Spring-Dodging Company

Li Ming was muttering to himself as he walked into the "Spring-Dodging Services Co., Ltd." that these days, anything could become a business. The company wasn't large; a withered wintersweet plant sat on the front desk, and the wall was adorned with large red characters that read "Suitable for Dodging Spring, Auspicious for Everything," giving off a festive yet eerie vibe.

The person who greeted him was a young woman with gold-rimmed glasses, whose smile was professional and formulaic. "Hello, what kind of spring-dodging service do you require?"

"I just want to ask, what exactly are we 'dodging'?" Li Ming scratched his head, having heard from relatives back home that the Start of Spring this year was inauspicious and required people to hide, but he didn't understand what exactly they were hiding from.

The young woman adjusted her glasses and spoke rapidly, "Dodging Spring, as the name suggests, means avoiding the negative effects brought by the Start of Spring. Specifically, it includes but is not limited to: avoiding the spring breeze, spring rain, spring sunlight, and even avoiding any words related to spring. Our company provides a full range of spring-dodging services, from 'basic concealment' to 'advanced seclusion,' with something for everyone."

Li Ming was stunned. This seemed a bit too meticulous, didn't it? He casually asked, "What does 'advanced seclusion' entail?"

The woman smiled, a hint of mystery in her eyes. "Advanced seclusion refers to, at the moment of the Start of Spring, completely separating yourself from the social system and entering a 'spring-free space' constructed by our company. There, time stands still, the seasons blur, and you will completely escape the intrusion of spring."

Li Ming thought to himself, isn't that just a fancy "isolation room"? He glanced at the price list; the cost of "advanced seclusion" was enough for him to buy a small car. He decided to choose the "basic concealment" package, which at least sounded somewhat reliable.

For the rest of the day, Li Ming felt like he was living in another dimension. He was placed in a small, enclosed cubicle with no windows and no green plants. He couldn't use his phone, couldn't contact the outside world, and even during meals, the delivery person would wear a special mask to prevent any "spring energy" from escaping.

At dinner, Li Ming ate his bland rice, feeling utterly bored. He thought, this is too dull, how is this any different from being in prison? He started to reminisce about the Start of Spring when he was a child, running wildly with his friends in the fields, picking the first tender sprouts; back then, spring was full of life and hope.

He suddenly felt like he had been kidnapped by this "Spring-Dodging Company." Under the guise of "dodging spring," they were peddling an illusory fear, and he had actually paid a hefty price for it.

When he was finally allowed to leave in the evening, Li Ming felt a sense of disorientation, as if he had woken up from a long nightmare. He walked out of the company's doors, the sun shining brightly, the willow branches turning green, and everything operating as usual.

Li Ming took a long breath of relief, deciding that he would never again believe in these so-called "dodging spring" nonsense. Just then, he heard a cheer behind him, "Spring-dodging success! Next batch of clients, prepare to enter!"

Li Ming turned to look, and saw a long line had formed at the entrance of the "Spring-Dodging Services Co., Ltd.," people wearing expressions of anxiety and anticipation, as if they were waiting for a salvation. The young woman with the gold-rimmed glasses was smiling warmly, welcoming each guest, her eyes full of business opportunities.

Li Ming was stunned. He suddenly realized that although he had escaped the "Spring-Dodging Company," he was still trapped within these absurd social rules. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, wondering how many people in this world are dodging things that they shouldn't be dodging? Perhaps the real "spring" has always been within each of us, but we choose to hide from it, unwilling to face it.