I finished reading 'Love You Like Love Life' today. The exchange of letters in the middle didn't mean much to me, and I felt like giving up by the end. But then, suddenly, there was a chapter called 'The Green-Haired Water Monster.' The book mentioned that this was the "matchmaker" for Wang Xiaobo and Li Yinhe, and this aspect really caught my attention. So, after taking a shower, I started devouring it.
The novel depicts the story of Chen Hui and Yao Yao (Yang Suyao) from their first meeting to their separation. The description of the innocent friendship between the two young kids in the beginning is quite enviable. After middle school, some naive feelings started to appear between them. Regardless of the reader's age, I'm sure they can relate to it, and I'm no exception. Especially when Yao Yao couldn't wait for Chen Hui, and by the time Chen Hui realized it, Yao Yao had unfortunately passed away at sea. When I read this plot, a smile appeared on my face—it's a scene that is so familiar, appearing in the imaginations of many young boys and girls before sleep, sweet, gentle, and bittersweet.
I thought it would end there, but I didn't expect that afterward, my imagination would suddenly expand. Chen Hui had a strange encounter at sea, which is the green-haired water monster mentioned in the title of the novel. Chen Hui's dream lover turned into a water monster. Seeing Yao Yao, the originally terrifying water monster suddenly became familiar. At this moment, Wang Xiaobo once again showcased his romance with a sentence: "How do you know that I don't want to be a water monster with you?"—this is so Wang Xiaobo.
The last chapter, 'The Green-Haired Water Monster,' undoubtedly raised my evaluation of this book. It is youthful, humorous, and poetic. If I were the editor, I would never put it at the end. On the contrary, I would put it at the beginning—not only because it is captivating enough, but also because it is Wang Xiaobo's debut work, reflecting his personality. Moreover, this novel is the "matchmaker" for the two of them, Wang Xiaobo and Li Yinhe, so it should be placed at the beginning.
Readers will understand why Wang Xiaobo and Li Yinhe have a deep connection through this "matchmaker" and will be infected by the poetic elements in the novel. They will also look forward to their story. Therefore, the following letters between the two from the late 1970s will be included, until they know and love each other, and finally, Li Yinhe's reminiscence of Wang Xiaobo, concluding the book.
Unfortunately, I am not an editor, and I don't have the power to do this.