In an ordinary high school campus, Shen Ran, Su Wei and Cheng Yize are inseparable good friends. Shen Ran is a top student who pursues perfection and bears tremendous pressure from his family and self-requirements; Su Wei is an art student who dreams of becoming a painter, but her family does not support her choice; Cheng Yize is a poor student who bears the burden of the family. In order to take care of his sick grandfather, he has to give up his studies and choose to work.As the c...

On a restless morning, the narrator wakes consumed by an aching desire, her thoughts clouded with lingering images of intimacy. Frustrated by her partner's absence due to a business trip, she traces the remnants of a sleepless night—her discarded camisole and the telltale signs of her longing. A shower offers brief clarity, but the weight of her emotions persists as she slips into a bold, black backless dress and delicate high-heeled sandals. Stepping out to face the workday, she carries a...

Initially created to counteract broadcasts from Nazi Germany, the BBC’s Eastern Service became a cauldron of global modernism and an unlikely nexus of artistic exchange. Directed at an educated Indian audience, its programming provided remarkable moments: Listeners in India heard James Joyce reading from Finnegans Wake on the eve of independence, as well as the literary criticism of E. M. Forster and the works of Indian writers living in London.In Radio Empire, Da...

Initially created to counteract broadcasts from Nazi Germany, the BBC’s Eastern Service became a cauldron of global modernism and an unlikely nexus of artistic exchange. Directed at an educated Indian audience, its programming provided remarkable moments: Listeners in India heard James Joyce reading from Finnegans Wake on the eve of independence, as well as the literary criticism of E. M. Forster and the works of Indian writers living in London.In Radio Empire, Da...

In a male-dominated workplace, women are particularly scarce, and those with even a hint of beauty are the center of attention. The cashier at the company supermarket—in her early thirties, slender and tall, always wearing low-cut or backless dresses, exudes charm in every gesture. She smiles and has a gentle voice, and even her darker complexion and facial blemishes do not diminish her allure.In this ambiguous and undercurrent-filled daily routine, newlywed Wu Yong and his wife ar...

Feng, cigarette in hand, lay wearily on the large bed. Brilliant sunlight streamed in through the slits in the curtains, the flames flickering and dancing, azure mist rising slowly, swirling in the air, fleeting and disembodied in the sunlight like a dream. Dim sparks flickered with his breath, and giant smoke rings swirled slowly, losing their shape just before escaping the light. The embers trembled helplessly, falling silently, as still as time...As the smoke rings faded, Feng's...

Typically, when writing a confession, one begins by introducing oneself, but I must begin by talking about another person. If it weren't for him, I might not even have picked up this pen. That man's name was Wei An, a favorite of the secretary. Many people have only heard of him in rumors, but have never actually met him. But to me, he's more than just a name; he's a shadow, a hidden nail, deeply embedded in my memory.Years later, in the stillness of the night, I still think of him....

Some say women are as elusive as mysteries; others say they are as illusory and elusive as dreams.A young girl's laughter is clear and melodious, like spring wind chimes; a young woman's demeanor is elegant, yet possesses a certain calmness and strength.But in my heart, women around thirty are the most captivating.They are no longer immature, yet still vibrant; no longer naive, yet they possess a knack for gentleness and restraint.It is that femininity, a blend ...

In the high-stakes world of finance, a successful stock investor discovers an exclusive, secretive service offered by Bank A after depositing a substantial sum. What begins as a routine banking transaction quickly evolves into an intense and sensual encounter with Flora, a captivating financial advisor who provides far more than professional guidance. As their interactions deepen, the boundaries of professionalism blur, leading to a passionate and forbidden connection filled with desire an...

Queering Elementary Education is not about teaching kids to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or straight. It's not part of a sinister stratagem in the “gay agenda.” Instead, these provocative and thoughtful essays advocate the creation of classrooms that challenge categorical thinking, promote interpersonal intelligence, and foster critical consciousness.Queer elementary classrooms are those where parents and educators care enough about their children to trust the human capacity...

A Rebellion against Apathy.A Strategy for Action.“Life is full of good intentions, but for too many, our good intentions never become good actions—they don’t move us forward, draw us closer to God, or make a difference in the world.Good intentions are cans of paint that could have become amazing works of art…but never did.”—Daniel Day, in Ten Days WithoutDaniel Day could tell you all ...

Workers in the creative industries are highly motivated, resilient, and innovative and these characteristics have come to the fore during the global health and resultant economic crises enveloping the world. This shortform book analyses transformation in the arts as a result of this era of polycrisis.The author interrogates public policy, legislative developments, and financial support systems to assist the arts sector around the world. Utilising interview responses from various ar...