Next Winter

I heard my mother offended a person of high status.

Ever since I was born, I've never seen her again.

Every year, my sister's family has to humble themselves and serve the new god.

I hate them, and I hate the days when the god comes each year.

That day, the snow fell heavily over Nangang, flakes fluttering down like shattered jade. The chill that had always filled his eyes melted away. He rested a warm hand against my cheek, hesitating as he spoke. "Ye Nan, don't hate... the gods."

It was a long time before I learned that what he had wanted to say was, "Don't hate me."

· Short story, third-person narration

· Free to read in full. Thank you for reading.

· A girl and her guardian god

Theme: Set aside your preconceptions and feel the beauty of the world