The novel describes an urban love story. Although the male and female protagonists are very different, they develop feelings for each other through chance cooperation. However, they lacked courage in the face of the reality gap and were never able to cross it. However, the love between the two parties was light but long-lasting. The author wrote "The Smell of Rice Flowers" not just for entertainment. I also hope to use a story that happened in an old alley in Guangzhou to illuminate the current social reality and trigger some thoughts about love and marriage. Times have changed, the marriage rate has dropped, and the factors behind it are complex. The author does not want to give simple answers, but only wants to use personal experience and observation to provide a new perspective. Regarding the concept of love, the author always adheres to a concept: - Value exchange ≠ Love: If love is regarded as a transaction, imbalance will happen sooner or later. Such a relationship cannot last long, nor can it be said to be sincere. - Cooperation > Exchange: True love is more like a cooperation based on a common goal. Whether it is life, career, or the ideal of a larger picture, the two of them move forward firmly side by side. Sun Yat-sen and Song Qingling are the best examples. They were united by the common goal of the times and achieved each other's achievements. In the novel, the author juxtaposes the two values of "exchange" and "cooperation" to present the helplessness of reality and the struggle of individuals. I hope readers can think about it outside of the story: Can we find a new way out? Let intimacy no longer be a calculation, but a journey together.
Purpose: Break the social perception that love is about value exchange