Ms. Golden Branch (04)

Edited by Adela Karliner(2019-02-23)

(04)-1980

       In 1980, the elder Mr. Li finally set foot on the land of the new continent.

       "I have peace of mind when Golden Branch is in charge of my apartment in Taipei, Taiwan. She said that when I was not at home, I didn’t have to pay her; because she could earn extra money by helping out with her friend who did food catering for weddings and funerals. Actually, what do I care about her little salary. I am impressed by her thoughtfulness!” Elder Mr. Li was very much touched.

       When he arrived in the United States, Mr. Li found that his grandson born in the United States was as smart as his own son when the latter was a kid. Not only was the youngster’s homework well taken care of by the child himself, but also he could recite simple Chinese Tang poems. The old man that has great knowledge was really not needed here.

        "Grandpa received a letter today that made him unhappy." One day, Mr. Li’s grandson said to his mother Lily when she came home from work.

       "Dad, whose letter did you receive today? Did it make you unhappy?" Lily asked her father-in-law with concern.

       "Golden Branch wrote that Wenting failed her exam again," the father-in-law replied.

       "Golden Branch can write letter?" Lily asked with interest.

       "I used to teach her to read and write when I was bored with nothing to do, but she still doesn't write that well." Mr. Li said modestly.

       "She can write the English address on the envelope?" Lily asked.

      "I had written the English address on the envelope in advance. Because I had just started teaching her twenty-six English letters before I left Taipei, Taiwan." The old gentleman said with shame, as if the speed of Golden Branch’s learning directly reflected his teaching skill.

      Fortunately, grandpa’s "unhappiness" did not last very long, because soon, the elder gentleman discovered the American garage sale.

     "Hey, when I was in Taiwan, I was embarrassed to buy bargaining stuff on the cheap market for the commoners. Now there are no acquaintances in the United States. I can buy any old and second-hand goods as my heart desires!" said grandpa happily.

      "You see, these dresses are still new. The original price tags have not been cut off, and they have not been worn even once. They are much better quality than the cheap products that Golden Branch bought at the street stalls with goods laid out on the ground. They are stylish, and they all are the right size for her." Mr. Li bought many all at once.

     "That small calculator is only five dollars! It is just right for Wenting, who is going to business school at night. Not many of her classmates have calculators! Also, if this portable record player is brought to Taipei, I guaranteed that little Wenting will jump up and down with joy! ... "

     "Look, this hat and those shoes are all brand-new products. And they all cost one dollar each, I am sure if you bought them at the department store in Taipei, they would surely cost thousands of Taiwanese dollars! I will buy them for Wencun ..."

      "Grandpa likes the United States very much," said the grandson of the Li family.

      "Yes, here, nobody knows you, you can lower consciousness down to the earth." The grandfather admitted with a smile.

     Everyone is happy to see Grandpa so happy, and of course, the old gentleman was also very active. Whenever possible, Weng or Lily would drive their grandpa to American garage sales.

    And Grandpa loaded up every time.

    "Dad, what are you going to do with so many things? Don’t forget that China Airlines only allow two pieces of luggage per passenger!" His son Weng asked worriedly.

(To be continued)