Needlemouth

The story centers on three cousins—Mandy, Yangyang, and the narrator—who spend summers at their grandmother (Ama)'s house in a yard with a kumquat tree and weeds.

Their daily lives are shaped by two maternal aunts: Cold-Blooded Ayi, who is affectionate but critical, and Aunt Elizabeth, who is emotionally distant.

Cold-Blooded Ayi and Aunt Elizabeth represent contrasting parenting styles: the former is openly expressive, while the latter avoids physical affection, even drinking water in a way that avoids touching the cup.

Their interactions reveal generational trauma, with Cold-Blooded Ayi lamenting her sister's failed marriages and Aunt Elizabeth reflecting on her own absent motherhood.

The cousins also interact with their neighbor Xiaocai, who introduces them to a comic book about Wonder Woman, a character molded from clay, sparking a moment of shared wonder amid their strained relationships.