Chapter 13: Run Tu's Change
Run Tu is completely different from when he was a child.
The Run Tu of childhood was lively and cheerful, liked to talk, liked to smile. He always had endless things to say, always had endless stories to tell.
The current Run Tu is silent and rarely speaks, rarely smiles. His eyes are filled with exhaustion and helplessness. His face is written with the hardships of life.
I asked him if life is very difficult. He said, it's alright, just a bit tiring. He has to get up early every day, work in the fields, and can't rest until very late at night. All year round, there's no time to rest.
I asked him how the children are doing. He said, they're alright, but it's very difficult to go to school. The school is too far, the tuition is too expensive, so he can only let the children attend school for a few years, then go work.
I looked at him, feeling very sad. Is this the power of life? Can it turn a lively child into a silent adult?