Blossom: Fall 2022

Blossom Team·Introduction

Blossomisa100%nonprofitstudentrunmagazineinitiatedbyateamof NanjinghighschoolstudentsTocounterthesoaringcensorshipand unfriendlypublicationenvironmentinChina,wededicatedourselvesto establishingaplatformforwrittenformsofself-expression,including,but notlimitedto,essays,poetry,fiction,andphotography.

Blossomisasupportivespaceforhighschoolstudentstofreelyexplore andemploytheircreativity,observation,andpassionforrecordingthe world.Wefirmlybelieveintheinfinitepowerofwordsandimages.We hopethatthroughthemagazine,students,ascontributors,canexpress theirenthusiasmforliterature,shareoriginalopinionsonsocietalissues, andusetheirownvoicestoadvocateforchange.Atthesametime,all readersareofferedthepreciousopportunityoflearningaboutevents fromvariousaspects,bothinourprintedversionandfromourwebsite https://www.blossomquarterly.com.

Editing Team

Gloria ChenGezhi

Editor-in-Chief

Annie YanYu

Editor-in-Chief

Hazel ChenSiyuan

Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Editing Team

Astoria ShiXiao

FictionEditor

FictionEditor Lucia

MinRui

Corona Chen Yanjun Photo Editor

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Editing

Team

MaSuyang

Journo Editor Poetry Editor

Creative Team

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Chloe HuWenxi CreativeDirector

Deputy Creative Director

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Production Team

Deputy Production Manager

Chen Zhenshun (John) Scribe Editor

Xie Yawen (Emily)

Reflectionof YoungGoodman Brown

Gloria(GezhiChen)

it’snotblackorwhite;it’sbothbenignand evil.Inaddition,‘thepinkribbon’inthenovel isalsoasymbolwithmultiplemeanings,in myunderstanding.Theribbonitselfisa beautifulornamentthatindicatesFaith'slove ofbeautyandisametaphorforbothFaith herselfandthefaithGoodmanhadinGod Thecolorpinkisbetweenwhite(standsfor purity)andred(standsforsin),whichindicates thefaithGoodmanhasingodisnotentirely pureand,liketheuseofthecolorbrown,also showstheessenceofhumannature

ThefirstthingInoticedaboutthisnovelisthe fantasticuseofsymbolism,includingthe characters'namesandthecolors.Forinstance, theleadingcharacteriscalledGoodmanIn contrastwiththeoriginalsinofhumans,this namesymbolizesgoodhumannature,whichI thinkisthecorethemeofHawthorne’swork. Thewife’snameisFaith,andsherepresents thebeliefofGoodman,forinitially,hefirmly believesthegoodexistsinhumannature Moreover,thename‘Brown’isalsoacolor, andit’sthecolorbetweenblackandwhite, whichstandsforthecomplexityofhumanity:

Anotheraspectthatimpressesmethemostis theeloquentsermononmoralsthat HawthorneusesThroughthewordsofthe devil,Hawthornedirectlytellsusthat‘yeshall scentoutalltheplaceswhetherinchurch, bedchamber,street,field,orforestwhere crimehasbeencommitted,andshallexultto beholdthewholeearthonestainofguilt,one mightybloodspot’Hawthornevividly expoundedtheideaofthesinofthesoul, describingitaspartoftheessenceofman,the ‘drivingforce’ofallevil.Besides,healso illustratesthattherearesecretsaboutsin hiddenineveryone'sheart:‘how hoarybeardedeldersofthechurchhave whisperedwantonwordstotheyoungmaids oftheirhouseholds;howmanyawoman, eagerforwidow'sweeds,hasgivenher husbandadrinkatbedtimeandlethimsleep hislastsleepinherbosom;howbeardless youthhavemadehastetoinherittheirfather's wealth;andhowfairdamselsblushnot, sweetoneshaveduglittlegravesinthe garden,andbiddenme,thesoleguest,toan infant'sfuneral.’Hetriestoexplainthe variousdarkanduglysidesofsocietyinterms ofthesinsofthesoulandstrivestoadvocate thatthereadershouldrecognizethedepravity ofthishumanheart.

IlovetherhetoricandthedictionHawthorne

usesinthisnovel;however,Hawthorne’sonly revealingtheveilofsininhumannature withoutreallytellingpeoplewhattheycando topuritytheirheartsandsoulspuzzlesme. Themoodofthenovelisgloomyanddark, andafterrealizingtheinherentdarknessof humanity,Goodmanbecomesdistrustfuland desperate.Hawthornecreatesadepressing endingforamanwhoseestheoriginalsinof humannatureandistorturedbythisforthe restofhislifeItseemsHawthorneis pessimisticabouthumanswhorealizetheevil intheirsouls

Reflectionof Hunger

Gloria(GezhiChen)

ThisnovellaisveryexquisiteMintellsus herlifestoryinthefirstpersonWhilereading it,I'mdeeplyimmersedinthefamily relationship,immigrant'sidentity,andalotof socialaspectsthenovellarevealsMoreover, manyChinesefolkculturesareinvolved, whichmakesmefeelfamiliarThename Hungermeanshungerforacceptance,love, andidentityEverycharacterinthisnovellais strugglingwiththatkindofhunger.

childrenornotItgivesmeafeelingthatthe focusofherlifeisherhusbandandher childrenShedevotesherselftothefamily: cooking,cleaning,supportingherhusband's dream,andraisingchildrenEvenso,shefeels shedoesn'tbelongtothefamily.Shebelittles herselfandputsTianfirstSheisscaredofher moodyandgloomyhusband.Hertwo daughtersfightforTian'sloveandrecognition oftheirviolinskillswhilesheseems insignificant

Tianusedtobeayoungmanfullofdreams andexpectationsButhisdreamisshattered, andhiscareerendsHeseldomtalksabouthis past,butheispartofhispast,whichheisnot abletogetridofTian's"Hunger"tobecomea famousviolinistdestroyshisfamily.The traditionalAsianorChinesegenderrolethat themanshouldsupportthefamilymakeshim feelstressedandburdenedwhenheknowshe can'tmakeenoughmoneybybeingaviolinist.

MincomesfromTaipeiIthinksheis deeplyinfluencedbythetraditionalrulesfor Chinesewomensetbythethousandsofyears ofpatriarchy.Forexample,shementions multipletimesthatshehopesherbabyisaboy Chinahasalonghistoryofboypreference, whichstillexistsnowItiscommon, especiallyinthelate20thandearly21st century,becauseoftheonechildpolicythat parentsinruralareasdrownfemaleinfantsto deathorabandonthemBesidesMin'sboy preference,shethinksraisingchildrenisonly thedutyofthemother,andsheevenworries aboutwhetherherhusbandTianwilllikethe

Moreover,TianisaterriblefatherHeis alooftohisfirstunexpecteddaughterAnna. Mindoesn'tsayitdirectly,orsheistryingto consoleherself,thatTianisalsoaffectedby theboy'spreferenceinthecountryhecomes from,forthewayhetreatsherdaughterAfter beingrejectedfromhisjob,hethenworksina restaurantTheworkisverytiringHetriesto extricatehimselffromhisviolinistdream,but thehungerhauntsthefamilywhenthetwo daughtersstarttoplaytheviolin.

Thetwodaughtersaredifferent,butthey bothstruggleintwocultures.Annaisthe unexpectedchild,andRuthisthebeloved child.Ruthhasviolintalent,justlikeher fatherTiantreatsRuthaspartofhis unfinisheddream.Hegetsextremelyproud whenseeingRuthperformonthestageTian seeshisownfailureinAnna'sviolin experienceandhispotentialforsuccessin Ruth's.However,Tian'stwistedwayof educationtreatingdaughterslikehis possessioninsteadofindividualsfinallyruins

thefamilyHetriestocontrolRuth'sdressing andherpersonallife.Tian'sheavyloveand controlirritateRuthandcauseherrebellion Tian'sbehavioralsomakesRuthrefuseto acceptherChinesecultureShedesperately wantstobeindependent,andsheblamesthe controloverherontheChinesecultureinher family.Ultimately,Anna,whoisnottheone herfathercaresaboutthemost,acceptsher ChinesecultureSheearnsherdegreeatIvy LeagueuniversitiesandmajorsinChinese studiesIncontrast,Ruthfledfromher depressingfamilyattheageof17Shethen abandonsherChineseidentityandfollowsher fiancétoFrance.

WhenRuthcomesbackhomeandtellsMin sheisgettingmarried,Minasks,"Doyoulove him?"Ruthreplies,"Idon'ttrustthiskindof feeling."Thatscenemakesmesad.ToRuth, theloveofherfatherusedtoleavesmileson herprettylittleface.Butthislovefinally becomesthechainonherneckthatshetriesto fleeforalifetime.

Reflection onSociology ofReligion

Jolin(BingningLiu)

Simplyput,sociologyliterallymeansthe studyofsociety;inamorecomplexway,itis todiscern,describe,andthenexplainwhat societyislikeforaspecificgroupofpeople involved,thereforemakingachange accordingly.FromGiddens’definition, sociologyfeaturestheacademicstudyof humanlife,groupsandthemacrolevel society,yetbesidesstaticcomprehensions, moreinsightfuldynamicruminationsover clusteredsubjectivismpreferencesand incentives,underhighlystructuredmaterial frameworks,arenothinglessremarkable, thereforerenderingalternationsWhetherthe sociologicalstudyofreligionfocusedmoreon theindividualorcommunitylevel,and spiritualorpoliticalaspects,theirdifferent definitionsallentailthepeopleinvolved Indeed,reflectingonreligiousphenomenacan serveasatooltostudypeopleIntrospection onreligiousphenomena,basedonreasoning lawsandpriori,necessarilyfacilitates subsequentextrapolationsofsocially hominineandanthropomorphismissuesFor example,followingthetrackofsociologyto firstdiscernwhatishappeningatthe intersectionofreligionandsociety,statistics showedthattherewere20%morewomen thanmenwhowenttochurch.Researchers

wouldthencomeupwithseveral interpretationstoexplainthisphenomenon.If onestudy,afterinvestigation,concludesthe sourceofthisconditionandthenspeaksfor thisgroupofpeople,societycanbetter understandtheproblemandpressure policymakertoadjustaccordingly

Bearingvariousdefinitionsproposedby diversethinkers,theconceptof“religion”is inclusive.Thisspecificcharacteristicallows formultipleexplanationsortheoriesof societalpatternsinareligiouscontext ThroughthissynthesischannelSynthetically andinvariably,peopleformsystematically intuitivewhilesociologicallymeaningful understandingsofsociety,thusbetterguiding itforwardForinstance,thesuddendeclinein religiousactivitiesinaparticularareacan reflectitssocietalchange;acommonsituation inmycountry,wherepeople’scontemptfor religioncoexistswellwiththeirapparent superstitions,canrevealsocietalproblems Myonecritiqueofthisapproachmaybeits possibleunderstatementofindividual differences,butsometrendsorpatternscan undoubtedlybeconcludedwhenobserving religioninsocietydespitethisinevitable concern

WhenMarital"Bliss"Fails:

LegalPatriarchalPowervs.FeministResistanceofSelf

Gloria(Gezhi Chen)

Marriagetodayisconsideredtobean equalandlovingcommitmentbetweentwo individualsHowever,readersin2022willbe surprisedtolearnhowunequalthe19th centuryAmericanlawswereTwofamous literaryworkswritteninthe1890s,The Awakeningand“TheYellowWallpaper,” revealthelargepowergapbetweengendersin whichmencontrolthemoney,rightofspeech, andeventhebodiesoftheirwivesinmarriage. Inthebooks,theunequalmaritalrelationships drivethefemalecharacterstorealize themselvesastrappedandrebelHowever, bothpiecesoffictionendindisaster.Oneof thefemalecharactersdiesviaaccidental drowningorsuicide,whiletheothergoesmad. Yetthementhebooksfeaturealsodonotfare well,withonefleeingthewomanhelovesand leavingheranotetoexplainwhy,andthe otherfainting,whichisconsideredan “unmanly”behaviorMarriagelawsatthat timedefinedgenderrolesandhadagreat impactonhowmentreatedwomen;thus, researchintothemarriagelawscementing maleauthorityhelpsexplainwhythesemale charactersreacttofemalecharacters’behavior insuchwaysthatareagainsttherequirements oftraditionalmasculinity

Womendon’tgettherighttovoteinthe USuntil1920,whichisasignofinherent patriarchy.Thesituationisevenworsefor womeninthe1890s:theywerenotregarded asindividualsbutasmen’sappendages. AccordingtonineteenthcenturyAmerican scholarProfessorBasch,inthe1890s,“bylaw, awomanhasneverbeenthoughtofotherthan

apieceofproperty.Shemustacceptmarriage asmanoffersitornotatall”(28)Inthe 1890spatriarchalsociety,marriedwomen wereconsideredthepropertyoftheir husbandsMoreover,theydidn’thavethe righttomakepoliticalchoices,fortheir husbandsvoteforthemwithinmarriage;for thosewhoarenotinamarriage,theirfathers dosoMoreover,Baschexplains,“Becauseof herlegalnonexistence,shecouldnotsueor besued,ownanyproperty,whetherearnedor broughtintomarriageorhaveanyrightsin herchildren”(23)Womeninthe1890swere physicallyexisting,buttheywerelegally invisible

Suchunequalpowerdynamicswithin marriagearewellillustratedinthe1899 novellaKateChopin'sTheAwakening.The Awakeningbeginswiththedepictionofa greenandyellowparrothunginacageoutside thedoorTheparrotkeepsrepeatingsome wordswhichdistractsMrPontellier,whois Edna’shusband(Chopin,5)Thisbeginningis ametaphorofEdna’slifeaftermarriage:she islikeabirdtrappedinaprettycage.Shehas feltdepressedforalongtimeinhermarriage, andsheisnotfreeatall.“Mrs.Pontellierwas bythattimethoroughlyawakeShebeganto cryalittleandwipedhereyesonthesleeveof herpeignoir”(Chopin,10)Thoughshe herselfisnotfullyawareofthisyet,Ednais torturedbythesocialdoctrineswhichforce hertoplaytheroleofwifeandmother,which isagainstherownwillBaschstatesthat duringthishistoricalperiod,it’swoman’s dutytosacrificeherselfandaccomplisha

moralandreligiousmission(28)Ednais requiredtosacrificeherselftoherhusband andherchildren,andthenotionof individualityisthoughttoberidiculousfora womanatthattimeHowever,Ednaisnota motherwomanwhoEdnathoughtwasmade happythroughideologizingtheirchildren, worshipingtheirhusbands,andesteemingita holyprivilegetoeffacethemselvesas individualsandgrowwingsasministering angels(Chopin,12)Sheisnotthekindof womanwhocanbetotallyfulfilledbyher maternalroleInthebook,shestartstorealize thatsheisdepressedbecausesheislikea prisoner“Inshort,MrsPontellierwas beginningtorealizeherpositioninthe universeasahumanbeing,andtorecognize herrelationsasanindividualtotheworld withinandabouther”(Chopin,17).Sheis awarethatmarriageisaprettycagethattraps her,andsheisonherwaytoawakening,to findherindividuality,andoneofher awakeningsisfallinginlovewithRobert.

