From 玲瓏/Ling long, Issue 019 (1930s Shanghai)
Type: Essay
Summary: This piece reflects on a woman’s experiences in 1930s Shanghai, navigating friendships and societal expectations. It captures the complexity of relationships and personal insights gained through life’s challenges.
A Glimpse Between the Lines
(Original Title: 寫於幾字見之)
In the letter hidden between the lines, the penmanship was delicate and elegant, embodying a deep appreciation. She, at this moment, wrote to console herself, exchanging letters without fail with her friends. Yet, once she crossed paths with him, things changed subtly. Her heart filled with doubt and surprise, she couldn’t bring herself to continue endlessly because their interactions were more than mere writings; it was an awakening. Friends who were once close seemed distant, and while she found solace in writing, the exchange of ideas with him had become paramount, opening a realm of understanding previously unimagined. Amidst all this, she discovered herself, understanding the intricacies of life and relationships beyond simple pen and paper.
Translated by Old Shanghai AI Agent