"Bitter Hope"

Prologue

Sitting in front of the computer, gazing at a picture on the monitor, my heart is filled with myriad emotions.

It is a photograph—a flowing stream with a green leaf drifting on its surface. The leaf has detached from the tree, concluding its brief life. It doesn't return to the earth to nourish the big tree, as we commonly say, the fortune of "fallen leaves returning to their roots" is not bestowed upon it.

Its fate, starting from the moment it fell into the stream, is destined to drift along with the current to an unfamiliar and unknown place. And there, it will wither, bury itself underground, and turn into a clump of dust.

The leaf doesn't know where its destiny will lead, and in fact, no one knows when or where it will come to a stop. Even the stream carrying it is unaware.

Perhaps it will be washed ashore halfway, whether in a jungle, a meadow, or a wilderness.

Maybe it will join a brook, then linger by the fields near the riverbank, becoming nutrients for crops the following year. Or it might flow into a larger river.

Or perhaps it will merge with a big river, eventually reaching the sea. Everything, perhaps only the leaf will know when it reaches its final destination.

At this moment, what I know is this: even though the leaf's life has ended, the green color still persists, even though this green is destined to fade away soon. This spirit is something each of us should reflect upon. Yes, even when life has passed, one should leave that final trace of green in the world! To prove that it once existed.

Salute to this leaf!

With this in mind, I want to write a story. The protagonist of this story is a friend of mine, more precisely, my friend's wife and her brother. When they told me this true story about themselves, my heart was filled with a mix of emotions. The pain and hope, sadness and joy, disaster, and happiness in the story—all of which I haven't experienced—make it challenging to fully empathize. However, I can imagine how the scenes from their past, linked together, form a story that profoundly shakes the soul.

Honestly, after hearing this story, my predominant feeling is one of melancholy. To the extent that I spent several nights unable to sleep. After careful consideration, I've decided to write this story.

My friend agreed and even requested a copy of the book. Between friends, there's no need for many words; I understand his emotions.

However, at this very moment, sitting in front of the computer, I find myself unable to put pen to paper, constantly writing and deleting... writing again... then deleting. For the first time, I feel how feeble and pallid my words are.

Could it be that I am letting down the expectations of my friend? A fabricated story can never replace reality!

Alright, let's omit any preconceived notions and directly narrate this story. When it's completed, let's see if these words, condensed with the myriad flavors of life, can bring a tremor to my soul.

Let's start the story from the birth of the protagonist in that beautiful little mountain village...

(Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of the individuals involved in the story and to avoid potential disruptions to their future lives, all names and locations in this story are pseudonyms.)

The scorching sun seared the earth as cicadas hid in the shade, restlessly chirping, seemingly protesting against the sweltering weather to no avail. In the midst of a series of undulating mountains, there was a mountain hollow. Hundreds of lush elm trees, some requiring two people to embrace, and others as thick as a basin, grew here. Under the shade of the elm trees, more than a hundred houses were nestled.

This was a beautiful and tranquil little mountain village named Yuzhuang, named after these elm trees that had likely survived for countless years.

The entire Yuzhuang was under the shade of elm trees, making it bearable even in the scorching summer. To the east of the village was a spacious threshing ground, which only came alive in the autumn when every household gathered here to thresh and sun-dry their grains. In this season, however, it seemed somewhat quiet.

Yet, at this moment, it had become a playground for the children. Seven or eight children around the age of ten were playing soccer on the threshing ground. They divided into two teams, each marking a goal on the north and south sides of the threshing ground, joyously competing. Running around with sweat streaming down their faces, they seemed to be engaged in a genuine match.

Normally, any little boy who came here to play would be tempted to join in when he saw others playing soccer. However, under a large elm tree on the west side of the threshing ground, a seven or eight-year-old boy was not playing with them. He was just staring at them absentmindedly.

He really wanted to play and run with them. But he couldn't because he was sitting in a wheelchair.

He was a cerebral palsy patient, a disabled child. Seven years ago, during his birth, his mother had difficulty delivering, leading to his suffocation in the womb for over ten minutes, causing complete brain death. As a result, he congenitally lost his motor functions.

