Once in Every Life

'相親之中走一人,富星大运反伏两个吟,孝服不断哭煞天....................'

日主本身犯伏吟反吟财星、或与岁运伏吟反吟者，克父妻也.

When the Daymaster meets Fan Yin (Clash pillars) or Fu Yin (Duplicate pillars) on the Wealth star, it will harms the spouse or the father.

The next few days, Ah Shan was busy with getting their travels documents in order and as the company was a British Incorporated company, he had no problems getting their visas approved. Strangely, Ah Feng also appears to be getting better in Ah Shan's parents home and it could also be that she is excited about starting their life anew again in a country where there are four seasons. The mother had disagreed and even then said that Ah Shan should have stayed with them after marriage instead of staying on their own. The mother is a very good cook and even Ah Feng had to agreed as she had also regret suggesting to Ah Shan to have a place of their own. She was not a fussy eater and in the past, she seldom had dinner at Ah Shan's home. Now that she had stayed there so that her mother-in-law can take care of her while Ah Shan was at work, she marvels at the different dishes that the latter could whip out. She felt so energetic and even wanted to go shopping to get thicker winter clothes but Ah Shan refused to let her do it, telling her that he would get it for her. (She was still unaware of her terminal illness)

Finally everything was done and that night before they were to leave Hong Kong, the whole family decided to have dinner that night at home instead of having it at a restaurant to celebrate his new future. His parents had given him the full support after Ah Shan had revealed the circumstances of Ah Feng's terminal illness. Ah Shan's mother had remembered that time when Ah Feng had said it was her childhood wish to see snow and had almost broke down in tears and gave the secret away. They had steamboat that night for dinner as it was nearing Winter with a few days left for Autumn. The whole family that night was very happy and they had chatted and laughed about Ah Shan childhood as Ah Feng was curious and asked about it.

It was past midnight when Ah Shan had finished checking the travel papers and their luggages and he had prepared to take a hot bath to relax. Meanwhile, Ah Feng was already asleep as she had not spend so much time out of bed in the past few weeks. While he was drying himself, there was suddenly heavy knockings on his bedroom door and he heard her mother shouting: 'Ah Shan! Ah Shan!'. He immediately put on his clothings and rushed out of the bathroom. Ah Feng was already awakened and had answered the mother who then open the door. The mother shouted: 'Ah Shan, there is something wrong with your father, quick come and take a look as I don't know what is happening to him.'

When Ah Shan got out ot the bedroom, he saw his father slumped unconsciously on the sofa in the living room. He then told the mother to call the house doctor at the same time while he try to awaken his father.

Finally the mother says:  'I have called Dr.Tan and he says that he is coming over now.'

Ah Shan: 'Not to worry, I think that Dad have a stroke again but I don't think it would be serious as he is still very careful about his diet. I noticed that he avoid those oily foods while we were having dinner tonight.'

They then had then tried rubbing medicated oil on the unconscious father to make the latter comfortable while waiting for the doctor. In a while, the doctor arrived as he was staying not far away from them. He immediately took out his stethoscope from his bag and checked the father's condition.

After a while, Dr. Tan looked at Ah Shan and said: 'I think we have to send him to the hospital immediately, can you make a call to ask for an ambulance.'

Ah Shan then went to make the call when the Doctor suddenly called him back.

Dr. Tan: 'Ah Shan, my deepest condolences, there is nothing more I can do. your father just left for paradise. I will not give you false hope as we are like a family. '

The mother started to wail on hearing it and Ah Shan then felt a sadness enveloped him like never before. Even when his ex-girlfriend ditched him for a rich guy, he did not feel this kind of pain in his heart. Since young, his though strict father doted on him and even at that time, comforted him and drank beers with him when he had fallen out of love. The doctor's voice woke him up from his thoughts and then he realised that he had to inform his boss who would definitely be upset with this as the latter would have to inform the head office.

Dr. Tan, being a family friend stayed behind to help Ah Shan make arrangement for his father bereavement without being asked. It was almost morning when Ah Shan then started calling his father's siblings as a matter of respect on the funeral arrangements. His uncle, the younger brother of his father then told Ah Shan to leave the funeral arrangements to him. By then, it was about 8.00 am in the morning when the relatives arrived to help out. Ah Shan then called the company and left a message with his secretary to inform the boss.

