Chapter 32 Maiden Voyage

The clock was already showing ten when I got home that night, a drunk and groggy young man reeking of food and wine as I stumbled through the door. I saw my father relaxing, half-lying on the sofa with my mother's head resting on his shoulders. The pair of couple was enjoying a frivolous moment of youthful entertainment watching cartoons. This sometimes begged the question, what age group was they for real? Despite their dignified and aloof presence outside, this particular pair of husband and wife could, in their most candid moments at home, behave as though they were still 5-year-olds still missing Christmas. Due to the warm weather that night, I laid my sleeveless shirt over the sofa and said, "Do remember to remind Old Man Li that it's our opening day tomorrow, Father. We need him to perform something for the guests." My father grunted a "Yes", his eyes still glued to the TV screen. Old Man Li was another of the senior counselors at the Institute, known for his skills with painting and calligraphy. I but knew little of these academic skills; hence there was little I could elaborate on. I entered the bathroom and took a shower. The days grew hotter by the hour that I would certainly welcome a dip into the cool waters of a bathtub and be rid of the uncomfortable swelter.