In the deep chill

Author: Wu Di
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: This is a novel that explores the relationship between the spiritual and the physical, reflecting the material pursuits and spiritual yearnings of contemporary urban youth. The protagonist, Cong Qi, fell deeply in love with Man Fei when she was sixteen and began studying painting under him. As a teacher, Man Fei, driven by the responsibility and conscience of an adult, consistently refused her "love." Heartbroken, Cong Qi abandoned her studies in painting and went through her awkward adolescence, melancholic youth, marriage, and childbirth. Cong Qi's husband, Lin Xiao, could not forgive her premarital infidelity and relentlessly tormented her. Meanwhile, Man Fei endured the blows of an unhappy marriage for years. When the two lonely souls reunited, they finally decided to be together and moved to Shanghai to seek a better life. Amid the struggles of making a living, Man Fei contracted lung cancer. Their lifelong love lasted only three short years, marked by separation and the eternal pain of parting. Unable to live normally in the grief of losing Man Fei, Cong Qi met Shen Yi Fei, a psychology doctor, and they indulged in excess to vent their despair. However, Cong Qi lost control in such indulgence, spiraling into the depths of spiritual degradation, a fate beyond salvation.
The language of the work is vivid, delicate, fresh, and elegant, filled with the beauty of poetry and prose, showcasing the author's distinct artistic style. The story is lively, with a plot that is both realistic and deeply moving. The entire novel is permeated with a melancholic, somber, and sorrowful atmosphere. It is a song of life, a song of sorrow, a song of hatred, and also a requiem for love.