 

After the father was buried, the mother told Ah Shan that there is something that needs to be done. Ah Shan's father was supposed to go back to his hometown to exhume the ancestral grave as the Chinese Government in Mainland China is taking over the land for development purpose. In fact, the construction company had already begun the works a year ago around the cemetery.He had actually wanted Ah Shan to see to it but because Ah Feng had a terminal illness, the father had decided to make the trip and see to the relocation of the ancestral tomb at the end of January when this unfortunate incident had happens. She suggested that Ah Shan to do it now so that it would not affected his job transfer to Canada as Ah Shan's Boss who also treated Ah Shan like his son, had already went over to Canada to run the company while waiting for Ah Shan to complete his deceased father arrangement. Another problem then arises as the father' s younger brother was insistent that the mother to move to his house so that they can tempoary take care of her as she will be alone. They did not know of Ah Feng's illness too and the mother had also not wanted to let them know. Ah Feng, not wanting to put the mother in a difficult position then suggested that she move back to their apartment and get a temporary caretaker by paying more for the services which will not be a problem. After all, she said it is only a few weeks after which they will immigrate to Canada. Though Ah Shan was loath to leave her to see to the relocation of his ancestral tomb but he had no choice as the Chinese Government had given a deadline and it was also his father's wishes to see to it.

When Ah Shan arrived in his father hometown, the father’s cousin, a spritely man in his sixties was there to receive him and see to his accommodation for the night. He had then told Ah Shan that another relative, a highly respected feng shui master would be there to help out and in fact Ah Shan’ s father had asked him to see to the new location for the ancestral tomb.

The next day, Ah Shan and his uncle set forth to the cemetery area and the feng shui master known as Yi Dao was already waiting for them. The grave workers then started the works after getting a nod from Master Yi Dao who was quiet throughout the exhumation after acknowledging Ah Shan and his uncle when they arrived. Ah Shan was surprised that the coffin was covered with white ant nests when the gravedigger bought it out. Master Yi Dao was expressionless and beckoned to one of them to bring the Urn over. After everything was done, Master Yi Dao nodded to Ah Shan’s uncle who then brings Ah Shan to him. The uncle then told Master Yi Dao of the position of the father in the family tree hierarchy.

Finally the master spoke his first sentence to them: ‘It is destined that only at this moment that you have come instead of your father. Do not be too sad as life is itself unpredictable.’

Ah Shan felt tears coming to his eyes as he then remembered about Ah Feng’s illness and being alone at home. He felt anxious suddenly wanting to go back as soon as possible.

The Master then asked: ‘Are you born in the year of Xin Si (Snake year)?’

Strangely, Master Yi Dao appeared to know something when Ah Shan nodded as he then said: ‘I suggest that you go back to Hong Kong as soon as possible as your loved one wants to see you. Leave everything here to me here as your presence was just required for the documentations by the Government.’

Ah Shan then thanked the master profusely at which the master then while looking kindly at him, said: ‘You don’t have to stand on ceremony as we are relatives. If you have anything you are unsure of and needs help, there should be someone you know with the word Metal 金 in his name whom you can seek for advice. Go now, you don’t have much time.’

With that, Master Yi Dao then turned away and the grave workers immediately congregate around him for instructions. The uncle then immediately sent Ah Shan back to arrange for his return trip to Hong Kong also sensing the urgency in Ah Shan and that there is already a preexisting problem with Ah Shan apart from the Father’s death. Master Yi Dao while watching them leave from the corner of his eyes, then said to his quiet respectful disciple by his side: ‘It is fated that he have come at this time instead of earlier as something could  have be done to avert all this tragedy that is starting to unfold.’  at which the assistant nodded. The master then muttered to himself while shaking his head: ‘桃李谢春风，西飞又复东，家中无意绪，船在浪涛中.' 

