Beyond the Divide

[A Key Project Supported by the China Writers Association for Online Literature in the First Half of 2023] Zhu Jiaqiao was born into a family of bridge builders, whose fortunes were marked by hardship and tragedy. After a landlord murdered her mother and younger brother, the Zhu family avenged them and joined the anti-Japanese guerrillas, becoming one of the first generations of combat engineers. Zhu Youdao spent most of his life building bridges and roads. His greatest regret was having no one to pass his skills on to. He wanted to formally teach his talented eldest daughter, but was constantly tormented by the traditional bridge builders’ belief that skills should be passed down to sons, not daughters. When Lin Langqing was young and headstrong, he found what he believed in and devoted his life to it, never wavering. Time flew by. The War of Resistance Against Japan ended, then the War of Liberation ended, and the People’s Republic of China was founded. But now the fighting in the north had spread to the Yalu River. The Zhu family had already packed up, ready to return to civilian life, but without a moment’s hesitation they headed north to keep fighting! “If we go, we go together. If we come back, we come back together!” We people of Guangdong won’t let even ice and snow cool our burning hearts! Bridges are built to cross rivers that cannot be forded. The belief that men are superior to women is another divide, but women need not wait around or depend on anyone. By relying on their own strength and independence, they can hold up half the sky! Since ancient times, our children have been full of lofty ambition, and women have always been heroes!