What If Lemons Were Sweet?

Some people say, “You have to hurt before you can call it youth.” Shi Wei often asked, “If lemons were sweet, would youth still hurt?” The truth is, lemons are sour to begin with, and there are no what-ifs in this world. Sweet lemons have never existed, and youth could never be without pain. Later, Shi Wei really did go to Provence and see the sea of lavender flowers. But she would never again see her mother smile or her father’s face. She smiled, yet remained lonely.