Spring is Coming

On Christmas Eve, amid snowfall, Xue Li received a call from Chun Xin. On the other end of the line, she heard Chun Xin’s quiet breathing and a whisper of her name. “I’m sorry, I miss you…” Amidst the noisy background, Xue Li couldn’t hear her. “I’m busy, I’ll call you back later,” she said. After hanging up, and closing the car door, a gentle female voice on the radio murmured soothing words, reminding listeners to bundle up as the cold wave approached. That winter was unusually cold, and after that call, Chun Xin’s phone was never reachable again. She often threw tantrums, but Xue Li didn’t pay much attention. In March of the following year, Xue Li learned of Chun Xin’s passing. Her p...