The Qinghe Affair

[Short Story · Jicheng Reminiscences Series · One] A short story written this time last year and published in a magazine. * One city, one river, two generations, seventy-six years, a lifetime never to be forgotten. ** Outside the window, the early-summer sun shines brightly. Xu Cai sees Li Qingzheng standing beneath the shade of a tree, a drawing board on his back, sunlight casting beautiful patterns around him. Shao Heng turns back to tell Xiuxiu that he loves her, so that at least she won't have any regrets. But the ship has already carried Xiuxiu far away, leaving only a distant, faint horn that sinks into the summer breeze along with her crying. The Jicheng Reminiscences Series: Mai's hometown is Jinan, Shandong. Since coming to the imperial capital to study, I've missed more and more the hometown that countless people were misled about by Lao She's Winter in Jinan. It's a slow, unassuming city, yet it holds countless untold stories, ordinary or extraordinary, hidden in its lanes and street corners, amid the sea of traffic and crowds. These are short stories, all adapted from true stories, either ones I've heard from others or experiences of my own. I hope they resonate with you. Click on my profile to read other stories in the series. Theme: