A Cold-Hearted Love, Simply Told

Along the banks of the Bixi River, pear blossoms spread like a sea. Deep in the quiet, the wind stirs the frost-white tiles.

In front of the courtyard with its green tiles and snow-white walls, pink and white roses climb over one another, winding around a trellis-supported corridor. At the far end, a flower-patterned swing glitters in the warm sunshine. The little girl sitting on it squeals with delight as it rises and falls. The graceful woman standing nearby looks worried despite her helpless smile.

Pale sunlight slips through the flower-covered trellis and falls across them, dappling their silhouettes.

“Beep, beep.”

The carved iron gate swings open, and a car horn cuts through the silence. The little girl instantly jumps off the swing and runs toward the person getting out of the car...