 

When Ah Shan reached his home, he got worried when he see nobody around, he then anxiously call his uncle where his mother is staying to find out where Ah Feng went to. The uncle then told him that his mother is the hospital as Ah Feng had fainted at home and had been sent there by the housekeeper just a few hours ago. Ah Shan then immediately rushed to the hospital and upon reaching the ward, heard the sound of people crying and sobbing. He pushed the door open that nearly hit a nurse who was coming out. He saw a few of his relatives looking somber and his mother crying loudly together with Ah Feng’s mother at the side. Ah Feng’s father was looking dazedly at the bed. He then saw the covered bed and his heart sank. His tears then started coming out and he did not hold back as he lets out his coped  up feelings he had kept in his heart from the time of Ah Feng in the hospital and the death of his father. His uncle’s son and daughters came over to console him, telling him that Ah Feng had left peacefully without any sufferings. Ah Shan cried out loud: ‘Why did Heavens have to be so cruel to me? It was just a few hours ago only, why can’t Heaven let me have a last word with her before taking her away.’  Ah Shan then fainted from his exhaustion of rushing back from Guandong and the stress that he had undergoes the last few months.

When he awoke, he saw his mother at the side asleep in the chair. He then felt bad as it must have worried his mother and that he should think of his mother welfare as he is now the only nearest next of kin left to her. He then saw his mother’s hand on a letter which was addressed to him that is left on the table by the side of his bed. He gently took the letter without waking up his mother. It was in Ah Feng’s handwriting and immediately he took it out to read.

‘My dearest beloved Ah Shan,

When you read this letter, I regret that I would no longer be around to share the rest of our lives together.  I had found out my health conditions after I had received a letter from the hospital asking me to go for a checkup. I had then called the hospital to fix the appointment and the nurse unknowingly out of good will advise me not to delay as my condition is critical. I had then spoken to the doctor who had told me that you had not wanted me to know of this terminal illness.

I imagine the anguish and sufferings you must have gone through every day when you were with me and especially after the blow you received from your father’s death. I had therefore written this letter as that life is as unpredictable as can be seen from your father who left without any words.

I want you to know that I have no regrets knowing you and having at least spent some time with you as your wife in this lifetime which had made me very contented. When I was sullied and you will still willing to accept me convinced me of your love for me. I am willing and hope that in our next lifetime, we will be together again. But I want you to carry on living happily though without me as I would be sad if you were to give up on yourself. Think also for your mother who is alone too.

I will also not blame you if you need to remarry so that you can have someone to take care of you as well as your mother. But I do not want you to find one that is much better than me as I will be jealous because I will be watching you from where I am. Ha-ha, I am just pulling your leg. You see, I am still the cheerful Ah Feng that you know and therefore I want you to wish the best for me where I am and I would also wish for you to be the same. I would also like you to have me cremated and bring my ashes with you when you go to Canada as I told you I want to see snow, right?  I know you would do this for me without doubt and therefore such, I will go with peace, knowing that you will be with me to watch the snow.

Do not let me down about taking care of yourself and your mother. With this, I bade you farewell  for this lifetime only and that we will meet again in our next lifetime, my dearest Ah Shan.

Forever and ever, Your Ah Feng

Ah Shan felt his tears coming out again as he read and read again the letter, feeling the pain and yet there was this strange peaceful feeling as if Ah Feng was next to him.

Six month later, Ah Shan came back from Canada for holidays with his mother who was homesick and wanted to see her siblings and relatives. Ah Shan had contemplate about letting her stay in Hong Kong as he can tell that she was bored after the initial excitement of exposure to a different environment. While going through those mails that have not been redirected to him yet, he saw a letter from his uncle in Mainland China about the new location for his ancestral tomb. He then remembered the other relative, the feng shui master had said that he know someone with the word metal 金 in his name who could help him in times of need. He felt ironically that even so, he does not think that it can do anything for Ah Feng’s situation. He then recalled Xiao Jin which the word Jin means metal and wonder if he is the one that the master mentioned. Having nothing to do as most of his friends are working, he decided to call Xiao Jin and was surprised that the company telephone line is no longer in use. He then called the home and it was the same. Suddenly he remembered that Xiao Jin had given him a telephone number to call if he cannot find the latter. It was as if he knows Ah Shan would still looks for him though at that time, Ah Shan had no wish to contact him anymore. That slip of paper was still in his wallet and he immediately called and looks for a person called Ah Kang. He was told by Ah Kang that Xiao Jin had relocated to Singapore as his company had closed their operations in Hong Kong.

