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A-Jie! I'm on summer break! Two whole months!

Two months... that's so nice.

Why do you have that look on your face?

I haven't had a summer break in years.

Haha, oh right, you're a working person—no summer break.

Yeah, us working folks only get weekends.

Then today let's talk about summer break, so you can reminisce a little.

Sure, so you go first—what are your plans for this summer break?

That's the problem—I haven't figured it out yet.

Two months and you don't have a single plan?

I have lots of ideas, but there are too many—I don't know which to pick.

Like what?

I want to go back to my hometown, travel, get a job, and also just lie flat at home.

Haha, you really do want to do a lot.

Right, but summer break is only two months—I can't do it all.

Then let's go one by one and help you sort it out.

Yes, yes, help me!

Let's start with going home. Where's your hometown?

In Hunan, a small city—my mom and dad are both there.

So you don't live at home normally?

No, I go to college in another city—I only go back two or three times a year.

So summer break is a good chance to go home.

Yeah, I haven't seen my parents in over half a year.

Then you definitely have to go back and visit.

I miss them a lot too. And my grandma—she's getting old.

Spending time with the elderly—that's the most important thing.

My grandma always makes me lots of yummy food.

Haha, that's the best part of going home.

Exactly! My mom's hongshao rou (braised pork)—I've been craving it all semester.

Eating out never tastes like home.

Yeah, food outside is expensive and not even good.

So while you're home, you can really rest up.

Plus, going home means I can see my old classmates.

Right, everyone's on break, so you can all get together.

We're planning to go have hotpot together.

Haha, seeing old friends—nothing better.

Several classmates live in different cities—we can only meet over summer break.

So summer break is also a time for friends to reunite.

I'm planning to stay home for a month.

A month is great—you get family time and save money.

Haha, right, at home you don't spend any money.

That's the upside of going home.

Then I also want to get a job and earn some pocket money.

Oh? What kind of summer job are you looking for?

I want to work at a bubble tea shop, or do some tutoring.

Tutoring's good—it's easy and pays a bit more.

But I'm a little nervous—I don't have any experience.

Everyone's nervous the first time—after a few days you'll be fine.

Did you work part-time in college?

Yeah, I worked as a waiter at a restaurant.

Was it tiring?

Very. Standing all day, my legs would swell up.

Then why did you keep doing it?

Because I wanted to earn my own money, not keep asking my parents.

I get it—money you earn yourself is more fun to spend.

Right, and you learn that money isn't easy to make.

Mm, our parents work hard for their money.

Work one job and you'll understand.

So how long should I do it?

Don't do it too long—about a month is enough.

Why not the whole summer?

Because summer is also for resting—don't wear yourself out.

Makes sense—you need both earning and resting.

Right, balance is the most important thing.

Speaking of resting, I also want to travel!

I knew you'd say that.

Haha, you know me too well.

Where do you want to go this time?

My friend and I want to go to Yunnan.

Yunnan's great, the scenery is beautiful.

I heard summers there aren't hot—it's nice and cool.

Right, Yunnan summers are comfortable—it's a great place to escape the heat.

In summer you've got to go somewhere cool like that to beat the heat.

Yeah, the city's too hot—you can't stand it.

Then Yunnan's perfect.

But summer break is peak travel season—super crowded.

Right, everyone's on break and wants to go out.

And during peak season, flights and hotels both go up in price.

Ah, doesn't that mean spending more?

Right, so it's best to book early.

Booking early is cheaper?

Right, the earlier the cheaper, the later the pricier.

Okay, I'll check flights as soon as I get back today.

Remember to compare a few websites.

What about where we'll stay?

You can stay at a youth hostel—it's cheaper, and you can meet new friends.

A youth hostel? That sounds fun!

Right, lots of young people stay there when they travel.

Great! Going out with friends is bound to be a blast.

Getting out more while you're young is a good thing.

Oh right, my mom also wants me to learn to drive.

Learning to drive is great—summer break is the best time for it.

Why?

Because learning to drive takes a lot of time, and you're busy with school normally.

Right, that's why everyone picks summer to learn.

But learning to drive in summer is rough—the sun is brutal.

Haha, I'm gonna get tanned again.

Remember to put on sunscreen and drink lots of water.

Okay, I'll be careful. Is learning to drive hard?

Not hard—practice a few times and you'll get it.

How long did it take you to get your license?

It took me about three months—not that fast.

Three months... can I finish in one summer?

There's a wait for the tests, so maybe not, but you can get started.

Okay, start first, take it slow.

Right, no need to rush things like this.

Oh, I have one more goal—this summer I want to lose weight.

Lose weight? Aren't you pretty thin already?

Ugh, I gained five jin (2.5 kg) recently—my pants don't fit anymore.

Haha, that's from eating too much.

Maybe. I'm planning to go running every day.

Running's good, but in summer it's best to run in the morning or evening.

Why?

Because noon is too hot—you can easily get heatstroke.

Heatstroke's dangerous, right?

Right, so pick the cooler times, and drink plenty of water.

Okay, then I'll go running every morning.

Can you stick with it?

Haha, I hope so—I usually give up after three days.

The hardest part of losing weight is sticking with it.

Then you keep me accountable!

Okay, I'll ask you every day if you went running.

Actually, I have one little wish.

What wish?

I want to lie flat at home for a few days and do nothing.

Haha, lying flat, huh?

Yes! Sleep till noon, binge shows, eat snacks.

I'm on board with that—lying flat once in a while is fine.

Really? I thought you'd call me lazy.

If you're tired you should rest—that's not lazy.

Haha, you're being really gentle today.

But don't lie around too long—a whole week and you'll feel even more tired.

Why does lying around longer make you more tired?

Because when you're too idle, you actually lose your energy.

That seems true—the first day of break I'm happiest, by the third day I start getting bored.

Right, so you've got to alternate rest and being busy.

Mm, lie flat for two days, then go out and have fun.

That's the best way.

A-Jie, how did you spend your summers before?

Me? My summers as a kid were the happiest.

How so?

Playing with friends every day, watching cartoons, eating watermelon.

Haha, sounds blissful.

But now that I'm grown up, there's no summer break.

So how do you working people rest in summer?

We only get annual leave—just a few days a year.

Just a few days... that's so few.

So you should cherish your summer break now.

I will! Suddenly summer break feels really precious.

Yeah, once you start working, you'll miss this.

Then I have to make this summer meaningful.

What counts as meaningful?

I think you've got to both have fun and learn something.

Well said—having fun and recharging both matter.

Speaking of learning, I also want to read a few more books this summer.

Oh, what books do you want to read?

I want to read some books related to my major.

Great—you're busy with classes normally, summer's perfect for reading slowly.

I also want to pick English back up, memorize vocab every day.

Memorizing vocab takes daily consistency—don't start strong and then slack off.

Haha, you're saying I can't stick with things again.

Because I know you too well.

Recharging means making yourself better, right?

Right, recharge yourself, and you'll have more energy next semester.

Haha, I like that way of putting it.

So let's go over your summer plans.

Okay! First, go home and spend a month with family.

And second?

Second, get a summer job and earn some pocket money.

Third?

Third, travel to Yunnan with friends!

And learning to drive.

Right, learning to drive too, and losing weight... and lying flat for two days!

Haha, your schedule's packed—you got this.

Thanks for helping me—it's much clearer now.