Status Updates From Revolution Is Not a Dinner ...

“Wisps of burned paper bumped around inside the fireplace like frightened black butterflies… Sitting in father’s large leather chair, I fought back tears, feeling my happy days were burning away with the girl.“

“Before we left the store, we had the friendly clerk pack an extra cow horn in a small box for mother. When mother asked where it came from, we would tell her it was given to us by a passing cow.” Little adventures with father ❤️

Look at your father, I understand why the mother would suggest this. But what is the next instruction to ling?

The part where she’s learning to haggle and manipulate for food is like her Batman training sequence.

“You are two melons on the same vine.“ - mother regarding daughter/father.

Perspective - she is so confused. Why would Niu call her his enemy? The red guard seems so vicious. However, it’s making me think that it is stemming from the cult-like leader and deep anger at class difference.

“I might be able to take you with me.” Swimming across the river to Hong Kong. Niu loves her like a sister 🥹

So sweet- she and Niu hooked pinkies to promise they would not share the secret of listening to American folk songs on the radio. He takes her parents’ attention, resources (food) so he is more like a brother now. 😢

At times I wished my family was poor and my parents worked on a vegetable farm like Yu’s so I could have friends. But if my parents worked on a farm, who would treat their patients?

The part where she packs her doll, Bao Bao for her upstairs neighbor whose husband was detained. 🥹