The Cultural Revolution of the 70s wiped out a lot of things in China. It wiped out years of scientific progress, as top scientists were moved to the countryside to till the lands and be part of the 愤青 “passionate youths”. Interestingly, even top agricultural scientists, who could have helped China with research into agricultural production, were also forced to do the same.
The Cultural Revolution also wiped out years of cultural progress, as teachers and lecturers were vilified (some committed suicide under the pressure) and forced to work at menial jobs like carrying manure. Schools and universities were closed as there were no teachers to teach nor students to study, the latter being too busy vilifying monks, priests and nuns.
The result of the Revolution was astounding, creating a generation without the same morality anchor of the previous generations. Sexuality, while still something spoken of in whispers, was no longer something sacred. The liberation of women from their “corrupted culture” meant keeping themselves a virgin till marriage was “feudal” and unacceptable. Money and materialism become the new gods, replacing Buddha or ancestors.
And so it was, that once I had accepted Shen Yan as “my woman”, she moved in totally into my apartment, a move questioned by nobody in the company (as if they dared). It was also a signal to everybody else that I was “taken”. I found it unbelievable, too, that I had somehow fallen in love with a Chinese woman. It was wonderful having a warm naked body with me every night as the autumn months began to fade and winter set in.
I could not wait for that Sunday, when the factory had its off-day. I could not wait for the boring speech to be over, and I tend to make short speeches. I could not wait for the workers to quickly board their buses and leave, so that I could finally get Shen Yan to board the van with me to the city. I knew where I wanted to go, and had called in Wen
shifu
the driver to discuss with him when Shen Yan was not around.
Wen
shifu
was a good driver, and knew his way around the city. He drove us straight to the best and most renown jeweler in Shanghai - Qitianbao. I took her hand, and took her into the huge superstore full of all types of jewelry.
Obviously men knew nothing of jewelry and I was no exception. I simply told the sales staff (an old but sophisticated-looking auntie who had zoomed in on us the moment I entered, in contrast to the younger women standing around chit-chatting among themselves) that I wanted to buy a necklace for my woman. I found out later that she was the store manager, and her keen eye had identified me immediately as an overseas Chinese. Apparently, lots of overseas Chinese would pop by her store when they visit Shanghai.
The two women talked among themselves in Mandarin. The store manager was very sharp, and knew immediately too that my companion was not Shanghainese. In China, the talents surfaced so quickly, and are paid well, precisely because they are so different from the common labourers. She asked me discreetly in Cantonese (she picked up Cantonese to communicate with her HK customers) what my budget was, and her eyes lit up when I told her.
A beautiful gold necklace with a ruby and jade-studded pendant finally adorned the lovely neck of Shen Yan. She was beaming away, and even more so when she saw that I had paid RMB12,000 for it. RMB12,000 is not a lot of money in today’s China, but back in those days when an experienced department manager earned about RMB1200, RMB12,000 was a lot of money. To Shen Yan, her man had given her plenty of face by paying publicly such a large amount of money for something she wore publicly. Her friends and relatives would definitely ask her how much I paid for it, and she could proudly tell them the amount, and where I had bought that for.
I had blown about month of my salary but I was very happy about it. Li
zong
had given me a good bonus recently, and also promised me both a raise and a gift when I called him to tell him about my falling in love. This man also had become more like a father to me, teaching me about business practices whenever I visited him. I had lapped up all those stories and learnt from them. As usual, whenever I commented how much I had learnt from him, he would lament how his useless son was never interested to learn.
It was on the journey back, as the light of day dimmed, with Shen Yan lying on my shoulder, that the question was broached.
“Would you like to visit my parents during the Spring Festival?”
Li
zong
had already told me what that meant, and what it portend. I was prepared for it.
“Yes, let us make a trip down there. Would you also like to visit my parents in Singapore after we visit your hometown?”
She was beaming away, and happily nodded. My lips found hers, and we exchanged a lovely kiss while inside the van. As usual, the top two buttons of her blouse was undone, but I wanted a better access and view, and took off another one. My hand slipped behind her, to unhook her bra, eliciting a gasp from her. I held on to the kiss, refusing to let her break away from me, as I moved her bra up and fondled her breasts.
If Wen
shifu
had seen anything, he was wise enough not to indicate so. From the corner of my eyes, I noted that he was concentrating on the road, not even looking into the rearview mirror. No wonder he was the driver for the General Manager. Talents in China truly surface out quickly and make their mark. A good driver is not just skillful but discreet as well.
