An Unforgettable Night indeed.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuhpiQMpEg
After returning home, I was too excited to fall asleep. Finally, I decided to call Hana and talk with her until dawn. It felt like the feeling of first love, difficult to part with.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLQWpDy927
However, we didn't have much time together during the entire Christmas holiday. Due to our late-night conversation, we both slept until noon on Christmas Day. After waking up, we had lunch with our respective families, and in the evening, we attended different gatherings with old classmates. Throughout the day, we only communicated through text messages, expressing how we missed each other through words. Fortunately, on Boxing Day, Hana and I were able to get together for the whole day.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT3VdSOqfW
In the morning, we went on a hike along the Wilson Trail to breathe in some fresh air. We started from Beacon Hill and passed through Shui Chuen O Village. After a stretch of mountain road, we entered the fifth section of the Wilson Trail.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC81fjLXZJ6
"I really don't understand," Hana complained, "why would anyone suggest using country park land for housing?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNKWj3KoGa
"There's no other choice. Hong Kong has always had the problem of 'limited land, dense population'," I said.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQAW1gwbFP
"That's not true!" she exclaimed, "The problem in Hong Kong has never been 'limited land'! In fact, the land in Hong Kong is already quite abundant. The problem is that there are 'too many people'!"
What she said was entirely reasonable.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkXRTf24TZ
Just like those arguments about "no population cap for Hong Kong," with a little bit of serious thinking, one would realize the illogical nature of it. Taking Penny as an example, seeing the hardships and struggles from the time his wife became pregnant until their son entered kindergarten, I was struck by the absurdity of this society. Insufficient beds for pregnant women, insufficient resources allocated by the Immigration Department every day, insufficient baby formula, insufficient vaccines for children, and even insufficient kindergarten places.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUynm6DQ1k
"To hell with no population cap!"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeEFMjk17u
This phrase had become Penny daily catchphrase.
I had gradually become numb to the various problems Hong Kong faced. Because over the past few years, we had experienced and sacrificed a lot throughout the social movements, but in the end, we could only keep repeating futile actions like fools. However, compared to me, who had been worn down to the point of losing almost all motivation by various environments and realities, Hana was still very passionate about society and work.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsfBT4vUiQ
"One day, I hope I can go abroad and work for a large-scale information technology company," Hana said.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFZ8XcFyYA
"Then you have to work hard," I said, "But have you thought about how long you will work here?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSQV4biupx
"Probably one or two years," Hana said, "After accumulating enough experience, I will go out and explore again."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqseRmQjBDi
"Haha, then you won't have me, your 'supervisor and boyfriend,' around to take care of you. Are you willing?" I joked.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrEC9hFcnU
"Forget about it," she retorted, "Have you forgotten about my outstanding competency? And, my adaptability is legendary!"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B5beBHT9z
"That's true," I said, "In such a work environment, it's not possible to retain young people like you who have ideals and outstanding performance."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ERqWnrA6
That was a sincere compliment. Even though she hadn't passed the probation period yet, rather unusually the department manager had mentioned to me, before the Christmas holiday, that he planned to give Hana a significant salary adjustment after her probation period, hoping to retain this outstanding young employee.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU647Fwswj
"As for whether I can bear to let go of you, my 'supervisor and boyfriend'..." Hana playfully asked, "What about you? Will you be able to let go of me?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69qb1oJWRG
"Of course not," I said, "But I hope you have your potential fulfilled."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLzxD5Rjdy
Hana laughed satisfactorily.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwF3mPqDDO
Then, she unexpectedly turned the conversation to me.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAps5J91M0
"What about you?" she asked, "I think, Brother Janny, with your ability, you can easily find more challenging jobs, right?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR36o0VYmMy
"No, I'm not as young as you," I said, "I have too many burdens and the risks are too great."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX7OMWX0fu
"Up to you," Hana said, "I just think it's a pity."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT6e3hmnEA
I chuckled bitterly.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaMoseaNkx
I thought to myself, how could a young girl like her understand what a "mid-life career crisis" is?
I wanted to look forward but found there were no obvious choices;172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Xi8AJWly
I wanted to turn back, but realized there was no way back;172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDjlFJHD6N
I wanted to take a break, but there were too many venomous snakes and fierce beasts lurking around me.
Fortunately, I had Hana by my side.
"Brother Janny," she suddenly sounded timid, "up ahead, up ahead..."
I looked ahead and saw a group of monkeys blocking the path, staring at us.
"When we were watching the play, you liked monkeys, didn't you?" I playfully pushed her, "Go! You go ahead and I will take a picture with them!"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC6ffTrQZT
"Wow, no way!"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMRw6N2aef
I thought she was fearless, but she actually got scared and hid behind me.
"Hahaha!" I couldn't help but laugh, "Watch as the Monkey King commands these monkeys to retreat."
With that, I held her hand and raised my hiking pole, slowly walking past the group of monkeys.
And so, hand in hand, we continued walking until we reached the end of the trail at Hongmei Valley.
Then, it was my turn to feel nervous.
Because this afternoon, we had planned to have tea with Hana's mother.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2emXosPSX4
It was "Parents' Day."