RobertmetEdnainGrandIsle,wherethe Pontelierfamilycametoescapethecityheat forthesummeralongtheoceanside Accordingtoonescholarwhohasstudiedthe novel,inRobert’searlyrelationswithEdna, heperformshiscustomarypartastheresident attractivesinglemanwhoprovides amusementtothetemporarilyhusbandless marriedgueststhroughhisattentions(Pizer,8) Forseveralsummers,Robertusedtoshowhis affectiontomarriedwomeninGrandIsle,and hebelievedthatnowomanwouldtakethe flirtationseriouslybecausewomenatthattime wereexpectedtoalwaysbewiththeir husbandsHowever,thecaseisdifferentthis timeAsPizerclaims,“Robertrealizesthathis relationshipwithEdnawillsoonshiftfrom thatofapermissibleflirtationwithamarried womantothatofanimpermissibleaffairwith amarriedwomanpermissibleand impermissible,thatis,withintheCreolecode

ofagentleman,whichisRobert'soperative code”(8).Hethenmadeadecisiontoflee fromEdna

BuildingfromPizer'sexplanation,Iwould arguethatRobert'sdecisiontoleaveafterhe realizedtheflirtationisbecomingserious meansthattoRobert,Ednastillbelongstoher husbandandisapossessionthathecannot takeAfterdiscoveringhisloveforEdna, RobertthenfleestoMexicoandtriestoavoid violatingthesocialcodeWhenheseesEdna againinNewOrleansmonthslater,hetells herthereasonhekeepshiding:“Becauseyou werenotfree;youwereLeoncePontellier’s wifeIcouldn’thelplovingyouifyouwere tentimeshiswife;butsolongasIwentaway fromyouandkeptaway,Icouldhelptelling youso”(Chopin,112),whichshowshisdeep loveforEdna,butalsorevealshisrespectfor otherman’spropertyrightsAsBaschargues, “atthattime,ahusbandhastherightof propertytohiswife’sbodyandthecontrolof procreation”(24),whichindicatesthatEdna stillbelongstoherhusbandandRobertcan’t takeanotherman’sproperty.Robertfollows thispatriarchalsocialnormwithouthesitation

WhileRoberthasbeengone,Edna's discoveryofwhosheishascontinued,andshe nowunderstandshersituationquitedifferently. Neartheendofthebook,EdnasaystoRobert, “IamnolongeroneofMr.Pontellier's possessionstodisposeofornotIgivemyself whereIchoose.Ifheweretosay,‘Here, Robert,takeherandbehappy;sheisyours,’I shouldlaughatyouboth”(Chopin,106107). Here,Ednaismockingthepatriarchalsocial normthatthehusbandcontrolsthewife explicitlyItshowsherawakeningthatshe stopsrespectingthedoctrinesandcompletely rejectsthesocialrulesandpatriarchalculture Asareply,Robert’s“facegrewalittlewhite ‘Whatdoyoumean?’heasked”(Chopin,107). Clearlyimpactedbythesocialnorms,Robert

stickstotherulesandneverthinksoftheir unfairinfluenceonwomen.Robert’sreply shocksEdnaandmakesherrealizethatshe can’tfulfilledherselfbyaman,evenifshe loveshimRobertcan’trepresentherfreedom atall,whichmakesherfeeldepressedand desperateThatalsoexplainswhyEdna choosestohelpherfriendgivingbirthasshe promisedbeforehandinsteadofstayingwith RobertwhenshewasfrustratedbyRobert’s wordsThischoicealsoshowsEdna’shonor: shemadeapromisetoafriendandshewill keepit

Intheend,RobertdecidestoleaveEdna. RobertwritesanotetoEdnainsteadoftelling herfacetoface;thenotesays,“Iloveyou. GoodbybecauseIloveyou”(Chopin117) Pizerremarks,“ToRobert,aspresumably bothforPontellierhimselfandfortheir middleclassCreolecommunityasawhole, loveisnotunboundedandfreeinits expressionbutmustratherexistwithinthe socialnormsandexpectationsofthe community”(11)Itishisadherenceto patriarchalsocialnormsthatmakeshimflee. Conversely,Robertisproudofhischoice becausehethinkshesacrificeshisloveto protectEdnaHethinksheshouldprotect Ednabecausehelovesher.However,hisway toprotectherisstoppingherfromrebelling againstthesocialcodeandsavingherfrom thescornsfromotherpeopleinthecommunity Heneverconsidersherasanindividual,and hedoesn’tventuretobreaktheinherent patriarchalnorm.What’smore,insteadof sayinghewantstoleaveherfacetoface, RobertchoosestoleaveanoteItshowsthat heisacoward,whichisagainstthedefinition ofmasculinityatthattimeIronically,in contrast,Edna’scourageousrebellionagainst thesocialnormfitsthemasculinity,indicating thegreatpowerofwomen.Whenconfronted byrevolution,thepatriarchycollapses

Asdemonstratedbytheirlossofautonomy inmarriage,womenwereunderpatriarchal controlinallaspectsoflifeinthelate nineteenthcentury,includingthecontrolin medicineThepatriarchalforcedidn’tallow womentocontrolwhathappenedmedically. WomenfacedhugebiasmedicallyPoirier claims,“Womenwereconsideredweakerand extremelyemotional,whichweretraitsthat evenbeidealizedaspartofthebeautyand fragilityoffemininity”(16)Thesebiases towardswomenmakethembeconsiderednot wiseenoughtomaketheirownchoices;thus, theirmedicalchoiceswereusuallymadeby boththeirhusbandandtheirphysicianThe situationgotworsewhenthehusbandisalso thephysician,whichisexactlywhathappened tothenarratorof“TheYellowWallpaper” “TheYellowWallpaper”unfoldsasapersonal diaryfromawomanwhoseemstobe sufferingfrompostpartumdepression.The womannarratoristrappedandcontrolledina housebyherhusbandJohn,whoisaphysician, andshefinallyloseshermindandrebels againstherhusband.

Accordingtotoday’smedicalview, womenwithpostpartumdepressionshouldbe encouragedtodowhatevertheywant,like pickingupahobby.Also,theyneedtobe exposedmoretotheoutsideworldinstead beingisolatedandtrappedinside.However,in thestory,thenarratorisforcedtoliveina roomandbeisolated,beingsupervisedbyher husbandandhersisterinlaw(Gilman)The narratorrefusestoliveintheroomher husbandchoosesyetherhusbandsaysno (Gilman,649);whenshewantstovisitCousin HenryandJulia,herhusbandmakesa decisionthatshecan’t(Gilman,651)Also, thenarratorclaims,“Youseehedoesnot believeIamsick”(Gilman647)Shehasher ownideasaboutherownbodyandher feelings,buthervoicecanbeheardbynoone Sheisunhappyandresistant,butherhusband

deniesitShecan’tmakeherdecision medicallyatall,andherhusbanddoesn’tthink shehastheabilitytoknowwhatsheneeds Thisfictionalsituationreflectshistoricnorms, forasPoirerexplains,thecombinationof honestmedicalignorancecoupledwith culturalbiasesservedtogivewomenlittle latitudeintheirindividualneedsandevenless voiceinassessingthehealthcarethey received(16).John,thenarrator'shusband, takesfullcontrolofherbodyAllthesethings makeherrealizethatsheisaprisoner,andshe istreatedasapetorababyHerhusband couldtreathisownwifeagainstherconsent Eventually,thenarratorloseshermindand goescrazyShethinkstherearecrawling womenbehindthewallpaper,andshewrites inherdiary,“SometimesIthinktherearea greatmanywomenbehind,andsometimes onlyone,andshecrawlsaroundfast,andher crawlingshakesitallover”(Gilman,654). Thecrawlingwomennotonlyprojectthe narrator’slife,butalsothelifeofthewomen athereraSheseesthepatriarchalnormsin thecrawlingwomaninthewallpaper.The crawlingwomansymbolizesbothherandall women;thehorriblewallpaperisthesociety inwhichtheylive

Attheendoftheshortstory,thenarrator loseshermind,andshedarestoescapeand actagainstherhusband.WhenJohnwitnesses thenarrator’srebelliousbehaviorcrawlingon theground,heissoshockedthatheeven faints(Gilman656),whichisconsideredasan “unmanly”behavior.Johnhavebeen completelyconfidentinhisauthoritybefore heisconfrontedwithitsfailureHelaughsat thenarratorwhenshetellshimthewallpaper isabnormal(Gilman,649)What’smore,John addresseshiswifeas“littlegirl,”whichshows hetreatsherlikeapetratherthanan individual.Hetakesfullcontrolofherin marriage,bothherbodyandhermind (Gilman).Ascholarillustratesthat

“Nineteenthcenturymarriedwomenwere totallywithoutrightsorstatus(Lane).Asa result,Johnreactssofiercelytohiswife’s abnormalandrebelliousbehavior,neverhave thoughtthatthe“weak”womancould challengehisauthority.

Inanutshell,understanding contemporaneousmarriagelawscanhelp readersknowthesocialnormsandrulesofthe timethatthecharactersarein.Thepatriarchal societyinthe1890sresultedintotally differentstandardsandrulesforwomenand men,whichmademarriageunequalfortwo genders.Thetwofemalecharactersinthetwo worksrealizetheunequalcultureandshow theirrebellionsintheirownway.However,in theinherentlypatriarchalsociety,after rebellions,neitherofthefemalecharactershas agoodendingEdnadrownsinthesea,while thenarratorgoesinsaneTheirendings indicatethatitisnoteasytorebelintheirera, andtheyhavenochoicebuttorebelin extremeways,whichalsomaimthemselves Forthemen,whenconfrontedwithwomen’s rebellions,bothofthemact“unmanly.” Robertcowardlyleavesthewomanheloves, andJohnfaints.John’sfailureincuringhis wifeandhiswife’scleverandinsaneescape provesthatmalesuperiorityisimagined,and itisnottrueItshowsthatpowercollapses whenconfrontedbyrebellion,whichindicates thefragilityofthepowerdynamicwhenitis basedonnothing.

References

[1]Basch,Francoise.“Women’sRightsand TheWrongsofMarriageinMidNineteenth CenturyAmerica,”HistoryWorkshop,No 22,SpecialAmericanIssue(Autumn1986), pp1840JSTOR20February2009http:// wwwjstororg

[2]Chopin,Kate.TheAwakening,and SelectedShortStories1899NewYork, NY:BantamBooks,1988

FALLISSUE

ESSAY

[3]Gilman,CharlottePerkins“TheYellow Wallpaper.”1892.ViragoPress,1981.

[4]Lane,JohnM“NineteenthCentury MiddleClassAmericanWomen:Marriage, RelationshipsandtheStruggleforIdentity inaPatriarchalSociety”HistoryHub info,18 Apr 2021.historyhub.info/nineteenthcenturymi ddleclassamericanwomenmarriagerelati onshipsandthestruggleforidentityinap atriarchalsociety/

[5]Pizer,Donald.“ANoteonKateChopin's ‘TheAwakening’asNaturalisticFiction” TheSouthernLiteraryJournal,Spring,

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2001,Vol33,No2(Spring,2001), pp.513

[6]Poirier,Suzanne“TheWeirMitchellRest Cure:DoctorandPatients”Women’sStudies, vol10,no1,1983,pp1540

painted by Gloria(Gezhi Chen)

PolicyAlternativesRespondingtoCOVID-19inChina

John (Zhenshun Chen)

Abstract

SincethebreakoutoftheCOVID19, Chinahasbeenrespondingactivelywith diverseapproachestokeepthesituationin control.Comparedtothefullopeningup policiesinWesterncountries,China's governmentcouldnotaffordthemassive infectionsandconsequentunemploymentof thepopulationandtheenormouspressureput forceonthemedicalindustryduetoChina's relativelylowstatusofindustrialand commercialdevelopment,sothegovernment hadtomaintainandlockdowntheepidemic spreadwithinthestreetandevencommunity levelasmuchaspossibleThisshortlived healthofthepopulationattheexpenseof economicdevelopmentisquestionableandthe downsideisbeginningtoemerge:rising insecurityamongthepopulationleadstoa declineinsocialstability:familyand workplacestressbecomeaninevitabletopic, leadingtounemploymentandevendivorce andtheseparationoffamilymembers

Severalalternativesareproposedas followstoaddressthepandemicandmaintain anoverallhighlevelofpublichealth.Criteria chosenareeconomicpressure,society feedbackandeffectivenessByeconomic pressureitrefersnotonlytothestruggleof individualsandtheirfamiliesbutalso,more importantly,howmuchburdenthecentraland localgovernmentsareundergoinggiventhat inChina,politicalstabilityispivotalinpolicy makingSocietyfeedbackmainlyfocuseson howsocietymemberswillreacttoand evaluatethepolicyEffectivenesswillbe valuedbyhowmuchtheoverallpublichealth

statuswillbeimprovedwiththe implementationofthepolicyAlternativesand theirprosandconsarestatedinTable1.

Method

Thefirstalternativeisa48hourpolicy. Thisrequirescitizenstogetintopublicplaces withacertificateprovingthattheyhave undergoneaNucleicAcidAmplification Techniques(NAAT)testwithin48hours.It hassomeadvantagesintermsofpreventing thepotentialspreadofCOVID19:according toarecentstudy,48houristhemostproper periodwithinwhichpotentialinfectionsare detected1Ontheotherhand,sinceuniversal coveragehastobeensured,thehealthcare systemwillbeforcedtocompensatea proportionforitSeveralexperimentprograms oftakinga48hourpolicyhavetakenplacein citiesandcommunitiesUnfortunatelyin manyofthesecases,unemploymentraterises togetherwithasteadyincreaseinloansfor housesandprivatecars,whichcanaccountfor negativesocialfeedbackTherefore governmenttherehadnochoicebuttolower thecostoftakingtheNAATtest(State MedicalInsuranceAdministrationandState Council,2022)2,whichcertainlyfurther worsensthefinancialsituationofthe government

Secondly,a72hourpolicymightalsobe availableThisrequiresanentrancewithin72 hours.Itissimilartothe48hourpolicy. Accordingtoastudy,themeanincubation periodoftheinitialcoronavirusstrainwas52 days3Consideringthatthecurrent strain(Omicron)ismoreinfectiousandless virulent,itcurrentlyworldwidewillbe

detectableinsecondarycontactswithin39 daysaftertheonsetofillnessinclosecontacts, andthemedianincubationperiodforomicron is3daysor72hours3,sothereisnodoubt abouttherationalityofthe72hourpolicyIn addition,thecosttothegovernmentandthe healthcaresystemwouldbereduced,along withtheriskofinfectioninhospitalsandtheir respectivehealthcareworkersThispolicy wouldalsosatisfytheChineseCommunist Party'squesttoensuresocialstability

Thethirdoneis,controversially,shutting downSpecifically,wheneveronecase appearsinthedistrict,thewholeareawillbe blockedfromoutsideNocitizenswillbe allowedtoleaveandtheareahastowaitfor medicalaidfromotherprovincesAgricultural andindustrialsupplieswillbeprovidedbythe centralgovernmentsoactually'XXXX'isfor theoverallpressurebroughttothecountryIt isdisastrousforbotheconomicdevelopment andsocialsecurityissuesInsome economicallyunderdevelopedregions,this policymaybefeasibleconsideringthat foreigntrade,whichismostaffectedby COVID19,isvirtuallynonexistentinthese regions.Accordingtorecentstudies,many universitiesinChinaarenormalizingthe closure,andthedownsidesquicklyemerge: infectionsamonghealthcareworkersare frequent,andtheeconomicsituationof universitiesandthepsychologicalconditionof studentsarechallenged4.Therefore,theodds arethatextendingsuchpoliciestoacitywide orevennationallevelwillnotwork.Itis objectivelythemosteffectivewaytocombat COVID19evenmoreeffectivethan vaccinesconsideringmutationsofthevirus Neverthelesstheimpact,theintense atmosphereitbringstothepubliccannotbe ignored

Finally,itisawidelyappliedpolicyin foreigncountries:atotalopenupThe

situationofopeningupandbeingfreefrom NAATtestscantakeplaceinsomepartsof borderslikeYiliinXinjiangProvinceand specialadministrativeregionsHongKong andMacao(StateCouncil,2021)5Recently thegovernmentplanstoreinforceborder control6butintermsofprotectingand facilitatingtradeopportunitieswithother countries,theseregionsshouldchooseto directlycombatCOVID19.Whenevercases showup,noNAATtestsarerequired Becauseoftheirpositivefinancialstatus,these governmentsareabletotakeadvantageof resourceslocallyandabroadCitizensare allowedtoholdbusinessconversationsand partiesanywhereandanytimetheywouldlike toSocialfeedbackisthehighestunderthis policyAlso,economicpressurecanbe neglectedconsideringcontinuoustradewith foreigncountriesTheonlythingmatteris effectiveness:accordingtoarecentstudy, evenwithahighcoveragerateofvaccine: albeittheoverall2dosevaccinationcoverage was64%,mortalityinHongKongstillpeaked at38permillionpeople,reachingatotalof 5906deathsreportedduringJanuary6March 21,20226 .

Discussion

Tosumup,the72hourpolicyis comprehensivelythemostsuitableoneforthe currentsituationinChina.Withoutadoubt, NAATisoneofthemosteffectivewaysof detectinginfectedindividuals.Furthermore,a requirementofa72hourtestcertificatebefore enteringpublicspaceenablesastableand healthysocietyAlthoughthegovernment mighthavetogivefundstoamplifythehealth caresystemtomakeupfortheexpenseof takingtheNAATtest,thecostcanbealmost ignoredcomparedtoshuttingdownpolicyor 48hourpolicy.

Table1

EffectivenessSocietyFeedback EconomicPressure 48hourpolicyXX XX XX 72hourpolicyXXX XX X ShuttingdownXXX X XXXX OpeningupX XXX X Reference

[1]中华预防医学会新型冠状病毒肺炎防控 专家组新型冠状病毒肺炎流行病学特征的 最新认识[J]中华流行病学杂志,2020,41 (02):139144.DOI: 103760/cmajissn02546450202002002

[2]国家医疗保障局办公室国务院应对新 型冠状病毒肺炎疫情联防联控机制医疗救 治组关于降低新冠病毒核酸检测价格和费 用的通知（医保办发〔2022〕5号）医药管 理中国政府网(www.gov.cn)

[3]ÁguilaMejía,JD,Wallmann,R, CalvoMontes,J.,RodríguezLozano,J., ValleMadrazo,T,&AginagaldeLlorente,A (2022).Secondaryattackrates,transmission, incubationandserialintervalperiodsoffirst SARSCoV2Omicronvariantcasesina northernregionofSpain

[4]Wang,C.,Cheng,Z.,Yue,X.G.,& McAleer,M(2020)RiskManagementof COVID19byUniversitiesinChina.Journal ofRiskandFinancialManagement,13(2),36

https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm13020036

[5]国务院应对新型冠状病毒感染肺炎 疫情联防联控机制关于加强口岸城市新冠 肺炎疫情防控工作的通知（国办发明电 〔2021〕14号）政府信息公开专栏 (wwwgovcn)

[6]SmithDJ,HakimAJ,LeungGM,etal COVID19MortalityandVaccineCoverage HongKongSpecialAdministrativeRegion, China,January6,2022March21,2022 MMWRMorbMortalWklyRep 2022;71:545548DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7115e1

Whethershouldaestheticplasticsurgerybelegal

Lily(Lingyi Zeng)

Aestheticplasticsurgeryhassparkeda longlastingdebateaboutwhetheritshouldbe illegalsinceitisriskyinmanyaspectslike safetyissues.Whenaestheticplasticsurgeryis necessaryforsomeemergentproblems,it becomessignificantformanypeopleto changetheircurrentsituationItisonesided tomakeplasticsurgeryillegalsinceitwill affectmanypeopleinmanyways.However, aestheticplasticsurgeryshouldbeacceptable andembracedbyallpeople,sinceinplentyof conditionswhenaestheticplasticsurgery providesassistancetoremodelthefacial conditionsafteranaccidentoraseriousinjury, also,peoplehavetherighttodecidewhether theyaresatisfiedwiththeirappearance,and plasticsurgerycontributesalottothenational economysinceit’sapathforsomepeopleto earnincomefromthesesurgeries.

Initially,aestheticplasticsurgeryshouldbe legalsinceinmanysituationswhereplastic surgerycanassistpeopleinremodelinghurt appearancesafteranaccidentandsome injuriescanbringirreversibledamageto victims’facialappearance.Accordingtoa reportwrittenbyElsieBoskampaboutdataon theinjuriestakingplaceintheworkplaces, “Thereareabout28millionnonfatal workplaceaccidentsandinjuriesintheUnited StatesprivateindustryeachyearSprains, strains,andtaresarethemostcommon workplaceinjury,with327,650occurringin theUSin2019Nursingassistants,heavy truckandtractortrailertruckdrivers,laborers andfreight,stock,andmaterialmoversare amongthemostdangerousjobs,with370,360, and350injuriesperevery10,000fulltime

workers,respectively(Boskamp)”Wecansee thatmanyaccidentsinpeople’sfacial conditionshappenedinjustworkplaces,which bringshugedamagetopeoplephysicallyand psychologicallyHowever,plasticsurgeries canrepairthedamagecausedbythese accidents,whichcancurethe“scars”bothin personandinmind,andtheyshouldbelegal Moreover,takeaspecificnormalscarasan exampleDogbitesleadtoseriousinjuriesand maintainobviousscars.Also,thoseinjuries areusuallynotsuturedbecauseit’sdangerous forbacteriatoinfectthewounds.Itisbestto keepthewoundopentopreventthecaptureof dangerousbacteria.Therearealsoexceptions whenthefaceisbitten,butscarsarestilla problem(Johnson).Asweknowthatplastic surgerycanrepairscarsandinjuriesaftera traumaticaccident.Adogbite,forexample, canleaveapermanentscaronyourface However,plasticsurgerycansavepeople frompermanentinjuriesbecauseitcanrepair thescarsasmuchaspossibleIfthese proceduresbecomeillegal,thesepeoplewill neverhaveachancetohealtheirwounds Therefore,plasticsurgeryshouldbelegalfor helpinginjuredpeopletochangetheircurrent situationandgetoutoftheshadowofthose accidentsAlthoughthisreasonisasignificant pointfornotgettingplasticsurgerytobecome illegal,therearemorestandpointsthatit shouldbelegalabouthumanrights.

Followingthat,thereasonwhyplastic surgeryshouldbelegalisthatpeoplehavethe righttodecidewhethertheyaresatisfiedwith theirappearance.FromananalysisbyJennie Johnson,shetendstoanalyzeAmerican

citizensthatwhenpeoplefeelthattheirrights havebeenviolated,theyoftenprotestloudly. Peopleareunlikelytoapproveofchanging theirbeautyprocedures.ThewholeAmerican Constitutionrevolvesaroundthefreedomof thepeople,soit’shardtoshapetheiroriginal lifestyleofthempeacefully(Johnson) However,especiallyintheUnitedStates, freedomisacrucialideaforthemtoprotect theirrights.Asaresult,limitedhumanrights tobecomebeautifulwillcauseaprotest amongpeopleandcauseissues,whichwill provokeplentyoffuturetroublelikeillegally performingsomeoperationsagainstthelaw, whichisdangerousAdditionally,accordingto theprecisedescriptionofhumanrights, “supporteddecisionmakingisanideaabout therighttomakechoicesTheideaisthat everyoneneedshelptomakedecisions sometimesDisabledpeoplemightneedmore help.Wemightneedalotmorehelp.But needinghelpisn’tagoodreasontotakeaway someone’schoices.Supported decisionmakingmeansthatevenifsomeone needsalotofhelp,theystillhavetherightto maketheirownchoices(CenterforPublic Representation).”Fromthisparagraph,the informationillustratesthatitispeople'sright tomakesuchachoice,butatthesametime, peopleshouldalsoberesponsiblefortheir choiceWhatthisdefinitionmeansisthat peoplehavetherighttomakedecisionsabout themselves,however,theyshouldbearthe consequencesofthechoicestheymake Restrictingpeople'srightsisimmoralandwill causemanypeopledissatisfaction.Setting legalrestrictionsoncosmeticsurgeryisa restrictiononhumanrights,butpeopleshould alsoberesponsiblefortheiractions Consequently,thereasonwhytheillegalityof plasticsurgeryisunreasonableisthatpeople gettherighttodeterminethefacial appearancesofthemselvesandshouldnotbe restrictedbylegality.Asthoughit’soneofthe

reasonswhyplasticsurgeryshouldbelegal, thereisstillonemorepointthatithasan economiceffect

Lastbutnottheleast,plasticsurgeryshould belegalbecauseplasticsurgerycontributesa lottothenationaleconomysinceit’sapath forsomepeopletoearnincomefromthese surgeries.Accordingly,aneconomicanalysis byJennieJohnsondemonstratesthatplastic surgeryprovidesjobsformanypeopleanda stableincomeforthemThisrash illegalizationofplasticsurgeryhasledtothe unemploymentofmanypeopleandthe stagnationoftheindustrialchain(Johnson). “AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization, thereare2.5millionphysiciansglobally. Thereareanestimated865,000practicing surgeonsintheUnitedStatesaloneandover 12millionpracticingsurgeonsworldwide (Surgerycomau)”It’sconvincingthatthe industryofplasticsurgerycontributesalotto theemploymentrateandnationaleconomy, whichisnotreasonabletomakeitillegalIn addition,fromtheperspectiveoffinancial benefits,“therewouldbealessrevolving incomeatthispoint,aswellPeoplewouldnot bespending,thereforethemoneythatusually flowsthroughthepopulationmaybereduced quiteabit.Supplyanddemandaretheway thatoureconomyworksWhenthereisa healthydemandforsomething,peoplecan work,andmoneyisspentoftenWhenthe productthatisinhighdemandissuddenly removed,complicationscanoccurAfailing economyandfewerchoicesforthepublicare notbeneficialtotheeconomy(Johnson)”Put itinsimpleterms,People'sdemandfor cosmeticsurgeryalsopromotestheprosperity oftheeconomyIfthegovernmentmade cosmeticsurgeryillegal,theeconomicimpact wouldbeincalculableToconclude,aesthetic plasticsurgeryshouldbelegalforitsinfluence ontheeconomyHowever,therearesome

argumentsonthistopicwhichworth considering.

Ontheoppositeside,manypeoplehave concernsaboutdoingaestheticplasticsurgery andareeagertomakeitillegaltoorderto preventthosesituationsCommentslike“there arerisksinvolvedinhavinganysurgery,and proceduresthatarepurelycosmeticarenot worththoserisks(Kialo)”Whenweget certainrights,weshouldberesponsiblefor ouractionsThegovernmentcan'trestrictour rights,butatthesametime,weshouldalso understandtheconsequencesofourbehavior Safetyisindeedathoughtprovokingissue becausenocosmeticsurgeryis100%safeIf wesimplymakeaestheticsurgeryillegal becauseofsafetyproblems,itisvery unreasonable.Weshouldstarttoimprovethe safetyofthisoperation,ratherthanblindly stopitfromthesource,becausemanypeople needcosmeticsurgerytorepairtheirmental traumaMoreover,somepeoplebelievethat “westernbeautyidealsdominatethenarrow standardofbeautythatcosmeticsurgeriesset Popularizationandeasyaccessibilityof cosmeticprocedureswillleadtothe homogenizationofbeauty,bothintermsof physicalfeaturesandethnicdifferences (Kialo).”Everyonehasadifferentdefinition ofbeautyIfshewantstofollowmainstream aestheticsandchangeherself,weshould respecteveryone'schoiceWeencourage everyonetohavetheirindependentideasand theirdefinitionofbeauty,butifshehasgreat hatredforherappearanceandreceivesmalice fromsociety,cosmeticsurgeryshouldbe legalizedTherefore,althoughsome commentsmakesenseinsomeway,aesthetic plasticsurgeryshouldbelegalfromageneral pointofview

Tobrieflysummarize,aestheticplastic surgeryshouldbelegalsinceinmany situationswhereplasticsurgerycanassist

peopleinremodelinghurtappearancesafter anaccidentandsomeinjuriescanbring irreversibledamagetovictims’facial appearance,andpeoplehavetherightto decidewhethertheyaresatisfiedwiththeir facesandplasticsurgerycontributesalotto thenationaleconomyHowever,some opponentsworryaboutthesafetyissuesand thesociety’sbeautystandards,whichmake sensebutarenotconvincing.Wecannotmake regulationsinlawsrestrictpeople’srighton decidingtheirsurgeries,it’snotmoral. However,beyourself,andhaveindividual thoughts,that’salwaysthepoint

References

[1]CenterforPublicRepresentation. “About”SupportedDecisionMaking, 6 July 2021, supporteddecisionsorg/aboutsupport eddecisionmaking.

[2]Johnson,Jennie“10ReasonsCosmetic SurgeryShouldNotBeBanned.”List Land,19Sept2019, www.listland.com/10reasonscosmet icsurgeryshouldnotbebanned

[3]Poppy“ShouldCosmeticSurgeryBe Banned?”Kialo,14Sept2020, wwwkialocom/shouldcosmeticsurg erybebanned11680

[4]Surgerycomau“HowManySurgeons AreThereInThe World?”SurgeryComAu,16Oct 2021, wwwsurgerycomau/howmanysurgeonsare thereintheworld.

AnalysisonYangtzeRiverConservationandPlasticRecycling

Vera(Weiran Zhu)

I.Informationontheanalysis

InChina,about1.26milliontonsof wasteplasticbottleswerethrownintothe YangtzeRiverdirectlyandindirectlyin2020, whichisshapingecosystemsalongits6,300 kmriverlength.Statisticsrevealthatthe motherrivertonearlyonethirdof China’spopulationandmorethan5,000 speciesissufferingfromappallingplastic pollution.

GrowingupinNanjing,theresearcher hasaspecialbondwiththeYangtzeRiver Consideringthisspecialrelationshipand alertingstatusquo,theresearcherthuschooses tofocusonplasticspollutionintheriverand proposeouroriginalsolutionThispaperwill usemultipleresearchtechniques,mainly includingsurveysandonlineresearch, toanalyzetheimportanceofcombatingplastic pollutionintheYangtzeRiver,andbriefly describerespondingproductdesign

II.ImportanceofYangtzeRiver Conservation

TheYangtzeRiver'sconservationhas farreachingimpactsonboththenatural environmentandsocialcivilization

Whenpeoplethrowplasticwasteintothe YangtzeRiverastheywalkalongitsbanks, massiveamountsofnonbiodegradable materialsenterChina'slargestbodyofwater Theyarecontaminating,suffocating,and killingtheriver'secosystemItisextremely easyforallaquaticorganismstoconsume plasticwaste,whetherpredatorsorplanktons. However,theycannotdigestorexcretethese

toxins.Chronictoxinswillaccumulateintheir bodiesdayafterday,shorteningtheirlifespan anddisruptingpopulationbalance.Ithas threatenedtheChinesealligatorandthe narrowridgedfinlessporpoise,whilethe YangtzeRiverDolphin(thebaiji)isalready thoughttobeextinctMovingtotheriverbank, bothsoilandnearbyanimalsthatrelyonthe YangtzeRiverwillbeinfluencedbypolluted water,furtherharmingthelocalsystem. Plasticpollutionisendangeringboth biodiversityandenvironmentalquality,which iswhyYangtzeRiverprotectionisofvital importance.

Yet,thereismoretoitbeyond environmentaldegenerationOntheonehand, plasticinvadesculturalscenicspotsby erodingsculptures,destroyingfacilities,and turninggorgeoushistoricsitesintoamess. Consequently,thefuturegenerationswillhave noaccesstodeeplylearnabouttheir“mother river”andtheuniqueandlonglasting Yangtzeculture.Ontheotherhand,witha decliningfishpopulationduetoplastic poisoning,fishermenandriverdependent workersmaystruggletomakealivingPeople willsufferfromplasticpollutionindefinitely ifnoactionistakenassoonaspossible

III.AnalysisonTargetedproblems

1.Lackofpublicattention

Absentattentionreinforcesthe seriousnessofYangtzeRiverpollution AccordingtothekeywordsgivenbyPwC Youplus,theresearchersearchedthewhole networksearchindexofsome environmentrelatedwordsInJuly,excessive

packagingwassearched164timesadayon average.Gopaperlesswas168times.Antigen kitswere380,andmasksrecyclingwas 13,000.PlasticpollutionintheYangtzeRiver was45Everyproblemhereisasignificant issue,andtheyarepastedwithnumbers, whichdeterminewhohasaloudervoiceand iseasiertoreachthepublic’sear.Whilenew problemsoftenbathinscorchingattention,old andunsolvedcontaminationisgradually erasedfrommemory

Intheonlinequestionnaireputoutin earlyJuly,aseniorhighschoolrespondent wrote,"IfeelthatthepollutionoftheYangtze RiverwhenIwasinelementaryschoolwas reallyseriousTheschoolencouragedusto pickupplasticbottlesandgarbage,andnowI guessit’snotsomethingbig”Histhoughts representmanyrespondentswhoparticipated inthesurvey:683%oftherespondentssaid thattheplasticpollutionintheYangtzeRiver hasbeenbasicallysolved,while251%ofthe respondentssaidtheydidnotunderstand enoughaboutthepollutionHowever,the realityisnotasgratifyingasimaginedPlastic isstilloneoftheprimarypollutantsinthe YangtzeRiver,andasmentionedabove,tons ofwastePETplasticbottlesentertheYangtze RiverFromthispointofview,itisurgentto turnpublicattentionbacktoplasticpollution intheYangtzeRiver

2.Lackofincentives

Peoplerespondtoincentives(cardinal principleofeconomics)Itisimpossibleto regulatepeople'sbehaviorsolelyonmoral groundsifthecorrespondingstimulusis absent.Whenfacedwithaproblem,people willalwaysmakerationalandselfserving decisionsPeoplewillhavenowhereto disposeoftheirdiscardedplasticbottlesif therearenoappropriateorsufficientbinsto collectthewaste,sothemostconvenientway

forthemistothrowthemdirectlyintothe nearestriver,ratherthanalwaysholdingthe garbageintheirhandsandthusaffectingtheir hangingaround.Inadditiontotheindifferent lawsandregulations,itisnecessarytoprovide incentivesforpeopletoprotectthe environmentOnlywhenpeopleareprovided withsufficientincentiveswilltheybewilling toprotecttheirmotherriverspontaneously fromthebottomoftheirhearts.

IV.Product

InspiredbyJiangsuChangjianghuiTech Company,theresearcherproposestoinstall reversevendingmachinesforplasticbottle collectionalongtheYangtzeRiverbankA reversevendingmachine(RVM)isan innovativewaytocollectemptybeverage containersatthepointofuseandboost recyclingratesthroughasystemofincentives Ifpeoplehandintheirusedplasticorglass containers,theywillgetcertainrewardIthas beenusedinover27westerncountriesand hasthepotentialtobeimportedtoChina EquippedwithanovelWeChatminiprogram forusers,themachineallowspeopletofirst signupfortheminiprogramonline,scanthe QRcodeonthemachinetobeidentifiedand thengetrewardingpointsinreturnatonce. Whenthepointsreachcertainamount,they willgetcouponsforappssuchasTencent VideomembershiporexquisitegiftsWith RVMs,whichofferincentivesandarelocated inmanyplacesalongtheriver,recycling plasticbottleswillbecomeasimpletaskfor peopletodoMeanwhile,itwillincrease publicawarenessoftheemotionalbond betweentheYangtzeRiverandlocalssothat peoplecanbemorespontaneousintheir supportforYangtzeRiverprotection.

V.Conclusion

Theresearcheraimstoexpandthe practiceofenvironmentalprotectioninChina. Itwillraisepublicawarenessoftheir emotionalbondwiththeYangtzeRiver, helpingthemtobetterunderstandthe responsibilitytheyoughttoshouldersothat peoplecanbemorespontaneousintheir supportforriverprotection.Theprojectwill servetoimprovetheenvironment,bring sustainableeconomicbenefits,andenhance thequalityofhumanlifeinthelongrunThe researcherfirmlybelievesthatthe environmentoftheYangtzeRiverwill improvebeforetoolongwithjointefforts Thisisanimportantchangethatthisproduct canbringabout,anditisalsoadirectionto workon

References

[1]AcoRecycling(nd)Acorecycling Smartreversevendingmachine.Aco RecyclingRetrievedAugust20,2022,from https://www.acorecycling.com/

[2]IPEN(2022,February)PlasticWaste ManagementandBurdeninChina[Webpage] Retrieved from https://ipenorg/sites/default/files/documents/i penchina2021epav12.pdf[Accessed20th Aug2022]

[3]Niall.M.(2021,Jan5).TheRiversFilling TheOceansWithPlastic[Webpage] Retrieved from https://wwwstatistacom/chart/23850/worstpl asticpollutingrivers/[Accessed20thAug 2022]

[4]Plasticpollutionaffectssealifethroughout theocean.(n.d.).ThePewCharitableTrusts.

RetrievedAugust20,2022,from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/researchandan alysis/articles/2018/09/24/plasticpollutionaff ectssealifethroughouttheocean

[5] Reduce, reuse, recycle with the reverse vending machine USC Viterbi school of engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2022, from https://illumin.usc.edu/reduce-reuserecycle-w ith-the-reverse-vending-machine/

[6] Yangtze River (n d ) Encyclopedia Britannica Retrieved August 20, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Yangtze Ri ver

[7]“ ! " # $ ” % & ' ( ) * + , - % &

! " # $ (n d ) ! " # $. Retrieved August 20, 2022, http://mindex chinaz com/%E9%95 from

ClimateChange,SocietalCollapseandResilience

Vera(Weiran Zhu)

Societalcollapsereferstothe disintegrationofcivilizations,whichhasseen throughouthumanhistory.It’s“abroadterm thatcoversmanykindsofprocess”(Tainter, 1990),andmaybecausedbyassortedfactors, rangingfromnaturaldisastertocivilconflicts andaggressionAfterexperiencingcollapse, countlessmaturesocietiesdisappear,or rewindtoabackwardstatemarkedbylossof culture,breakdownofregime,increasing violence,andashrinkingpopulation

AccordingtoDiamond’sstudy,Itincludes GreenlandNorse,EasterIsland,Pitcairn IslandPolynesians,Anasazi,Maya,andmany othercivilizationsTakeGreenlandNorse’s disappearanceasanexample.Itislinkedwith multiplefactorslikedescendingtemperature, decreaseinarableland,lossoftradepartners, andlimitedfoodsourcesBothnaturaland humanfactorsplayaroleinitsdownfall,and wecanunderstandhowcomplexcollapsesare Yetsomesocietiesmanagetowithstandthe strike,keepingonprosperingforacertain periodoftimeliketheislandsofTikopiaand Tonga,theNewGuineaHighlanders,and pre1868JapanAssyrianEmpireisalsoone ofthem.Existingfromabout2100BCEto 200AD,itisanancientandlongliving societywhichrevivedonceaftersuffering warsWithitseffectiveandmature administrativesystems,theempireisa successfulexampleofdealingwithcollapse, andhavepassedonpreciousculturalheritage tolatergenerations

AccordingtoJaredDiamond’swork Collapse,heidentified5majorfactors contributingtocollapse:climatechange, hostileneighbors,lackofessentialtrading partnersorsupportiveneighbors,

environmentalproblems,andsocieties’ responsetothefourissuesaboveThese elementscanbefurthersummarizedintothe exceedingofanenvironment’scarrying capacity,andcanbedistinguishedthough instrumentalrecordandother sourcesmarinecores,lakecores,glacial cores,speleothems,andtreerings

Usually,it’snotasingleeventthatleads tothedestructionofonesociety,butmanyare includedintheprocessAccordingtoLenin, “multiplecausesofaneventmaybeoutof phaseandhaveaneffectonlywhentheyoccur together”(Lenin,1920).Sosometimes,it’s hardforustoranksocietalcollapseduetoits complexity,andevenscholarsmakesome erroneousassumptionsForinstance,Tainter consideredcatastrophearenotaconvincing explanationforthecollapseofvarious societies,consideringthedifferenceinthese civilizationsandtheprevalenceofnatural disastersThere’samodicumoftruthinhis argument,butheneglectedthatcatastrophes canbeextremeOnemostwellknownevent istheMegaDroughtin42kaBP,which historicallydroveancienthumansawayfrom theirland.Itleadstothecollapseofmany powerfulkingdoms,liketheAkkadianEmpire situatedinnowadaysSyriaandIraq. ArchaeologistHarveyWeissdiscoveredthe abandonedsiteinnorthSyria,andfoundan overlapbetweenMegaDroughtandthefallof AkkadianEmpire.Fromthisevidence,he suggestedthatabruptclimatechangeis actuallyahighlyimportantfactorincollapse, incontradictionwithTainter

Asseeninhumanhistory,abruptclimate changesandsocietalcollapsescanbeseenina widerangeofarea,leadingtodestructionon

bothhumancivilizationandhugeinfluences ontheoriginalearthenvironment.Forwe citizenslivingintoday’ssociety,itis importanceforustounderstandsocietal collapseanddrawlessonsfrompastdataand records.Iwouldsummarizethreemajorways ofcopingwiththesecrisisbyanalyzing relevanttheoriesandhistoricalcases.

Peoplecaneasethepressureoflimited resourceslikefoodthroughproducing “surplus”Ifyoupossessmorethingsthanyou require,there’sasurplus.Forexample,inthe fieldofagriculture,surplushappenswhen population’sneedforfoodexceedsactualcrop productionThus,tosolvetheproblem,we needtoimproveagriculturaltools,crop quality,andotherrelevanttechnology,which canboostfoodproduction,leadingtoamore stableandsustainableeconomicdevelopment.

Riseinsocialresiliencealsohelpsto slowdownsocietalcollapses.Socialresilience revealsasociety’scapabilityofdealingwith andrevivingfromdestructiveincidents.

Itisdeterminedbyasociety’s governancestructure,financialsystem,social cohesion,andaccesstoresourcesDiamond putforwardthatonecrucialdeterminantis howasocietymakedecisionsinthefaceof collapseTheprimitivewayofgroup decisionmakingoftenleadtofailuresin actuallysolvingcrisisWhenactingrationally, peoplemayeasilygetinto“aclashof interests”,whentheyonlyprotecttheirown good,eventhoughitmaybebadforthewhole groupWhenactingirrationally,peoplesimply rejectcertainsolutionswhenthesocialvalues behinditcontradictstheiroriginalbeliefBoth decisionmakingskillsacceleratecollapse,and canstillbeseenintoday’sworldaspeople refusetousenewtechnology,orprotectthe environmentwhichcostsmoneyandtime Witnessingpasttragediesandproblematic systemsbehind,wecanlearntoincreaseour

socialresiliencestartingbytransformingthe shortsighteddecisionmakingmodeintoa morerationalizedonePeopleshouldstop shirkinganddividingresponsibilities,and begintostopcausingmoreproblemsbut solvingthemtogether.

Habittrackingisthefinalmethodfor peopletosurviveinworstclimatesituations

Byabandoningtheoriginalhabitat,and migratingtomoreprosperouslandlikeriver bandorthekarst,peoplemayhavethechance torebuildtheircivilizationonceadaptingto thenewenvironment.Itcanbeseeninthe caseofancientAfricanpeoplemigratingfrom NorthtoSouthalongtheNileflow.For today’speople,wemayalsoturntoexplore newplaceswhichmightbesuitableforhuman survival

Bothclimateandsocialissuearenotonly ascientificproposition,butshouldbetreated attheheightofinternationalinterestsIn recentdecades,concernsonclimatechange hasbecomeanimportantbasisforsome governmentstodeveloptheirnationalplans andglobalstrategies,whileindividualsare alsopayingincreasingamountsofattentionon theslowlyongoingcollapsesWecanseethe climateischangingfast,andthereisnodoubt thatwecan’texactlypredictordesignitspath However,asmankind,wedohavetheability toslowdownitspacebyusingthemethods mentionedabove

FALLISSUE ESSAY

Withthedevelopmentinagriculture, improvementinsocialresilience,and discoveriesofnewhabitat,wemayenablethe currentcivilizationtosustaininthelongrun.

Littledolls

01.

Charliewokeupwithabsolutelynoideawhere hewas.Helookedaroundconfused:thewalls lookedveryrough;oneortwotinybranches drilledintothecracksinthewallfulloftiny purpleflowers;averycommonmedieval woodendoorembeddedinthewallnexttoit;a smallwindowopenedontheoppositewall; palemoonlightpouredinfromthedustyglass ofthiswindowandfellontherustybedpan underit

Charliegotupandyankedthewoodendoor, heardthesoundoftheironringontheother sidecollidingwiththewoodendoor,Hewas startled,thenreturnedtothebed,pickedupthe stonenexttothebed,andthrewithardatthe glassaboveTheglassbrokedowninresponse tothecrashingsoundExceptforafewglass fragmentsflutteringtothebed,therestrushed outside,butnodroppingsoundsCharlie steppedonthebed,carefullyknockedoffthe glassremainingaroundthewindowframe, enduringthepainofbracinghishandonthetip ofthatbitofunbreakableglass,andflippedout ofthewindowwithgreateffort.Carefully avoidingtheglassthatjustsmashed,herolled overandlayonthegrassbreathingheavily. Afterhavingaglimpseofthecutsonhishands, Charlieclosedhiseyesandslammedhishands ontheground

“Whereareyougoing?Isupposeyoujustwoke up?”AcoldvoicerangoutinfrontofCharlie’s eyes,heimmediatelyopenedhiseyesinfright: adelicatelittlefaceenteredhislineofsight upsidedown

Itdoesgowellwiththevoice

"HowlonghaveIbeenhere?"Charlie proppedhimselfupfromthegroundandturned hisentirebodyaroundHissightwentup slightlylookingatthepersonbendingdownin frontofhim,whileheansweredquite irrelevantly

"CountingfromthetimeIfirstfoundyou,"he heldouthishandtowardCharlie,waitedfor himtoputhishandonhisown,laboriously pulledhimupofftheground,andthengestured forCharlietofollowhim,"about......sixor sevendays"

Charliestoodstillwithasuspiciouslookonhis faceandscannedaround.Thedelicatedollface boydidn'thearCharlie'sfootstepsfollowing him,turnedbacktoseek,andthenexamined himwithalook:"Comeon,don’tyourhands hurt?"HearingthequestionCharlielooked downtocheckthewoundsonhishands: denselypackedcutorscratchedwoundswith brokenglasses

Hejoggedtwostepstokeepupwiththeboyin frontofhimandasked,"Whatisthisplace,and whoareyou?"

Thedollfacegavehimaglance,"Aruined city."Hepausedandthenintroducedhimself, "AndIamtheonewhoistrappedhere,callme Patrick,nothingspecial."

Charlienoddedseeminglyunderstood,and silentlyfollowedPatrickintotheoldcastle Thegreeneryaroundthecastlewasbloominga littlebit,slowlyrevealingitspurplepetals,like inthewelcomeofthis"faraway"guest.

02.

Patrickfetchedbandages,tweezers,andiodine fromthemedicalkitinthecastle.Helowered hisheadtocleantheglasscrumbsonCharlie's handswithtweezerswhileasking:"Doyou wanttogoaroundsomewherelater?"

CharliestaredblanklyatPatrick,whohada littlebabyfatonhischeeks,whiteandclean, remindingCharlieofthedollthathadflashed throughhismindearlier,andwasunableto respondforawhile

Patricksawnoresponse,raisedhiseyes,and lookedatCharlie,then,withalightlaugh,went backdowntogetiodinetowipeonhishands "AmIthatgoodlook don'tmove, resist"PatrickpattedCharlie'shand,which wastryingtopullawaybecauseofthepain, andthensaid,"Won'tyouconsideranswering me?"

"Ah,"CharlieblinkedPatrickhasbeguntowrap bandagesonhishandwithhislongfingers. Charliesuddenlyrememberedthe"trappedhere" thatPatricksaidbeforehebroughthiminWhat doesitmean

"Iwanttogotothelibraryisthereone?" Heinquiredcarefully:suchalargeancientcastle, thereshouldbesomething,right?

Atthispoint,Patricklookedatthemasterpiece tiedinCharlie’shandsawhitebowandclapped hishandsinsatisfactionThenhesawtheslowly twistedexpressiononCharlie'sface,holding backalaughtopackthings:"OfcoursePretty cool,Ididn'texpecttobeabooklovinglittledoll thistime"

PatrickledCharlietothelibraryandpushedhim inside,slightlyhookinghislips:"Thisisthe place,don'twanderaroundHereatnightisnot safe."

CharlieraisedaneyebrowatPatrickthenturned aroundandwalkedinside

Heshuttledbetweentherowsofbookshelves. Thebooksinhishandskeptchanging,andhe finallysatdowntiredlyinacornerofthe libraryTheonlywordleftinhisheadwas “curse”.

Hecasuallyfetchedaflashlightfromthe tableathandandtriedtopressdownThe flashlightalsoflashed.Surprisingly,it'sstilla workingflashlight

Charliepaddedhistoes,andquietlyslipped outoftheoldcastle,seekinghiswaythrough thisruinwithaflashlightThebrightlight illuminatedthedustintheair,andCharlie fannedhimselfwithhishandcarelessly, chokinghimselfwithastraightcough.Then asifafraidofbeingdiscoveredbysomeone, hehurriedlycoveredhismouthwithhishand.

03.

"Whyaretheredeadendseverywhere," Charlieshotaflashlighttolighttheway ahead:thelighthitthebrickwallattheend ofthealleyscatteredback.Hazily,heonce againsawthehalfopenlilacsinthecracksof thewall,andcollapsedexhaustedagainstthe alleywall,muttering“Howonearthcanwe getoutofthisdamnplace?"

Theredlightonthealleywaycameraflashed. ItcapturedCharlie’sfigureprecisely, transmittingtheimagetoadisplayinoneof theroomsinthemiddleofthecastle

Thepersonsittinginfrontofthedisplayhad hisfeetcrossedoverhisdesk,carryinga fabricdoll,holdingajarofsugarchestnuts, andthrowingthemintohismouth.Eyeson themonitorwithoutleavingasecond,the persononthemonitorwastillsearching.He stoodupwithasneerandputdownthe chestnuts:"Thisdollisnotveryobedient."

04.

"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?"Charliefollowed behindPatrick,watchinghimtakeoutsome stitchesfromthelabshelvesthathadnothingto dowiththeplace,sitdownatthenearestlabtable, andstartstitchingit“Icannotremember”Patrick quietlyfinishedthelaststitchandanswered Charliewhilepickingitupandappreciatingit “What?”Charliecaughtonasecondlater,"Oh, soyou'retheonlyoneinthistown?"

“No,”Patrickslowlypackeduphisthings,then tookthenewdoll,whichhadjustbeensealed,to thesidecabinetThecabinetwasneatlylinedwith arowofdolls,eachwithalilaconitschest,only allwitheredPatrickwenttothewindow,opened it,reachedout,andpulleddownapurpleflower fromtheoutsideexactlyasCharliewhathad seenandplaceditonthedoll'schest,finally closingthecabinet:"Actually,Iamtheonlyone left"

"Paddy,"CharliesuddenlylookedatPatrickvery seriously,"let'sleave"

"Whatdidyousay?!"

"IfIhadawaytogetout,"Charliestilllookedat him,unblinkingPatrickwasstillinshock,staring backathim,onlytostiflea“you”afteralong timeThenheardCharliecontinuetoask,“Are youwillingtoleavewithme?”

"I......"Patrick’seyeslitupforamoment,thenhe droppedhiseyestothegroundandsneeredto himself,"HowcanIgetoutofhere?"

05.

ThecrystalballonthetablereflectedPatrick's face,andhiswordsdrilledintoears,"Lethimgo."

"Youfeelsorryforhim?"Themanwhoaskedthe questionsaidinasoftmockingvoice,hishand fiddlingwiththelilacsfoldeddownandplacedon thetable

“Setthemfree,what’sthepointofdoingthis?”

"Nah,interesting,whatafunthingtodo,"The volumeofthemangraduallybecamelouderand clearer;thevoicewasmorethanfamiliar,coldand clearAshadowpresseddownfromPatrick’s body,“Havingbeeninthisplaceforsolong,how boringisitdon’tyouknow?”

"Besides,don'tyoulikethisnewdolltoo?" 'Patrick'askedrhetoricallyashepettedtheflowers inthevase

"Sincethismovingdollisnowdisobeying,”He smiledatthelilacsonthetableandsuddenly pulledoneoffwithavengeanceandthrewitathis feet,staringintoPatrick’seyeswithamusement, “thenmakehimanimmobileone"

Thewindcarriedtheflowersflyingtoabroken andtattereddollinthecornernotfaraway:button eyeshungonadirtythreadhangingintheface;the stitchingmarksonthebodywereallopened;the cottoninsidewasnolongerbondedandwasabout gushingout;theashonthewallfellonitunevenly dyedbrownishgray

06.

PatrickknockedonthedoorofCharlie’sroom,the personintheroomwasreadytosleepbouncing straightfromthebed.Hearingafamiliar"it'sme" response,CharlieknewthatthevisitorwasPatrick beforesittingbackonthebed,yellingtowardsthe door:"What'swrong?"

"Don'tyouhaveawaytoescape?"Patricksounded anxious,urgingthroughthedoor,"Go,gonow!" “Whataboutyou?”

"IsaidIcannot"Patrick’swordscutoff abruptly.

Themoonclimbeduptothecloudsandpoured downsomecoldmoonlightSomethingwasgrowing intheyardoutside,branchesreachingmadly throughthebrokenwindowsofthehallwayintothe room,wrappingthemselvesaroundPatrickina deadlyway

"Whatareyoudoing?!Ugh"Hegrittedhis teeth,andthemorehestruggled,thetighterthelilac branchesclosedPatrick’sarmwasstrangledwitha redbloodstain,sharppointspiercingtheskin,drops ofcrimsonbloodsmashedonthepetalsfallingto theground.Thebranchescarriedhimawayfromthe window

"Shah,"thevisitorcoveredPatrick’smouthand murmuredinhisear,"it'stimeforthepartyIhave preparedforhim"

"Believeme,"Charliegotsuspiciouswhennot hearingPatrick’sreply,askedtentatively,"you What'swrong?"

"Well,"'Patrick'respondedback,ignoringthe peoplestillstrugglingbehindhim,"Itrustyou"

Charliequicklydressedup,pulledup'Patrick',and rushedoutsidetheroomThepromenadewasempty atthistimeIfCharlielookedcarefullyoutofthe brokenwindow,hewouldseetherewasabloody mantrappedunderthemoonlightslightlyhigherup thanthelilacbushesTheclockinthecastlehallis countingseconds.

