The Wisdom of Yijing Hidden in Dear You

Many people see Dear You as a touching story about love, sacrifice and family.

But beneath its emotional storyline lies something much deeper—the timeless wisdom of Yijing (I Ching), the oldest classic of Chinese philosophy.

Yijing is not merely a book of divination. It is a book about understanding life. It teaches us how to respond wisely to changing situations, how causes create effects, and how seemingly unrelated events are connected as one unfolding journey.

Remarkably, these three principles are beautifully manifested throughout Dear You.

1. Act According to the Situation (因时制宜)

Yijing teaches that wisdom is not rigid. Every situation calls for a different response.

Lan Zhi demonstrates this perfectly.

When Mu Sheng is imprisoned, Lan Zhi faces an impossible choice. She could reveal the truth and shatter Shu Rou's hope, or continue writing letters in Mu Sheng's name and send money home, preserving her faith and giving her strength to carry on.

She chooses the latter, not for a few months, but for over 20 years, including the two years while Mu Sheng is in prison.

Her decision is not based on rules or convenience, but on compassion, responsibility and Qing Yi (情义).

Like the virtuous person described in Yijing, she responds not according to personal gain, but according to what the situation truly requires.

2. Every Effect Has Its Cause (有果必有因)

Nothing in Yijing happens without a cause.

Many viewers initially believe that Shu Rou misunderstood Mu Sheng because of distance and silence.

But there is a deeper cause.

Years earlier, Shu Rou herself wrote to Mu Sheng, encouraging him to remarry if he found someone worthy in Thailand.

When she later receives a picture without explanation that shows Mu Sheng with a woman and 4 young children, she naturally concludes that he has followed her advice and started another family.

Her misunderstanding is not random.

It grows from seeds planted long before.

Yijing reminds us that today's circumstances are often the visible results of causes created years earlier.

Understanding those causes allows us to replace blame with compassion.

3. All Things Begin with Oneness (万事始于一)

One of the profound insights of Yijing is that the countless events of life often begin with one seemingly insignificant moment.

The entire story of Dear You begins not with romance, sacrifice or tragedy.

It begins with a grandson wanting to ask his "wealthy" grandfather in Thailand for money.

That single intention sets everything in motion.

One visit uncovers forgotten letters.

One discovery reveals hidden sacrifices.

One truth heals decades of misunderstanding.

A small beginning unfolds into a life-changing journey for an entire family.

Yijing teaches that every great transformation starts from one small beginning.

One thought. One choice. One act of kindness.

One letter.

The Timeless Wisdom Behind the Tears

Perhaps this explains why Dear You moves millions of people.

It is not only telling a beautiful story.

It reflects truths that have guided humanity for thousands of years.

Life is constantly changing.

Every consequence has a cause.

Every great journey begins with a single step.

And above all, wisdom is not found in controlling life, but in responding to each moment with compassion, integrity and Qing Yi.

That is the wisdom of Yijing.

And that is why Dear You feels so profoundly human.

Note: Andy is conducting a 1-day course on 2 July Thursday Yijing Leadership and Management, details at here https://asiatrainers.org/yjlm or https://asiatraines.org/yjbook