Scene: Li Wei’s apartment in Beijing on New Year’s Day. The table is full of dumplings and snacks. Chen Hao picks up an orange, looking for a knife.
Chen Hao: (looking around)
Hey Wei, where’s the knife? I want to slice this orange.
Li Wei: (jumping up, waving hands)
No, no, no! Put that down! You can’t use sharp things today!
Chen Hao: (confused)
What? Why?
Li Wei:
It’s New Year’s Day! If you use a knife or scissors, you’ll cut off your good luck for the year. It’s bad fortune!
Chen Hao: (grinning)
Come on, Wei. You don’t really believe that slicing an orange will make me unlucky all year, do you?
Li Wei: (crossing arms)
Of course I do! My grandma always told me this. And look, last year I accidentally trimmed my nails on New Year’s morning, and I got into a car accident a week later!
Chen Hao: (raising an eyebrow)
Wei, you slipped on ice because you were running for the bus. That has nothing to do with your nails. That’s physics, not fortune!
Li Wei: (defensively)
Still! Why take the risk? What’s the harm in being careful today?
Chen Hao: (playfully)
Because I want orange slices, that’s why! And also, I think it’s important not to let fear rule our lives. If using a knife really controlled our luck, chefs would all be broke and miserable.
Li Wei: (chuckling)
Hey, maybe they are! Have you seen how stressed out my cousin is in his restaurant?
Chen Hao: (laughing)
Touché. But seriously, Wei, think about it. Luck comes from preparation, effort, and sometimes random chance. Not from whether I cut an orange today.
Li Wei: (sighing)
I get what you’re saying, but traditions matter too. They remind us of family, culture, connection. It’s not just about superstition; it’s about respecting the past.
Chen Hao: (softening)
Okay, fair point. I respect that you value tradition. But wouldn’t it be even more meaningful if we understand why we do things, instead of just doing them out of fear?
Li Wei: (smirking)
So you’re saying I should research the psychology of luck before next year?
Chen Hao:
Exactly! And then we can have dumplings and science discussions.
Li Wei: (laughing)
Fine, professor. But today, no sharp objects. Please. For me. Tomorrow you can dissect all the oranges you want.
Chen Hao: (grinning, tossing the orange in the air)
Alright, alright. I surrender to tradition… for today. But next year, we’re doing an experiment.
Li Wei:
Deal. But if you cut an orange and I win the lottery, I’m making you my good luck charm.
Chen Hao: (laughing)
Deal! I’ll start charging by the hour.
[They clink their tea cups, smiling — a little tradition, a little science, and a lot of friendship.]
Science Vs Superstition 
Tell Us What You Think