Afterbreakingthroughthemanytrapscomingtothe entranceofthecastle,Charlieclutched'Patrick's handtightlyHeopenedthelockwiththeotherhand whiletellinghim:“Becareful,watchyourstep,and followmeclosely”

"You'retheone,"the'Patrick'behindhimhookedhis lipsslightly,"whoshouldbecareful."

AfterCharlieenteredthelastdigitofthecode,the roombehindhimbegantocollapseasthemaindoor tothecastleopened,thebooks,chandeliers,and ceilingsallcrashedtothefloor,shatteringallover theplaceandsendingupthedust.Agreenspike sproutedaroundtheclockinthehallwith30seconds to7:00.

Justasthecollapsewascomingtoanend,the chandelierclosesttothedoorwaycamecrashing down,fallingunceremoniouslyonCharlie’sright leg

'Patrick'rushedforwardandsquattedinfrontofhim, motionlesslyconcerned,"Yah,areyouokay?"

"You'renothim"Anaffirmation

Charliequicklypickedhispainfulrightlegoutofthe piecesofthecrystalchandelierandraisedhiseyesto lookatthe'Patrick'infrontofhim

"Knowingnow,"'Patrick'slowlystoodupand causallykickedCharlieintherightleg,thenlooked athimwhowasgrimacinginpain,andlaughed," Isn'titalittlelate?"

Hepointedtothesmallclockonthewallinthehall andchuckled,"Thereare15secondsleftinthe breakthrough"

Charlietookamatchoutofhispocket,litthestick hehadcasuallypickedupfromtheground,heldit upoverthelilacbushinfrontof'Patrick',and laughed,"Why?Ofcourse,it'snottoolate,just right."

"Thinkaboutit,"'Patrick'staredatCharlieinthe eyewithadeadlyglare,"hewon'tsurviveifyou burnedhere."

"Haveyouconsideredit?"

"Sure"Charlietossedtheburningstickupward Theflamesexplodedintheflowers,andthebuds aroundthehallclockexplodedatthesametime, thenfadedasquicklyasiftheyhadbeenexposedto chlorinegas

‘Patrick’s’bodyalsobegantoburnfromthe middle,thedarknessswirledwithascream, mournfulwiththemoonlight

"See?"'Patrick'burstintolaughtermaniacally, "Thisistheoneyou'vebeendyingformetoletgo of!Lookatthat!Seehowmuchhelovesyou!

07.

Charlielimpedthroughthebackdoorintothekiosk, coweringbehindtheshelvesandpeeringatthe cashierCharliesuddenlyfeltanincreasingly powerfulhandonhisshoulderandjumpedhighwith ajolt.

"CHARLIE!Don'tthinkIcan'tcatchyoulatejust becauseyou'rehiding."Patrickwinkedtowards Charlie,whotickledthebackofhisheadandshoved abunchoflilacsintoPatrick'sarms:"Here"

"Hmph,"Patrickheldtheflowershaughtilyand hummedatoneoutofhisnose,"You'restillin chargethismonth.Thisisyourpunishmentfor alwaysbeinglate!"

"Okay,okay,"Charliesmiled,"Ireallyoweyou"

"Uhhuh,"Patrickbouncedovertothecashierwith theflowersinhishands,placedthebunchinavase, thenpulledofftwoandcarefullyinsertedtheminto theshirtpocketsofthetwofabricdollsnexttothe vase,"that'sreallyhardtosay"

Friendship

Corona(YanjunChen)

Inmanypeople’seyes,Reidhadalwaysbeena undemandingson,aconsideratefriendanda docilestudent,whounlikeotherteens,willingto taketheiropinionsintoconsideration.Whenthe majorityofthemmethim,theypattedhimonthe chestandearnestlybelievedthathewouldhave splendidachievementswhenhegrewupBut himselfwasnotsosureabouthisfuture,atleast thatwaswhathethoughtinhighschoolAshis intimatefriend,Isometimesheardhimcovertly complaintomethatalthoughinhishearthewas longedtoreceiveothers’compliments,heoften feltnervousandawkwardwhenactually receivingthem

Iusedtoregardthefirstdayofhighschool,the openingceremonyofthenewstudents,asour firstmeeting,whichIfoundoutlaterwasnotTo myamusement,whenIlookeduponthatday,I realizedIdidnotpaymuchattentiontohimat all,partiallyattributedtothefactthatIwas preoccupiedwithmyunfinishedsummerholiday assignments.

Inthefirsthalfsemesterofsenior1,hetome wasmerelyaclassmateTheunfamiliaritywas becauseoftheinfrequentinteractions,asour seatswereatarelativelysubstantialdistancein theclassroom.Nevertheless,Icouldstillget windofhissterlingreputationTheyallclaimed thathewassuchabenignanduncontentious person,whorespondedtoeverypleaofthe classmatesandalwaysbehavedmodestlyafter receivinggratitudeandcommendationIwas ratherindoubtabouthishearsayuntilonceI foundthathenotonlyofferedeveryoneinthe classwhoaskedhimquestionsmeticulous explanationsbutalsorecommendedreferences evenwithpagenumbers

Iwasastounded. Howcouldsomeonebesomeconsiderate?

IoutsettobecomecuriousabouthimBycoincidence,a fewdaysafterthemidtermexamoftheterm,the distancebetweenuswasmuchshortenedduethe rearrangementoftheseats,whichendowedmewithan opportunitytotakealookathimatclosehandIwas like,thiswassuchatimelyrain.Afterdaysof observation,whichsoundedabitweird,Ieventually discoveredsomethingnew

Onecommonplacedayofstudying,Iwasboredto deathseatingintheclassroom,soIasusualgazedathis faceInonemoment,Ifoundthisfacesoacquaintedto me.ThesenseoffamiliaritywassovaguethatIracked mybraintorecallthecornersofmymemory,tocapture thistinyclue,asifIhesitatedforasecond,itwould meltaway

AstrikingthoughtstruckmelikelightningMy previouschildhoodbuddy!Helookedjustlikethe enlargedversionofhim,thechildofmyprevious neighbors,whoatthesametimewasmychildhood playmateTheymovedawayfromthecommunityabout 8yearsago.Iwasfilledwithconsiderableexcitement thatsetupspectacularfireworksinmyhead,yet followedbyaslightsenseofinexplicablefidgets,when Icalmeddownalittlebit

SinceIcometothisidea,Imeticulouslyscannedhis facemorefrequentlythanusual,tocomparehisface withtheoldpictureinthedustyalbum.Overtime, maybebecauseofstraightforwardeyesight,heopened hismouthandshuthismouth,finallybecamesilent,the actionofwhichcirculatedmanytimesaday Eventually,notabletoinhibitmycuriosityand agitationanymore,Imusteredupthecouragetoask him.Fortunately,assoonasIaskedhim,Igotan affirmativereplyIheavedasign,andthenburstinto happiness.Heaswellbreathedagreatsignasif relievedofaheavyburdenAtlast,withthejoyof meetingagainafteralongseparation,welookedateach otherandexchangedasmile

FICTION BLOSSOM

Ifirmlybelievedthatmeetinganoldfriendwasone ofthemostpreciousmomentsinlifeOnthebasisof childhoodfriendship,wesoonbecameacquainted againWehadagoodtimeaccompanyingmutually Hewouldtakecareofmyemotions,sharefunny jokes,andofferpropersuggestions

Iwastotallyimmersedinthegaietyinthefirstfew weeks,untilIrealizedthelimitedtracesremainedof thelittleboyonhimComparedtoothers,the flowingtimehadtoomuchinfluenceonhimEight yearsago,inthefieldsoffarmsandunderthelights ofthecities,hehadbeenthenaughtyboywhospent thenaiveyearsplayingwildlywithmeHewas disobedientWehadexperiencedargues,mostof whichrapidlyvanishingwithoutatrace.Butnow,he wasliketheperfect,thoughtfulfriendwhonever tookoffence.

Thisallstartedfromthatday.Ibanteredwithhim, askingwhetherhewasonthevergeofconsidering measapsychopath,duetomycontinualobservation tofindoutwhomhewasIaskedhimbecauseI foundthishilarious,asthecontinualobservationdid seemsuspiciousfromsomeperspectivesWhatI expectedatthattimewasthatheadmittedthisjoke, thenwelaughedtogetherHedidsoButtomy surprise,afterwebothgaveaheartylaugh,he furthertoldmethathethoughtthereasonwhyIkept lookingathimwasthathedidsomethingwrong

Itriedtocomfortmyselfthathejustgrewmature, whichwasagoodthingforhimtonolongerbe naughty,butasthetimewentby,Ihardlyignored theworstassumption.Moreandmoredetailsheaded abovewater:healwaysgrantedwhateverclassmates wererequested;healwaysconcernedthathemade themistakes;hewaspaidtoomuchattentionto others’opinions...Hewasalmostbecomingthe ingratiatingpersonality

Thenaughty,joyfulboy,andtheingratiating personality?

Ididanticipatepositivealterationsfromanold friendForinstance,Iwouldbesimplydelightedto watchhebecomecourteousandhelpfulHowever, combinedwithhisactualbehaviorsandseenfrom anotheraspect,mostofthemeritshehadgained weremorelikelytobeoriginatedfromhisfeelings ofinferiorityandingratiation.

Icouldnothelpwonderingifheencounteredhuge traumathatgaverisetosuchhugetransformationin characters.

Ididnotdirectlyaskhimaboutthequestion,asI wasafraidtorubsaltintohiswoundsThough,Idid hearsomerumorsfromneighborsaboutthereason whytheymovedawayfromthecommunityThere weresayingsthathisparentswenttoworkabroad, leavinghimtolivewithgrandparentswhoaswell raisedalotofcousinsIfitwastrue,thenitmade sensewhyhetransformedsomuchLivinginahuge familymightleadtothefeelingofnotbeingvalued, especiallyafterbeingtheonlychildforyears,which inreturnmaycausetheingratiatingpersonalityin ordertoreceivecompliments.

Withhiscurrentconditionreverberatinginmymind, Ibegantobeartheresponsibilityasafriend,looking afterhimcarefully.Ihelpedhimtoopenuptorefuse someunreasonabledemandsfromtheclassmates;I encouragedhimthathewasworthallthose complimentswestuckwitheachotherlikeglues andfollowedeachotherlikeshadows.Luckily,the symptomsseemedtoturnforthebetter

OneFriday,Itookofftheclassinthemorningdueto thestalledcarWhenIcametoschoolinthe afternoon,Iaccidentallystumbleduponascene Duringthenoonbreak,oneoftheclassmateswere sharingmangoesshebroughtfromhomewith classmatesNaturally,ReidgotonetooInordernot toletdownthekindness,heatetheportionofhisall. Standinginfrontofthedoorandwatchinghe pretendtobegladtoeatthemangoes,Iwasflooded bythesensesoffumeanddespondency

Didn’theknowthathewasallergictomangoes?

IdidnotcomeinIneededsometimetobe composed.Itookadeepbreath,wanderinginthe corridorTheflameoffumewasgraduallycovered bythesenseoffrustration.Ithoughtyesterdaythat hisingratiationhadbeenundermined,butitseemed thataslongasIdidnotshowup,hewasthesameas before

Ifiguredoutthatsimplystandinginfrontofhim couldnoteradicatetherealproblem,justlike althoughhegavemeticulousexplanationstothe classmates,someofthemwerestillincapableof solvingthequestionsofsimilartype,astheyfailedto experienceitthemselvesItwaswrongofmetoact likeawindtightprotectiveumbrella,whichdeprived hischancesofinternalselfgrowthButIwasaswell worriedthatifIreducedthefrequenciesofhelping himormadethemoveonlyduringcriticalsituations, hemightmistakenlybelievethatIwasalienating himAsaresult,wehadatalk,andIexplained everythingtohim.

Thatwasthenormaldevelopmentofourhighschool lifeHeoncestaggeredalongtheway,butunder greatefforts,hisingratiationwasweakenedalot.

Unfortunately,wewereenrolledbydifferent universitiesindistinctprovincesduetovaried objectivesThoughwewerestillincontact,Iwas worriedifhecouldactuallygetridoftheingratiating personalitythereonhisownWiththecomplicated mood,duringonealumniassociation,Isurprisingly foundthathecalmlyrejectedtheirmangojuice

Ibreathedadeepsign Luckily,mypreviouschoicewasright.

Imitator

AnorexiaxMukbang

Setsuna(ShuchangJiang)

Ⅰ

"Havealittlehotpotathomemyselftoday" Winonaskillfullypulledherhairup,afew strandsofhairstucktothesideofherface, makingherfacelooksmaller.Shereachedup andadjustedthecameratomakesureherface andthehotpotcouldbeseenatthesametime, "Takeacover"Shesmiledslightly,thelight hittingherface,makingherevenmoregentle. Thecameragoesbacktoher,shewaspreparing theingredients,herbarenailsareclean,andthe vegetableswithwaterdropletsareevenlycut andarrangedonadarkblueplateThemeatand vegetablearewashedandseparatedinto differentkinds,shesprayedoilintotheelectric hotpot,putdownapieceofhotpotbase,and gentlystirreditwithchopsticksBeingafraidof disturbingtheviewerswithheadphones,she carefullyturneddownthebackgroundsound

Luciousputhisphoneonthesupermarketcart andslowlyfollowedthesignsinthe supermarket,graduallyfillingthecartwith ingredients:vegetables,mushrooms,beefrolls, andacertainbrandofhotpotbasethatWinona specificallymentioned,whichshesaidsmelled betterthanothers

HeislikeanimitatorHepouredtheingredients downinorderuntilthecrabstickscameupand downseveraltimesHereluctantlychuckeda leafintothebowl

Thewhiteceramicbowlisstainedwithredoil Onlyleftforonlyafewseconds,theredoil begantosolidify

Luciouspickedupthechopsticksandputthem downagain,madeamomentofpsychological construction,butresignedlyturnedonthebuiltin TVinthelivingroom,turnedtheprogressbar backtoWinona'ssmilingfacewhenshewas shootingthecover,andateslowlyforfifteen minutesWhentheTVwentblackagain,Winona cleanedtheplatesoffood,Luciousflushedthe nearuntouchedfooddownthedrain,putthe dishesinthedishwasher,brewedaglassofplain American,felthehadcompletedthetoughesttask oftheday,andwentbacktothestudytoworkon hispapers

BeforegoingtobedLuciousclickedonWinona's privatemessage,hethoughtandslowly typed:TodayIatehotpotwithyou,itwas deliciousWatchingyouhavingmealsishappy BecauseofWinona,Ihaddinner,thankyou

Hedidn'trealizethathespokelikeahighschool student,ashedidn'tthinkWinonawouldseehis privatemessagesThenhesawamessageonthe screen

Winona:HAVEDINNERTOMORROW,TOO! Luciousconfusinglyreachedforhisglassesonthe nightstandandreadWinona'sreply,againand again,thewarmlightfromtheclosethittinghis phonemadethesimpletextwarmer

Lucious:Okay.

