Chapter 35 (2/2)

Apparently the day I arrived in Paris, he had gone to the young hotel. Now that was a dutiful military officer.

Until we had arrived to my dorm building, I pointed towards the window and said, “Look, this is my room. Two days later, you won’t get lost and not find it, right?”

“No,” He laughed, “But you’ll have to make more dumplings.”

“No problem.”

I ran up the stairs, returned to my room, changed, rinsed myself, looked at the clock, and realized it was already very late. The last bus had just left a moment go, so how would Zu Zu return?

Cheng Jia Yang

Ming Fang gave birth to a child. It was a little girl with a round face and a small layer of hair. She was clutching onto my finger, her hands full.

I brought the gift my mother had prepared and went to see Ming Fang in the hospital ward. I also saw Wen Xiao Hua.

The child was in her arms, clutching my hand.

Afterwards, I escorted Wen Xiao Hua home. On the road, we talked about the child, who had not yet been named. Ming Fang called on us to work together on naming it.

I said that I would go home and look through the dictionary. Xiao Hua said, “An ordinary Chinese character is the best. The more common the name, the better the person.”

“There’s a theory like that?”

“Yeah. Look, Jia Yang and Xiao Hua, are very common names, and we are very good people.”

I laughed.

“Do you have anything planned later?”

“No.” I said, looking at her. She looked back at me.

“Why don’t we go drink some tea.” I said.

“Okay, I know a Taiwanese tea shop. They have many kinds of shaved ice.”

Two adults, like a little boy and girl, in a Taiwanese tea shop that had been renovated to look like a cartoon house, eating multicolored shaved ice. It made me feel young again.

Wen Xiao Hua ate a mango-flavored one and a mangosteen-flavored one, concentrating on the taste and enjoying it extremely. Mine had melted into ice water and was only half-eaten. She ate until she was satisfied, raised her head to look at me, and laughed, “Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?” I asked.

“You’re so patient, waiting for me to finish.”

“As a person, the one thing I definitely am is patient.” I said honestly.

“I sometimes think you are a polite and proud person. Not saying much, encouraging people wholeheartedly. In fact……”

“I don’t say anything because I am not good at speaking. Politeness is so that I don’t have to show any other emotions because I am lazy.”

She looked at me, then looked out the window.

“Ever since I was young, I liked gaining the upperhand and winning. I went to the best university and traveled to the farthest country. I have worked, completing difficult tasks that other people wouldn’t do, and been to the most dangerous and tricky places for interviews. Life is very difficult because the heart believes that as long as you work hard, you will achieve your goal.”

She drank a sip of water, a slight smile on her face, “Until I met you. Cheng Jia Yang, did you know, you are what the foreigners call, a difficult person.”

Is she started to reprove me in this manner?

“I didn’t know you thought that way. When I try to get close to you, I’m often found out. Then we go back to being like strangers again. When elders praise me, you smile along. When it’s just me, you won’t even glance at me once, nor say a word. You wouldn’t not know, that if you’re too polite, then it becomes impolite. Sometimes, you make me feel uneasy. For example, your mood will suddenly be good, and you’re willing to escort me home. I was so happy I left my car at the hospital. For example, you’re suddenly not busy one afternoon and you accompany me to eat shaved ice.

“I didn’t know you drove here.”

“I also forgot.”

She let out a chuckle, “When I’m around you, my IQ is 0.”

She worded it so clear, finally deciding to not wrong herself.

I didn’t know what to say. It was a difficult problem, and I didn’t know how to answer.

I couldn’t tell her I was sorry. What would I be apologizing for? She is sacrificing such a good girl.

I felt very embarra.s.sed and raised my head. Wen Xiao Hua looked at my face.

My throat felt a little dry so no words were coming out.

She finally looked disappointed, picked up her bag, and left.

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