Depois do Meu BE, Todos Sofreram no Inferno

Chapter One

Spring’s beauty is divided into three parts: two are dust, one is flowing water. Across the pond, tiny duckweed floats—are they willow catkins? No, they are the tears of those parted...

A row of pavilions by the river is shrouded in mist; the water fills the ponds. Beside the bridge, the shadow play theater has not performed “The Execution of Guan Yu” today, but instead sings “Longing for Husband.” Unlike the troupes that officials invite with heavy gold, there are no flutes or drums here, only a clear, ringing voice, occasionally punctuated with scattered beats. The melody is sharp and winding, full of sorrow and longing, the tale of separation rendered in exquisite detail.

A month ago, the frontiers grew tense. The court conscripted thirty thousand soldiers, and many young men from the city departed for the battlefield. Tears of farewell have continued ever since.

Most of the audience below are women, their eyes fixed on the lone figure remaining behind the curtain. Their emotions rise and fall with the singing, eyes growing misty. Sparse rain drips onto their temples, gradually dampening their shoulders, yet none leave.

Suddenly, the curtain’s lights fade, the heartbreaking song abruptly ceases—the play is over.

A head peeks out from behind the stage, rough cloth cap on, a fair face beneath. The performer beams at the crowd, “It’s raining, let’s call it a day.”

The stilted house built against the bridge cannot accommodate too many. The women crowd the stone steps, sitting or standing, slowly awakening from their so