A Heart of Gold

Leaning on the wall with one hand, Jing Tang quickly took off her sneakers and changed into sandals. Reaching the living room, she followed the scent of food to the kitchen.

“That smells good, Mom.” said Jing Tang.

“Go take a shower and then come back for breakfast.”

Mrs. Tang opened the lid of the pan and scooped out the food with a big metal spoon. When Jing Tang tried to take a piece of food with her fingers, Mrs. Tang swatted her hand.

"Ouch." She quickly withdrew her hand. “That hurts, mom.”

"If it hurts, then you should stop picking food up with your dirty hands!”

“Mom, let me help you carry the dish to the living room.”

“You better take a shower right now. I can tell you have been exercising.”

Jing Tang pulled up the edge of her shirt and sniffed at it.

“Hurry up!”

Jing Tang turned around and quickly snuck out of the kitchen. When she reached her room, she threw her headband on the table and then opened her closet. Fiddling with pieces of well-folded clothes, she finally pulled out a shirt. Jing Tang came back to the living room a few minutes later. She sat down and took a piece of pork with her chopsticks. Bending her head slightly to the right, she put the pieces of shredded pork into her mouth and chewed. As she held her bowl closer to her mouth and slurped the congee, she rested one of her bare feet on the edge of her chair.

DING DING DING...Mrs. Tang glared at Jing Tang and beat the brim of her bowl with her chopsticks. DING DING DING…

“What are you doing, mom?”

“Don’t you notice that?” said Mrs. Tang.

“Notice what?”

Realizing Mrs. Tang staring at her foot, she quickly put it down and fixed her posture.

“How many times have I told you? Girls never ever sit like that. I’m really tired of reminding you. Why can’t you showed some self-discipline?”

“I’m trying, Mom.”

“Oh, really? If you’re trying, why do you still do the same thing again and again?”

“Mom, could you do me a favor?”

“What favor?”

“The School’s Parents’ Meeting Day will be next Friday. Could you…”

“I’m not coming.”

"And why aren’t you coming?”

“I work every Friday.”

“Dad works in Virginia. He could make it, but it’s very inconvenient. You work in the city. And you can ask your boss for half a day off next Friday, can’t you?”

“Yes, I can ask for half a day off. But I don’t want to hear your teachers talking to me about your failures again. It is very humiliating to me.”

“Your daughter is progressing and doing pretty well in school.” Jing Tang interjected.

“Take out your report card and show me your improvement. Otherwise, forget about it. And stop talking about the affair in front of me.”

Jing Tang pouted.

“After breakfast, don’t forget to come with me to the laundromat.”

“Mom, I have an appointment with Hua later.”

“You can go and meet your friend whenever you want. But you have to help me carry the bag to laundry first.”

After breakfast, Jing Tang helped Mrs. Tang take the bag to the laundromat. When she reached the park, she walked toward a girl who sat on a bench reading a book. Noticing Jing Tang standing next to her the girl closed her book and put it into her bag.

“This is unacceptable!”

“What’s the matter, Hua?”

“You’re late again!”

“Really!?” Jing Tang immediately looked at her watch.

“I’m just kidding,” said Hua Li while laughing “But you are rarely on time.”

“How long have you been in the park?”

“Just for a few minutes.”

“What are you reading anyway?”

“It’s just a novel. The story is very interesting, and it is pulling me in.”

“Good for you! Books drive me crazy.”

Hua Li smiled and said, “Jing, is your mom coming to the school next Friday?”

“Just now, I discussed the parent’s meeting with my mom. She refused right away.”

“Why?”

“She wants to see my report card.”

“Why didn’t you show it to her?”

“Because…It doesn’t look nice.”

“What about next Friday?”

“I don’t think it’s a problem if my parents won’t attend the affair.”

“How bad is the report card this time?” said Hua Li.

“Forget about the report card. It’s going to ruin this entire beautiful day. Why don’t we get something to drink?”

“Ok, let’s go.”

They left the park and went to a bakery across the street. When they were in the store, they both ordered two cups of iced coffee. Before Hua Li could take out a five-dollar bill, Jing Tang quickly paid the vendor.

“Jing.” said Hua Li and glared at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Take your money back and let me pay.”

“It’s okey. You can buy me a drink next time.”

“But, you already treated me the last a few times,” said Hua Li and then tried to hand over the five-dollar bill to her. “Take my money.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Jing Tang. “Good friends shouldn’t argue over a little money, right?”

“Alright, but I want you to promise me that you won’t take a penny from your pocket next time.”

