“For the next few years, anytime she came into my head,
a part of me hurt.

There was no relief. And I never saw her ever again, Weng.

Over the years, other women came and went.

I got on very well in my job, with a reliable income.

But my heart had tightened like a southern fist.

Some girls I met wanted to marry—but I was stubborn,

so they went on to marry others and have nice lives.

In the end, to be happy, it’s not enough to love someone,

you also have to accept something in return.