National Reading Week in China serves as the backdrop for immersive excerpts from two distinct contemporary novels, *Dinner for Six* by Lu Min and *Dear Fengmi* by Di An. Lu Min’s narrative follows Marina, an expectant mother walking through a decaying factory zone, where the physical environment serves as a "slender axis of time" reflecting fourteen years of change and the weight of unreliable memories. In contrast, Di An’s work explores the poignant innocence of childhood through a narrator’s failed attempt to witness the blooming of evening primroses. This story emphasizes the "unspeakably shameful" nature of private curiosity and the realization that moments of beauty often occur without a witness. Together, these readings highlight the evocative power of Chinese literature, showcasing themes of urban transformation, personal history, and the fleeting nature of time.
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