In his forties, Dongjiang had just started working at a car wash, but on his first day, he had to leave work to rush home when his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and can’t care for herself, left the water running. During lunch, Dongjiang complained to his mother about losing his job again, only to find that she not only had forgotten him but could barely hold a conversation. She kept insisting she wanted to go to the park that afternoon. Reluctantly, Dongjiang took her to the park, and as he watched the bustling crowds and snack stalls, he had a sudden thought—he could let his mother get lost and free himself from this burden. As he hesitated at the park entrance after his plan worked, he saw a mother and child playing. The child’s innocent smile stirred memories of his own childhood. Watching colorful bubbles pop in the air, a wave of unease filled him, and Dongjiang realized he could not abandon his mother after all.

by Yang Wang (China)