“Ok, I promise.” said Jing Tang.

Jing Tang took the change from the vendor and put it into her pocket. They took their drinks and sat down by the window.

“I know you don’t want to talk about your report card, but you should think of making some goals.”

“Goals?”

“You want to go to college after your graduation, don’t you?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Jing, you should start thinking about plans for your future.”

“What about you, Hua?”

“I’ll definitely go to college. And then I want to be a lawyer.”

“A lawyer! That sounds great. But that requires a lot of work, not mention a huge amount of money.”

“I can put in the effort. The great difficulty is the tuition.”

“How will you do then?”

“Recently I joined a company, and I’m going to work hard and save money bit by bit.”

“What company?” said Jing Tang.

“It’s kind of investment company” said Hua Li. “Why don’t you come with me to take a look?”

“No, thank you.” said Jing Tang and shook her head.

“Why not? You don’t have any goals for the future. Now, you have the opportunity to meet with people and get to know how they succeed. Maybe you will become interested or find some goal there.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Jing, don’t hesitate, come with me to the meeting tomorrow.”

“Hmmm...”

“Please.”

“Ok, I’ll go with you to take a look.”

“It’s great! I’m going to call tonight and let you know the schedule.”

“Cool,” said Jing Tang, “Where are you going later?”

“I want to go to the library. So, wanna e to come with me?”

“You know I don’t like reading. I’d rather go home and sleep or watch television.”

“Ok,” smiled Hua Li, “I’ll call you tonight, ok?”

“Sounds good!”

They finished their drink a few minutes later. Saying goodbye to Hua Li, Jing Tang left the store. After she reached home and opened her room door, Mrs. Tang was folding clothing next to the bed.

“Mom.”

“Listen! You are old enough. I can’t help you take care of your things for the rest of your life.” Mrs. Tang stopped folding clothing and looked at Jing Tang sternly. “I just cleaned your room three days ago. Why is your room still like a pig pen?!”

“Mom, you’re exaggerating.”

“Look at the dirty floor. Look at hairs behind the door. Didn’t you notice that?” said Mrs. Tang while looking at her.

“Hmmm…”

“Tell me!”

“Yes, I did notice that.”

“Ok, then why don’t you clean it?”

“I was thinking about cleaning it tomorrow.”

“Why not today?”

“Because I like chores on Sunday.”

“This is probably the worst excuse I’ve ever heard. Now, fold the rest of the clothing and then clean up the floor.”

“Mom, I’ll clean the floor tomorrow.”

“Listen! It’s not like playing the lottery. You don’t have choice to pick the other day to do it. You must clean up the floor today.”

“Mom, I promise you.”

“I don’t need your promise. If I don’t force you, you never finish your chores.”

Jing Tang pouted.

“Don’t give me your face like that.” said Mrs. Tang. “I’ll come back and check in an hour. If anything isn’t done properly, you’ll have trouble!”

After Mrs. Tang went out of the room, Jing Tang closed the door. She sat down on the edge of her bed. She bit her lip and clasped her hands. Quickly, among these clothing she grasped one piece and then pulled its corner harshly. She wished she could tear it into small scraps and either flush them down into the toilet or throw them out of the window. A few minutes later, she stood up and started folding her clothing.

The next day, when Jing Tang got up from her bed, she wrapped a towel around her neck and then left for Pier 17. She came back about an hour later and ate two slices of bread for breakfast. She then answered the phone and quickly rushed downstairs.

“Hey, Hua. I am sorry for being a little bit late.”

“It’s ok. I’ve gotten used to your lateness. I think you better go back to your home again.”

“Why?”

“Take a look at your shoes.”

Jing Tang looked at her shoes, each different from the other. “SHOOT.”

“Take your time. I don’t want you to mess up again.” Hua Li smiled.

After Jing Tang hurried upstairs and quickly came back, she and Hua Li walked toward the subway station. They reached the second street and then turned into a narrow path. Suddenly, they got a shock. A few feet away, an elderly woman with disheveled hair in tattered clothing lay near them on the sidewalk.

“Jing, let’s get out of here.” Hua Li tried to go back to the street.

“Wait a minute, Hua,” said Jing Tang and held her arm back. “Let me go and see what happened.”

“Jing, don’t…”

Jing Tang quickly walked away from Hua Li. As she reached in front of the woman, she bent down.

“Hello. Hello…”Jing Tang began pushing gently on the woman’s shoulder with her hand.

“Jing, we’re gonna be late.” Hua Li spoke up.

“Hua, could you come here, please.”

