Winter Snow Melts Without Leaving a Trace

This is a profound and touching family documentary novel, set in Ping'an, an industrial town in Northeast China, and tells the story of the changes in destiny of Wu Dongxue and his family over the past few decades. The story begins when his father Wu Churen dies of a serious illness during a rare snowstorm, and then reveals a will that completely denies the existence of Dongxue and his second brother, suddenly tearing apart the family's grudges and hidden pain. Through Dongxue's perspective, the novel traces the arduous journey of her parents from leaving their hometown to make a living to taking up roots in the steel factory, and depicts the growth trajectories of the siblings and Dongxue in the years of poverty: the early death of the eldest brother, the different marriages and fates of the sisters, the selfishness and decline of the second brother, the quarrels between his parents in his later years... Dongxue herself has experienced setbacks in the college entrance examination, ups and downs in the workplace, and emotional twists and turns. She has always shouldered the important task of taking care of the family, but has been repeatedly discriminated against and hurt. After the final outburst and reflection on the snowy night, Dongxue gradually understood the complexity of the times and human nature behind the family scars, and chose to let go of her grudges and move towards relief. With delicate and cold brushstrokes, the work reflects the struggle, tenacity and transformation of a generation in the changing times. It is like a mirror engraved with joys and sorrows, reflecting the weight and glimmer of life itself. Come to Yuewen's website to read more of Sui Hanzi's works!