Ah Kang then told him that if there is anything he wants to know again that concerns fortune telling  which Xiao Jin had done for Ah Shan that time, he would be able to help as Xiao Jin had request him to help. Ah Kang is actually the senior disciple of that Ziwei Master who had taught Xiao Jin. Ah Shan then remembered about the temple divination and which till date, is still puzzled why the divination was wrong as the temple is well-known for its divination. He then invited Ah Kang out for Afternoon Tim Sum at a Chinese restaurant in Causeway Bay.

When he reached the restaurant, he asked for the table he had reserved under his name which he had told Ah Kang to look for as they have not seen each other before.  Ah Kang was already sitting at the table and reading a newspaper when he found the table number. To his surprise, he found a good looking young man who does not looks like those fortune tellers that he had in his mind. Ah Kang would have look like a young master from a rich family who do not have to work.

After introducing each other and ordering their drinks.  Ah Shan felt that Ah Kang gave him a comfortable feeling as if they have known each other for years. He then immediately  told Ah Kang about what happened to him and his puzzlement about the divination which had stayed in his mind till now.

Ah Kang: ‘This is actually not an auspicious divination, there is a hidden meaning to it if you still do not get the meaning of the first prose.’

Ah Shan: ‘I still don’t understand as there are no inauspicious words in both lines.’

' 艷於春而盛於夏, 無心之怨一筆解決.'

Colours belongs to Spring while Magnificence is in Summer, Unintentional Grievances is resolved with a Stroke.......

Ah Kang then said: ‘I do not know whether the interpreter at the temple intentionally or not gave you a different translation as it is a very bad omen. However since matters have already reached this stage, let me explained.’

‘艷於春而盛於夏 is part of a poem of 艷於春者, 望秋先零, 而盛於夏, 未冬已萎  meaning colors belongs to Spring but do not wish for Autumn as it will still ends in Autumn even though with colors. Magnificence is in summer but will lose its spirit or wither away in winter. It is saying everything have a beginning and will have an end. You had asked for the divination in Spring and you should roughly guess that what should happen in autumn and winter.’

Ah Shan: ‘If that is the case, I understand as with life, there is death. But this is what everybody knows and do not really tally with what happens to me.’

Ah Kang: ‘Okay, the hidden meaning is in 無心之怨一筆解決 when you look at it further. Here it is saying 無心 which means no heart and you then take away the heart 心 from the word 怨 and 一筆解決 means you add a stroke 一 on top of it giving you the word 死 Death. And therefore, how can the divination be good?’

With that Ah Shan was stumped and had no further objections on the accuracy of the divination from the temple.

Ah Kang then said: ‘Anyway, do not blame anyone who had read it wrongly for you as such is destiny. These people are part of the big picture arranged by the Heavens to make a mockery of Man in destiny analysis.

With this, the two of them then started talking about other things with Ah Shan finally convinced that chinese metaphysics is indeed mysterious in the way Fate works or what we will says Xuan 玄.....

The End

With thanks to ZiWei Master Yang for the story and my apologies that I have made some changes to it.

Okay folks, that will be all and I hope all the Ah Shan and Ah Feng will not make the mistake of mixing up the Angels with the Demons in their pursuit of happiness. However if you do, do not blame anyone as this is what we call destiny as in life though there are good guys but you still needs the bad guys to complete the Yin and the Yang, just an opinion.

Till-then, cheers.

Love of a Lifetime

'I guess the time was right for us to say,
We'd take our time and live our lives together day by day.
We'll make a wish and send it on a prayer,
We know our dreams can all come true with love that we can share.'
                                                                                     Firehouse.
        

A day before they were to register their marriage at the registrar, Ah Feng asked to meet Ah Shan for lunch. Ah Shan got worried for it must be a problem as it was too sudden apart from that they had arranged to meet for dinner already. He then went to Ah Feng's apartment to pick her up for lunch as both of them had taken leave from their work to prepare for the wedding.

Ah Feng appear normal and still looks her cheerful self which put Ah Shan' worry at ease. As usual, Ah Feng had asked for her favorite fish and chips while Ah Shan had a beef steak set at the Western cafe.