Jing Tang took the woman’s arm and lifted her up slowly.

“What are you doing, Jing?”

“We must carry her to a clinic right away.”

“It’s not a good idea. We better call 911.”

“We don’t have much time, Hua. Where is the nearest clinic?”

“There is one clinic two blocks away.”

“I carry her, and you lead the way.”

Jing Tang bent down and carefully put the woman on her back. She slowly stood up with her strength. Once she gained her balance, she rushed down the street. When they arrived at the clinic, Jing Tang carefully put down the woman. Jing Tang gasped and wiped away drops of sweat on her forehead. The doctor immediately took the woman to the emergency room. Hua Li held Jing Tang’s wrist and brought her outside the clinic.

“Jing, it’s time to go.”

“But she is still unconscious in the emergency room.”

“The doctor is checking her. She’ll be fine.”

“Can we stay here for a few minutes?”

“Listen, Jing. We have to hurry to our meeting.”

“Don’t you want to wait for her to regain consciousness?”

“Jing…”

“Please.”

“Ok. If you want to stay, you stay. I’ll see you later.” said Hua Li and then rushed to the exit of the floor.

Jing Tang wiped away her sweat with her sleeve and then went back to the clinic. She had a seat and clenched her hands tightly. Meanwhile, she kept her eyes on the room. After a few hours of waiting, the doctor asked her to come in. After a few minutes she began a conversation with the woman. Jing Tang asked the doctor’s permission and then walked the woman home.

When they reached home, the woman asked Jing Tang to have a seat and went back to the kitchen. A minute later, she came back with a dish of grapes.

“Have some grapes,” said the woman and put the dish in front of Jing Tang.

“Thanks, but I am not hungry,” said Jing Tang with her smile.

“Let me go to the kitchen and cook some noodle soup for you.”

When the woman tried to walk back to the kitchen, Jing Tang immediately stood up and held Mrs. Huang’s wrist, “Thanks, but I’m really not hungry.”

At this moment, Jing Tang’s stomach was murmuring.

“Please, just eat a few” The woman said.

“Hmmm…Ok.” Jing Tang smiled.

The woman came back to the living room with two bowls of noodle soup about half an hour later. After Jing Tang and the woman finished their noodle soup, Jing Tang helped her do house chores and then the laundry. It’s was late in the afternoon. She said goodbye to the woman, and she promised to visit her again during her free time.

When Jing Tang arrived home, she quickly changed into her nightgown and laid down on her bed. Before she started snoring, someone knocked on the door. Jing Tang pulled herself up and went to open the door.

“Hua?” said Jing Tang.

“Why didn’t you pick up the phone?”

“I’m sorry. I just came back home.”

“Come on. Change your clothing quickly. Let’s go to the second meeting. It’s getting late.”

“Hua, can I make it next time?”

“Why?”

“I’m so tired now.”

“You’re still mad at me for not staying with you and the woman, aren’t you?”

“Of course I’m not. I spent my entire afternoon with her. And I also helped her with chores. I’m really exhausted.”

“I understand. You just want to stay where you would like to be. I shouldn’t have asked u to come. I’m sorry for disturbing you.” Hua Li turned around and started to walk away.

Jing Tang grabbed her hand and said, “Wait, Hua. Give me a second. Let me go to my room and change my clothing.”

“Forget about it. I don’t want to force people to do anything. From now on I’ll never call and ask you out again.”

Hua Li brushed her hands away and rushed downstairs.

“Hua. Hua...”

Jing Tang really wished she would come back. But, her footsteps were getting weaker and were finally no more. Jing Tang felt like her heart had been torn apart. She hit the door and then began counting as she struck her head on the door. Hua Li’s words gradually played back in her mind. Her eyes were getting red, and drops of tears fell from them.

The next morning, Jing Tang got up from her bed and turned off her alarm clock. Grabbing her schoolbag, she rushed downstairs. After she entered the school building and started to climb the stairs, someone called out to her from behind.

“Miss Tang.”

“It is a stroke of luck,” Jing Tang murmured and then turned around. “Good morning, Mrs. Johnson.”

“Good morning, Miss Tang. The first period has already started.”

“I know. I should have come to school earlier. But my alarm clock was not working this morning. Oh. It’s getting really late. I think I better go to my classroom now.”

“Hold on, Miss. Tang. There is one thing I think I should let you know. This piece of news may be a sudden shock for you.”

“What is it, Mrs. Johnson?”

“Next semester, you’ll take the same math course again.”

“Why?!”

