阿桐的趣话

Back in the winter of 2017, I made a trip to a student's home in Shanghai. The student was a little girl aged 7. I had taught her in a summer camp in 2016 and we became the best friends, though with a large age difference. When the summer camp finished, I was invited to pay a visit to her home.

If the memory serves me correctly, I arrived at her home in a chilly afternoon. As I had expected, the student was thrilled to see me again and we, of course, had a very great time together. We played together, laughed together and ate snacks together. She also showed me around her bedroom, where she took out things I had sent her. They are a letter, pictures of her in the summer camp and a book of poems.

As it was getting darker and darker outside, I told her that I would be leaving soon.

And she responded, “Don’t leave, Mr Wu. Buy an apartment next door to be my neighbor.”

I said “Apartments nearby already have someone living there”

And she replied earnestly “Some houses are available over there. You can buy one so that we can have fun together when you are available.”

I was amused and touched to hear what she said, because on the one hand, she didn’t know how ridiculously expensive an apartment is in shanghai, not to mention a house; on the other hand, her words indicated that she was fond of me and trusted me.

Now 6 years is gone, but I still remember the amusing conversation and the affection and trust behind it.