A Late Christmas Present

Mr. Wu and Sun Mei spent the last two days before Lily got home looking through college brochures and university curriculums. Although Sun Mei had said that she would do her own research, Mr. Wu insisted on helping her.

"I went to school here, so I can offer a piece of advice or two," he told her proudly as he organized the leaflets on the kitchen table by alphabetical order.

"Shouldn't we be organizing them by school fees? Preferably low to high?" Sun Mei asked, biting her lip a little.

"No, because then UC Berkeley would probably be placed last and that is my top choice for you."

Sun Mei looked at the brochure he was referring to. "I don't know Mr. Wu. Even the UC Berkeley Extension classes cost quite a lot."

"Did you forget that I'll be giving you part of the fees?"

"I did not. Unfortunately, it's still too expensive."

Mr. Wu looked around the kitchen thoughtfully, closing his eyes for a second. Then, as if he had made an unpleasant decision, he said, "Why don't you talk to Michael about this? He's studying there, so he can tell you all the pros and the cons."

"Oh, that's right. I'd forgotten that Michael studied there!" Sun Mei exclaimed.

Or rather, she had forgotten that he existed. Between the trip to Las Vegas, the office Christmas party and the wild dinner at Vivian's, she had been too distracted to even call Michael, even though she had promised to keep in touch.

"There's still a problem, Mr. Wu," Sun Mei said reluctantly.

"What is that?"

"No matter what Michael tells me, the fees will not change. He might only make me want more something that I cannot have."

"That is a fair point." Mr. Wu nodded in understanding. "I suppose you would not let me loan you the rest of the fees?"

Sun Mei shook her head. "Thank you for offering, but no. There's no need for you to do that when there are so many other options." She pointed to the rest of the brochures.

Mr. Wu grimaced a little. "Let me think this over before you make a decision, okay?" he asked.

Sun Mei agreed to give him some time. He was the CEO of a big publishing company after all. If anybody could get her a decent college class despite her limited budget, it would be him. Sun Mei trusted him on that.

One day later, while Sun Mei was tidying up Lily's room a little before her arrival, Mr. Wu burst inside like the wind and yelled, "I found a loophole!"

"What is it?" Sun Mei asked eagerly, dropping a teddy bear on the bed.

"It's your Christmas present!"

"What?"

"I never got you a Christmas present."

"I don't understand."

"Sorry, let me start over." He waved his hands a little before calming down and saying, "I was too busy planning the Christmas party, so I forgot to get you a present."

"That's okay, Mr. Wu."

"No, no, it's not. I would like to compensate by paying the rest of your tuition."