“Your math teacher came to my office last week. He showed me your grade on each tests and your attendance. It’s really…”

“I don’t want to take the math class again! I’m going to talk to him now!”

“Please calm down, Miss Tang. I can understand how you feel. Whatever happened just let it go. Don’t....”

Jing Tang turned around toward another set of stairs.

“Miss Tang, your classroom is not that way.”

“If he is going to fail me, then why should I waste my time in his class?!” Jing Tang started to breathe heavily and went directly to the library.

During eighth period, Jing Tang went to the cafeteria. After getting her food, she slouched at a table. She took her plastic fork and began to eat a few minutes later. At this moment, she recognized Hua Li who was two tables away. Jing Tang stood up and began to make her way to Hua Li.

“Hey, Hua.”

Jing Tang put down her tray of food and then sat down next to her.

“Hua, this morning Mrs. Johnson told me…”

Hua Li stood up and dropped her empty plastic tray into a trash can. Without saying anything to Jing Tang, she hurried out of the cafeteria. Jing Tang took a deep breath and held back the tears in her eyes. She picked up her plastic fork and twisted it with as much strength as she could. She threw her food into the trash can. After she grasped her schoolbag, she walked downstairs and left the school. After a few minutes of walking along Pier 17, Jing Tang sat down on a bench facing the sea. At this moment, a white-haired old man sat down next to her.

“How are you?” said the man.

“I’m fine.”

“I think I recognize you.”

“Really? But I don’t think we met each other before.”

“Don’t you run along the pier morning on weekends?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Perhaps you haven’t noticed me. But I usually come to the pier and fish.”

“Ok.” Jing Tang lowered her head and twisted the sleeve of her jacket.

“You don’t look well today.”

“It’s just...” Jing Tang choked up, “You wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m a stranger, so I don’t know what was going on. But I hope everything will be better soon.”

“If I tell you, can you promise me not to tell anyone else?”

“I promise,” The man raised his hand as if taking an oath.

“I feel I’m a loser.”

“Why do you say that?”

“My mother was angry at me for not following what she said. My math teacher failed me because my poor attendance and grade. I’m really a good-for-nothing.”

“You shouldn’t jump to such conclusion. People were brought into the world with their own values.”

"What values?”

“The value is something that benefits others in the society. Some people have many; others have a very few.”

“I don’t have any value at all. And I just hurt a good friend yesterday.”

“What happened?”

“Yesterday my good friend Hua and I...”Jing Tang said to him. “…She left the cafeteria without saying one word to me. Maybe she still hates me for not going to the meeting with her because of the woman.”

“My grandma was a very prestigious person in our village. When I was your age she often used the motto-dig up your gold, rub dirty off, and let it shine! In the beginning, I didn’t understand what it meant. But when I saw how villagers respected her, I finally figured it out.”

“What is it?”

“Everybody is born with a heart of gold. As time passes it had gradually been covered by something. Many people didn’t even notice that. Even if they did, they didn’t try to do something about it. I’m glad yours hasn’t been covered. I still can feel it is shining.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s a great value to society.” The man smiled. “Would you like to help me to catch some fish? I’ve been at the pier most of the day, and my bucket is still empty.”

“I’d like to. But I don’t know how to fish.”

“It’s not difficult. Let me teach you.”

The old man picked up the fishing pole that leaned against the guardrail and gave it to Jing Tang. Under the old man’s instruction, Jing Tang stepped back a few feet away from the guardrail and then cast the fishing pole. After throwing the fishhook was a great distance, it sunk into the seawater. Standing and holding the fishing pole for a while, Jing Tang tried to relax her shoulders. At this moment, the string gave a sharp jerk.

“Now, pull it in!” said the old man.

Jing Tang began to pull the string. The old man came over to help. Finally, the man dragged up a big fish, unhooked it, and put it into his plastic bucket. She bent and watched the fish exultingly.

“What are we going to do with the big fish?” the man asked.

“I don’t know.” Jing Tang still kept her eyes on the fish.

“Have you ever tasted salt fish?”

“No,” she turned around. “Does it taste good?”

“Sure does. But it will take me a few weeks to prepare it. Why don’t you help me catch more fish, so I can prepare my specialty dish, sweet and sour fish, for you?”

“Ok.” Jing Tang smiled.

She stood up to cast the fishing pole again. This time, the barb was thrown much farther away. A few feet away from the string, a leaf was moving with the illuminant and blinking golden dots danced on the waves.

Editors: Prof.Berlin Adam(Eng 397) & Prof. Hoening & Mrs. Annex &
Winston Wang & Justin