Faced with such a scene, all he could do was gaze at them with envy...However, at this very moment, sitting in front of the computer, I find myself unable to put pen to paper, constantly writing and deleting... writing again... then deleting. For the first time, I feel how feeble and pallid my words are.

Could it be that I am letting down the expectations of my friend? A fabricated story can never replace reality!

Alright, let's omit any preconceived notions and directly narrate this story. When it's completed, let's see if these words, condensed with the myriad flavors of life, can bring a tremor to my soul.

Let's start the story from the birth of the protagonist in that beautiful little mountain village...

(Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of the individuals involved in the story and to avoid potential disruptions to their future lives, all names and locations in this story are pseudonyms.)

The scorching sun seared the earth as cicadas hid in the shade, restlessly chirping, seemingly protesting against the sweltering weather to no avail. In the midst of a series of undulating mountains, there was a mountain hollow. Hundreds of lush elm trees, some requiring two people to embrace, and others as thick as a basin, grew here. Under the shade of the elm trees, more than a hundred houses were nestled.

This was a beautiful and tranquil little mountain village named Yuzhuang, named after these elm trees that had likely survived for countless years.

The entire Yuzhuang was under the shade of elm trees, making it bearable even in the scorching summer. To the east of the village was a spacious threshing ground, which only came alive in the autumn when every household gathered here to thresh and sun-dry their grains. In this season, however, it seemed somewhat quiet.

Yet, at this moment, it had become a playground for the children. Seven or eight children around the age of ten were playing soccer on the threshing ground. They divided into two teams, each marking a goal on the north and south sides of the threshing ground, joyously competing. Running around with sweat streaming down their faces, they seemed to be engaged in a genuine match.

Normally, any little boy who came here to play would be tempted to join in when he saw others playing soccer. However, under a large elm tree on the west side of the threshing ground, a seven or eight-year-old boy was not playing with them. He was just staring at them absentmindedly.

He really wanted to play and run with them. But he couldn't because he was sitting in a wheelchair.

He was a cerebral palsy patient, a disabled child. Seven years ago, during his birth, his mother had difficulty delivering, leading to his suffocation in the womb for over ten minutes, causing complete brain death. As a result, he congenitally lost his motor functions.

Faced with such a scene, all he could do was gaze at them with envy...

The children playing soccer dispersed, called back by the adults for dinner. By the empty threshing ground, there was only a solitary figure. Seated in a wheelchair, he stared blankly at the path stretching beyond the village, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Xiao Chen, it's time to go back for dinner," a gentle voice came, and a woman in her forties appeared behind the disabled child; she was his mother.

"Mom, I want to wait a little longer."

"Silly child, your sister won't be back until tomorrow; let's go home." His mother spoke and started pushing the wheelchair back. The disabled boy reluctantly uttered a soft "okay" and fell silent.

As dusk approached, the setting sun cast a warm golden glow, painting everything in a gentle orange. Yuzhuang, heated throughout the day, finally welcomed a cool evening. Villagers working in the fields carried their hoes, walking home in twos and threes. Along the way, they exchanged greetings, and each person's shadow stretched longer and longer in the sunset.

Returning home, the meal was already laid out on the table. A middle-aged man sat at the table, quietly smoking a dry cigarette. His dark complexion and wrinkled face made him look much older than his actual age of just over forty. This was the boy's father, an honest and hardworking farmer.

"Hey, why aren't you eating, dad?"

"Waiting for you guys."

The middle-aged woman smiled and went to serve the food. Her name was Liu Ru, married to Su Xiangzhi, the middle-aged man, twenty years ago. Three years after their marriage, they had a daughter named Su Jin. They had always wanted a son, so when Su Jin was ten, they welcomed their second child, Su Chen—the disabled boy.

Originally, the family was harmonious and happy, but little did they know that Su Chen would be born with cerebral palsy. The couple almost fell apart. They sought medical help everywhere, spending all their savings over three years, but their son's condition didn't improve. Instead, he was left with a severe disability, paralyzed for life. This once prosperous family in the village instantly became the poorest.

