Yellow earth can bury sorghum stubble, but it cannot bury the roots of wild apricot trees. Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao, two seedlings that forced their way out between stones, had roots already entwined and dead-set in the dry fields of Huangnigang. One picked out the words in her book with her fingertip; the other salted the bloodstains on her torn shirt with tears. They shared corn cakes speckled with nosebleeds, and their sweat dripped into the soil, hardening into salty crusts. The trains beyond the mountains clattered through their dreams, carrying a vow over half a cake and rolling across more than thirty rings of the years. The bitter roots grow deep, but sour apricots will one day turn sweet.
Theme: After hardship comes happiness
