A Crack Away from Destiny

Shijie

"I'm home!" Shijie exclaimed as he slammed the apartment door behind him. Silence echoed in reply. Mamma and Baba are probably still working, he thought to himself. After all, it was Beijing, the capital of China! He wandered into the living room and sat his backpack beside the table. Shijie removed his homework from his backpack and began to complete the tedious work. Though it was not entirely entertaining, it must be done. Once he might become rich; he might be able to move to America. Oh, how much he dreamed of even visiting there. He heard a rumor once that everyone who lived in America, lived in a mansion. Even the lower class. He sat there for a moment, daydreaming of the day he would leave China and make his way for the western country. What would I do once I get there? he asked himself. Go to a Pizza Hut, perhaps? He silently chuckled to himself. Perhaps eating American fatty food would not be the most intelligent move. A sudden knock sounded from the door. Just as Shijie was about to begin his math homework, he dropped his pencil, letting it roll off to the side of the table. Eh, I'll pick that up later. He tromped over to the door and hastily opened, assuming Mamma and Baba had returned finally.

"Hi, Shijie! Are you finished with your homework?" Huiyi, his close friend asked, jubilance sparkling within her coffee-brown eyes.

"Not yet. But you can come in if you'd wish," he replied, gesturing for her to enter. Accepting the offer, she glided into the apartment, examining the room as she did so.

"Zai was wondering if you wanted to go some restaurant or something." Shijie pondered the thought. It was conceivable that he would be able to finish his homework within the next hour and he was in need of some fresh air. Before he knew it, he would start having cabin fever!

"Sure, I just have to ask my dad. The last time I did something without his consent, well...let's just say I wasn't allowed to step foot out the door for a year except for school," he clarified. Huiyi nodded, understanding what he meant. She mentioned that she would ask one other friend to join before leaving, closing the door behind her, gently. Shijie suddenly realized he still had math homework left on the table and scrambled over towards it, answering each question with thorough calculations.

***

"Hello, Shijie," his father greeted plainly as he entered seemingly exhausted.

"Hello, Baba," he greeted. Shijie's father trudged into the kitchen, his eyes weary. Shijie trailed eyes trailed his father's path until he disappeared out of view. Then he glanced back to his science homework, which was taking him longer than he had originally expected. Though it was time consuming, he did not let the thought of relaxation slow his pace. After all, how was he going to move to America without proper effort exerted into his work? However, the idea of America was tempting, he desired ever so much to escape the dreadful familiarity of his apartment, and join his friends in a wonderful meal. They could maybe discuss matters, such as school work or what grades they got for what subject. Well, he thought to himself. One not so thoroughly done science homework will not probably interfere with my dream. Besides, he still had time to work on his homework afterwards.

"Baba, I was curious if I could join my friends for dinner," Shijie said. His father appeared out of the kitchen with a stern expression.

"Did you complete your homework?" his father replied, considering the idea. Shijie shifted uncomfortably. If he told the truth, no way would he be able to hang out with his friends. On the other hand, he had never lied to his father before. Lying would be considered cowardice in disguise. As the wise Confucius had once said, "A young man should serve his parents at home and be respectful to elders outside his home. He should be earnest and truthful, loving all, but become intimate with humaneness. After doing this, if he has energy to spare, he can study literature and the arts." Then again, was his labor worth his happiness? And to what accomplishment?