Wild Bird

[The print edition of "Wild Bird" goes on presale June 3 at 19:30. The first 3 minutes come with a special signed edition, and orders placed from 3 minutes 1 second to 10 minutes get an author's signature.]

On New Year's Eve, after failing an exam, Xu Yuan is kicked out of the house by her parents in bare feet and thin pajamas.

After wandering alone for four hours, she stands beneath an abandoned old building and sees a boy on the rooftop, teetering on the edge, one step away from the sky.

In the biting snow and ice, the north wind billows his ill-fitting clothes.

Like a lonely bird perched on a bare branch in the depths of winter, ready to fall at any moment.

At the time, she's still wearing the old coat he casually tossed her by the roadside an hour earlier.

*

On New Year's Eve, thirteen-year-old Qi Ye takes a vicious beating. Covered in bruises, he is chased through the streets by his drunken father, who swings a belt at him.

After escaping, he stands on the roof of the old building. Before he can catch his breath, the strange girl he saw that evening gently takes his hand and slaps him hard.

*

"Xu Yuan, I have two wishes for you."

"When you grow up, don't become adults like them."

"What's the second one?"

One day, we will leave behind the pain and suffering we have no choice but to endure. We will forgive our younger selves for being powerless, pass through the thick, dark clouds, and fly to the highest, farthest sky, where the sun always shines.

P.S. The male lead has no thoughts of ending his life. The female lead has misunderstood.

This story is for children who have gone through similar experiences and are still growing up, and for adults whose bodies have grown but whose souls are still the same frightened, helpless children they once were.

A child's world really is small, and she really is naive. There are so many things she doesn't understand and problems she can't solve. Maybe once you grow up, they won't seem like much, but when you're a child, they're enormous and important.

Being unable to fight back isn't your fault. You're just too small. One day, you'll become the person who can protect the weak child you once were.

Don't give up.

Live well.

Recommending my upcoming novel, "Monster"

Xu Lele is the least-liked kid in Qingmei Town.

She skips school, gets into fights, and steals things. She's a badly behaved little brat. By day, she stands outside the school gate and shouts at her teachers. At night, she runs around the streets chasing and beating up children half her size.

Everyone says Xu Lele's parents must have done something awful in a past life.

That's why they gave birth to a monster who came to collect a debt in this life.

Then, one day, a real monster comes to town.

*

The day Qiao He moves to Qingmei Town, the rain pours down.

Struggling to push his wheelchair out of the car, he hasn't gone far when a little girl suddenly charges out and knocks him to the ground.

Qiao He lies on the ground in the rain, enduring pain throughout his body, and watches her fight a stray dog like a madwoman. Then, triumphant and beaming, she snatches a filthy piece of bread.

With the bread in her mouth, Xu Lele turns around and spots the boy lying beneath a tree. She lets out a terrified shriek and bolts away.

*

"Why did you fight the dog for food that day?"

"I was hungry."

"Then why did you come back to help me?"

"I was afraid you'd die and extort money from me."

"...Oh."

"My turn to ask, Qiao He. What do you like about me?"

"I like that you're an unloved monster, just like me."

"Though I don't think we're monsters. We're just a little different from everyone else."

Theme: Oppose all forms of domestic violence and protect every child