Tonight, the murmur of the Jiaohe River brought me to tears, for its sound recalls Celestial Spring Station, and with it, old friends and bygone days.
At times, I pray the waters would fall silent and grant my longing some reprieve, for this yearning is a bitter pain that steals my sleep. Yet at others, I pray the river flows on, to keep the memory of you whole and vivid within my heart, a burden so dear I cannot forget it by day or night.
I can only curse this sea of sand for offering no boat to carry me to you. But should the day come when I may cast off this armor and sail upstream, I ask you: wait for me.
Letter