In an era when paper books were prevalent, every page carried the author's hard work and wisdom, and every word and sentence embodied profound thoughts and emotions.

For Congcong, this novel was an irresistible temptation. However, during the day he needed to go to school and receive the baptism of knowledge, so he could only bury this longing for "Bitter Herbs" deep in his heart.

Only when the sun sets and the school bell rings can he finally break free from his constraints and, filled with longing for the novel, hurriedly embark on his journey home.

Nighttime is his appointed time to read "Bitter Herbs." Reading over 100,000 words every night is undoubtedly a daunting task for a student.

But Congcong was completely absorbed in it. He became so engrossed in the world of books that he forgot the passage of time, his fatigue, and his drowsiness. The kerosene lamp became his faithful companion during his late-night reading sessions, its flickering light illuminating his focused face and the literary palace in his heart.

Holding "Bitter Herbs" again, Congcong's emotions were even stronger than before.

He took a deep breath, as if he could smell the unique scent of the kerosene lamp from his past life—the distinctive aroma of a nighttime reader, a tranquility and serenity that comes with the passage of time.

He understood that this reading was not merely a simple journey through words, but a spiritual journey across time and space. He would search for lost memories and revisit stories that had once touched his heart.

After her younger sister left, Congcong's room became even quieter.

He carefully turned the pages; the feel of the paper was like that of a long-lost friend, warm and familiar.

He felt as if he had returned to the night of his past life, where the surroundings were once again silent, with only the kerosene lamp flickering in the dim light, its glow acting as a barrier that isolated him from the hustle and bustle of the world.

At that moment, he felt as if he had entered a completely new world, a world that belonged only to him and "Bitter Herbs".

Congcong's bright eyes swept across the pages of the book like lightning. The dense lines of text seemed to come alive, transforming into a series of lively musical notes that lightly leaped into his heart.

These words, like little elves, guided him through every corner of the story. His thoughts were like a free-spirited boat, rising and falling, meandering along the river of the story.

In the book, he witnessed the joys and sorrows of those characters and felt their emotions.

When he saw the tragic fates of the characters in the book, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sorrow and regret, as if a heavy weight was pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe. The characters' pain and struggles seemed to reflect the vulnerability and helplessness deep within his own heart.

However, witnessing these people's unwavering spirit deeply moved him, filling him with admiration and respect. Their courage and resilience in the face of adversity showed him the brilliance and greatness of humanity.

At this moment, Congcong seemed to no longer be in reality, but had traveled through a time tunnel and was truly immersed in the world described in the book.

He walked alongside the characters in the book, experiencing together those thrilling hardships and indomitable struggles.

Every dramatic plot twist was like a storm sweeping in, assaulting his mental defenses.

He seemed to have become a part of the story, breathing and sharing the fate of those characters.

Finally, the long-awaited school bell rang again. Congcong dashed out of the classroom like an arrow, his heart filled with boundless longing for "Bitter Herbs".

He trotted home as fast as the wind, as if every step brought him closer to the sacred place in his heart.

As soon as he got home, he couldn't wait to put down his heavy schoolbag and quickly took out the book "Bitter Herbs" that he had longed for from the bookshelf.

Then, he plunged headlong into the sea of ​​books with great thirst, as if he wanted to devour the whole world.

Although he had read this book in his previous life, time flies and a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Those once familiar characters and captivating storylines have now become somewhat hazy and blurred. But picking up the book again this time is a completely new experience for Congcong.

Night quietly fell, and the whole world was gradually shrouded in darkness. But Congcong felt no signs of drowsiness; his passionate heart remained immersed in the wondrous world of the book, unable to extricate itself.

He forgot the fleeting passage of time, and all the noise and disturbance around him. Only the kerosene lamp, emitting a dim yellow light, was like a lighthouse in the vast darkness, illuminating his path forward and becoming his only reliance in this ocean of knowledge.

His eyes were fixed on the pages of the book in his hands, staring intently at the lines of text, not blinking once, as if afraid of missing even the smallest detail.