Jun removed Shanshan (2yo) and Lianlian (3yo) from her in-laws to protect them from Red Guards’ raids during the Cultural Revolution. For that, she had to pay and became the in-laws’ enemy. 1966 fall. Hohhot.
See Chapter 1. Lianlian’s First Memories.
From left: Shanshan, Lianlian, Jun. 1970.
Jun handmade all the shoes and clothes for the three of them. The girls had identical outfits except for their sweaters.
See Chapter 4. Food, Clothes, and Shoes.
Jun took the girls for this photo to remember the time Lianlian was to start school. But Lianlian (7yo) was declined by the school. 1971 spring. Hohhot.
See Chapter 8. Starting School.
From left: Xiaozi, Yin, Wawa, Xi-Dan, Lianlian (8yo), Qi, Shanshan, Jun. 1971 fall. Weichang.
Jun was assigned to a remote location for a year and had to put the girls at her brother’s home. The eight of them were having a meal.
See Chapter 10. Foster Care.
From left: Wawa, Yin, Lianlian, Xiaozi, Shanshan.
Five kids could be fun. They were about to go to the valley behind the house to gather branches and grasses as fuel for cooking.
See Chapter 10. Foster Care.
Lianlian (10yo) and Shanshan (9yo) were each other’s shadows. Lianlian was the fearless one, and Shanshan wanted safety. 1973. Beijing.
The year before Shanshan (14yo) went to live with her father. 1978. Hohhot.
Lianlian (15yo) started high school. She was determined to study hard and get into a top university. 1978. Hohhot.