“Kapok?”
“Yes, kapok.”
“I don’t know.”
“Well,” Bing laid his hands on her shoulders, gently turned her around and slowly pushed her forward to the Gallery with a wooden plank road built along the river. He then took her hand, his fi nger pointed to a ravishing view. “Can you see - red as fi re over there? They are all kapok trees.”
“Wow,” Mei was impressed. “They are beautiful.”
The kapok trees lined up like a long stretch of curved red silk that was perfectly refl ected in the water. Step by step, still hand in hand, she walked with pride with his protection. Wearing a pair of thin high heels and a short skirt, she was desirable. The closer to the kapok, the more melodious her footsteps were. A cool breeze that breathed about her face was as soothing as his gentle touches. The falling kapok blossoms gave her a delicate feeling of a fairyland. She caught one and placed it in his chest pocket after he put one behind her ear, as though this was a good practice that a bride and a groom would do in a traditional wedding ceremony.