Colorful years

As the environment changed and income levels rose steadily, the hedonistic thoughts that were originally hidden in Wang Li's heart gradually grew and spread like new buds breaking through the soil in spring, eventually firmly occupying the core position in her ideological field.

When Wang Li first entered the workforce, she worked in the price management office. Time flies, and just a year later, due to the separation and restructuring of the industry and commerce and price departments, she was fortunate enough to be assigned to the industry and commerce bureau and took on the position of secretary-general of the consumer association.

Whether she was working at the Price Control Bureau or later at the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Wang Li mostly dealt with wealthy and influential people every day. Their daily conversations either focused on how to make more money or discussed all sorts of diverse forms of consumption and entertainment.

Moreover, the close friends surrounding Wang Li also regarded money as the ultimate pursuit and pleasure as the top priority in life. Over time, these factors combined to cause a dramatic change in Wang Li's original outlook on life and values.

The Wang Li who used to talk about hard work and thrift has gradually faded away. Now, it's hard to find any trace of those words about hard work and a simple life in her speech.

Instead, there are phrases like "which group of people did you hang out with today?", "what new tricks did you try this time?", "what high-end items did you buy?", and "what delicacies did you taste?"

What's even more unbearable is that the household chores that should be done by women now seem to have become a burden for her.

On ordinary days, she doesn't even bother with the most basic household hygiene. The floor is covered in dust, the tables and chairs are covered in grime, and the whole room looks messy and disorganized.

As for laundry, I tend to put it off as long as possible. Sometimes I just leave the washed clothes lying around without bothering to hang them out to dry; even if I do manage to hang them out to dry, I don't take them in and put them in the closet after they're dry, but instead leave them hanging on the balcony to be exposed to the wind and sun.

After a meal, the pile of greasy dishes would accumulate into a mountain if Zhang Cong didn't clean them herself, but she ignored it and never bothered to clean them up.

However, if she encounters any setbacks or suffers any injustices outside, this woman will immediately vent all her resentment and anger on her husband as soon as she gets home.

On that very day, after overcoming numerous difficulties, the inaugural issue of the Dayong Daily was finally published and officially released to its eagerly awaiting readers.

After get off work, Zhang Cong, in an exceptionally cheerful mood, impulsively decided to learn Go from his two good friends, Shi Yan and Guo Sen, a game full of wisdom and strategy. He became so engrossed in it that he completely forgot about the passing time. Before he knew it, the clock had struck past nine o'clock, but he still hadn't thought about going home.

Coincidentally, Wang Li was in a terrible mood while out that day, feeling utterly frustrated and with nowhere to vent her anger. So, after much thought, she decided to go directly to the newspaper office to find Zhang Cong and confront him about why he hadn't come home so late.

What they found out was shocking: Wang Li had found a way to vent her anger.

Her eyes widened in anger as she pointed at Zhang Cong and began to curse, "Zhang Cong, you complete and utter liar! I trusted you all this time, and you told me you were incredibly busy, but what happened? Turns out you spent your time playing Go after get off work every day!"

At this moment, Guo Sen, seeing that things were not going well, quickly stepped forward to persuade her: "Sister-in-law, please calm down and don't be impulsive! Today, our inaugural issue was successfully published, and everyone is very happy. So after get off work, the three of us brothers thought we could relax a bit. It's not what you think. We're not just sitting around doing nothing!"

However, Wang Li remained unmoved and continued to shout relentlessly, "Hmph! Don't try to argue with me here, I won't believe a word you say! None of you are any good, you always use being busy with work as an excuse to cover up your eating, drinking and having fun!"

Hearing Wang Li's increasingly offensive insults, showing him absolutely no mercy, Zhang Cong's anger flared instantly. He trembled with rage and shouted indignantly, "It's just playing Go! What's the big deal? Why are you acting like a crazy woman, refusing to let it go?"

These words enraged Wang Li even more; she felt deeply insulted and hurt. So she decided to leave this place that made her feel so oppressed, to find her own peace and tranquility.

When Wang Li left, her face was filled with deep sorrow and disappointment. Her disappointment in Zhang Cong was not only because he didn't come home late at night, but also because she felt that he no longer understood her and no longer respected her feelings.

She had always believed that their marriage was based on mutual understanding and respect, but now she was beginning to doubt whether it was all just wishful thinking on her part.

Back home, Wang Li sat alone in the corner of her room, gazing at the dark night sky outside the window, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She began to reflect on her life and her choices. Had she truly been consumed by hedonistic ideas? Had she really lost her love for life and her sense of responsibility towards her family?

She recalled the innocence and enthusiasm she had when she first entered the workforce, and the days she spent struggling with Zhang Cong, those difficult yet hopeful days.

Back then, although they weren't wealthy, their eyes were filled with hope and anticipation for the future. But now, everything has changed.

Zhang Cong frowned, lost in deep thought. He couldn't help but exclaim, "The influence of environment on a person's development is truly astounding!"

The Wang Li before him felt both strange and familiar. The once frugal and simple woman now only cared about enjoying life, as if she had become a completely different person. This drastic change was hard for him to accept.

Looking at himself, he was not yet thirty, his career was not yet established, and he was far from being able to enjoy life to the fullest. Thinking of this, Zhang Cong felt a surge of anxiety and confusion, unsure of which path to take in the future.

On the other side, Wang Li was also reflecting on her own changes. She had asked herself countless times how she could rediscover her frugal, simple, and hardworking self. However, no matter how much she reflected or how hard she tried to change the situation, she seemed unable to return to her former self.

Time flies by, and both of them struggle and wander in their own inner worlds, trying to find a way out of their predicament...