Afraidthatthepersonontheothersidemightfeel indifferent.Lucioustypedagain.

Lucious:What'sfordinnertomorrow?

Herefreshedthepageseveraltimesandgoback toreplytotheworkmessage,attemptingtocalm himselfdown,buthestillcouldn'thelpflushing whenhesawthenewreply

Winona:Seafoodfriedrice!

Lucious:Okay

Ⅱ

ThenextdayLuciousaskedhisassistanttoreservea restaurantforthefirsttime.

"ForonepersonHmmmJustonethatcaneat seafoodfriedrice."

Luciouswasn'tsurewhatimpressionhehadmadeon theassistantAnyway,theseafoodfriedriceatthis restaurantwasreallygoodAsheate,heimagined Winona'ssoftvoicesayingtocarefullypickoffthe shrimpthreads,andweirdlyenough,healsofelt responsibleforthefood,andritualisticallytook pictures.

Therestaurant'splatingdidn'taffectthefactthathe tookuglypictures,whichfortunatelyonlyappearedin asmallprivatechatbox

LuciousreceivedareplyfromWinonaateleven o'clock

Winona:Notasgoodasmine.

Luciousthenbegantoeagerlylookforwardtotheday whenhecouldeatWinona'scooking.

Asapersonwhohaslittledesireforfood,Luciousate withWinonathroughthescreenHequietlylookedat Winona'sbeautifulfaceandslowlymovedhis chopsticksasamechanicalarminjectedwithpower ButWinona'sreplymadeLuciouswonderifhewas theonesittingatthesametablewithWinona,sharing thesamesandwichLuciouspursedhistongue, feelingalittlehungry.Hewasamanofaction,and afterthemarketingdepartmentofhiscompanyand Winonareachedapromotionalpartnership,he obtainedWinona'spersonalinformationAShanghai girlwithbigeyes.

Whenwemetbychanceatthesupermarket, everythingseemedlogical,asifnooneinsistedon goingtothesupermarketeverydayatfiveo'clockfor thisreason

Lucioustappedherontheshoulder,"Hi,I'm Lucious"

Winonaisthinnerinpersonthanoncamera,her elongatedshoulderbladespeekingoutofherwhite dresslikeabutterflywithwingsShesmiledandsaid, "Hi,I'mWinona"

Ⅲ

FromthemomenthehadWinona'sinformation, Lucioushadafeeling.HewouldeatWinona's meal,appearinhervideosandbecomeahostin herhouse.Hisfeelinghadalwaysbeenaccurate.

ThenightLuciousconfessedhislove,Winona listenedtohimveryquietly

"I'vealwaysbeen,afanofyours.Iseefoodand wanttovomitOnlywhenIwatchyourvideo,I caneat"

LucioussitsonthecouchatWinona'shouse, bowinghishead:"Iloveyou" Winonawassilentforamoment,andaskedhis face:"Wheredoyoulikeme?"

Lucioussaidsincerely:"Idon'tknow.ButIlove Winona"

Shelaughed,andthenaverylightscentof jasminefilledhisnose,Winonacameupand gentlywrappedherarmsaroundhiswaist.

Lucious'illnesswascured.Everydaybeforehe leftwork,hewouldreceiveamessagefrom Winona:"Noodlestoday!

Hecouldalreadyimaginethewonderfultasteof noodles,andimmediatelyreplied:Lesschili, pleaseTuT

Thelovebetweenfansandbloggerswaskeeping on,andLuciouscontinuestowritehismealdiary toWinonabeforebedtime

TodayIhadnoodles,mygirlfriendmadethem andtheywerereallydelicious.Mygirlfriendis goodlookingandcute

Afterposting,heclickedonWinona'shomepage andsawthatshehadrecentlyuploadedavideoof hereatinganeightinchcake,andthehot commentwas"Isitsomethingthataneightyplus poundpersoncouldeat???"Shedidn'treply.

Ⅳ

Onthedaytheyweretogetherfortwomonths,Lucious madeareservationforaprivateroomatarestaurant Winonaworeayellowpuffydressandalipglaze, whichLucioushadtastedinthecarItwascherry flavored.

LucioussawthatWinonalikedthegrilledseabassand puthisinherbowl.Winonagavehimadeeplook throughthewarmlightoftherestaurantShewas usuallysmilingandlookedverygentle.But,whennot smiling,thecurveonthecornerofhermouthisvery flat,asifshewasindifferentandunhappy.

Afterdinner,hesentWinonahome,andatthedoor, Winonakissedhimontheface

Luciouswatchedherentertheelevatorandturned aroundtogobacktothecarBeforethecarstarted,he rememberedthathehadlefthiscoatatWinona'shouse thelasttimeTheelevatordoorjustopenedandhesaw thedoorofWinona'shousewasopen,hepushedthe doorin,thebathroomlightwasonandtherewasavery loudsoundofvomiting

HeslowlymovedthebathroomdooropenandWinona leanedonthesink,hereyeswereredAftertakingher fingersoutofhermouthandmeetinghiseyes.She calmlyturnedonthefaucettowashawaythemessHer voicewasstillmuffled:"Let'stalkoutside."

Luciousnoddedblanklyandsatdownonthecouch Winonarepeatedlywashedherhandsthreetimes, rubbedeachfingertipveryhardwithsoap,anddriedher hands.Finally,sheslowlysatdownonthecouch. Shestillsoundedabitmuffled:"Thefirstdaywegot together,Iaskedyouwhyyouloveme.Yousaidyou didn'tknowIthought,maybebecauseofthequalities inmeotherthanablogger"

Luciousdidn'tknowwhattosay

Winonalaughedverysoftly:"I'mnottryingtomake youfeelsorryformeButitseemstohavebecomea habitsinceIstartedmakingalivingthiswayIdon't respondtoalotofcommentsbecauseIdon'tknowhow toreply"Sheturnedherheadawayasifwipingtears fromhereyes,"Thankyouforlovingme.Dostickto havingdinner"

Ⅴ

Luciousstandsatthefloortoceilingwindowlooking downasifnothinghaschanged

ButWinona'swateryeyesflushedred,appearingin hismindateverymoment

Didhereallycare?Didhereallywanthertobethe perfectperson?

Helikedherverycleannails,helikedthewayshe choppedvegetables,thewaysheateseriously,the wayshetalkedwithagentlevoice,andthewayshe pickedshoesofthesamecolorashistomatchbefore theywentforawalk,andthewayshelaughingwhen theywatchingDespicableMetogether

Ifthereisadestinyforeachpersonisborntobe brokenandreorganizedrepeatedlyHewasshattered alonebutwasreorganizedbecausehemetherHe wishedherhappierthananyoneelseHenevercould saywherehelovesherbecausethereisnothinghe didn'tlikeSomepartsjumpedoutofhisimagination, butheonlythought,ah,soshewas.Thesupportand toleranceofeachotherareallthepowertomove forward.

So,LuciousstartedwatchingWinona'svideosagain andclumsilywrappedupthesandwichmadehimself Beforeherangthedoorbell,hehadalreadythoughtof whattosay "Imadetwoofthem,oneforeachofus,andwe'lleat themwhilewewatchCoco,okay?"

LiketheproposalringLucioushidinthecakeyears later,Winonaalwaysgavethesameanswertohis sincerity ShesaidYES

“IstillrememberthedoctortakingtheCTreport andsayingtousthatthisisnotacasedifficultto explainItisveryeasytodiagnoseYou’vegot livercancer.”ChengLiming'swifetoldme,“We weretotallystruckbylightning”

Diagnosedwithlivercancerattheageof41,he optedforalivertransplantafterarecurrence.

BeforeMay2004,Cheng’sfamilylifehadbeen goingsmoothly.Chengwasthebackboneofhis companywithgoodincomeHisfamilywasalso harmonious.Hisdaughter’sjuniorhighschool admissionwasthefamily'sfirstpriorityatthat timeNobodyhadeverimaginedthattheturning pointwouldcomesosuddenly

So,thecouplesoldtheirhousetoraisemoney, andfinallypreparedmorethan300,000yuanas the“lifesavingmoney”

1000daysofrecovery,hisdaughterfolded 1000papercranesforhim

ProfessorLiXiangcheng,ExecutiveDeputy DirectoroftheHepatobiliaryCenterofJiangsu ProvinceHospital,willaffectionatelycall ChengLiming“LaoCheng”18yearsago,it wasProfessorLiwhooperatedonCheng'sliver transplantAtthattime,livertransplanthad beengraduallycarriedoutinChina,andwas alsoinitsinitialstageofriseinJiangsu ProvinceHospital

“IwasalwaysacarrierofhepatitisBvirus.Iwent tothehospitalforexaminationbecauseofafever thatday,andtheresultscameoutthatithad developedtolivercancerIwasonly41yearsold atthattime,anditwasabigblowtomeandmy family”Chengsaidthathemustchoosetodoa surgeryandhavepartofhisliverremoved “Unfortunately,thereweresignsofrecurrence soonafterthesurgeryThedoctorssaidtomethat Icouldtakeashotatalivertransplant,butthey couldn'tgiveacommitmentastohowlongIcould liveafterwards”

Whenhefirstheardtheword“livertransplant”, Chengwashesitant.“Thethingthatworriedme themostwasthatwhenthemoneywasspent,life waslost,themotherandthedaughterstillhadto live”Buthiswife'sattitudewasfirm“Doit!This surgerymustbedone!Thisfamilycannotbe withouthim,therighteousthought,istosave him!”

“WhenIwaspushedintotheoperatingroom,I didn'twanttothinkaboutanythingelseIjust gavemylifetotheDrLi”ChengLimingtold methathewasparticularlyhappywiththe successoftheoperation,butveryunfortunately, hehitabiliarycomplication“Icouldn'teatMy wholebodywasyellowandmyskinwasso itchythatIhadtoworeglovesduringtheday andnight,butmybodywasstillscratchedtothe bone.Whenthefeverburnedthemostserious time,thethermometercouldnotevenmeasure mybodytemperature.Ilost15kilos.”Cheng saidthatthefirstyearaftersurgery,hespent about300daysinthehospital.

“TheyearIwhenIfirstreceivedtransplant,my daughterwasinsixthgrade,andshefolded 1,000papercranesforme”Chengtoldmethat italsotookhimalmost1000daysorsoto actuallyrecoverfromthesurgery.

Jason (XiaotianChen)

Thankstotheexpansionofthehealthinsurance coverage,hismonthlyexpensesdroppedfromtensof thousandstoafewhundred

“Tobeabletopersevere,oneisthedesireforlife,andthe secondisthatIhadn’tgivebackmyfamilyyet.Idared notgiveup”Duringthe1000daysofrecovery,Cheng wasconcernedaboutnotonlyhiscondition,butactually thepostoperativeexpenses

Eachnumberreportedtomewasaheavyburdenonhis familyatthattime.“Thelivertransplantwasfully selffundedatthetime,andthesubsequentlifelonguseof antirejectionmedication,aswellassupplementary medication,werealsoselffundedWhenwehadtheliver transplant,wehadtopayeverythingwehad,andthe supplementarymedication,couldreach13,000yuana month.Afterthelivertransplant,thebodygradually adapted,andtheantirejectiondrugscouldbeusedless andless,butafteritcamedown,themonthlyexpenses werestillabout11,000in2006”

Thankstotheexpansionofthehealthinsurance coverage,hismonthlyexpensesdroppedfromtensof thousandstoafewhundred

“Tobeabletopersevere,oneisthedesireforlife,andthe secondisthatIhadn’tgivebackmyfamilyyet.Idared notgiveup”Duringthe1000daysofrecovery,Cheng wasconcernedaboutnotonlyhiscondition,butactually thepostoperativeexpenses

Eachnumberreportedtomewasaheavyburdenonhis familyatthattime“Thelivertransplantwasfully selffundedatthetime,andthesubsequentlifelonguseof antirejectionmedication,aswellassupplementary medication,werealsoselffundedWhenwehadtheliver transplant,wehadtopayeverythingwehad,andthe supplementarymedication,couldreach13,000yuana

monthAfterthelivertransplant,thebodygradually adapted,andtheantirejectiondrugscouldbeusedless andless,butafteritcamedown,themonthlyexpenses werestillabout11,000in2006”

“In2008,wecouldn'tbelievethattheantirejectiondrugs wereincludedinthemedicalinsurance,whichreally savedusfromthefire”Cheng'swife,whomanagesthe family'saccounts,saysshe“cheered”.“Notonlythat,but therewasaspecial‘gateway’forlivertransplantation,so Chenghadtworeimbursementchannelsforlivercancer andlivertransplantation,andweendeduppayingjust over100yuanpermonthoutofpocket.”

“IoftensaytoChengthatpartofthereasonyouare recoveringsowellisbecausethefinancialpressureand thepsychologicalpressurehavebothbeenreduced!”said Cheng’swife

Aged60witha30yearoldbody,hewon3badminton singleschampions

“LaoChengisanexamplethathecansurviveforalong timeafterlivertransplantandstillhaveahighqualityof lifeInadditiontomedicaltechnology,itisinseparable fromhispersonalnotgivingupeasilyinthefaceofthe diseaseandlivinganoptimisticlifeThereareactually manypatientslikeLaoCheng.”ProfessorLisaid.

