Yanbo (Canada)
Third Prize
Author Biography:
Yanbo, born Li Chongyuan, is a member of the China Writers Association and vice president of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association. He has published over 20 novels—including The Ideal State, 1943: The Great Golden War, Underground Transit Station, Tonight the Stars Shine Bright, Unlocking, The Antique Circle, Wolf Mountain, The Pigeon King, Eat Drink Man Woman, Those Soldiers That Year, and Dark War—with a total of more than 6 million words. His song lyrics Tianjin Folk Song won a national gold medal. His long-form nonfiction work Wind and Rain on the Mu Us Desert was strongly recommended nationwide by the National Press and Publication Administration, the Publicity Department, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Education. The Female Party Secretary’s Male Secretary ranked in the top five of the Sina China Good Book List for four consecutive years (2011–2014). His essays, including Two Mid-Autumn Festivals in Algonquin and Mu Us, won the “Special Honor Award” from the Canada-China Cultural Exchange Association. Toronto Chinese received the China Overseas Chinese Federation “Outstanding Literary Work Award” and is collected in the libraries of the U.S. Congress, University of Toronto, Brigham Young University, and Ohio University.
Award-Winning Work: Snow in Toronto Today (60 episodes)
Story Synopsis:
Liu Wenjie, a 50-year-old former head nurse, is tall, graceful, and distinguished, with charming dimples. Her husband, Ma Jinlin, moved to Canada ten years ago. After buying a home, he arranged for Liu Wenjie to join him under Canada’s “family reunification” program. She works at the pharmacy below their apartment, run by a Buddhist shop owner who shares her faith, creating a strong bond between them. Wenjie is diligent and well-regarded.
However, Ma Jinlin’s uncle lives with them. Wenjie suffers a traumatic experience when the uncle spies on her while she is bathing, causing psychological distress. She begins medication and takes on lighter tasks at the pharmacy, supported by the owner. Initially skeptical, Ma Jinlin learns the truth after the owner explains, confronts his uncle, and drives him out. The uncle refuses responsibility and spreads rumors about Wenjie.
Ma Jinlin befriends Sun Aihua, a beautiful middle-aged Chinese woman at his workplace, showing care and attention. Their relationship escalates after Sun’s grieving over her late husband. Ma Jinlin eventually proposes divorce. Wenjie, understanding the complications, agrees to leave their apartment and move into the pharmacy. She refuses to claim any property during the divorce, saying: “I can support myself. He needs his house to marry Sun Aihua. I love him, so I let him go, trusting he will return.”
Her son, working in China, comes to Canada and questions her decision. Wenjie patiently explains, recounting her and Ma Jinlin’s love in difficult times. Her reasoning partially convinces him.
At the pharmacy, Wenjie reflects on her devout visits to temples and her realization during a pilgrimage to Mount Wutai: charity is part of spiritual cultivation, not mere giving. The shop owner brings her to the Zhanshan Monastery in Toronto to pray sincerely for her future.
After Ma Jinlin’s remarriage, he and Sun live contentedly, though he suffers health issues due to overwork. One snowstorm, he experiences a life-threatening cardiac event while working outside, and Sun’s son’s harsh words shock him, prompting him to divorce Sun and return to Wenjie.
A single Chinese-Canadian police officer, a friend of the shop owner, expresses interest in Wenjie, but she chooses to remarry Ma Jinlin, valuing reconciliation and practicality. Half a year later, he dies peacefully in her arms. The shop owner and the officer help her manage the aftermath, teaching: “Faith does not lie in rituals, but in doing good and remembering the Buddha in your heart. You have achieved this.”
Professional Commentary:
This series centers on the emotional and spiritual journey of an immigrant woman, portraying her resilience, tolerance, and awakening amid marital betrayal, family shame, and psychological challenges. The plot unfolds with natural, moving character development, delivering strong emotions without melodrama. Faith and reality intertwine, creating a profound tribute to human nature. It is a work of significant emotional depth with rich potential for further adaptation.