Ah Feng: 'Ah Shan, I have been thinking that we should register our marriage later on when I think the time is right. I still feel unsure as to what would happens later on in our future if we should separated and it would be unnecessary with all the paperwork. I have to be fair to your feelings as you are human and this unfortunate incident might be in your mind as we are bound to have quarrels living together.'

Ah Shan: 'But how do I tell my parents or your parents about it as it would be very strange to them.'

Ah Feng: 'We would still carry on with our custom weddings and we would tell them that I don't feel well on that day and we would register our wedding in London when we have our honeymoon there after the wedding.'

Ah Shan, worried that if he objected further would leads to more problems with the custom wedding ceremony just a day away: 'All right, but you must promise me we would do the registration after three months as I would feel odd without this procedure followed."

Ah Feng: 'All-right.'

On that day, the wedding dinner was held at a famous Cantonese restaurant and Ah Feng had looks radiant and beautiful in her wedding gown for the afternoon photo shoot. Needless to say, Ah Shan felt he was the luckiest man on Earth to be able to marry a girl like Ah Feng. The thought that he is finally starting a new phase in life with Ah Feng gaves him a joyful feeling that he have never felt before and that he is unable to describe. Ah Chong the Feng Shui master had probably picked a correct day as the day was cool and breezy without the sudden rains that is common in Spring in Hong Kong. The wedding dinner that night was also a success with all the relatives and friends enjoying it and as usual, teasing the happy couple. The next day, the married couple left Hong Kong on the afternoon flight for their honeymoon in Europe with both their parents and friends sending them off at the airport.

Two weeks later, they were back with the usual gifts that holiday makers bring back from trips for their loved ones. They had then moved into their new apartment and started their life as a married couple without their parents around. Months passed by and everybody was happy, Ah Shan had even started hoping to have a baby with Ah Feng soon to complete their family. Both parents were also glad and happy to see their only offspring starting their family. Soon it was three months, the Wei month nearing the end of Summer when Ah Shan bought up the subject of getting their marriage registered with Ah Feng. Ah Feng had agreed then as she had observed that Ah Shan was really the type who though stubborn at times, would stick to his principles when he made up his mind. They then arranged to take a day off the next day and also visit Tiger Balms Garden as Ah Feng had wanted to visit the place while they were dating but the place was too packed with crowds on the weekend at that period.

On that morning, Ah Feng had prepared a small basket with snacks at the same time for the visit to the garden. They then proceed to the carpark when suddenly there was a heavy downpour. Ah Feng: 'Oh no, looks like it is going to be a heavy rain.'

Ah Shan: 'I don't think so as I have listened to the radio weather forecast and there was no mention of rain at all. Lets wait and decide later if the heavy rain will to carry on after half an hour, we would then go on another day.'

And strangely true enough, it stopped after half an hour and both of them then set off to the Registrar for Marriage. After all the legal procedure was completed and with Ah Shan now feeling even more at ease and happy, they set off for Tiger Balms Garden. It was then that they saw Xiao Jin outside the Registrar and Ah Shan started feeling guilty as he had not invited him for the wedding.

Xiao Jin after greeting Ah Feng: 'Ah Shan, it is so coincidental to see you here as I had called your office today and they told me you had taken a day off. I wanted to apologise as my company had sent me away on an overseas trip and it was too rush for me to leave a message for you. I had just came back and wanted to let you know as I guess you would not have be able to contact me for your wedding dinner.'

Ah Shan was relieved on hearing that but however with Ah Feng around,  have no wish to prolong the conversation. He then says: 'I will call you another day for lunch in lieu for the wedding dinner that you missed. We had to go off now.'

Xiao Jin then looked weirdly at him and said: 'Did you just registered your wedding here or came to collect the certificate?'

Ah Shan not wanting to explain why they did not registered before the wedding: 'Oh yes, we were here to collect the certificate.'

Xiao Jin: 'Oh okay, I still needs to let you know certain matters that I had told you before and I also need to know whether you have told your father about your ancestral tomb. This needs to be done by the end of Autumn as your father would starts to have some health problems and it might set off a chain of unfavorable events.'

Ah Shan: 'Okay, I will discuss with my father when I get back and I will call you as soon as possible to meet up. I really got to go off with Ah Feng now.'

