When the book closes, the lingering warmth of thought continues to spread.
Centered on the theme "Weaving the Tapestry of Life Through Words, Sharing Diverse Reflections," this Chenggong Book Club saw ten reading enthusiasts take the stage in turn. From the sea of forests in the Greater Khingan Range to the native soil across the Taiwan Strait, from the imagination of fantastical worlds to the texture of real life, ten carefully selected books guided us through time and space, allowing us to touch the human heart. Blending the delicacy of literature, the weight of history, the warmth of healing, and the power of growth, this intellectual feast—rich with multifaceted perspectives and profound resonance—came to a successful close.
诚公
Lead Reader
At this Chenggong Book Club, lead reader Wang Chujun offered a deeply nuanced and sincere sharing of The Right Bank of the Erguna River, guiding attendees into the depths of the Greater Khingan Range to hear the century-spanning echoes of Evenki civilization.
Through her gentle and composed narration, she reconstructed the migratory years of the Evenki people living in symbiosis with the forest and alongside reindeer, revealing the deep attachment a nation holds for its homeland amid the intersection of traditional hunting culture and modern civilization, as well as the reluctance and perseverance involved in bidding farewell to their ancestral lands. Through her interpretation, the daily life, collective memory, and survival wisdom of this snowy plain unfolded vividly, making it clear that civilizational shifts are never a matter of black and white, and that the warmth of humanity, reverence for life, and respect for nature resonate eternally across eras.
Through the stories in the book, Wang Chujun conveyed that the Evenki people's philosophy of "taking heaven and earth as home and nature as friend" is not only a way of life for a nation but also a gentle strength that preserves its original intention amidst the tides of the era. Her sharing allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the depth and resilience of traditional culture, helping everyone understand the meaning of perseverance through words and gain healing and inspiration from the snowy plains and forested mountains.
Sharing Session: Accompanying Books, Reading the World
He Jing × I Am Not Pan Jinlian: Reality and Perseverance Behind the Absurd
Liu Zhenyun’s dark humor tears open a corner of truth in the real world. Combining observations from life, He Jing interpreted the persistent pursuit of fairness and recognition hidden behind the "stubborn" woman in the book.
A story of spending twenty years proving "I am not Pan Jinlian" seems absurd and laughable on the surface, yet it is actually a questioning of rules and a steadfast adherence to one’s true self.
He shared that life is full of dilemmas that are "hard to explain clearly," but upholding principles and clarifying boundaries is both responsible to oneself and sincere toward life. This uncompromising courage allows us, amidst the ironic narrative, to grasp the complexity of human nature and the texture of reality.
Li Zhaohua × Persepolis: Self and Perseverance Amidst the Storm
A graphic novel weaving together a nation’s transformation and a girl’s coming-of-age.
Adopting a humanistic perspective, Li Zhaohua guided us through three decades of Iran’s turbulent history. The smoke of war, constraints of religion, and waves of revolution failed to extinguish the individual’s thirst for freedom and commitment to self. He shared that no matter how unstable the era or how harsh the environment, maintaining inner faith and persisting in the pursuit of a better life constitutes the greatest strength against uncertainty.
Through his interpretation, we moved beyond stereotypes about Iran, glimpsing a multidimensional, authentic country, and grasped the profound truth that "individual destiny resonates in sync with national fate."
Li Wangyingying × Those Things in the Ming Dynasty: Human Nature and Turmoil in History
The rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty over three hundred years comes vividly to life in lighthearted and witty writing.
Driven by a passion for history, Li Wangyingying offers accessible interpretations that take us back to the imperial court. We see Zhu Yuanzhang, a ruler of remarkable talent yet prone to suspicion and paranoia; Wang Yangming, who embodied the unity of knowledge and action and upheld the integrity of a scholar; and Zhang Juzheng, a reformer with extraordinary courage who ended his days in solitude. None of these historical figures remain cold symbols, but ordinary people with flesh and blood, joys and sorrows.
She remarks that history is never merely a collection of historical records, but a game of human nature and the choices made by an era. Understanding these turbulent past events allows us to draw wisdom from the ancients and view our present lives with greater clarity.
Li Junze × Asura Martial God (Fantasy Novel): Rules and Freedom in Imagination
The boundless creativity of the fantasy world harbors a reimagining and extension of reality, essentially serving as another interpretation of "rules and freedom" and "responsibility and choice."
He shared that imagination is not idle fantasy detached from reality, but a key to expanding the boundaries of cognition. The growth of protagonists and the battles between good and evil in fantasy novels not only satisfy our yearning for romance and passion but also allow us to contemplate values and choices in real life within these fictional worlds.
