In this world, for a master, receiving always comes after letting go.
But for those who struggle, it’s an eternal inability to let go — let alone receive anything at all.
And yet, the dividing line between masters and those who struggle is not a difference in intelligence.
It lies in the vastly different ways these two groups view the world — and most critically, in how each person views their own life.
Introduction: Young people dream of strategizing from the safety of their tents, but those who have truly lived through it understand — great achievements forged from seas of blood and fire are always accompanied by humiliation and pain, by collapse and hard-won clarity. So it is precisely those who have emerged from the darkest depths, or clawed their way down from the most desperate heights, who are most likely to create miracles.
When the major life cycle (大运) has yet to turn favorable, the struggle truly feels overwhelming — and I suspect many readers felt this acutely this year. Setting aside hearsay and rumors, even the close companions in my own circles — regardless of how large their operations have grown — would be hard-pressed to say this year has been particularly joyful. Never mind one long red candle on the index today; looking at the capital markets across the whole year, the picture is murky at best. And so the wolves and tigers in my world — the bold, the sharp — have grown listless and distracted. No wonder: the market hasn’t fully broken down, but neither has it rebuilt itself. In the end, it all comes down to reading the sky, watching the dragon’s face. Whether you’re hunting opportunities or positioning for the future, this isn’t the optimal moment. But the weight of capital costs and the steady erosion of value — those are real worries that gnaw at all of us. So be it: grab a plane ticket, get away, take a holiday, clear your head.
When I was younger, I didn’t really understand why people who had achieved real status and accomplishment always needed a capable right-hand man by their side. Now, having reached a modest position myself, I finally understand: having an assistant isn’t about showing off or putting on airs, as outsiders might assume. Most of the important decisions and calls still have to come from you personally. The real purpose of an assistant is purely practical — to handle the physical labor and daily minutiae of life: driving, running errands, handling logistics, and so on.
The characteristic that best reveals a person’s true social tier is, in fact, not their wealth or power alone.
Ordinary people tend to think that judging someone’s class is straightforward — just look at their money and position.
But we all know that while these are important indicators, they’re neither the most reliable nor the most definitive measures.
From my own perspective, I’ve witnessed the rise and fall of far too many so-called big shots and industry leaders to know one thing clearly: the flower that blooms too brightly rarely lasts. True strength is built over one or two generations of dedicated effort — until you’ve genuinely embedded yourself into a tier and its inner circles. That is the real answer.
Young people and the naive ones always chase hollow titles and glowing reputations, driven by raw passion and unbridled enthusiasm. The title of “top dog” — that’s the achievement they crave most.
But once they’ve been out in the world long enough, they naturally come to understand: in the upper tiers of any field, the power and resources among key players tend to be roughly balanced.
Everyone has their own backing, their own people, their own networks and systems supporting them.
If your child — especially your daughter — has grown up with a gentle, obedient personality and a deep love for listening to others and giving them care, then as a parent, you need to be careful. Because those beautiful human qualities of hers are precisely the ones most likely to be exploited by the most depraved of predators — and she may ultimately become their well-trained dog.
Yes, the daughter you have held in the palm of your hand and raised with such tender care may, because of her goodness and naivety, be captured by people with no moral floor whatsoever — and become a lost lamb who gives endlessly without ever thinking to resist. The reason is simple: while she is offering her sincerity and love, a predator will shamelessly exploit those very emotions and become a burden and a curse she cannot cut loose from her life.
A few days ago, I accepted a friend’s invitation to visit the new establishment he had just opened in the Jiangnan region. Now, anyone who knows me will tell you that while I tend to carry myself with a certain composed air in public — yes, I do enjoy putting on airs — it is entirely deliberate. Life passes in but a few seasons, and whether you are riding high or weathering a storm, taking pleasure quietly and enjoying yourself with restraint is not only appropriate but necessary. This becomes especially clear once you have accumulated a certain degree of wealth: you begin to understand that this is simply what life is.
How do honor students break through? By ascending dimensions — using their mastery of the rules to escape the rules’ grip. How do poor students break through? By striking downward — using raw courage and audacity to flip the table and play their own game. And what about the ordinary person who has neither guts nor brilliance? Simple: follow the rising stars and settle for a share of whatever they carve out.
Never make the mistake of thinking that every person in this world deserves to have a family. In Master Chi’s view, at least 30% of people in this world are simply unfit for marriage. This group is meant to grow old alone — they do not deserve a family.
Nor should they harm and disappoint the innocent people who trusted them and had their lives wasted as a result. Among them are men and women, spread across every social tier and field. Their appearances vary, their temperaments differ — and some among them are even remarkably skilled at winning the affection and admiration of the opposite sex. But no matter how polished and impressive their exterior may be, they are destined to deliver the deepest wounds to the person who trusted, loved, and ultimately walked into marriage with them.