Going southward in the years

Author: Zhou Jianing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Zhou Jianing, a promising newcomer in the literary world, is also an "80s writer" who emerged from the "New Concept Composition Competition." Currently, she is studying at the Chinese Department of Fudan University. Going South in Time is the New Year's main feature of "Bulldog Youth Literature." It tells a story of youth, with the protagonists being "I" and Chongchong, two girls who went to the south for studies and then left. How did their friendship and love change? Zhou Jianing said that she always felt a sense of shame about her previous novels, implying that she was very satisfied with her new work. "I can feel the immense emotion and power within it myself. I think, from now on, I have truly begun to write." Going South in Time tells a story of youth, with the protagonists being "I" and Chongchong, two girls who went to the south for studies and then left. How did their friendship and love change? Zhou Jianing said that she always felt a sense of shame about her previous novels, implying that she was very satisfied with her new work. "I can feel the immense emotion and power within it myself. I think, from now on, I have truly begun to write."
The protagonist "I" is a girl born in an eastern city. She has always longed for a life unlike others, imagining herself as the unconventional girl sung about in songs, and has never stopped pursuing her own unclear ideals. Together with her close friend Chongchong, she was admitted to a school on a southern hillside and began her university life. We had just escaped from a long, restrictive adolescence, so we desperately consumed our lives—dyeing our hair, dating boys, skipping classes—to relive the things we missed in middle school and make up for them.
In university, Chongchong fell in love with a man she loved deeply—Mr. J. He was once a celebrated writer but had now lost his touch, unable to write any more novels. Mr. J was the only man Chongchong had ever loved and would ever love, but he had his own beloved woman. Although that woman repeatedly abandoned him, he lived for her. He felt that Chongchong's love was too vast and unrestrained, so he had to hide and left the south, living in the north instead. Eventually, utterly disappointed, Chongchong also left the hillside in her third year of university.
I, too, was a girl with a pure view of love. Although I had my own secret first love, I secretly harbored feelings for a boy named Xiao Wu and never expected anything from this love. In my heart, I regarded him as a family member. In the end, Xiao Wu became a shadow I had imagined, constantly constructed in my mind. He was always my most beautiful illusion, a harbor to rely on when hurt. Who he truly was no longer mattered—he was the eternal love in my heart.
After graduation, I went to the north, hoping to find Chongchong again. I worked at a publishing house and unexpectedly met Mr. J. Through our correspondence, I discovered that he was the writer I had secretly admired in my obscure middle school days. However, he had now lost his talent and passion, living in nostalgia after being abandoned by the woman he loved. I encouraged him to write and found myself falling in love with him. This was true love, different from my first love and unlike my secret crush—it was me and my best friend Chongchong falling in love with the same man, at different times.
When Mr. J learned about my relationship with Chongchong, his memories were awakened, and he resumed writing. He also mentioned Chongchong in his novel, but she was merely a minor, insignificant character who died quickly in the story. It then dawned on me that Mr. J was a man without the courage to love. He only sought refuge in building his spiritual home within novels. He only loved himself and did not deserve the love of me and Chongchong. He was a weak and timid man.
So, on the day he finished his novel, I deleted it entirely and left the north to pursue my own ideals. I realized that after enduring the entire obscure adolescence, I had learned what true love was. Many of my friends and lovers had left my side, and I could no longer find them, but I understood what love was and how to love others. Xiaoxi, Ailian, and Canran—they had once been my closest companions and had also hurt me, but in the end, I chose to forgive everyone. Although I never found Chongchong again after she left the southern hillside, she remained the friend who truly stood by me, a bond as unbreakable as gold.
This is a story about youth. I have always believed that there are people who, from innocence to maturity, never experience a break. They stop growing at a certain stage, though their outward appearance may seem adult, their inner self remains a child. They may grow old, but they are not twisted or degraded step by step. They cannot see the dark side of things and always believe in the miracles of tomorrow. They never fear, never lose courage, never avoid—it is the eternal youth.
I and Chongchong were such people. Our love was vast, and we endured all the torment of youth but grew up pure and brave. In everyone's life, there is always someone who accompanies them through all lonely years, connected by blood. They may be your lover or your friend, but no matter what, if you meet such a person, you must cherish them, for once missed, they may never appear again.
Just as I have Chongchong, and Chongchong has me. Every generation has its own era's imprint, and I hope that in this long story, this imprint can be revealed.