Reading nourishes the soul

　　Reading is as essential to me as air, water, and sunshine. Reading a good book always brings a sense of warmth, like eating a delicious meal, even more satisfying than drinking fine liquor.

　　I can't remember when I first became involved with books. When I was very young, my father told me stories of ancient scholars who studied diligently: Kuang Heng "carved a hole in the wall to steal light," Che Yin "gathered fireflies for light," Sun Kang "read by the light of snow," Sun Jing "hung his head from the beam," and Su Qin "pricking his thigh with an awl"—all exemplifying the importance of perseverance. From the time I learned to read, my father would always buy me several picture books whenever he went to the market or fair. I became addicted to them, and they greatly broadened my knowledge. Every day after school, while cutting grass and herding sheep with my friends, I would tell them exciting stories like Sun Wukong's havoc in Heaven and the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. They listened with rapt attention, and I was captivated as well. From then on, I developed a reading addiction. When picture books weren't enough, I would borrow books from an uncle in my family, and over time, this formed a lifelong reading habit. For decades, whether living in the countryside or working in the city, I felt something was missing if I didn't read every day; I couldn't even enjoy eating or sleeping. Whenever a new book came out, I would read it without stopping, often spending a whole day and night engrossed. Although since the reform and opening up, there have been more temptations outside; I have little interest in entertainment activities like dancing, playing billiards, or gambling. My greatest passion is reading in my spare time. I enjoy immersing myself in the fragrance of books every day, captivated by their moving plots and inspiring stories. I never forget to bring books when I go out on business, visit relatives and friends, or even when I'm sick and hospitalized. I read for long stretches of free time and for short periods. I've read a book a day, or even just a page a day, but my favorite time is at night, when people are immersed in the bright lights and bustling city life, while I'm lost in a book. I've never been fond of a life of fine wine and delicacies. I prefer conversing with Confucius, discussing benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness; discussing philosophical topics with Ai Siqi and Feng Youlan; reading "Tell Your Child You Are the Best" with my trusted sister; reading Wang Chaowen's "The War of Liberation" and "The Founding of a Republic"... The scenes in these books fill me with joy. This kind of aesthetic appreciation needs no embellishment; it enters the eye and mind, stirring the heart, filling one with pride and lofty ambitions.

　　Reading is a state of mind. Reading is like making friends; a book in hand is like having a heart-to-heart talk with a close friend. Reading is like chewing a green olive; it has a bitter taste, but leaves a lingering fragrance. Reading is like a gentle stream; it may seem calm on the surface, but it flows with passion, nourishing the heart. Whenever I read a passage that resonates with me, I find myself involuntarily transported by the story. The pyramids, ancient Greece, the Chu-Han Contention, the Battle of Red Cliffs, and historical events and figures like Washington, Napoleon, Genghis Khan, Mao Zedong, and Deng Xiaoping seem to be right beside me. My mind wanders, a dreamlike and indescribable experience. When I'm particularly excited while reading, I often feel radiant and exhilarated. As

　　Lu Xun said, "There are actually no roads on the ground, but as more people walk on them, a road is formed." Everyone's life is also a journey, except that we have reference points. There are already many roads on the ground; we need to find our own path. To make our journey through life better, we must learn from the experiences and lessons of others. And the most effective way to learn from others is through reading.

　　I still clearly remember that when I was in the third grade of elementary school, the first extracurricular book I read was "How the Steel Was Tempered." The protagonist, Pavel, deeply moved me. His words, "How should one live one's life so that when you look back, you will not regret wasting your years, nor be ashamed of having accomplished nothing," became my motto, constantly reminding myself to be hardworking and conscientious in whatever circumstances or job I do. For decades, I have diligently and quietly read and wrote in my spare time, not wasting a single moment. I have published more than 2,000 articles in central, provincial, and municipal news media, and have also written nine monographs, including the long reportage "The Tortoise's Chronicle," totaling more than 5 million words.

　　When reading the Four Great Classical Novels, such as "Water Margin" and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," I admired the chivalry and courage of the Liangshan heroes and appreciated the heroic ambitions of the Three Kingdoms heroes. Among the many characters, Zhou Yu resonated with me the most. Like Zhuge Liang, he was an exceptionally intelligent man, but his mind was narrow. He couldn't understand the saying, "Why did Heaven create both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang?" After being angered three times by Zhuge Liang, he died in depression, becoming a tragic figure. From him, I learned a great truth about life: the world is vast, and one must have a broad mind to achieve great things. I also understood that life is about taking responsibility; everyone lives with a sense of duty. Maxims like "When in high office, one should worry about the people; when in retirement, one should worry about the ruler," "If it benefits the country, I will risk my life; how can I avoid it because of personal gain or loss?" and "To shirk responsibility as an official is a lifelong shame" are beloved and passed down through generations, reflecting a sense of responsibility and a spirit of commitment.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping's strong advocacy of a spirit of commitment raises the question of whether one is courageous or hesitant to take responsibility; this is essentially a matter of one's worldview, philosophy of life, and values. The revolutionary martyr Fang Zhimin faced death without fear, saying, "The enemy can only cut off our heads, but they can never shake our faith, because the doctrine we believe in is the truth of the universe!" Countless revolutionary martyrs sacrificed their lives during the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation to establish a new China; during the construction of New China and the reform and opening-up period, countless outstanding Party members and cadres disregarded their own lives, fighting tirelessly to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. This is because they were supported by the "spiritual calcium" of their lofty beliefs. This "spiritual calcium" came from their reading of Marxist-Leninist texts, cultivating their political resolve.

　　In today's society, reading is gradually becoming fashionable again. In bookstores and libraries, I see readers standing, sitting, leaning, or resting, intently selecting or reading books they like. While relaxing, they also allow the beautiful words in the books to cultivate their sentiments. I am moved by this; the future and hope of China rest on their shoulders.

　　Although the modern internet provides people with rapid access to information, to deeply understand society, comprehend its realities, cultivate one's character, and broaden one's horizons, reading is still essential. The value of a book lies in its being a confidante of the soul; I thirstily absorb nourishment from books, and I will never be without them in my life.