恨海

A novel written in the late 19th century. The story presents a narrative that revolves around themes of fate, relationships, and societal challenges, set against a backdrop of historical turmoil in China. The main characters introduced includes Chen Ji Lin, who navigates the complexity of family dynamics and societal expectations, alongside others intertwining with his tale. The opening of the novel sets the stage during a period of upheaval in China marked by the Boxer Rebellion, highlighting the lives of various families residing together. Chen Ji Lin, a government official, resides with his family and their close acquaintances, the Wang family and the Zhang family, forming a close-knit community. As discussions about potential marriages for their children begin to unfold, the looming threat of societal chaos encroaches on their lives, infusing tension into the domestic scenario. The narrative juxtaposes the innocence of childhood relationships with the adult concerns of marriage and loyalty against the backdrop of an unstable political environment, effectively establishing the stakes for the families involved.