Moving Forward with Passion

This novel depicts Xia Zhi's growth and family changes in a delicate way. From the popsicle cart to the admission notice, from grandma's stories to waiting under the street lights, three generations supported each other amidst the fireworks of a small northeastern town. Deep emotions surge under the plain narrative, and those unspoken loves eventually become the way home. This is a family epic about separation and watching. Xia Zhi's journey from skipping school to entering college, and her father Yun Qing's journey from soldier to silent night watchman, together interpret the complexity and tenacity of family ties. The author uses restrained brushstrokes to describe the daily trivialities of a small northeastern town, but he accumulates amazing power in the ordinary. That street lamp, that cup of cold water, and that phrase "It's hot in the room" are all hot and affectionate feelings buried under the years.