The Winter That Never Ended

It used to be called Shanghai, 1937. I've changed it to a more literary title.

In the summer of 1937, the sun in Shanghai was blindingly hot. Qu Yu wore her Nationalist Army uniform as if the Chairman himself had come in person. Frowning, she casually cursed, "What kind of lousy place is this? I'm about to die of heat."

The Shanghai garrison couldn't stand her. A pampered young lady had come to serve as a special commissioner. Officially, she was there to inspect the troops, but in reality she'd come from the rear to claim military credit.

Of the whole group, only Fang Rulan believed in her and protected her. His smile was like a breeze blowing through the mouth of the Wusong River on a summer day, impossible to catch or touch. He was always gentle with her, nothing like the famous staff officer from General Staff Headquarters.

Staff Officer Fang stayed by Qu Yu's side through the hardest three months she spent in Shanghai. Later, Special Commissioner Qu stayed by Fang Rulan's side in Shanghai for the rest of their lives.

[Short story]

The Battle of Shanghai and the return home.

Fictional setting, with every effort made to recreate the era. Please don't nitpick the history.

The blurb doesn't match the facts, so don't take it literally. For details, see the January 28 Incident and the signing of the Shanghai Ceasefire Agreement. The author kept the blurb because she likes this version.

[See the author's profile for other Republican-era stories.]

Theme: Don't judge people by their appearance