I had the honor of joining this year's 54-kilometer hike — a journey that went far beyond physical endurance.

Setting out at 4 am, I arrived at Hongwen Middle School as children, brimming with excitement, gathered swiftly on the playground. Their energy was infectious.

The path began gently, but around the 10-kilometer mark, fatigue set in. My legs ached, sweat blurred my vision, and doubt crept in.

Just as I considered giving up, I looked around — children, drenched in sweat, pressed on with determination. Not one chose to quit. They encouraged each other, showing incredible resolve.

Their spirit revived me. As Renshanhe Martyrs Cemetery came into view, our pace quickened.

In the solemn atmosphere, students placed wreaths and tended graves with reverence. In their eyes, I saw both gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility.

As a reporter and a mother, I was profoundly touched. These children, raised in comfort, showed they were anything but fragile. Their strength gave me hope — for their futures and for the stories they will write with their own unwavering courage.