Chengtreasuresthreebadmintonmedals,whichare ofspecialsignificancetohim,inhishome “Becausemybiliaryinfectiondoctorsuggestedme todoalittlemorejumpingexercise,Istartedtoplay badminton.”Thishasmadehimintoabrilliant ChinaTransplantGamesplayer“Iparticipatedin theGamesforthreesessions,thefifthandseventh tookthesilvermedalinbadmintonsingles,thesixth tookthegoldmedal.”

Thefieldoflivertransplantationisconstantly advancingandexperienceisgrowing,whichwill surelyleadtoabetterqualityoflifeandlonger survivalforpatientsInthepastdecade,therewere manypatientslikeChengLimingwhobenefited frommedicaladvancesandhealthinsurance policies,whichhavegreatlyreducedtheburdenof medicalcareforthesepatients

Interviewedandwrittenby:ChenXiaoxian (Jason.C)

TheLastZhulongBoatis Sinking-MosorianFamiliesatLuguLake

Shawn(TianyiShen)

‘I’lldriveyoutograndma’stomorrowmorning.Is7 o’clockokay?’ZhuaskeduswithawittyShanghai accent.Hissmilecomesfromabeardunshavedfor aboutamonth,neckleaningforwardandgutprotruding cynically.Butitisnothardtotellhimapartfromthe flourishingweedsandburningsun,asthemanrestshis handsonhiswaistwithurbansickness.

Zhuspentacommon childhoodandanxious youthlikemillionsof otheryoungstersin EasternChinainhis birthplace,Shanghai, wheretheintroduction ofhislifewaswritten withshynessand competition.Still,Zhu referstohimselfas “liberated”,aman standingbesidehisownphotographicalworksintheinn headoptedfromaMosorianresidence,differentfromhis peerssittinginofficesoffthegroundUpongraduation fromShanghaiForeignLanguageUniversity,he“ran away”fromShanghaiandeverythinghewasfamiliar with:themodernsocialdistance,relationshipbetween menandwomen,andhisownfamilyincludedHis confidenceinfreedomcomesfromthislakeandthe localfamilyheblendedin,althoughtechnically,in Mosorian,heismerelyan“A’Xia”

IfyouhavebeentoBeijing,thenthisyardmaysurprise youasafamiliardiversionofaSiheyardThemain livingroom“thechantingroom”inMosorian,asonly duringreligiouscelebrationsaretheyopenforthe family’schantingceremonieslocatesstraightopposite tothegateandsideroomsRomantically,“theflower rooms”forladieslieintheothertwodirections.

TheyardwasquietinthesunTwocatswere enjoyingthesunbathinacage.Thereare reasonsthatitcloselyresemblestypical householdsinNorthwesternChinaasthe MosorsareoriginallyadivisionoftheQiangA smashofnatureandwildnesssmudgedthe woodencarvings,markingthe residencewithapiercing fromcenturiesofhardship, whichwasquitedifferent fromthereservedand submissiveatmosphere Inthewind,afewTibetan chantingflagswereswinging withfirmcalmness,whilea plagueliedsunburntItread ‘Home,sweethome’,atypical ornamentfromtheturnofthe century.

“Hereweare,thegrandma’sroomAndyes,that’s preciselytheofficialname…mindyourheads!”Aswe crouchedinside“Showsomerespectstotheabove”, Zhusaidthroughapassageroughlycarvedwithsimple patternsstiffenedbyageGrandmawassittingonastool besidetheoven,inthemiddleofoldcalendars,Buddha nichesandTanggas,drawninsimplelinesand blackenedbysmokeAMosorianovenkeepsthefire nonstopShewavedtothevisitors,barelysmiling, murmuredafewwordsofgreetingandwentbackwith thefirewoodandthebuzzingpotatoes.TheMosorian clothesarewovenbyhandinvariouscolors,butinthe dimlightfromthetopwindow,allcolorsfadetoa brownbetweensmokeandscentofboilingoilItissaid thattheoriginalroofswerebuiltwithpineboards,layer uponlayerliketilesandstonesstackeduponInthis way,thesmokeleaveseasilywithbreezes.

Ienjoyedlisteningtograndmawhistlingaroundwith ZhuIknewthatitwasMosorian,alanguageof primitivegraceThroughZhu’stranslationand grandma’sfriedpotatoes,ageneralviewoftheMosor openedlikedustychantscarvedonaBeiyeleafona mistydawn,sungpiouslybygrandmaherself

Itmightstrikeyouasoddtoseethatmatriarchal societiesstillexisttoday.Well,itmaynotbethat differentfromthepatriarchalrulesthatmodernsociety followsafterall,humanbasetheirsocietiesupon humanity,whichstaysthesame

Iknowthatyouhavelearnedafewfrommy son(inlaw)abouttheMosor,thenyougoonto imagineusasacounterpartofpatriarchalsocietyI don’tknowsomuchaboutthatForme,thematriarch ofthisfamily,thereisnoclassificationsas ‘matriarchal’It’ssimplyanaturalwayofsurvivalIt ishardtosurviveinharshenvironments,especially whenIwasbornbackin1940sSo,Mosoriansare unitedwithinthefamily,notbetweencouples.Weare combinednotbymarriage,butbyblood

Membersofthefamilydotheirassignedjobsinthe householdtomakeourlivingstogether.Spring.Men powandwomensowWarMenprotectthe communityfromMiaopeople.Womentakecareofall childreninthefamilywithequalcareChildrenhave everywomanasmothers.Menrunthecaravan business,andtheysendmoneybackhomeWomen taketheloadoffamilyaffairs.Yearafteryear,it’sall thesameAsfortheassignments,eldershavemore experiencetodecideHere,experienceistheonly valuableextractfromnatureGrandmothersusually havemoretimeinthisworld,sotheyareinchargeof thefamilyasawhole:food,incomes,jobassignments; whofeedsthecowsandchickens;whogetsextrabeef fortheheavyloadrunningcaravan;whoisstaying withhiswifeforthenightandwhoisfreelatelyto takecareofthenewborn.Grandmatakescareforall thechildrenatnight,asthemothersandourvisitorsat nightdeservetorelax.

Romanceis,however,neverinterferedbytheelders Youngstersfallinloveandenjoythemselvesallontheir ownAndno,itisnottruethatmenarefreeof responsibilityandwomenareallopentothatkind of…whatadisgrace.Itisnotthatfathers,A’Xias,make noimportanceTheyaretheunclesofotherchildren Theyarethebelovedbrotherofotherwomen.Romance issimplifiedbykeepingawayfrommoneyorestate Whenloveremainsthestrongestforceofmarriage,as youcallthat,alotoftroubleisgoneWetakeitasclose friendshipwithoutcombinedresponsibility.

AnditiswrongtoassumeMosorshavedifferent mindsetsfromyou“normal”outsidersHowcan humanitychange?Butonlyifyouhaveexperienced extremesandpovertycanyoufeelthesameOurloveto ourpartnersisdilutedbytheresponsibilityatourown householdsYoungpeople’swillingnessofliving separatelyfromsiblingsisalwaysthere,onlytobe blockedbyrealityWestrugglewithinthefamily Thoughcontributionsdifferinnumbers,eachonegets merelybasicneeds.Thosewhoearnmorewould naturallywanttokeepmoreIcannotblamethatBut thefamilystaystogether,whatevercomesintheway. Hardshiphaswashedoffthecomplexityofemotionsand desires,ofhatredandlove.Bloodiswhatlefttoconnect theMosorians

ForZeke,grandma’syoungestdaughterbornin1994,things lookquitedifferently.ShehasbeentocollegeinKunming andunlikeother‘kidswhohaveseentheworld’,she returnedtothevillageandmarriedwithaMosorianShe nowworksforZhuinhisinnWhilegrandmahasattended primaryschoolandotherchildrenonlyhavinghighschool diplomas,Zekegraduatedasthemosteducatedmemberin herfamily

Yes,IlistenedtomymomtheotherdayWell,timehas changedforthosewhoareseekinganindependentlifewith apartneroutsidethebigfamilyItisastrugglefortheelders andthesiblings.Theywereraisedinsuchanatmosphere wheretherelationshipbetweensiblingsweremuchstronger Iestimatethatabouthalfofmypeershavestayedinbigger citiesandtheotherhalfhavestayedherelikemeItdepends moreonthefamily.Iamtheyoungestinthefamily,so everyonewantsmetostayAndforme,thecurrentsituation isokay.Inothercases,youngpeopleareencouragedtogo andseetheworldMostofthemhavesettledelsewherewith newfamilystructures,mostlynucleusfamilies

ThefirstlanguageIlearnedisMosorianIdidnothavethe chancetolearnChineseuntilprimaryschoolIthinkIam raisedasatraditionalMosoriangirlinamodernwayI attendedmyAdulthoodCeremony.Itwasnotliketurninga fulladultGirlsaregiventhefamilyresponsibilityattheage between9to13.Otherfamiliesalsohavesimilar ceremonies,onlytobecomeanotherexcuseformodern celebration.Also,theMosorianIlearnedisfacinglossof speakersAllthesegivemeasenseoftradition,ofaunited harmonyamongfamilymembersandacorrespondencewith theenvironmentYes,thisisanimportantreasonIreturned

Aftergraduationfrommiddleschool,myfamilyassigned metoacollegemajorinwhichIdidn’thavemuchpassion.I finisheditanywayButmycareerdidn’tprovetobesmooth, soIreturnedafterayearatStarbucksGladlymyfamily acceptedthataditwasn’tthathardtoreboundwith countrysideMyhusbandisworkingforanotherinnandwe arenotplanninganychildren,soIguesswetwomakean evenmoremodernfamilytheDINK(Laughter)

IbelievethatMosorianfamiliesarestuckinthepassageoftimeMakingdecisionsforthechildrenisa traditionallyplausiblesolutiontotheirmajorissuesintimesoflimitedresources.Nowthishaschanged. Adequatesupportcanbeearnedbyourselves,notfromoursiblingsoreldersLuckily,inmyhousehold,things turnedoutokay.ButinothersIknow,conflictsbetweeneldersandtheyoungergenerationcanbecomplicated.

Wearerunningtowardsadestructionorachange,Isuppose.Anditistimetochange.Thehardshipin changingisthattheoldwayhasbeenreliableandstablesincethefirstsettlersinLuguLake,andthatalso explainsthisstubbornexistenceofmatriarch:thingsareharshenoughtostayunchanged.Butnow,theyare easierIt’squiteironicthatimprovementsinlivingstandardshaveledtosufferingsinfamilyrelationshipsIt’s likeputtingonsteelarmorbutleavingtheheartstabbedandlosingtherootswerelyon.

Zhu’sparentscalledinthelastnightwestayedNothingofimportancejusttheirdailylivesinShanghai However,italreadyseemedoutofreachfromthiscorneroftheworld,forgottenandrediscoveredwith uncertaintyThroughcloserunderstandingsandmorecontactswithMosors,Zhu’sparentshavechanged graduallyfromconfusiontoacceptanceZhuhimselfhavemaintainedanidealist‘Itdoesn’treallymatterhow othersperceivemystoryIneverforamomentregrettedmychoice,noI’mdoingwellwithmyfamilyhere, andI’mgladtooffermyhelptolocalpeoplewithjobsintheinn.ButwhatIcannotdecideisthefateofthe Mosors’

ItwasmidsummerTheMountainandseaGrandCirclingissoontocomeGrandmahasplannedagathering ofthewholevillage,andZekeislookingforwardtoarideinatraditionalZhulongboatwithherhusbandand friendsButthequestionis,howmanywillcome?

Howmuchlongerwillthefirewoodburn?

Zhuestimated20yearsforaccordanceFromtheeyesofgrandma,however,Ireaditdifferently

Importanceoflanguage

Lily(LingyiZeng)

Hearingofvariouslanguagesallaroundtheworld

Learningdifferenttypesoflanguageswordbyword Lookingbackatthelongriverofhistory

Theleftunknownlanguagesarestillinmystery

Spreadoutthroughtheentireworld

Youcameintomylifewithasingleword Thatisyou,mydear Thatisyou,mydear

Tonsoftonesteachgenerationstotalk Donotleteverysinglelanguagefall Weshouldbe

mournfulandoptimisticabouteverydyinglanguage Butwestillappreciate everywarriorwhoguardslanguageswithcourage

Feelingwordsdancingwarmonmytongue

Thesimilaraccenttakesmebacktomyhometown Iwonderwhattheimportanceoflanguageis Thatisnottoletanyminorlanguagemiss

Staringatthedarkbluesky

Countingstarszoomacrosstheskyandshine Irealize,allstarsadornandlightenthenight

Justlikealllanguagesmakethewholeworldbright

CityofGirls

Gloria(GezhiChen)

Theverylasttimeatthesteepedge Ofspillingmyfeelings

ToyouwaslastSundayafternoon Daydrunk

Flushcheeksanddyedpinkhair Eastcoastafternoonsunlight Scorchedintothewindow Oldfashioned Glancingwasyoureyeshadow Asyousquintedtheeyesand Slowlysmiledatme Honeydripping

Cherrylipsspilledstars

Scarletvenomdrainedmeinjamjars

AmIyourfriendoryour Addictedvice

Dancedthroughsomeparties Meatrolls,gins,andcigarettes

BustlingcrowdssaidIwas Doublecrossed

StrollingonanAutumnNight

ByAnnie(Yuyan)

Irecedemysoundandstayawhile,insight Wildcatattacheshisbodytotheground Andstowsawaytotheothersideoftheroad Shieldedbythesurroundingsilence

Cloudsfragmentbutthenstickuptobewavesofthesea Takepainstocloseupthedarkness Butgetmottledwithhelplessdefects Graduallytheyvanishintogloomatdistance

Finelightglitteredinvoidofblackandwhite Thecolorshover, Toclosetheeyelidoflonestar Gentlebutirresistibleinmanner

Iglancetotheright,andsee Icebreakerofthenight Illuminethewaningmoonasitsfloodlight

Iraisethecamera Torecordthesolemnityaroundthemoon Onlytoseizetheghostoflight Itisthefragilityofnightscene Undermodernillumination

Jolin(BingningLiu)

AcharacteristicoftheclassicalgardensofSuzhouisthatthescenerychangeswitheverystep Astepforward,rockeryvanishescompletely,andthecreekcomesintoview Here,thevineisscramblingtoreachthepavilion