A Journey Through Mountains and Seas with the Evening Breeze

Chun, Yiyi, and Long Yang formed an inseparable friendship in college. Both Chun and Long Yang loved Yiyi, but Long Yang got to her first. Bound by the need to preserve the balance of their friendship, Chun missed his chance with his first love. He buried his feelings deep and endured, alone, a youth that was grand yet full of regret.

Many years later, all three had reached middle age. They had kept up their friendship, meeting regularly and traveling together. The two men had successful careers, and Yiyi had given birth to the child of her love. When Chun came to visit, Long Yang, convinced that life had already settled into its final shape, blurted out that Yiyi had once loved Chun more. Chun also admitted that back then, he had put the balance of their friendship first. This made Long Yang, who had always been the sort to go after what he wanted and get it, reconsider everything. His subconscious began reshuffling the pieces.

In truth, Long Yang's friendship with Chun went beyond anything anyone could have imagined. Long Yang realized he could no longer hold Yiyi close with a clear conscience. Later, their marriage fell apart. Watching the wreckage from the sidelines, Chun began to doubt Long Yang's character. Chun did not end up with Yiyi. Instead, he left for another country.

Chun spent two years abroad, far from the people and troubles that had entangled him. He stopped writing about urban romance and began a nested fantasy novel, The Ashes of Mountains and Seas: A New Day. Its style was darker than before, perhaps reflecting his own real-life troubles like a mirror.

Those two years also gave Chun the chance to set things right and understand what truly mattered in his life. As soon as he returned home, he went to find Yiyi. She was getting ready to take her child to the aquarium at Atlantis to see the fish. The embraces of youth, the partings of middle age, the feelings never spoken aloud, and the suspicions never voiced all slowly unfold in the gentle, restrained present.

I deliberately included some cultural scenes from the 1990s, such as gatherings at Sculpting in Time and going dancing at Mix. They are part of the fond memories of some people born in the 1970s and 1980s, but have already faded from our real lives. I hope they can live on in this novel.

A Girl at Eighteen is the title that best suits the whole novel, but it is the title of a full-length work by the writer Shi Kang. We can't simply borrow it, so I'm using it as the nickname for one chapter here, with respect. Time After Time is the title of a Chet Baker song. I can't think of a poetic way to translate it for now, so please bear with me. A hint: Know Yourself and Your Enemy is also a song title.

Theme: This story tells us that we don't have to immediately respond to every surging love and hatred. Time will help slow-witted children, who are late to understand, let their regrets settle. In the end, the answers meant for us will surface