[1939, during the War of Resistance Against Japan.]
A resilient Chinatown girl, tough as a weed x an aviation scientist studying in the United States on Boxer Indemnity funds.
[Blurb]
The first time they met was in early summer. A group of students funded by the Boxer Indemnity had arrived in New England. The local association sent someone to meet them and put them up at an inn.
Ling You bent over an old-fashioned abacus. “If you stay a full month, you get one night of lodging free, ”
Her father patted her. “All right, now. They're here to study and save the country. Don't haggle over every penny.”
Ling You lifted her face and vaguely glimpsed the last one. He was the tallest, but said nothing.
The second time they met was in midsummer. The Fifth War Zone was fighting the Japanese army in Hubei, and Chinese people in Boston spontaneously took to the streets to raise money, their spirits running high.
When her companion argued with a Japanese American, the girl raised an arm to shield her friend. Zheng Zheng stepped forward and spoke rapidly, drawing on ancient and modern examples until the other person was left speechless.
One of his companions turned his face aside. “She's got spirit... She's the girl from that Chinatown inn, the daughter of the family who put us up when we first arrived.”
Lin Huaiyu nodded slightly.
The third time they met, her mother asked him, “I really want Ling You to leave the laundry, the restaurant, the inn... She can't study law, and she can't become a doctor. If she doesn't learn arithmetic and physics, I don't know what to do with her.”
He pushed open the door. The girl was sitting on the table, swinging her feet as she sucked on a lollipop. She raised her chin at him.
“Bookworm,” she said. “In English, that is. Do you know what that means?”
The last time they met was during a long, bitter winter in the northeastern United States, with snow piled above their knees.
They kissed before the warm fireplace and held one another in silence.
He kissed her hair and whispered, “I have to go back.”
After he left, she sat down to read his letter.
“I love you. I love you sincerely, and I will love you steadfastly.
My body must return to help heal the wounds, but my heart will always turn toward you. I hope that is enough to sustain us across the distance.”
Happy ending.
Theme: Love your country.
