CHAPTER 44

Li Chuan bought a piece of bread for me and leaned against the railing by the lakeside with me, watching me pull it apart bit by bit to feed the ducks.

After standing there with me for awhile, he pointed to a bench under the shade of a tree and said, “You take your time, I’ll go sit over there.” Read more

CHAPTER 43

He picked up his cane, turned around and walked towards his bedroom, “I’m going to get changed.”

There was air conditioning in the home set around twenty-two degrees, but Li Chuan was covered in sweat like he had just run for eight hundred meters.  I followed him into his room.  He turned around and said without needing to catch his breath, “I’m getting changed.  Why are you coming in?” Read more

CHAPTER 42

Although they were not of Li Chuan’s design, the house suited Li Chuan’s taste; it was a mix of French romance, German detail, and Italian creativity.  Li Chuan liked spacious and high-ceilinged rooms.  He liked glass, hardwood, colorful sofas, and other furniture in black and white.  The first level was big and had many living rooms.  It felt like it could fit all of CGP’s staff and still have room left.  He showed me room after room, and then we sat on the sofa to rest.  He used a remote to open the curtains. Read more

CHAPTER 40

Every night the outdated fridge in the kitchen would produce a dull humming sound. Some part of it had become damaged, the compactor would activate at every ten minute interval. I informed the landlord about this many times, but he refused to send anyone to repair it. The reasons being, one, it activating all the time doesn’t mean that the fridge didn’t work. It was exactly the opposite, the fridge was was still cold. Two, the cost of fixing the fridge was too expensive, might as well buy a new one. But he wasn’t rich and didn’t intend to spend that money. Read more

CHAPTER 39

Early Saturday morning, Eason called me to confirm whether or not I would be going to the research institute’s formal dinner.

I was suppose to (English) move on anyway. Even though Eason was a resolute celibate, it’s not like I couldn’t use him as practice. Read more

CHAPTER 38

I stood up, grabbed all my stuff, and said thanks.
“Do you mind if I give you a ride home on my bike?” he asked with a soft and gentle gaze.
“It’s not far from my home here,” I sniffed my nose and smiled at him, “I can walk back by myself.”
“I’ll walk with you.  I’m heading the same direction anyway,” he persisted.  He took over my bag and hung it on his bike. Read more

CHAPTER 37

“There’s nothing to be done about that. Ever since Alex got sick, his whole family been very cautious. Actually, in contrast, Alex is quite independent. But once he gets home he can’t be. He has his grandfather and grandmother watching over him and a crowd of people surrounding him, afraid that some mishap will occur. Naturally, Alex would escape to China whenever he could…Was he independent in Beijing?” Read more

CHAPTER 36

As a broken hearted person, I had a problem that all broken hearted people had. It was to stand alone in a place with a lot of people. Wallow in sorrow in all that noise. No wonder, in African tribes, when someone is about to die, they will be surrounded by others and dance in a circle of fire. It must be better to die in the middle of a roar of voices than facing fear and grief alone. Read more

CHAPTER 35

I stood below the roof and shouted through the heavy rain, “Li Chuan!  Li Chuan!  What are you still doing here?”
“Get in the car first.” Read more