Since quitting smoking and drinking has left me half-dead, I thought I might as well add a few more items to the list and die quickly and cleanly.

So what else should I give up?

Give up meat? There's no need for that at all. I haven't laid eyes on fish for a full two years, and pork and mutton have become quite distant lately. How dare I speak of giving them up? With rationed rice, occasionally complemented by a bit of oil or meat, I absolutely believe that meat-eaters are 'not vulgar'! If I were to give up even that, my belly would be filled only with rationed rice, and I'd soon become a 'rationed person'—truly 'vulgar'! I cannot give up meat!

If absolutely necessary, I'll have to give up tea.

I am a true Chinese. Coffee, cocoa, soda, beer—none appeal to me. I love only tea. With a good cup of tea, I can observe all things with serenity and contentment. Though tobacco and alcohol were also good friends of mine, they are masculine—rough, fervent, thoughtful, but also fiery—unlike tea, which is gentle, elegant, and pure, offering a light stimulation and a subtle companionship; tea is feminine.

I don't know how I'll live, or why I should live, after giving up tea. But whether I'm willing or not, the recent increase in tea prices often gives me goosebumps!

Tea ought to be fragrant, but now...

Thirty yuan for an ounce of scented tea not only lacks fragrance but has a salty taste! Why not just soak salted eggshells to drink instead of buying salty tea? Sixty yuan an ounce might not taste salty, but it doesn't have much fragrance either—sixty yuan an ounce! Who knows if it won't double again tomorrow!

I'm afraid even tea will have to be given up! I think after quitting tea, I'll probably qualify for the Western Paradise—if I'm going, I'd better go early, not wait until I've suffered enough! Just imagine, having to give up tea too!

Source: Lao She