March 01, 2025

Dreams Illuminated: A Lantern Festival Decision in Shanghai

14 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Dreams Illuminated: A Lantern Festival Decision in Shanghai
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-03-01-23-34-01-zh

Story Transcript:

Zh: 上海，春天的早晨，阳光透过绚丽的灯笼洒在热闹的街市上。
En: In a spring morning in Shanghai, sunlight filtered through the dazzling lanterns, casting its glow on the bustling market street.

Zh: 小明夹在人群中，缓缓前行。
En: Xiaoming, nestled in the crowd, moved forward slowly.

Zh: 市场上，叫卖声此起彼伏，空气中弥漫着煎饼果子和糖葫芦的甜香。
En: The market resounded with the calls of street vendors, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of jianbing guozi and tanghulu.

Zh: 这是他熟悉的地方，也是他即将告别的地方。
En: This was a familiar place for him, but also a place he was about to say goodbye to.

Zh: 今天是正月十五元宵节，小明要去奶奶家。
En: Today was the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, and Xiaoming was heading to his grandma's house.

Zh: 他的亲戚们都已抵达，家族聚会如期举行。
En: His relatives had already arrived, and the family reunion was held as scheduled.

Zh: 每年的团圆是热闹的，但今年对小明来说却带着几分紧张。
En: The annual gathering was always lively, but this year, Xiaoming felt a bit nervous.

Zh: 他有话想说，却不知道该不该说。
En: He had something he wanted to say, but he didn’t know if he should.

Zh: 小明是个腼腆的年轻人，他的心中一直有个梦想：去北京，成为一名作家。
En: Xiaoming was a shy young man with a long-held dream: to go to Beijing and become a writer.

Zh: 他渴望摆脱家族的期望——留在上海，进入家族企业。
En: He longed to break free from the family’s expectations—to stay in Shanghai and join the family business.

Zh: 然而，面对家人的期待，小明犹豫不决。他担心他们会失望。
En: However, he hesitated in the face of his family’s expectations, fearing they would be disappointed.

Zh: 晚上，团聚晚宴在欢声笑语中开始。
En: In the evening, the reunion dinner began amidst laughter and joy.

Zh: 李华是小明的表姐，也是他的好朋友。她似乎察觉到小明的心事，轻声问：“你怎么了，心事重重？”
En: Lihua, Xiaoming's cousin and a good friend, seemed to notice something on his mind and softly asked, “What’s wrong? You seem heavy-hearted.”

Zh: 小明低语：“我想去北京，成为一名作家，可是我不知道家人会怎么想。”
En: Xiaoming whispered, “I want to go to Beijing to become a writer, but I don’t know what the family will think.”

Zh: 李华微微一笑，说：“我觉得你应该告诉他们。他们如果看到你的真心，或许会理解。”
En: Lihua smiled slightly and said, “I think you should tell them. If they see your sincerity, they might understand.”

Zh: 就在这时，奶奶高声宣布：“我们该去点灯笼了！”
En: Just then, grandma announced loudly, “It's time to light the lanterns!”

Zh: 一家人簇拥着走出房子，来到院子里。
En: The family gathered and walked out of the house to the courtyard.

Zh: 颜色缤纷的灯笼在轻风中摇曳，小明的心绪也随着灯光起伏不定。
En: The colorful lanterns swayed in the gentle breeze, and Xiaoming's emotions wavered along with the lights.

Zh: 鼓起勇气，小明在家人面前站定。
En: Summoning the courage, Xiaoming stood before his family.

Zh: 他深吸一口气，认真地说：“各位，我有件事情想告诉大家。
En: He took a deep breath and said earnestly, “Everyone, I have something I wish to tell you all.

Zh: 我一直有个梦想，我想去北京做一名作家。”
En: I have always had a dream. I want to go to Beijing and be a writer.”

Zh: 周围一片寂静，唯一能听到的是风吹过灯笼的沙沙声。
En: Silence fell around them, the only sound being the rustle of the lanterns in the wind.

Zh: 随后，陈叔叔发话了：“小明，我们一直希望你快乐。只要你真的想，我们会支持你。”
En: Then, Uncle Chen spoke up: “Xiaoming, we have always wanted you to be happy. As long as you truly desire it, we will support you.”

Zh: 小明愣住了，一时间不知道如何回应。
En: Xiaoming was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

Zh: 奶奶也慈爱地笑着说：“去吧，孩子，追求你的梦想，我们永远是你的后盾。”
En: Grandma also smiled kindly, saying, “Go, child, pursue your dream. We will forever be your support.”

Zh: 小明的心头一热，他的梦想得到了理解和支持。
En: A warmth surged in Xiaoming's heart, knowing his dream was understood and supported.

Zh: 他知道，从这一刻起，他不仅有了勇气，还拥有了追求梦想的力量。
En: He realized that from this moment forward, not only did he have the courage, but also the strength to pursue his dreams.

Zh: 华灯初上，灯光照亮了庭院，也照亮了小明心中的路。
En: As the lanterns lit up, they illuminated the courtyard and Xiaoming's path forward.

Zh: 家人们的支持和爱，像那摇曳的灯笼，一直指引着他前行。
En: His family’s support and love, like those swaying lanterns, would always guide him on his journey.

Vocabulary Words: