The Sea of Love is full of sorrows (1)
The pale sunrise had just brightened the treetops, and the grapevine that climbed along the fence to the eaves of the house was much more luxuriant than when I first came here, with some soft branches stretching out, and with green leaves and young shoots, brushing against the people, as if to express its prosperity. The brightening sunlight showed that another very hot day was coming. But in any case, I take advantage of this cool morning to do my morning exercises. I began to breathe deeply. Suddenly my body felt very relaxed and refreshed, and then I practiced tai chi. I was covered in sweat as if I had just come back from the pool, so I took out my handkerchief and wiped away the sweat while strolling under the vines and inhaling the fresh air.
“Good morning, Mr. Lin.”
I turned around and looked over in the direction the voice had come from.
“Oh! Good morning Mr. Huang.” I smiled and said, “Up so early?”
“I’m used to it.” He joked, “Early to bed and early to rise is good for your health.”
“Mr. Wong is amazing.” I said as I commended him.
“I’ve been watching your sports from the terrace every early morning since you arrived at our school.”
“Mr. Huang, tai chi is the most effective exercise for lung disease.” I explained.
“How about as for the usual?” Mr. Wong waited quietly, his eyes on me.
“Just as beneficial, it’s a sport anyway. I’ll teach you to learn it sometime.” I said with no inhibitions.
“Mr. Lin, I can’t learn how to play the chops in my old age.”
“There is no age limit to learn tai chi, the main thing is to be interested.”
Mr. Huang did not make a sound, Chen thought for a long time before saying: “Mr. Lin, it seems that your body will soon be restored to health. Remember you out to this time the body looks very poor. The color of the face is like bamboo in the forest. However, now it is different.
Whether it is by virtue of taijiquan that one heals.”
“This cannot be attributed entirely to tai chi. Of course there has to be medicine and injections to treat it.”
“Could be a miracle formula for lung disease.” He laughed, and I laughed.
“In the future I’m going to tell my niece about your wonderful recipe.”
“Does your niece enjoy soft sports?” I asked curiously.
“He was also a person suffering from lung disease, alas… too bad.” Mr. Hwang sighed with emotion and said, “He went to study abroad after graduating from university. But within a year, he developed a serious lung disease. He stopped studying and came home to recover. It’s a pity.”
“Although lung disease is terrible, she lives in this age of scientific prosperity. On the one hand, it is treated with potent drugs.
On the other hand go and organize your living and eating well. I believe it will be fine soon.” I comforted Mr. Huang.
“She’s living in the city now with only medical treatment. There is no choice of a secluded place to live, so his illness hasn’t improved much and I’m afraid…” he paused.
“What are you afraid of Mr. Wong.” I interrupted his handle anxiously.
“I fear the disease will come to collect her youth.”
“Mr. Huang, why don’t we ask your niece to come for taijiquan therapy as well I suggest.”
“I was just thinking the same thing, but where do I want her to study that’s another question.”
“I can ask my niece to come here and I’ll teach her,” I snatched.
“I’m afraid Mr. Lin doesn’t have the spirit or time to do so.” Mr. Huang said seriously.
“I’d like to help Mr. Huang in any way I can.”
“Then I’ll give her a call and see what she does before she makes a decision put. First of all, I’d like to thank you for your generosity.”
“Don’t mention it, I practice early every morning anyway.”
The sun was rising and it was getting late.
“Mr. Huang go back and have breakfast, it’s almost time for class.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
※
I was returning from a stroll along the beach one evening and was reviewing my students’ work, referencing the successes and failures of the day’s lectures. I hoped to correct the mistakes and play off the successes. When I felt that each student was receptive. When I feel that each student is receptive and their grades satisfy me, I am happy to be a teacher. I should teach my students well in order to be worthy of each student’s parents and my conscience. I rejoice I like every student. Suddenly there was a knock on the door outside, so I kept quiet.
“Didn’t Mr. Lin sleep?”
I went by the sound of the voice to judge the visitor then said in a loud voice: “Mr. Huang come in.”
I stood up and the door opened to Mr. Wong and a girl. Seems to be around twenty, she has a melon-shaped face. White skin, straight nose, and a square, small mouth underneath. Brownish-black hair hanging down to her shoulders, and a pair of large bright eyes. Although wearing a pair of myopic glasses, but can not hide that moving radiance. Mr. Huang and the girl walked in.
“Come let me introduce you, this is our school teacher Lin Wenyi.” Mr. Huang introduced.
“Mr. Lin.” The girl greeted me politely. Mr. Huang then added: “This is my niece, Huang Pei Zhen.”
“Ms. Huang, please take a seat.” I said bowing respectfully.
She looked at me with a smile, two pearly fossils on her face.
“Mr. Lin teaches his students in a very methodical way, and the students he teaches do very well.” He said in a complimentary tone.
“You’re too kind, Mr. Huang.” I felt a little embarrassed up.
“Mr. Lin is very humble and treats people kindly, so he is well liked.” Mr. Huang was again praising me again.
“…” I didn’t know how to answer.
“Mr. Lin, my niece and I arrived tonight. It’s to discuss with you how to instruct her in Taijiquan in the future at the same time hoping to select a few study times.”
I thought for a long time and said, “It’s best to do it in the morning because the air is fresh in the morning and it’s the best time for exercise.”
“Then let’s start it in the morning, Paige, what do you think?”
“Very well…” she rolled those bright eyes.
Mr. Huang looked at his wristwatch and said, “Mr. Lin has bothered you, that’s it, we’re going back.”
The next morning, before I got up, Mr. Wong and Wong Pui Ching had long since arrived under the vines, breathing in the fresh air.
“Good morning Mr. Wong, Ms. Wong.” I greeted them.
“Good morning good morning.” They said in unison.
“Ms. Huang, let’s first study the basic movements.”
“It’s good that Mr. Lin teaches directly.” Mr. Huang said solemnly.
“Research and teaching all the same.” I said humbly.
First of all, I made a demonstration movement, reciting under my breath the positive stance, deep breathing, slow rise double lifting, and squatting my body downward.
Ms. Wong just stood, but her eyes followed my movements. After I did a set of demonstration moves, she followed.
She was smart enough to start exercising and was able to basically learn the first set of tai chi moves in one morning. Although the posture is still not ideal, but with this achievement is already considered very good.
“Well, that’s all we’ll master for today.” I finally said.
The three of us strolled along the path next to the school. The east was brightening up and nature looked alive.
It was so fresh and clear that it opened up the mind and body. I slowly followed them. Suddenly, it occurred to me why I had promised Mr. Huang to teach her niece Taijiquan. I usually see girls feel not natural, face red, really inexplicable, just the same disease, I hope she recovered health.
“Don’t you have class in the morning, Mr. Lee?” Mr. Huang said.
“…” I said, “I don’t have class in the morning.”
“I’m going back, I have a class in the first period. Pei Zhen you accompany Mr. Lin body for a walk.”
“But I have some personal business to attend to I say.”
“Then…” Mr. Wong hesitated, wanting to say something, “let’s go back and give Mr. Lim a little more time to do his other work.”
When I returned to the UNIT in the afternoon, Mr. Wong had just returned from class.
“Mr. Lin what do you think of your niece’s performance in learning Taijiquan.” Mr. Huang had a smile piled on his face.
“Very well.” I replied.
“How good is it?”
“What I taught her is basically mastered, she is very smart.” Then I thought for a moment, and then said, “Mr. Huang, you didn’t have a class in the morning, so why do you have one today.”
“Because Mr. Li is going abroad for further studies, there is no one to replace him for his temporary resignation, therefore I have to substitute for him for the time being.”
“This will increase the number of sections Mr. Wong teaches per session.”
“Of course.”
“Then you’ve worked hard.” I said cordially.
“It’s nothing more than temporary in nature; Director Lee has already gone off to find someone to replace him.”
“Has Director Lee identified a suitable candidate yet?”
“I believe it will be difficult to find someone in the near future, unless an increase in pay will make it easier.” Mr. Wong said slowly, with a melancholy look on his face, as if to tell me who would be willing to take up this unprofitable profession.
After a long time, I said, “Since it’s hard to find a candidate at the moment. Wouldn’t it be better to ask your niece to be a substitute teacher?”
“I wonder if she’s willing?”
“I’m sure she’ll agree.”
“Oh… you remind me, but I’ll have to consult Director Lee first, then go back and consult my niece.”
I hesitated for a moment before resolutely answering, “Right.” I hurried into the Discipline Office and rushed off to class.
A week later, it was the morning of the last day of Pei Zhen Huang’s taijiquan studies.
“You’ve learned it perfectly, Ms. Wong, so please do it from beginning to end, in a row.”
As she went through the motions, I watched her every move. I was ready to make a general correction after she finished the movement, but to my surprise, she didn’t make any mistake at all and her movements were very standard. She didn’t do anything wrong and her movements were standardized.
“Mr. Lin, please correct me.” She stood and begged.
“Ms. Wong, you’re quite smart not only did you make no mistakes or omissions, but on the contrary, the movements were done in line with the ideal.” I said encouragingly.
“Mr. Lin, is there really no mistake?” She asked happily.
“Yes.” I repeated as we talked and strolled.
“Mr. Lin, have you been coaching whips for a long time?”
“It’s short.”
“My uncle taught me to be a substitute teacher here, but I’m afraid I can’t handle it.”
“Did you promise him?”
“I’ve promised.”
“That’s great, I’m sure you’ll be up to the task.”
“It is precisely because I am afraid that I am not as capable as I should be that I will have to ask you for advice in many areas in the future.” She said gently.
“You’re humbled.”
“Mr. Lin, just now Uncle told me that he’s going to treat you to dinner tonight.”
“I would like to thank your uncle for his hospitality first of all, Ms. Huang, your uncle has a very brash and forthright nature, and I enjoy talking with him.” I said happily to Ms. Huang.
“Then you must come to your uncle’s house tonight.”
“I will definitely go to the meeting.” I replied without thinking.
The sun was already dipping in the west and the lights were on, so I went to Mr. Huang Bochun’s house as I had promised. They were delighted to see me, and because of Mr. Huang’s hospitality, I felt that he was especially kind and warm. Suddenly, I felt alienated because they were too polite and I did not know how to cope.
“Mr. Lin, tonight is the weekend, and it’s also the anniversary of my niece’s one week of worship. I’m preparing a casual meal for my niece to thank you.” Mr. Huang laughed brightly, making a booming sound, and I smiled back. A sweet smile appeared on Huang Pei Zhen’s face, revealing her neat white teeth.
“Mr. Lin Pei Zhen will be substituting from next Monday, so please instruct her more.”
“That wouldn’t be a dare, it would be good for everyone to study it sometime.”
“No, Mr. Lin you just treat Pei Zhen as your little sister. Instruct her boldly.” Huang Bochun still politely insisted. Truly, I felt happy and a little embarrassed. A rush of hot blood came to my face to look hot, I forbid silence, do not know what to say. Later or Huang Bochun easily and appropriately changed the subject, only to make me just now to dispel the embarrassment.
“Has Mr. Lin been busy lately, how is his body feeling?”
“What do you think of my body?” I asked rhetorically.
“I believe that you have already been well eighty, ninety percent.” Huang Bochun surveyed me, then added: “Perhaps you have regained your health, I feel that you have been very energetic lately, as shown in your work and life.”
“Mr. Wong, the day before yesterday, I went to my private doctor’s clinic. Requested the doctor to make a detailed examination for me, and as a result, the lungs began to calcify.” What is the term calcification of the lungs also found interesting, eyes squinted at me as if waiting for my answer.
“Calcification is symbolic of the beginning of the improvement phase of lung disease.” I vaguely relayed the doctor’s explanation.
“Oh, then congratulations.” Huang Bochun extended his right hand.
I quickly shook his hand and said, “Thank you for caring.”
“A week ago, I told Pei Zhen about your wonderful cure for lung disease, and she was very skeptical, at the time. However, now the proof of the facts is that Taijiquan does have a miraculous effect in curing lung disease.”
“It’s not that I didn’t trust Taijiquan to be effective; there are many current facts in Japan that prove the use of qigong to cure diseases. And I was afraid that it would be difficult to learn, and I didn’t agree to it.” Huang Pei Zhen seems to have been wronged to explain herself.
That night, I was happy to bid them farewell and return to my own residence. I don’t know why I couldn’t go to sleep right away, but I wondered if I had developed feelings for Wong Pui Ching. I couldn’t answer myself, but there was no doubt that I had feelings for her, and I didn’t know how long it would take me to fall asleep…
She finally went to school to substitute teach.
I somehow remembered that she and I had undoubtedly created a friendship. Since I was more familiar with this branch of teaching than she was, she often approached me with a great deal of humility to study it, and as a result, I had more contact with her.
I often went for walks with her along the waterfront, sometimes I drove her back to the city or went for a drive with her in the car. Or park the car on the lawn and go browsing the countryside with her. I found that we cared for each other and our friendship grew. In order to avoid gossip among my coworkers, I didn’t often talk to Huang Pei Zhen in front of them. However, I tried to find her as pleasant as possible every time I had the opportunity, and at the same time, I wished her a speedy recovery of health. Nevertheless, her chilling and warm greetings to me were enough to make me feel indescribably joyful in my heart.
A few months had passed and I was free from the disease and my lungs were declared completely healed. I convinced myself that I would pay more attention to my health in the future, so that I would not be troubled by the disease again. Maybe Huang Pei Zhen’s lungs are not as serious as mine, she is also well, we feel happy. It was like being reborn, and I felt indescribably happy. Whenever I saw my classmates, relatives and friends, I told them and shared my joy. Especially my parents, when they learned that I was cured, they slaughtered a big fat chicken to pay homage to our ancestors. Although I am not superstitious and believe in science, I have no objection to what my parents did, and I can only smile at them.
Pei Zhen and I had gotten to know each other pretty well over the months, and we talked to each other about a lot of our own personal things.
She told me everything about her past, and I was very open about my past and future hopes. So, are she and I considered to be in love?
I honestly do not get it, although I have read the Psalms, and the West Wing and Romeo and Juliet. As well as read recent or current romance story books up to the present. I can neither measure, I can not measure whether I am in love or not, always I can not answer myself completely. I can’t deny that I very much like to be with Huang Pei Zhen, however, whether I have already entered into the net of love. Whether or not I am already pursuing Huang Pei Zhen is even more unclear to me.
Her body appeared more and more healthy appeared more beautiful, and her temperament. I knew her better at present, and as I knew her better, I soon had an answer for myself. I could not confess to pursuing her; if I did, I must have given myself a severe inferiority complex. She was beautiful, young, intelligent, and better educated than I was. I had not been able to complete my university studies due to illness, and I was not from a wealthy family. With no foundation for a career and a low occupation, I could think of no reason to love her. I was convinced that the man who could have her was better off than me in every way. Sooner or later, such a man would come into her circle.
If this is true, why should I knowingly pursue her? But, in any case, I already enjoy being with her and find it pleasant and joyful. I can’t help but feel happy and proud to have such a colleague and friend.
Sometimes, when the night is quieter and deeper, I close my eyes and think of being with her. And her delicate drive is so weakly nestled in my arms. My hands gently startled her long, graceful hair. However, when I opened my eyes, I did not see her, only the darkness of the night, accompanied me. I felt infinite melancholy, perhaps, love is so.
Undoubtedly, my feelings couldn’t control myself to approach her. The spark of love, again, burned in the pit of my heart.
I don’t know if this story has been posted before? If so please advise. Three years ago, I bought a scanner. I scanned a novella and posted it on the bump and it exhausted me and I have not dared to think of posting an article since. I would like to thank the seniors who posted articles. Last year I bought a voice input method at the Kaohsiung Vision Expo. The result was that the recognition rate was only 30% because of my slurred speech. This year, I bought a set of voice input method again at the information exhibition, and the test result actually reached 80% recognition rate, which is why this article was created!
(to be continued)