Their daughter, Su Jin, still needed to go to school, and Su Xiangzhi and Liu Ru couldn't let her drop out. With their son in this condition, their daughter became the family's hope. For such a family, the only way out of poverty was for their children to study hard, attend a good university, and secure a good job in the future. The couple didn't dream of a prosperous life through their daughter; rather, they were concerned about Su Chen. So, they placed all their hopes on Su Jin, hoping she would have the ability to take care of her brother in the future. That way, they could rest in peace even beneath the earth.

However, this family had long been broken because of Su Chen's illness. The accumulated ten thousand yuan family property had been squandered on seeking medical help. Now, the family was living in utter poverty.

Despite knowing the slim hope of curing cerebral palsy, they were willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope. But life is not a transaction with fate, and before destiny, there's no fairness. After losing everything, what they gained was still despair, a return to ground zero...

Su Jin had been the most beautiful girl in the village since childhood. Now seventeen, she had grown into a graceful and beautiful young woman. Moreover, she excelled in her studies. She had been the top student in the village's primary school, continued to excel in the town's junior high, and even secured a top position in the county when attending high school.

The relationship between Su Chen and his sister Su Jin was also very close; they had always been together since childhood. Su Jin went to study in the county, and the siblings had to separate. It was an unavoidable situation, even if they were reluctant. Su Chen, being young, didn't understand these things. But Su Jin was aware; only by studying hard could the family have a way out in the future.

The couple named their daughter Su Jin, hoping she would have a bright future. They named their son Su Chen, hoping he would be full of vitality and hope every day, like the rising sun. After Su Jin left to study in the county, Su Chen counted the days until her summer and winter breaks, eagerly anticipating the beautiful figure he longed for.

Due to Su Chen's disability, the family became poor. So Su Xiangzhi had to shoulder the heavy burden for the family again. The unfortunate events of these past few years had aged this man considerably. His health deteriorated to the point where he had to constantly travel around, all for the sake of ensuring his daughter's successful entry into university and a smooth academic journey. All for the children, the woes of parents around the world.

As night fell, the village dogs barked more cheerfully than usual, disturbing the peace and making everyone uneasy. Not only the dogs in each household but also the chickens and ducks refused to enter their coops, continuously squawking with necks stretched. It was as if these domestic animals were competing, creating unrest throughout the entire village. Despite continuous scolding from their owners, it had no effect.

The only quiet household was the Su family. The livestock and poultry they used to keep had long been sold to fund Su Chen's medical treatment. Even if they had livestock, with barely enough to feed themselves, there was no surplus to take care of them.

At this moment, Liu Ru was tidying up the dishes, and Su Xiangzhi was massaging his son. These techniques were learned from an old Chinese doctor and were said to have the effect of promoting blood circulation. Long-term adherence might allow Su Chen to stand up, though the hope was still faint.

If the family continued to live in this way, there might be hope. But... fate once again abandoned this already tattered family...

People had been exhausted by the noise of livestock, but as the night grew deeper, the weary ones still fell asleep amid the noisy barking and crowing.

A sudden violent shake startled Liu Ru, "Ah! What's happening?"

"Not good! It's an earthquake!"

At this moment, Su Xiangzhi also woke up, and upon opening his eyes, he felt like something had fallen from the roof.

"Quick, save our son!"

While shouting, Liu Ru rushed towards Su Chen. Su Xiangzhi also used his body to shield Su Chen and lifted him. Just as they were about to rush out of the house, there was a loud "boom," and the roof collapsed. Bricks and tiles fell like rain, landing heavily on the couple.

"Xiao Chen... Xiao Chen... Are you... okay..."

Everything returned to calm; even the dogs and poultry in the village stopped their clamor. In the darkness, Liu Ru weakly asked a question, and then there was no more movement. She didn't wait for an answer, slowly closing her eyes, leaving this world that had given her both happiness and pain. She loved her husband, and even more, she loved her daughter and son. However, until her last moment, she didn't know whether the child she sacrificed her life to protect was safe or not...

