The Foolish Child

Outside a quiet little town lived a simple, honest "slow-witted child," born in an era filled with change and hope. In a remote, peaceful little mountain town, a chubby, round-cheeked baby boy came squalling into the world. They say the sky had been clear and everything peaceful that day, but without warning, a sudden clap of thunder rang out, as if heralding the arrival of something extraordinary. Haha, that is indeed the version my mother told many times afterward. She also said that when I was born, I did not cry right away like other newborns, which made everyone there terribly anxious. Seeing this, the experienced midwife promptly held me upside down and gave my little bottom a firm but not-too-hard smack. Just then, with a loud "Waaah!", I let out my first cry after entering this world.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.