Send One Each Day

WARNING

The last update was a month ago—not because I was particularly busy (though there were indeed hectic moments). It’s just that life is unpredictable, and I found myself with little motivation to write.

A Thousand Miles Away, the Northern Wind Blows Against My Clothes

Shortly after finishing my final exams, I rushed to Tongji Hospital to take care of my mother, just as she had come to care for me when I was in fifth grade.

Taken at Building No. 2 of Tongji Hospital’s inpatient department. The rooftop was scorching and windy, so clothes had to be tied down tightly with ropes.

After her discharge, I stayed home for over ten days, doing nothing but idling away my time on Chao and Ace Attorney.

Eating and drinking at home—blending watermelon into juice and chilling it was absolutely delicious, and banana with milk wasn’t bad either.

Off to Chang’an, Three Thousand Miles from Home

Once she could take care of herself again, I boarded a train to Chang’an (Xi’an).

I’ve never been one to cling to home, always yearning to wander far and wide, never looking back. They’ve grown old and can’t keep up with me anymore. My father, like all parents whose children are leaving home, threw a bit of a tantrum, while my mother simply watched from afar.

Their son has his own life now, speaking words that sound fresh and unfamiliar to them. The more sensible I become, the more distant I seem. Will we ever miss those days when I’d throw tantrums for dumplings or remote-controlled cars? Back then, they were still young, and so was I.

To stay or leave, neither holds meaning,
The lingering clouds make it hard to rest.
The setting sun seals the lonely city,
No plan to return to Yanran Peak.
Only this melody can soothe a broken heart.

— “Memories of Chang’an”

This Melody, Once Played, Will Leave Its Mark

The graduate dormitories at school have been completed, while several shops in the main building have closed (the hardest to swallow was Mixue Ice Cream & Tea).

On the way here, I bought portraits of Chairman Mao and the five great mentors. I pasted a young Mao on my wardrobe door as a constant reminder (though it’s never been of much use, haha).

Anime + communism—I must be some kind of divine being. On the left is fantasy, on the right is dreams, and beneath my feet is my mission.

A slight surprise was receiving the certificate and ring from UNICEF.

A classmate told me this counts as an international award and could boost my comprehensive evaluation score (laughs). What good is that for someone who’s failed courses?

If only I could shelter all the scholars under a thousand roofs,
Unshaken by wind or rain, steadfast as a mountain!

The certificate arrived on July 28, the 48th anniversary of the Tangshan Earthquake.

I have a dream—that one day, everyone will have a sturdy home to live in.

Xi’an’s summer is as hot as back home, if not more stifling, leaving me drenched in sweat at the slightest movement.

Pulled an all-nighter during the four-day, three-night electronics competition, but I’m used to it by now.

For Project F, I built a magnetic levitation toy. Since magnets weren’t allowed for the base, I brute-forced it with power—eight small coils and one large one, hand-wound several times. I gave it my all.

During the final evaluation, it levitated at 1.5 cm, earning 35 points.

I’m satisfied. Though the official results aren’t out yet, I’ve already popped the champagne.

Aim for silver, reach for gold (i.e., secure a provincial second prize and aim for first).

At least I’ve held myself accountable.

Time Flows Like Ink, Washing the Sky Blue

After the evaluation today, I loitered in EII-210 for the air conditioning (damn dorm maintenance cutting the power). Scrolled through Chao and watched videos until 6 p.m.

With nothing better to do, I browsed online shops and bought a bunch of snacks, thinking that if they tasted good, I might share them with family and friends.

Got back and accomplished nothing again, booted up Battlefield 1 until 11 p.m. Ruined, kid.

Wasted enough time. A month ago, I said I’d publish notes on electromagnetic fields and waves—now the progress is infinitely close to zero.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll study hard and get back on track.

Wait, no—today, since it’s already past midnight (o(￣▽￣)ブ).

Hope to get some real work done before Black Myth: Wukong comes out.

While writing, I recalled the taste of that chilled, freshly blended watermelon juice from home. Now I’m hungry.

I’ve always been glad to wander the world,
But Chang’an has no flavor quite like this.

The night is deep, and words can’t capture all I feel.

Only this melody can make me forget the world.

Good night.