Xiao Jin on hearing the tone knew that Ah Shan do not want to carry on further the conversation with Ah Feng around. He had wanted to try to let Ah Shan know more at that moment as he knew that his company might anytime relocate him to Singapore for that new project and he do not know when he will be back in Hong Kong. But he also do not wanted Ah Shan to think that he is out to make the latter indebted to him as mentioned before.

Xiao Jin: 'All-right, I will give you my cousin's phone number now just in case you can't contact me again.' He then wrote on a piece of paper he tear from a small notebook and gave it to Ah Shan.

They then parted way with Ah Feng feeling curious as she felt that Xiao Jin had been trying to hint to them to  go for a coffee for a chat. She was thinking why Ah Shan was unwilling as Xiao Jin really looks concerned about the health of Ah Shan's father. But as in that generation, chinese women still do not get involved in man's talk or question their men about their matters. Ah Shan also did not explained his attitude to Ah Feng as they go off and she left it as it is. Anyway, they had a wonderful day at the Tiger Balms Gardens especially Ah Feng as she got to visit it after several failed attempts in the past.

Now, after they had registered for more than a month and Autumn had just started, things began to change in their lives. Ah Feng started growing thinner although she was not sick, both of them thought that it was probably her hectic work at the bank that is affecting her appetite as she started to eat less. Ah Shan jokingly says that it is probably she is trying to slim down as after marriage initially, she had gained weight. The apartment also started having problem with the lights blowing off frequently and even the plumbing pipes were choked for no reason as there were only two of them using the toilet. They had then called a handyman to do the repairs but after a few days, the problems came back. Ah Shan had then thought that this was probably why the previous owner was frustrated and had sold off the place.

Two weeks later, Ah Feng suddenly fainted while working and could not be revived, the bank staff had to sent her to the hospital. Ah Shan on hearing the news, rushed down to the hospital after taking a half day leave from his company. Ah Feng was still unconscious with the parents already there by her side as Ah Shan had informed them including his parents. Half an hour later, the nurse told Ah Shan that the doctor is free to see him. Ah Shan was informed by the doctor that they have not found the reason for her fainting and that she had to be warded for another day for observation. The doctor felt that it could be work stress as she had fainted at the bank and that Ah Feng was probably too tired.

For the moment, they find that she is underweight for her height and asked about her daily diet. Ah Shan then went back to the ward and was glad on seeing Ah Feng awake. The pale looking Ah Feng asked him what the doctor had diagnosed and Ah Shan told her what the doctor had said and agreed that she probably did not have enough rest as she had worked overtime for a period of time prior to this incident. Ah Shan felt bad while saying this as Ah Feng's parent were listening at the side however the parent instead felt that Ah Feng should resign from her work now that she is married and be a housewife.

At that time, Ah Shan' parent also arrived and asked Ah Shan again on the same old question. Ah Shan then noticed that his father do not appeared to be in good health. He had then pulled his mother aside and asked her whereupon the mother told him that the father had caught a cold the other day and there is nothing to worry about. By then, it was already late at night and Ah Feng told them to go back home as they have not taken their dinner. Ah Shan sent both parents off and went to get some takeaway foods for himself and some supper snacks for Ah Feng as he do not want to go home yet. About midnight, he then left telling Ah Feng that he is taking a day off and would be back in the morning with breakfast for her as he do not think highly of the hospital food.

The next day in the afternoon while Ah Shan was reading the newspaper as Ah Feng had fallen asleep, the doctor asked for him.

Ah Shan: 'Have you managed to find out whether there is anything else? My wife appeared to be better now after resting for a day here.'

The doctor: 'Mr. Zhang, I hope you will stay calm as I have bad news for you and your wife will needs your moral support.'

Ah Shan now started to look worried: 'Never mind if it is bad news as I still have to face it.'

The doctor : 'It is confirmed that your wife have liver cancer and normally for cases like this, her life expectancy is at the most between three to six months.'

Ah Shan started to feel dizzy and almost fainted on hearing this, but he remember what the doctor had told him beforehand that Ah Feng needs his moral support.

Ah Shan: 'Can you get another doctor to check again, just to be sure that you have the correct diagnosis as you know sometimes.....'