Lu Chang × Psychological Nurturing: Nourishment and Strength in Growth
A person's growth is inseparable from psychological nourishment and protection.
Combining reflections on life, Lu Chang interpreted the core value of Psychological Nurturing: childhood security, emotional guidance, and the cultivation of interpersonal relationships are the keys to shaping a healthy personality.
She shared that many behavioral patterns and emotional issues in adulthood can be traced back to childhood psychological experiences. Scientific psychological nurturing is neither indulgence nor harshness, but providing sufficient companionship, correct guidance, and appropriate boundaries. These practical insights not only deeply inspired parents but also helped every individual focused on personal growth understand the importance of "accepting oneself and nourishing the inner self."
Ying Xuebin × I Am the Girl Who Grew Up in the Village: Perseverance and Growth in the Mountains
Nestled deep in the mountains, the village embodies the most genuine resilience of life.
With sincere reflections, Ying Xuebin tells the story of the girl in the book who holds fast to her dreams and strives to grow amid harsh circumstances. The curling smoke from village kitchens, winding mountain paths, gentle exhortations from loved ones, and the warmth of mutual support through hardships all reveal the extraordinary spirit within ordinary lives.
He notes that limitations imposed by circumstances are never an excuse to give up. Staying true to one's original aspiration and keeping forging ahead hold the key to overcoming difficulties and realizing self-worth. Through his interpretation, we feel the purity and strength of the mountains, and come to understand the truth of growth: hard work never goes to waste, and perseverance will eventually bear fruit.
Tian Fangli × Four Hundred Years of Taiwan: Shared Origins and Deep Affection Across Time
Four centuries of trials and tribulations bear witness to the profound kinship rooted in shared origins across the Taiwan Strait.
With rigorous reflection, Tian Fangli guided us through Taiwan’s historical trajectory: from cultural integration since the Ming and Qing dynasties, through the vicissitudes of modern times, to the interconnected blood ties of today. The arc of history clearly affirms the fundamental truth that "both sides share the same roots and origins, bound by a common destiny."
She shared that national identity stems from collective historical memory, cultural heritage, and ethnic sentiment. Understanding this history allows us to grasp the roots of cross-strait relations and strengthens our resolve to safeguard our shared homeland. This reverence for history and deep affection for the ancestral land resonated profoundly with all present.
Chen Zhen × Grandma’s Got the Power!: Happiness and Wisdom in Poverty
Post-war Saga was short on supplies but rich in the warmth of everyday life.
With warm storytelling, Sister Chen Zhen introduced us to Grandma’s "philosophy of happiness": using a stick to catch vegetables floating down the river, turning fallen leaves into fertilizer, and finding countless small blessings even in poverty.
She shared that Grandma’s wisdom lay not in material possessions, but in her mindset of "accepting reality and loving life." The quality of life is never determined by material wealth, but by how one chooses to see the world. This timeless warmth deeply healed everyone present, teaching us the true essence of life: "discovering beauty in the ordinary and staying optimistic in adversity."
Liu Ying × Wuthering Heights: Love, Hate, and Human Nature on the Moors
The gales sweeping across the Yorkshire moors carry the fiercest and most intricate emotions.
Liu Ying offered a deep interpretation of the tangled love and hate between Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. This passion, transcending class and even life and death, reveals both ultimate romance and obsessive agony. The gloom and intensity woven between the lines expose the multifaceted nature of humanity.
She shared that love and hate are never mutually exclusive, and good and evil are often intertwined. Only by understanding this complexity can one truly grasp the depths of human nature. Through her sharing, we seemed transported to the moors, feeling the tension of emotion and the struggle of humanity, and came to understand that "the most extreme love often harbors the most profound loneliness."
A book club.
Ten great books, ten reflections on life.
From the delicacy of literature to the weight of history;
From insight into reality to the warmth of healing;
From the imagination of fantasy to the power of growth.
Through words, we traveled through time and across cultures.
In sharing, we sparked the flames of ideas.
Each book is a world unto itself;
Every sharing, a moment of resonance.
Here, we did not merely read the soul of books—
We came to understand the richness of life and the warmth of humanity.
Thank you to every speaker for your heartfelt sharing,
and thank you to every partner present for your attentive listening.
At the Chenggong Law Firm Book Club,
we have always believed:
that the power of words can transcend time and space,
and that like-minded exchanges can warm the human heart.
We look forward to next time,
when we will meet again among the pages,
to explore more unknown worlds
and harvest richer insights into life.