"Son... Son is fine... He... is alive..."

Su Xiangzhi, using his last bit of strength, replied to his wife's words, even though she could no longer hear. But he still wanted to answer her, as if to let her leave this world with peace of mind.

After saying this, he also lost his breath... In fact, he also wanted to know the answer to the question his wife asked.

"Dad! Mom! Dad... Mom..."

In the darkness, only this crying voice, this painful cry, told people: the world does not stand still. Su Chen cried loudly, shouted, but he couldn't move. There was no response anymore, and the answer to him was silence—a silence in the darkness. He could feel his father's body, which was pressing on him, gradually becoming cold...

Two people who loved him the most, who exchanged their lives to ensure his safety, who had always protected him with their shoulders... at this moment, there was no vitality, no breath...

The author: Morning Wind Literature Date: 2018-05-06 08:48

At this moment, Su Chen despaired, completely despaired. His parents had forever left him, and he was still living in pain. Only darkness and despair accompanied him.

"Hurry, hurry! This is Xiangzhi's house! Quickly dig! Quickly dig! See if they are still alive!"

After an unknown amount of time, a commotion arose. In this once quiet little mountain village, which was now in ruins, people were bustling back and forth, each carrying injuries. Men couldn't care less about their bleeding wounds or even their deceased family members. Led by the village chief Zhang Lao, they searched for survivors. These were all fellow villagers, and at this moment, they only hoped to rescue one more person if possible. The surviving women and children were helpless and desperate, crying bitterly.

All of this seemed like a dream... It would be good if it were just a dream! But unfortunately, it was the cruel and heartless reality!

Several powerful hands removed the debris, and under the illumination of flashlights, people saw a scene that shook their hearts. It was a heartbreaking and moving scene, giving everyone a feeling that blurred their eyes. The feeling was bitter: a couple lying on top of a boy, both hands desperately supporting the ground. They had no breath left, and the child... had fainted...

"Hurry, save him! Xiao Chen is still alive!" The old village chief shouted, and several men snapped out of their trance. They quickly lifted Su Xiangzhi and Liu Ru's bodies, taking Su Chen out.

At that moment, a siren sounded from afar. The fire brigade and ambulances had arrived...

The author: Morning Wind Literature Date: 2018-05-06 08:49

On the streets of the county town, pedestrians were bustling and unending. Everyone was busy with their own affairs, continuing their own stories. Although most people's stories were similar, basically following the same script in the monotonous and tasteless play of life, they still tirelessly repeated the same stories. For them, dreams might be confusing, and they might not even know what they really wanted. Yet, they still busied themselves for a vague future, working in confusion. Perhaps living a bit cluelessly was also a good thing; being too clear about what one wanted could become a burden on the soul.

Su Jin was also among this diverse crowd. Unlike most people, she knew exactly what she wanted. So, she lived a hard and tiring life, studying hard just to avoid letting her loved ones suffer. But...

At this moment, she was waiting for the train in the waiting room at the station. She wore a simple school uniform with the words "Zhongxiang High School" printed on the chest. Zhongxiang High School was the name of the high school she attended. Although it was a national school, it was funded by a foreign Chinese named Ye Zhongxiang, giving the school its name. Despite the simplicity of her attire, it couldn't conceal the beauty that permeated from her bones. This beauty wasn't just reflected in her appearance; it came more from her graceful and elegant temperament. Coupled with her beautiful and delicate face, she could be considered perfect.

In school, girls like her often had no shortage of pursuers, and countless boys secretly admired her. A girl like Su Jin, who was perfect inside and out, naturally became the object of discussion and daydreams for many male students.

But flowers fall with sentiment, and flowing water is indifferent. Su Jin always kept a distance from those pursuers. She only maintained a friendly relationship with those who were genuinely sincere. She neither accepted nor hurt them.

"Su Jin!"

With these words, a tall and handsome boy walked into the waiting room.

"Zhou Ping, why are you here?" Su Jin, upon seeing Zhou Ping, looked somewhat surprised.

