Yesterday I read a story. The author is a man, whose father died when his mom was barely over fifty years old. And three years later, after seeing several widowers or divorced guy, his mom chose to live with a man (let’s just call him Charlie) for several years. They did not marry but only moved into an apartment and lived together. Charlie is good at cooking and treats his mom and the author’s family pretty nice. As time passes by, the two families get along with each other just fine.

One day the laborious, quiet Charlie is paralyzed because of an unexpected stroke. Couple of months later, his mother gives up this relationship and moves out. Charlie’s son seldom goes to the hospital either. The author finally says some honest and mean things and walks away. The difference between him and Charlie’s son is, he doesn’t treat Charlie as a family member any more, yet he hires a nanny to take care of his unofficial stepfather.

Chinese New Year is coming soon. The author’s family has a reunion dinner outside for new year’s eve. His son cries and yells, ‘Why is Charlie not coming and joining us?’ The little boy’s mother, the author’s wife, slaps on his face. The author feels like he himself is the one who should be slapped. Then, he wanders in the street and spontaneously goes to Charlie’s apartment. Without any accompany, Charlie sits on the sofa alone. The author makes some dumpling and has a simple meal with poor Charlie. And again, he steps out of Charlie’s place. He is reluctant to go home right after he went to Charlie’s, when his wife makes a phone call and challenges where he is. He fights with his wife over the phone for a while and then, without the least hesitation, he goes back to Charlie’s and says, “I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life”. Charlie can’t say a single word except sobbing with delight and relief. When they get home, the author’s mom bursts into tears as soon as she sees his son carries Charlie on his back. After Charlie is back, they get married officially.

It is not a fairy tale story. It is the real life. No matter whether you believe in it, I believe. You may wonder the author does it for his mom’s sake or other reasons, in my opinion, I think, he makes his choice based on a piece of simple principle: the pursuit of inner peace（但求心安）.