Chapter 6 That Vietnamese boy named KOI

KOI is my Vietnamese student.I can't remember if his name was spelled that way, I just remember the pronunciation, in the lab I shouted his name, KOI, KOI. Because he did the worst experiment. At that time, I was working as a part-time teaching assistant in the university, teaching organic chemistry experiment courses. I had student No. 20 under me, and all of them were more airy than me.That university is an aristocratic university, and there are less than 10,000 students including graduate students, and it only trains elites.The campus is beautiful, with a unified architectural style, like a medieval castle. There will be a nameplate outside the building, engraved with the name of the donor.It is famous for its wealth, and its disciples are often rich, who in turn donate to their alma mater.Parents who graduate from here want to send their children back to their alma mater, seeing it as a family legacy of glory.Every summer they hold a large alumni meeting on the lawn.It was one of the stops during the US President's election speech.

But these have nothing to do with KOI, KOI is a Vietnamese boy, he is out of tune with those American students. But KOI is my friend.At that time, I was obsessed with writing books at night, and I had to do a real-time monitoring experiment. I was so sleepy that I felt dizzy and often fell asleep between experimental classes.Fortunately, my American students are also happy to have a leisurely time. They don't really want me to tutor them all the time. I am happy to stay on the sidelines, pretending to be a supervisor but dozing off.But my boss is a very shrewd and beautiful American woman, who often sneaks into the laboratory to inspect my work. At this time, KOI always steps forward to stop this beauty and asks her some experimental questions loudly.I immediately opened my eyes, refreshed.

KOI likes me because I am Chinese and he is a Vietnamese boy.In the United States, everyone will forget the war in Laoshan, and feel warm when looking at each other's yellow skin, just like Lu Bu and Liu Bei said in the Three Kingdoms period that you and I are both border people.Lu Bu was from Jiuyuan, and according to the point of view at that time, it was a frontier fortress. In Chang'an, Luoyang, or Xuchang, where the powerful and nobles belonged, he was probably looked down upon as a warrior. A Fangtian painted halberd sweeps away the heroes.For this reason, I have always had a good impression of Lu Bu. When I played "Dynasty Warriors", I was the first to upgrade his four-dimensional to full.Although Liu Da'er is also a hero, he has a deep-rooted idea of ​​imperial power, and he is reluctant to part with his ancestor's title of Marquis, so he doesn't feel that he is in the same heart as Feng Xian.

KOI is very smart, but the experimental results are not good.But he was still very proud. He pointed to those American students and said, they will do it, and so will I. KOI likes Taijiquan. Thanks to the popularization of Taijiquan education in Peking University, my 24-style practice is not bad. KOI often discusses with me with a simple English version of Taijiquan, saying that a master is coming, Richard, do you know?He is so strong that he can knock down a wall with one hand, let's go see him together.I smile every time and never go to see it with him.I think this Vietnamese boy probably hopes that I will show mercy on his judgment, but all I can do is give him some more guidance.

But I became very familiar with KOI, we went to eat a Greek-style wrap together, KOI would be a little melancholy when eating, he said he really hated this place, this city is so old and closed, it’s so boring, Life shouldn't be like this. I don't like St.Louis either, but I say to KOI you have to learn to adapt to life because life doesn't adapt to you. KOI asked Richard with high spirits, do you like California?Los Angeles!Where is it better than here!UCLA is also a good school, I want to go there! I still smile.Los Angeles?Is it too far away?At that time, I was holding a high salary as a research assistant in the college. If I lost this, what could I do in Los Angeles, relying on my English that is enough to talk nonsense but forget all the professional words?I'd love to go to Los Angeles too, but I don't feel like I'm capable of going there.

For KOI, going to Los Angeles is just a dream. I know that KOI's family is not rich.In our school, KOI's family was an anomaly.His parents are very old, getting old, like my grandparents.They immigrated from Vietnam not long ago.Once KOI's parents came to see KOI with lunch, because we were going to have a long experiment that day, spanning noon.Two elderly people were holding a home-made box lunch and asked me in a low voice at the door of the laboratory if I could bring some food for their son.I said no, the laboratory is not accessible to ordinary people, but I can help you deliver the meals to the preparation room, and KOI can eat there.The old couple thanked them a lot with the etiquette of the oriental people. Looking at their clothes, I guessed that they were probably doing some hard work of washing dishes or chopping vegetables.Later, some side news proved my guess.Even so, they sent KOI to the most expensive university in this locality based on the idea that Orientals give their children the best education.

But KOI is still full of confidence, he said that he can try to find a grant from UC.He said Richard, you have to teach me, teach me how to do this damn experiment better, so that I can get an A to apply for funding.I said yes, but I knew there was a limit to what I could do. KOI is doing experiments and filling out all kinds of messy funding applications. I don't know where he got them. There are as many names as government documents.Then KOI graduated from my class, not very good grades, but eventually passed. I didn't see KOI for a whole semester, and I didn't hear any news about him.

One night, when the heavy rain was about to fall, I suddenly received a call. KOI's voice was very cheerful on the phone, his first words were, Richard, I passed, I can go to UCLA, don't you like Los Angeles?Go too, it's so boring here.I held the phone in shock, not knowing what to say. KOI babbled on the phone about his application and funding, and about his parents supporting him.He said Richard, don't worry, I know how to apply, and I will help you get information, Richard, don't you like California?You are going there, what's the point of bringing it in this ghost place?California, where it doesn't rain, it's sunny all day long.I suddenly thought of a song called "California Sunshine", looking at the dark sky outside the window.

KOI just went to California, he was so persistent, because he thought it was very good there.It's like his parents felt that the United States could bring them a new life, so they immigrated to the United States and worked hard. I didn't contact KOI again because I thought California was too far away and unrealistic.Although I often think of the boy with messy hair, he is holding a reaction dish in the laboratory, flipping through a large stack of application materials, and looking forward to the future persistently. The following Christmas I saw KOI's name on one of several greeting cards where he simply wrote, "Merry Christmas, California is fine."

I miss KOI a lot at this moment, I believe he has made a name for himself now, because he is such a smart and proud boy, he is such a handsome Tai Chi fighter, and he never gives up.