The Agreement

Summer had just begun in 2009, and as the day waned into a warm evening, I found myself in a world that seemed like high noon. I stood before the gates of what appeared to be a school, but it was unlike any I had seen before. The gates were styled in a British fashion, with bold letters that shone brightly: "St. Gerard School."

Was I in the wrong place? I tiptoed inside, and there, under the soft red lights, was a European-style fountain that sparkled with an ethereal glow. The vast green lawns were dotted with white fairy lights, and each building, each ornament, radiated a unique yet harmonious and comforting luminescence. It was as if I had stepped into a paradise.

Strange looks from the young men and women approaching me made me question my bearings. The girls were dressed in black and white uniforms with bright red skirts, a mix of modesty and elegance. Others wore red blazers with black and white skirts. The boys, on the other hand, were dapper in all-black uniforms with loose ties鈥攍ike modern-day knights. I was more certain than ever that I had stumbled into the wrong place.

Why was I in Taiwan? The unfamiliar surroundings made me rack my brain for answers.

A few days earlier, in Shanghai...

Shanghais summer was as sweltering as ever, but I chose not to turn on the air conditioning. Instead, I sat in front of my computer, daydreaming, watching dramas, and nibbling on my ice cream. The smooth sensation as it slid down my throat was delightful.

Suddenly, my phone rang, playing my favorite piano tune from "Final Fantasy S Chronicles."

I put down my ice cream and looked at the unfamiliar number on my phone, muttering to myself, "What is this area code? Never mind, I wont answer it." I deftly pressed the power button, and the slow ringtone abruptly stopped. As I turned back to my computer, I noticed numerous messages on QQ. Ignoring them, I was about to lock my QQ when a familiar avatar popped up with an unexpected message: "Dummy Snow Ling! Answer your phone!"

The phone rang again, and this time I answered without hesitation. The familiar voice on the other end was scolding me, and my heart ached.

"Dummy Snow Ling! Why are you always pressing my calls?"

"Uh, Xiao Yu, can you lower your frequency a bit?"

"Youre wrong, you want me to be quieter!"

"Yes, yes, Miss Lan, haha, whats up? I thought you were studying in the UK. How do you have time to call me?"

"Hehe, its a secret~! Oh, right, arent you planning a solo trip to Taiwan?"

"Yes, but I dont have any relatives there, so I can only go with a tour group."

"Alright, alright, Ive already emailed the necessary documents to your Hotmail. Fill them out and send them back to me. Dont worry about the rest~! Bye~"

What a person, hanging up before I could finish speaking! Whos the dummy! Lan Xiaoyu, you are the big dummy! A huge big dummy!!!

A few days later, at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Terminal 2...

This was my third time at Pudong Airport. The vast terminal hall was bustling with people moving swiftly. And there I was, having been coaxed by Xiaoyu to go to Taiwan. If it werent for the summer break, I wouldnt have had the time to travel leisurely.

Taiwan, one of the cities I most wanted to visit. Not for any particular reason, but just to see it, and to explore the band that piqued my curiosity鈥擠ongcheng Guard.

"Passengers flying to Taipei Taoyuan Airport on flight xxx, please proceed to the check-in counter, thank you."

So soon for check-in? I slung my bag over my shoulder, grabbed my suitcase, and quickened my pace.

Seat F, seat F! I scanned the surroundings and finally found my seat. The man next to me was wearing glasses inside the cabin? Did he think he was a celebrity?

"Excuse me, sir, could you let me pass, please?"

"Mm."

This man was quite polite, offering me a faint smile and helping me stow my luggage in the overhead compartment. It seemed my trip to Taiwan was off to a smooth start.