An Unforgettable Night indeed.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNMhlLNFCe
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51GZhhTc7A
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5mdshE0fQ
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gcIFkuORr
"I really don't understand," Hana complained, "why would anyone suggest using country park land for housing?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN3prjWmFB
"There's no other choice. Hong Kong has always had the problem of 'limited land, dense population'," I said.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21TViPgp1S
"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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGuazpCLHz
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuPVpJVsJI
"To hell with no population cap!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dtfTWU6JC
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkdPUcyJSL
"One day, I hope I can go abroad and work for a large-scale information technology company," Hana said.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXGoXpw1zu
"Then you have to work hard," I said, "But have you thought about how long you will work here?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdqkjzCWoH
"Probably one or two years," Hana said, "After accumulating enough experience, I will go out and explore again."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr6hpqJICB
"Haha, then you won't have me, your 'supervisor and boyfriend,' around to take care of you. Are you willing?" I joked.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvBTMgRpr8
"Forget about it," she retorted, "Have you forgotten about my outstanding competency? And, my adaptability is legendary!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPlhivJmGU
"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."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDBoTGYcdQ
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiOf4jiJrE
"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?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bXVmafMcm
"Of course not," I said, "But I hope you have your potential fulfilled."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoKbpg8UZb
Hana laughed satisfactorily.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDlN9Kl5s2
Then, she unexpectedly turned the conversation to me.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4woNxbDfe
"What about you?" she asked, "I think, Brother Janny, with your ability, you can easily find more challenging jobs, right?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHpyUyRAVW
"No, I'm not as young as you," I said, "I have too many burdens and the risks are too great."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLj5MRA6K9
"Up to you," Hana said, "I just think it's a pity."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPgMnlEGS0
I chuckled bitterly.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wb4fKbsDU
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;262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3y90YlnYg
I wanted to turn back, but realized there was no way back;262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfEPJiOnIB
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!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjxDfsxmzv
"Wow, no way!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLOeM3ePf0
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC9C8DHe6G
It was "Parents' Day."
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