A Guide to the Ways of the World

In the long history of Chinese literature, Stories to Caution the World and its companion collections are timeless classics. Rooted in the bustling streets of the late Ming dynasty, their vivid tales explore every facet of society and the good and evil in human nature. Their wisdom about how to conduct oneself still gives readers food for thought today. Now, in response to the call for the fourth Tomato Novel Online Literature Contest, organized in partnership with Douyin Charity, the original short story collection Words on Worldly Affairs has come into being.

The author spent three years carefully refining this book, focusing on the modern countryside and small towns. In rural fields, neighbors quarrel over trivial matters, yet join hands to protect their homes when a rainstorm threatens, revealing both the simple strength of community and the complexity of human nature. In small-town streets and alleys, shopkeepers fiercely compete, but come to understand the value of cooperation when a market crisis strikes, reflecting people’s struggles and growth as they navigate the tension between self-interest and morality.

Words on Worldly Affairs carries on the tradition of Stories to Caution the World and its companion collections, conveying timeless wisdom about how to conduct oneself: kindness is a bridge that brings warmth, honesty is the foundation for making your way in the world, and tolerance is the wisdom that resolves conflict. In today’s fast-paced life, it is like a wise elder, using stories close to everyday life to remind people to cherish their relationships and stand by their principles.

By taking part in this contest, we hope Words on Worldly Affairs will become a work readers can return to again and again, finding something new each time. May it guide people when they feel lost, help them understand the art of living, and make life better. We also hope the event will draw more people’s attention to life in the countryside and small towns, and inspire us all to promote traditional Chinese culture and tell wonderful stories of our homeland.