Many years later, when Wu Ge was able to disassemble, clean and reassemble the German-made Mauser rifle without any emotion, she would occasionally think of that sultry afternoon in 1919.
In Beicheng at that time, there were catkins and a silent restlessness floating in the air. She was not the "spicy instructor" who later made the proud soldiers hold their breath and listen to orders. She was just Wu Ge, an introverted girl who had just turned eighteen years old, wearing a moon-white top and black skirt, and still felt a little at a loss when walking on the edge of the parade.
All it takes for the world to collapse is a choke.
