[Scene: Li Wei’s apartment in Shanghai. The living room has a large fish tank with shimmering goldfish swimming lazily. Jing is sitting on the couch sipping tea while Li Wei enthusiastically sprinkles fish food into the tank.]
Li Wei:
Look at them, Jing! Aren’t they beautiful? See how they glide — like little floating treasures. I tell you, since I brought these goldfish home last month, my online shop sales have doubled!
Jing (smirking):
Mmm-hmm. So, you’re crediting your business growth to… your fish?
Li Wei:
Of course! Goldfish represent abundance and surplus. It’s an old saying — “年年有余” (“every year, have surplus”), and “余” sounds like “鱼” (fish). That’s why people keep them at home. Haven’t you noticed? Ever since I got them, things have been flowing smoothly.
Jing:
Or maybe your new marketing strategy worked. Didn’t you just launch free shipping?
Li Wei (waving it off):
That’s just details! The fish set the energy. Positive qi, abundance, fortune — it’s all connected.
Jing (grinning):
Li Wei, you’re hilarious. You sound like my aunt who swears by her lucky bamboo because her son finally passed his driving test. Never mind the three attempts before that.
Li Wei:
You skeptics are no fun. Look, I’ve seen it myself! My cousin bought goldfish last year after losing his job — two months later, he landed an even better position. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Jing:
Okay, fair point — but think about this: if goldfish really guaranteed abundance, wouldn’t everyone with a fish tank be rolling in cash? The pet shop owner down the street should be a billionaire by now.
Li Wei (laughing):
Well, maybe they need the right mindset! And the right feng shui corner!
Jing (grinning wider):
Ah, so now it’s location-dependent magic? You’re making this harder to test scientifically, you know.
Li Wei (teasing):
You scientists always want control groups and data. Where’s the romance in that? Don’t you ever feel… connected to something bigger?
Jing (thoughtful):
Sure, I feel connected — to nature, to people, to the universe. But I don’t need to believe that my cat or a fish controls my bank account. Actually, I had a goldfish when I was a kid. His name was Rocket. Guess what happened?
Li Wei (grinning):
Tell me.
Jing:
He jumped out of the tank. Right onto the floor. I learned about evaporation and how to tighten the tank lid, but I didn’t exactly become Jeff Bezos afterward.
Li Wei (laughing so hard he nearly spills fish food):
Poor Rocket! Maybe he wanted to teach you about freedom, not fortune!
Jing (chuckling):
Maybe. But you know, I do think symbols can be powerful — just not in a mystical way. If having goldfish reminds you to stay positive or manage money wisely, great. But the fish aren’t actually pulling the strings.
Li Wei (softening a little):
Hmm. I see what you mean. Maybe it’s a bit of both — tradition gives us comfort, even if it’s not “scientifically proven.”
Jing:
Exactly! I’m not trying to kill your vibe, Wei. Keep the goldfish, love them — just don’t put all your stock market hopes on their tiny fins, okay?
Li Wei (smiling warmly):
Deal. But I’m still buying three more tomorrow — just in case.
Jing (groaning playfully):
Oh no… I’m going to have to stage an intervention.
Li Wei (grinning mischievously):
Bring snacks. And maybe a little plastic fish for yourself — you know, for surplus.
Jing:
Touché, my friend. Touché.
[They both burst out laughing as the goldfish dart through the tank, blissfully unaware of the debate they’ve inspired.]
Science Vs Superstition 
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