Letter to My Daughter

By Liu Jiming (April 18, 2025)

My daughter, when you left to study in the UK, 

You had just turned fifteen. 

Your father was not yet used to your "little adult" poise; 

I always saw you as a child, 

loving you just as I always had.

My daughter, do you remember the moment you received your Cambridge admission? 

How proud I was of you. 

I regarded you and the novel I had just finished 

as the two proudest achievements of my life, 

even though you never read my books.

My daughter, three whole years have passed. 

In the blink of an eye, 

you are about to graduate. 

But not once have I been to Cambridge to see you; 

I likely won’t be able to attend your graduation next year, either. 

Perhaps, from now on, 

I will never be able to leave this country again.

But my daughter, you have grown up. 

You have the strength and the space to grow and live independently. 

Your father does not expect great career achievements from you, 

and even less do I wish for you to lose your freedom for your beliefs—as your father has. 

I only wish for your health, your happiness, 

and a lifetime of peace.