Life of Bāo - Chapter 33 & 34
July 6-7, 2023
In the last chapters, plans were made, and a Dragon interrupted. And so did the State. The path of life is not linear. Bāo’s life is once again taking an unexpected turn. And Master Zhao? Chapters 33 & 34. Enjoy.
Fill it up, empty it out, It’s never hungry, never in drought. Always full, without a doubt. Answer: (clue - last word)
Chapter 33
July 6, 2023
Kang Jing finished her lecture to students from her first-morning class, Russian Literature 101, and with a break one hour before her next class, she had time to relax. She opened a thermos, filled her cup, and opened the Sichuan Daily. After a satisfying sip, she flipped to the sports section. “Sichuan Dragons Loose Five in a Row.” She whispered under her breath, “They're pathetic.” She folded the sports section and tossed it aside. Between sips, she scanned the front page and then flipped to the Feature section. Draining her cup, her eyes widened as she read, “2008 Earthquake Survivor Bāo Restores Gold Bracelet to Buddhist Monastery.” Through tear-filled eyes, she read the article. Aloud, she said, “Bāo,” which she repeated many times as tears rolled down her cheeks. A door creaked as a student assistant entered the lecture hall.
“Professor Kang, is everything okay?”
She placed the newspaper in her handbag and ran past the student assistant, exclaiming, “You need to teach the next class.”
“But, I am only an assistant,” he shouted as the sound of a door slammed.
***
Bāo and Yan stood on the sidewalk and looked at the orphanage with new eyes. Bāo confessed, “I am so happy to return to the place that I desperately wanted to leave.”
Yan agreed, “I understand perfectly that what once felt like a prison now feels like home.”
They walked through the front door. “Surprise!” The residents and staff were all in the front room. A streamer popped, and everyone cheered, “Welcome Home.” Little Ai ran down the stairs to Yan. “I am so happy that you are here,” she cried.
Yan knelt and hugged Ai, “I'm so glad to see you.”
The new Director held out the newspaper and said, “Both of you are heroes now. And you, Bāo, make the news for the second time.”
Yan first looked at the two photos and commented, “Look, Bāo, they show you presenting the gold bracelet to the Abbott. There we all are: you, me, Master Zhao, and Juān.”
Bāo asked, “Why do you say for the second time?”
Yan replied, “Look at the headline, “2008 Earthquake Survivor Bāo Rstores Gold Bracelet to Buddhist Monastery.” Yan turned the page, “Look, they even have your baby picture from 2008.”
Bāo looked at the baby and a blue onesie monogrammed with the name of Chengdu's baseball team, ‘Dragons,’ and his name embroidered in the script, ‘Bāo.’
Yan looked closer at the article, “They reposted the story from the Luoyang Daily.” Yan looked disappointed.
Bāo asked, “What's wrong, little sister?”
“We don't have a picture of Syaoran.” Then Yan began to shed tears and hugged Bāo.
The Director remarked, “I am so proud of both of you.”
Bāo suggested, “We want to share everything about our adventure, but we need some time to rest.”
“Surely you will have cake first,” the Director said as one of the residents walked in with a cake decorated. “Welcome Home, Yan and Bāo.”
Chapter 34
July 7, 2023
Baby pictures were spread out on the director's desk. Kang Jing explained, “After the earthquake, I was in a coma and ICU for three months before I was transferred to a rehab facility. I had to learn to walk and talk again. I was discharged to home after six months in rehab. My parents sold their home to pay for my medical bills. I stayed with them in an apartment as I continued outpatient treatment. With the help of friends and family, I was fortunate to return to teaching at Chengdu University.”
Tears welled up in Jing’s eyes, “I'm sorry. I have so many sad memories.” She dried her tears as she recounted. “They found the remains of our car, which had been consumed by a fire so hot that nothing was left except the frame.” She adjusted herself in the chair. With a sob, she said, everyone assumed our baby was consumed in the fire.”
The Director replied, “All these documents are compelling, Ms Kang. Your story fits the timeline. Because Bāo is a ward of the province, we must have the utmost proof in your claim. I will review the photos and documents with our board members, who will meet later today. Is there anything else, Ms Kang?”
Jing reached for a box at the side of her chair. She set the box on the desk, opened it, and removed a pink onesie across the front, block letters Dragons, and embroidered in white thread, Bāo. “The coworkers at the University made two. They did not know if it would be a boy or a girl. Like many of our Chinese names, Bāo can be used for a boy or a girl.”
The director, filled with compassion, said, “You will have an answer by the end of the day, Ms. Kang.”
***
Yan knocked on the director’s door. “You wanted to see me, Director?”
“Yes, please have a seat.”
Two people were seated in front of the director's desk. Yan sat in the empty chair to his right. The Director made introductions: “This is Mr. Chen and Ms. Song from Chengdu University, Ms. Dang Yan.” The director looked at Yan and said, “Mr. Chen and Ms. Song wanted to meet you personally.”
Yan questioned, “Why? I don't understand.”
Ms. Song, with a confident voice, said, “Ms. Dang -”
Yan requested, “Please call me Yan.”
Ms. Song continued, “Yan, you have placed in the upper 95th percentile in the Gaokao’s.”
The Director handed Yan her scores.
Yan scanned the page and said, “It doesn't explain why you are here.”
Mr. Chen also had a document, which he passed to Yan: “We are here to offer you a full scholarship to Chengdu University. It is a full scholarship, with all expenses paid, including room and board. We wanted to be the first to congratulate you and offer you a scholarship. There are sure to be others.
Yan questioned, “Others?”
Ms Song said, “Yan, with your background, persistence, and academic interests, there will be many other offers. Please consider Chengdu University first.
***
Master Zhao opened the front door of his residence and walked in. He’d not stepped into the training hall since the day he left with Bāo over two weeks ago. The kitchen and bedrooms were in disarray. The kitchen floor was covered with dry rice and flour. Pieces of pottery were scattered on the floor. His room and Bāo’s room had been rifled. Bookshelves and cabinets were turned over. Books were scattered like leaves. The photo of Lou Song Jian’ Guo, the Taoist monk who mentored young Zhao Sun Feng, was on the floor covered with glass shards. Master Zhao picked it up, brushed it off, and walked into the training hall, holding the photo. He moved two tables to the center of the training hall. He placed his mentor’s photo on one of the tables.
Master Zhao went to the cupboard and removed rice paper, two bottles of ink, and two brushes. He returned to the training hall and placed rice paper, a bottle of ink, and a brush on each table. He stood in front of the table with the photo of his master. He bowed three times to show respect to heaven, earth, and all life. He sat in front of the other table, picked up the brush, and touched it to the ink while he remembered the words of his master, “You must clear your mind, student Zhao. Yours is as clear as muddy water.” He grasped the brush, dipped it into the ink, and inhaled mindfully. He placed the tip of the brush on the paper, and with a slow exhale, his arm slowly moved in an arch, creating a perfect circle.