The old folks often say that everyone, except fools, has a moment when everything clicks. Some people get there early. They're clever at school from a young age, likable in the way they handle people, and enjoy a smooth first half of life. Others get there later. They're only average at school and probably aren't very likable in daily life, so naturally their first half of life is only average too. Whenever the old folks get to this part, Jiang Yuhong always asks, "What about the second half?"
"In the second half of life, everyone who was going to figure things out already has. Those who haven't might never do so in this lifetime. So the second half depends on what you were born with and what you've accumulated over time, as well as timing, place, and people..." By the time Jiang Yuhong hears the rest, it even sounds a little mystical. She immediately understands that these people probably haven't figured life out despite having lived so long. Then again, if they had, they probably wouldn't be squatting beneath the village's low wall, bragging to each other.
Looks like she'll have to find the answer herself. Jiang Yuhong never expected that her own moment of clarity would come so soon.
She has just turned fourteen.
Theme: Grow in a positive direction.
