The Superman of Pickled Vegetables: Thirteen Goodbye Rose
Pickled vegetables have become a superman, able to fly in the sky, swim in the deep sea, walk on walls, see in the dark, and speak many foreign languages. He can also understand the language of all animals.
After gaining the ability to fly and swim, Pickled Vegetable was full of confidence and prepared to go see Rose. Before going, in order to get rid of his sauce-colored skin that might betray his identity, he soaked himself in vinegar for a whole night to make his skin whiter. Then, he sprayed perfume, put on a cloak made of white clouds, and flew towards the nursery like a great swordsman. At that moment, no one would have recognized him as the formerly dark and round-headed pickled vegetable.
Because of taking care of his wings, Pickled Vegetable hadn't been to the nursery for a long time, and he didn't know how Rose was doing now. As he flew, he excitedly thought: What will be her reaction when she sees me?
Finally, he arrived at the nursery. He turned left and right but couldn't find Rose. Helplessly, he went to find Foxtail Grass. Foxtail Grass then took him to find the Butterfly. However, the Butterfly told him there was no need to go because Rose had already married. When Pickled Vegetable heard this, he almost fainted. Gathering his strength, he asked who Rose had married. The Butterfly said it was the Wind. Upon hearing this, Foxtail Grass commented from the side, saying that the Wind was so fickle and unworthy for Rose to marry. But the Butterfly argued back, saying that the Wind was graceful and romantic, and since his personality was similar to Rose's, they were a good match. Determined, Pickled Vegetable said he wanted to see her. However, the Butterfly refused to take him. So, Pickled Vegetable told the Butterfly about all the efforts he had made over the years for Rose, including how he had become a superman. Touched by his story, the Butterfly decided to take Pickled Vegetable to see Rose.
By the time they arrived, Rose was already living in a greenhouse. Although the conditions were good, Rose was no longer the rose in the wind from years ago. Her velvet-like petals had turned yellow, and the shy reserve of her half-bloomed state had become the vulgar appearance of an ordinary woman. Most noticeable was her waistline, which used to be slim but now bulged with new life as she moved past her youth into maturity.
Seeing her like this, Pickled Vegetable could hardly believe that this was the Rose from before. After confirming her identity through her unchanged leaves and reserved nodding posture, Pickled Vegetable looked up to the sky and sighed: "Time! Heaven! Why are you so cruel and heartless? Why does maturity come with aging and ugliness? In your hands, youth becomes faded flowers and beauty turns into something vulgar instantly. You're more terrifying than any witchcraft!" Time is very fair, he makes all lives (including animals and plants) go through growth, youth, maturity, and aging, regardless of nobility or poverty, without favoritism. He is the fairest, not just letting us Foxtail Grasses turn yellow and die in winter," Foxtail Grass added from the side.
Seeing Rose in such a state, Pickled Vegetable lost interest in talking to her anymore. All the hopes of many years became illusions, and all the efforts lost their meaning. He suddenly felt very disheartened and got up to leave.
He originally thought that Rose would be gone from his mind forever after this, but when he returned home, he realized that he still missed Rose. He missed her half-bloomed grace, her reserved nodding. Rose was still alive in his heart, which confused him. He didn't know what he was truly missing or who he really wanted.
One day, tormented by thoughts of Rose, he jumped up and pointed to the sky, shouting: "Damn it, I Pickled Vegetable can become a superman and completely change myself. I don't believe I can't become a Superman of Time, reverse time, and restore Rose."
From then on, Pickled Vegetable began striving and advancing towards becoming a Superman of Time.