“Fu“ Character Upside Down

Old Li didn't manage to get a "Dedication Fu" this year. It wasn't that he didn't try hard enough, nor was it that his luck was too bad, but he discovered that this year, collecting Fu wasn't about "grabbing" anymore.

The courier station at the entrance of the residential area had become a temporary trading center for "Fu" characters. All kinds of "Fu" characters were printed out, bound into booklets, and openly priced. From "Harmony Fu" to "Patriotism Fu", there were even "knock-off" versions of "Dedication Fu". Old Li initially found it absurd, but later discovered that if he wanted to collect a complete set, this was the only way.

The young boss of the courier station, a man with gold-rimmed glasses, looked at Old Li with a smile. He skillfully took a thick booklet of "Fu" characters from the shelf behind him, opened it, and pointed to one page: "Uncle Li, look, this year's 'Dedication Fu' is an upgraded version, with a higher level of simulation than last year, and even has anti-counterfeiting marks. Alipay will absolutely not be able to identify it when scanning. I guarantee you'll complete your collection."

Old Li hesitated a bit. He felt that something wasn't right, but in this day and age, isn't everyone pretending? He sighed and took out his phone from his pocket: "How much?"

The young boss's eyes lit up, and he quoted a price. Old Li frowned but still paid. Holding the "Dedication Fu," he felt like he was holding a beautifully printed banknote rather than a blessing.

Back home, Old Li carefully stuck the "Dedication Fu" on the back of his phone, then opened Alipay and started scanning for Fu.

With a "ding," it was successful.

A huge "Fu" character popped up on the screen, and below it was a line of small text: Congratulations, you have synthesized "Five Fu"! You have successfully obtained a "2025 Virtual Happiness Experience Voucher," which allows you to enjoy a one-week "virtual happiness" experience.

Old Li was stunned. Virtual happiness? What did that mean?

He clicked on "Experience Details," and the dense clauses made his head spin. In short, for this week, he would experience "happiness" in a virtual world, including a virtual family, virtual friends, and virtual success. To ensure the experience, he needed to upload personal information and behavioral data.

Old Li turned off his phone, looked at the "Dedication Fu" stuck on the back, and felt particularly ironic. He had been working hard for his entire life, and now, for the sake of a "Fu" character, he had to find happiness in a virtual world?

He walked to the window and looked at the busy crowd below. Some were arguing over grabbing a package, others were running around for an extra "Fu" card. Everyone seemed so anxious and so persistent.

He suddenly remembered his childhood when every household would paste "Fu" characters on their doors during Chinese New Year. Back then, he would naively ask his parents why they were pasting them upside down. His parents would smile and say, "When Fu is upside down, Fu arrives."

Old Li looked at the "Fu" character on his phone and abruptly slammed it on the table. He picked up a pair of scissors and tore the "Fu" character into shreds. The delicate paper scraps scattered on the table like snowflakes, glaring under the light. Perhaps, he thought, the true "Fu" doesn't need to be pasted anywhere at all; it's in our hearts. It cannot be virtualized, cannot be digitized, and cannot be taken away by anyone. It is everyone's hope for the present and for the future.

He opened the window, and a gust of wind blew in, scattering the paper scraps on the table. One of them landed on the windowsill. Upon closer inspection, it wasn't a paper scrap at all, but half of a small, red piece of paper with a crookedly written "Fu" character, tilted as if it were pasted upside down.