By the time I was happy enough to break away the kiss, a red-faced Shen Yan had to quickly adjust her bra, hooking it up again through the blouse (she struggled a little with it - it must have been quick difficult), and then buttoning her last button before playfully striking my thighs.
She glanced up at the driver again, before she unzipped my pants, removed the throbbing member, and placed her mouth over it. I was in heaven again, like the many times before.
I love China!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
francined69
if you are marrying the girl, you are not only marrying her but her family too. so always be prepared mentally to take in the whole family.
I heard that this is
especially
pronounced in Vietnam and the Philippines, where family ties are very, very strong. Families ties in China, with its one-child policy and booming economy, have become increasingly weaker.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sean69
from wat i observed, his wife is more interested in spending his money rather than helping him save for retirement.. sigh … sigh…
You are assuming they have the concept of “saving for retirement”. Perhaps they assume the husband will do the same - expect to sponge on the children.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cavemanng
I think it is not difficult despite I don’t know the process. A lot of PRC join tour here then go FL and eat $.
Joining a tour group from an approved mainland tourist agency is the best bet for a Chinese not from the major cities to get out of China (not just to Singapore). Some of these “tour groups” are just a cover, as the itinerary is not really followed.
Quote:
I did apply visa for PRC colleague before but the process is not difficult. Need a letter of invitation from company then can apply in china. Take about 1-2 weeks.
A guarantor is likely needed in this case. The guarantor must be a Singaporean. I nearly took this route to get some officials to Singapore, as there were problems with their tourist visas. In the end, a “tour group” solved our problem.
Quote:
Singapore traveling to china can stay up to 14 days without visa, with visa 30 days. China traveller I forgot already
I do not believe the reverse is true. My friend with a Chinese wife from Hunan lamented to me before how difficult it is to get her to go to multiple countries, starting from Singapore.
My thread has become an immigration topic! Heh.
I am currently wrapping up my last few days in China. It has been quite an adventure for me the past decade, and I shall leave the story here for the time being. Who knows I may return to write some more after a year!
And for those who still thinks it’s not a work of fiction - PLEASE, I have never worked in a factory before! All my 20+ years in society has been with the service business!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
andythai
Maybe it is time to write about your real adventures, ha ha
No exciting adventures for me in China, only lots of war stories dealing with the Chinese government and local staff. What I wrote though, are a mix of personal experiences and stories from fellow expatriates.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DTCEPL
Bro, u are leaving China and going back to Sinkie Land?
Hope all goes well for you back home…….
Thank you. Still no job yet but there are interviews lined up. I will get a better job in Singapore, one that allows me to travel occasionally to China!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cavemanng
Wow! Coming back to Singapore? No action liao?
There shall definitely be action. Instead of being the infantry occupying the land, I shall be the air strike force, flying in, hitting my target, and flying back to base.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
packardbell
Bro, I have been following your story of experience since chapter one. It is a regret that it no longer prolonged. Anyway, thanks for the effort and time you contributed. I know for sure all bro you read your forum will appreciate it.
Thank you, bro. I shall definitely write when I have time. It has been a very busy time with the new job, a job which requires me to fly to really remote Chinese cities, with names I could not read at first glance (could not recognise the Chinese characters!).
It is interesting to note how different and laid back the Chinese in these cities are, compared to first and second tier cities like Shanghai and Suzhou.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
francined69
i like your “air-raid” type assignments now, should be much better than being stationed permanently in china.
Actually, for a person like me, who prefers having his family around, I do not find this “better”. I’m no angel, but I’m really not into “cheonging” very much, though I love parties.
Quote:
as for the laid back cities, then you’ll need to deal more with local officials.
Yup. A lot more.
Quote:
waiting for your next installment. cheers!
Need inspiration and time. Consider this thread cooled off for another year!
Amazing. I thought the stories here have been more or less buried permanently. Someone still has the patience to dig them out! My creative juices are right now very, very squeezed, and I am not in a shape to write more, as one can tell from my frequency of logging in.
Hopefully one day I really can continue.
I must admit work (and more work) has fried my brains for now. There will be a day when I shall return to continue to story (especially since I am still involved with business in China) but I hardly even come to Sammyboy nowadays!
I am surprised there are still readers till date! This has been a thread from a very long time ago!