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Grandma’s kitchen is my favorite place in the world. The air always smells of warm bread and cinnamon. Every Saturday, I help her knead dough for dumplings. Her hands, covered with small scars from years of cooking, move quickly and skillfully. “Slow down, dear,” she’d laugh when I mess up the filling. Last winter, I was sad about a friend moving away. She sat me on the kitchen stool, gave me a bowl of hot soup, and told stories of her childhood. “Goodbyes are hard, but new hellos are waiting,” she said. Now, even when I’m far from home, the thought of her kitchen makes my heart feel full.

Our dog Max ran away when I was ten. I searched the neighborhood for hours, crying so hard I could barely see. When I came home, defeated, my brother was waiting with a flashlight and a bag of Max’s favorite treats. “We’ll find him,” he said, and for the first time that day, I believed it. We walked the streets until midnight, calling Max’s name. Just when I was about to give up, my brother spotted him hiding under a bush. As I hugged Max, my brother ruffled my hair and said, “Told you.” That night, I learned that brotherhood means never letting you lose hope—not even when everything feels lost.​

Chronic illnesses (like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer) increase the risk of depression, and vice versa. Managing a long-term illness can be stressful, leading to feelings of hopelessness and loss of control. Depression, in turn, weakens the immune system and makes it harder to follow treatment plans, worsening physical health. For example, a person with diabetes who has depression may skip medication or neglect diet, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Treating both conditions together is essential: doctors may adjust medical treatments, while therapists help patients cope with the emotional toll of illness. Support groups for people with the same condition can also reduce feelings of isolation.​

Ma Chao’s father Ma Teng was killed by Cao Cao on false charges. Filled with grief and anger, Ma Chao allied with Han Sui and led 100,000 troops to attack Cao Cao. In the battle, Ma Chao showed extraordinary courage—he charged into Cao Cao’s army, wielding his spear, and killed many soldiers. Cao Cao was so scared that he cut off his beard and threw away his robe to disguise himself, barely escaping death. Ma Chao’s army surrounded Cao Cao several times, and Cao Cao even cried out: “I would rather meet a tiger than Ma Chao!” Although Ma Chao’s revenge campaign eventually failed (due to internal conflicts with Han Sui), his bravery in fighting against Cao Cao to avenge his father left a deep impression on people, and he became known as the “Golden Lion” for his fierce fighting style.​

Lila and I both love painting, but we couldn’t be more different—she paints vibrant landscapes with bold brushstrokes, while I stick to quiet watercolor portraits. Every Sunday, we set up our easels on the balcony, spread out our supplies, and paint for hours. Sometimes we talk, swapping stories about our weeks; other times, we work in silence, the only sounds being the wind and the scratch of brushes on paper. Last week, we decided to collaborate on a piece: she painted the background—a sunny meadow with wildflowers—and I added a couple sitting on a bench, holding hands. When we finished, we stepped back to look at it, and Lila smiled. “It’s perfect,” she said. “Because it’s us—different, but fitting together.” That’s what I love most about our hobby: it’s not about being good at painting; it’s about sharing something we love, learning from each other, and creating something that represents our relationship. Every stroke is a little piece of us, woven together.​

The phoenix is often seen as a symbol of purity. In many myths, it lives in a sacred place, far from the chaos of the world. It is said to eat only dew and honey, and it never harms other creatures. When it flies, it does not leave footprints on the ground, symbolizing its innocence and cleanliness. The fire that destroys and rebirths it is also seen as a purifying force— burning away impurities and leaving only the pure essence of the bird. In this way, the phoenix represents spiritual purity and the desire to live a life free from sin and corruption. It encourages people to strive for goodness and to purify their hearts and minds.​