A very insightful passage: “Life is like dumplings. Whether you're dragged into the water by others or jump in yourself, you won't become mature without experiencing the muddy waters.” Maturity is never about smooth sailing in a greenhouse, but about the accumulation after struggling through the “muddy waters.” The muddy waters here are not intentionally causing trouble, but the unavoidable challenges in life—extra work pushed onto you when you’re new to the job, misunderstandings and friction in relationships, doubts and obstacles encountered when trying to accomplish something. Just like dumplings need to be fully cooked to be flavorful, people need to wade through these muddy waters to shed their naivety and truly grow up. No one can hide in clear water forever. During student days, it’s easy to think everything is arranged by teachers and parents to cover your back, but stepping into society reveals that not all efforts are rewarded, and not all kindness is understood. Like neighbor’s kid Yu, who, when he first started working, always tried to offend as few people as possible. When a difficult project was pushed onto him, he silently took it on. When clients made unreasonable demands, he dared not to argue, and as a result, the project went wrong and he had to take the blame. That experience of being dragged into the muddy waters made him taste the bitterness for the first time—feeling wronged and unwilling—but it also made him realize that mere compromise doesn’t earn respect. You should fight for what’s yours and refuse what should be refused. Later, when similar situations arose, he no longer blindly obeyed but learned to communicate with reason and evidence. Not only did he protect his boundaries, but he also gained recognition from colleagues. Some people choose to jump into the water voluntarily. Like my cousin, who gave up a stable job to pursue her entrepreneurial dream, plunging into an entirely unfamiliar field. In the beginning, with no experience, facing supply issues, losing clients, tight funds—every step was bumpy. During that time, she was busy solving all kinds of problems, often staying up until dawn. Friends said she was asking for trouble. But it was this proactive experience of wading through muddy waters that taught her how to analyze markets, connect resources, and resolve crises. Her impulsive and reckless nature became calm and capable. Now, her small shop is gradually getting on track. When asked about her initial choice, she laughs and says, “If I hadn’t dared to take that step, I’d never know I could handle so much.” Too many people are afraid to wade through muddy waters, always trying to avoid trouble and live peacefully. Like some young people who only look for easy, stable jobs, quitting at the first sign of difficulty; afraid of conflicts in relationships, always going along with others, losing their own opinions. But the more you hide, the harder it is to mature. Just like uncooked dumplings—they’re always raw and stiff, biting into them is full of floury roughness. The muddy waters you haven’t experienced won’t just disappear; instead, they will appear in more complicated ways in the future. The hardships you haven’t endured won’t automatically turn into experience; instead, they may leave you helpless in the face of real challenges. In fact, muddy waters are not enemies of growth but catalysts for maturity. When dragged into the water, we learn how to deal with injustice and uphold our bottom line; when we jump in voluntarily, we learn how to break through ourselves and take responsibility. Just like dumplings rolling in boiling water shed their fragile outer layer and become chewy and flavorful; people practicing in muddy waters shed their naivety and become calm and strong. Every problem solved is a boost in ability; every conflict resolved is a growth in mindset. The experiences accumulated in muddy waters ultimately become our confidence to face life. So, don’t be afraid to wade through muddy waters anymore. When life drags you down, don’t complain—try to solve the problem. When you have something you want to do, don’t hesitate—dare to jump in. The process may be tough, with frustrations and detours, but it’s these experiences that turn raw dough into mature dumplings. Remember, true maturity is never about avoiding all muddy waters, but about having the courage to keep moving forward after wading through them, and still living life with flavor and joy.