Eternal Light

Old Liu's grocery store was located in the east end of town and had been open for decades. It wasn't a big store, selling things like needles and thread, soy sauce and vinegar, and also collecting utility bills. His most prominent trait was being stingy; he wouldn't turn on the lights if he could avoid it, saying he could save a little money.

He didn't change this habit even during the New Year. On New Year's Eve, Old Liu closed up shop early, pasted up the Spring Festival couplets, and went back to his old home in the countryside to celebrate the New Year. The town required all shops to be "bright all night" during the Spring Festival, supposedly to create a festive atmosphere and increase security. Old Liu thought this was nonsense. Who would steal things during the New Year? And didn't electricity cost money?

On the seventh day of the New Year, Old Liu returned to town and saw his shop brightly lit from afar. His heart sank, and he thought he had been robbed. When he ran up to it, he saw that the door lock had been pried open, and the inside was as bright as day.

"Who is it! Who pried open my door!" Old Liu was trembling with anger.

At this moment, a young man in a uniform, with a "Comprehensive Governance" badge on his chest, walked out of the crowd. "Are you the owner of this store?"

"I am! Why did you pry open my door?" Old Liu questioned.

"We are acting according to regulations. During the Spring Festival, all shops must be brightly lit all night. We found that your shop was not lit during our inspection, which is a violation of the regulations," the young man said expressionlessly.

"Not lit? I closed up and went home for the New Year, didn't I? Everyone in town knows that Old Liu is stingy and saves every penny he can."

"Regulations are regulations and must not be violated. We have already helped you turn on the lights."

Old Liu walked into the room, looking at the dazzling light bulbs on the ceiling, and his heart ached. "Who will compensate me for my losses? Who will pay for this electricity bill?"

"You will pay the electricity bill yourself. As for the losses, we have already taken photos and collected evidence, and we will consider them accordingly. However, given that this is your first offense, we will not impose a fine this time. Pay attention next time and be sure to keep the lights on all night!" After the young man finished speaking, he turned and left.

Old Liu was on the verge of tears and had no choice but to replace the lock himself and close the door again. At night, he sat in the dark room, feeling more and more aggrieved. What was this all about? The money he had worked so hard to save was wasted for nothing.

The next day, Old Liu made a decision. He bought a batch of red lanterns from the wholesale market and hung them all over the store. At night, he lit all the lanterns, and the red light illuminated the entire street.

The town leaders saw it and were very satisfied. They praised Old Liu for his high level of awareness and said that he had added luster to the town's festive atmosphere.

Old Liu listened with a smile, but his heart was bleeding. He had paid for these lanterns himself, and he had lit the candles himself. But he didn't say a word, just silently hung the lanterns even brighter.

A month later, the town organized a "Most Beautiful Shop" selection event. Old Liu's grocery store was named "Most Beautiful Shop" because it had a "strong festive atmosphere and actively responded to the government's call." The town leaders personally presented Old Liu with a certificate and a banner with the words "Envoy of Light" written on it.

Old Liu held the certificate and banner, standing in front of the brightly lit shop, and smiled more bitterly than crying. He looked at the red lanterns and understood that in this absurd world, to survive, you have to learn to adapt to the light, even if this light is earned with your own blood and sweat.

A few days later, an inspection team came to the town to inspect the construction of the "Most Beautiful Town." In order to welcome the inspection team, the town required all shops to be lit even during the day to create a thriving scene.

Old Liu also received the notice. He looked at the lanterns that were dazzlingly bright during the day and sighed silently. He knew that this light would probably never be extinguished.

That night, the town suddenly lost power. The entire town was plunged into darkness, and only Old Liu's grocery store was still lit with red lanterns.

In the darkness, Old Liu lit a cigarette, looked at the flickering candlelight, and revealed a strange smile. Maybe this is the real light.

Years later, Old Liu's grocery store became a spectacle in the town. Whether it was day or night, sunny or rainy, Old Liu's shop was always lit with red lanterns. People said that Old Liu was crazy, driven crazy by the light.

Only Old Liu knew that he wasn't crazy. He was just resisting this absurd world in his own way. He wanted everyone to remember that light is not free; it requires a price. And this price is often heavier than darkness.