Vocabulary

quickly, suddenly (while one is watching); before one's eyes

being a mystery (due to conflicting testimony); being unknown; in a grove

always; forever

by any means (possible); somehow

to call for someone's participation

to get into an argument; to come to discuss

I thought so; I suspected as much; just as I thought; now you're talking; that's the spirit

even an eccentric head of family must be obeyed

verge of death; dying moments

for that very reason; that is exactly why ...

to be blessed with children

hidden agenda

having no choice; at a loss for what to do; at one's wits' end; helpless; powerless

to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical

to make the most of the present; to live for the moment; to seize the day

to make oneself pleasant to everybody; to smile at everybody; to try to please everybody; to make things pleasant

thanks for taking care of me; thanks for taking care of my loved one

a size smaller

way of life

to use one's head

to put on track; to make go to plan

to be on track; to be going to plan

deep rivers move in silence; shallow brooks are noisy; those who know little talk much

to close one's eyes partly; to squint

to close one's eyes partly; to squint

to resolve; to ready (oneself); to make up one's mind

tall (of a person)

short (of a person)

laugh and grow fat; good fortune and happiness will come to the home of those who smile

all people aren't evil; don't distrust everyone; there is kindness to be found everywhere

godsend; lifesaver; timely offer; windfall

knowing a theory without being able to apply it

thief

to be favorably received and sell extremely well (of a book); to raise the price of paper in Luoyang

one cannot have pleasure without pain; no pain, no gain

there's no pain without pleasure, and there's no pleasure without pain

to be blinded by greed

something indistinguishable or indistinct (like an egret in the snow)

aimless attempt; shot in the dark; crapshoot

aimless attempt; crapshoot; shot in the dark