"I guessed you would be waiting for the bus home. You can eat these on the way." Zhou Ping said and stuffed a bulging handbag into Su Jin's hands. Without looking, one could tell it contained snacks that girls liked, and the quality and price were not low.

Zhou Ping's reputation in school was well-known. Due to his affluent family, his father was said to be a prominent leader in the county, and his mother managed the highest-grade restaurant in the county. He was handsome, excelled in academics, and was talented. All these factors were enough to drive those girls who wanted to find a prince charming crazy. It was not surprising that there were quite a few crazy girls pursuing Zhou Ping, both openly and secretly.

However, those girls who thought about him all day, pursuing him, he didn't fancy any of them, only having a special affection for Su Jin.

"Thank you, but I can't accept these." Su Jin handed the handbag back to Zhou Ping. "Zhou Ping, I understand your intentions. However, my mind is focused on studying, and I don't want to consider these things right now. So, I'm sorry, I really can't accept your kindness."

If Su Jin was recognized as the school flower of Zhongxiang High School, then Zhou Ping was the school grass. Countless boys and girls wanted to associate with them. It was widely known that Zhou Ping's heart was set on Su Jin. After rejecting pursuers time and again, there were rumors that Su Jin might be waiting for Zhou Ping. Because, from all perspectives, they seemed like a perfect match. Over time, Zhou Ping also developed such feelings. So, after getting to know each other and becoming familiar through several encounters, he decided to confess his feelings to Su Jin today, at the start of the summer vacation. However, the result was beyond his expectations. Su Jin was not waiting for him; she really didn't want to date.

Although Zhou Ping was mentally prepared for this, he still looked disappointed.

"The bus is here, I have to go. Goodbye." Saying that, Su Jin walked onto the bus.

Teenagers in the age of budding romance, not yet truly understanding love, just lingering on the edge of it. They yearned for love, merely out of curiosity. As for responsibility, it wasn't within their consideration. In their view, it was just satisfying a psychological need. So, after being rejected by Su Jin, Zhou Ping felt a little uncomfortable. He thought he would try his luck next semester; perhaps, after a summer vacation, Su Jin might change her mind. There was no pain and despair; there was only a slight sense of loss. A green confession ended just like that.

Pain and despair did not descend upon Zhou Ping, but what about Su Jin?

At this moment, Su Jin, leaning against the bus window, looked at the scenery outside. It had just rained, and everything around was lush and green. Away from the hustle and bustle of the small town, she was about to return to the tranquil and beautiful little mountain village. It was her haven, where her most loved ones—her father, mother, and younger brother—resided. Thinking about this, she unzipped her backpack. Inside were a bottle of wine for her father, pastries for her mother, and a toy for her brother. Thinking that she would soon see them, a happy smile appeared on Su Jin's face.

Yes, no matter how poor, home is still one's haven. It is the place that accommodates what one loves in the heart...

What does it feel like when a person falls from heaven to hell in an instant? Probably something like this...

Busy crowds, endless cries, painful moans... Broken ruins, debris everywhere, destroyed homes... Death, despair, fear...

All of this filled the once quiet and peaceful little mountain village. There were no more joyful laughter, no more rising smoke from cooking. Even those old elm trees, which had stood for many years without knowing survival, were uprooted, crashing onto houses. Dry branches and fallen leaves scattered all over. In a tent, Su Chen lay on the bed. His body was bandaged. At this moment, he no longer felt the pain of his wounds because the emotional trauma was even more painful. Perhaps, after great grief and pain, he no longer had any sensation. His mind was blank. Without his parents, Su Chen was like a fragile floating duckweed, wilting at any moment, even dying.

He dared not think! He dared not think about Dad, Mom; he dared not think about his own home. He would rather believe this was a dream, hoping to wake up from this nightmare soon. When he opened his eyes, he could still see his gentle mother, his honest and silent father, and his beautiful and kind sister returning from school, magically taking out many things he liked to eat and play with from her bag.

He didn't believe this was true because just yesterday at this time, their family was still immersed in happiness. But now, everything was gone. What was left for him was an empty world, a world filled with despair and fear.