Romantic Paradox

During the past few years of studying abroad, Fu Tingli fell in love with road trips.

On one planned drive along California’s Highway 1, a barefoot woman darted out in front of her car, startling away the passing birds.

The woman had jet-black hair and bright eyes, with deeply defined features. Even her hair seemed to be bathed in the molten golden sunlight. With just one glance, she shattered her life into fragments. Calmly, she spoke:

“Please, take me to find someone.”

For three days and three nights, they journeyed together, sharing sorrow and delusions, drinking ice-cold soda in the red twilight, kissing recklessly in the open car. The woman placed Fu Tingli’s hand on the flying bird tattoo at her waist and left with a sigh. At the end of the journey, Fu Tingli sculpted a flying bird like the one on the woman’s waist, but lacking in detail, it remained forever incomplete.