kimi

“With Wang Qiyao’s flowery apron around his waist and a pair of protective sleeves over his shirt, he brought the meal to Wang Qiyao’s bedside, his hair mussed up, his forehead oily and perspiring, his eyes aglow with excitement. Tears rolled down her cheeks and into her bowl as she ate. Kang Mingxun watched helplessly on one side, looking very much like a waiter on duty. Soon he too became teary. They could no longer put it off: a decision had to be made.”
― Wang Anyi, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai

“Nothing marvelous had happened to Wang Qiyao, but through careful cultivation her life had also sprouted countless little sprigs that held the promise of developing into something.”
― Wang Anyi, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai

“Each was acting out of self-interest—but a heart driven by self-interest is still a heart and, having a heart, one must feel the joys and sorrows of life.”
― Wang Anyi, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai

“Naturally, love, which was the requisite theme, had to be part of the story.”
― Wang Anyi, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: A Novel of Shanghai