The doctor interrupted him before he could carried on further: 'Mr. Zhang, my fellow doctors and I had a meeting this morning and had spent 2 hours analysing the test samples we took and confirming it before I had let you know the diagnosis as this is a serious case.'

The doctor anticipating Ah Shan next question: 'This is a new disease that we have no cures at the moment though there have been rumours that some have recovered mysteriously. But they have never come back and we don't really knows.'

Ah Shan: 'But there were no signs or symptons at all and suddenly you tell me it is liver cancer.'

The doctor: 'Yes, as this cancer is normally at stage 4 when it is discovered and therefore we have been unable to do anything about it.'

The doctor having been through several similar cases and Ah Shan looks like a new couple to him
which had drawn his sympathy, then said: 'I have a suggestion if you do not mind though it is not medical.'

Ah Shan: 'I do not mind any suggestions that can give me any hope at this moment. I would not even spare any expenses if there is any cures for it abroad.'

The doctor: 'No, what I meant was maybe both of you can go for a holiday and at the same time, she can rest and recuperate. Somewhere that she wanted to go and where the air there is fresh and she would regains her appetite and maybe a miracle could happens.'

Ah Shan: 'All right, I would ask her about it and I have a request that you do not let her or our parents know.'

The doctor: 'I agreed as this would helps pyschologically as she might give up her will to live if she knows. There is nothing much the hospital can do now, I suggest that you can get ready for her discharge today.'

Ah Feng was awaked when Ah Shan came back to the ward and Ah Shan then told her that the doctor says she can be discharged. He then told her the doctor said that she was overworked and needs a lot of rest. Her health might get worse if she still go back to work and suggest that she resigned from her work. Ah Feng then readily agreed as she had felt nauseous and weak for the past two weeks and had no appeitite. She had also disliked the new manager that the bank had employed who appears to pick on her as a scrapegoat everytime when things go wrong.

The next day while at work, Ah Shan spent his time thinking of how to tell his immediate superior that he wants to take a long leave from work. It had appeared that the parent company, a British company had been giving his boss some pressure as his boss appears to be in a bad mood. He had not dared put his request to his boss as he also like the job and do not want to have any future problem with the boss in a bad mood. He had tried asking the managing director for lunch together that day but the latter had brushed him off and had hurriedly left for a meeting with a personnel from the parent company who had visit Hong Kong. While thinking of what to do, his cousin Ah Chong the Feng Shui master called him, he was about to tell his secretary that he do not want to take the call when he remember about the divination from the temple. He then thought maybe Ah Chong could explained to him as the Gods can't be wrong if the divination is auspicous. Ah Chong told him over the phone that he needs a loan from him as he had wanted to buy a property but did not have enough money. Though the loan amount was substantial, Ah Shan was willing to lend him the money hoping that maybe Ah Chong could help him as he had heard that Feng Shui can helps when all other means of orthodox methods failed.

However, he did not know that Ah Chong needed the money to flee as the latter had offended an underword boss after he had done a Feng Shui audit for his mistress. The mistress of that notorious gangster had wanted Ah Chong to activate the so called Peach Blossom star (Romance Star) for her as the boss had fallen for a young film starlet and had spent less time with her. Instead she had fallen for a giggolo and absconded with the boss's ill-gotten gains entrusted in her account for safekeeping from the laws. The infuriated boss had found out that she had engaged a feng shui master before absconding and had sent his own Feng Shui master to look at that love nest to check. He was then accordingly told that the Flower of Bath star was activated  instead which had caused his mistress to 'easily be attracted to the opposite sex, and became flirtatious, immoral and sexually obsessed.' The incensed boss then put out a reward to find out the identity of that Feng Shui master which was fortunate for Ah Chong as the nickname he had used Divine dragon, was not well-known in the Feng Shui circle. Ah Chong decided to flee first whether that underworld boss can managed to find out his identity or not.

Anyway, back to Ah Shan who then met Ah Chong at a cafe during lunch to pass him the money as he had also wanted to asked him about the divination. Ah Chong then told him to go back to that temple to seek redress from the Gods as he also felt that the divination is an auspicious one and that the Gods can't be wrong, right? To us, it might sound illogical but when a person is desperate and had no orthodox ways to solve a problem like Ah Shan, he turns to spiritual means. Thinking that it makes sense, he took the other half of the day off as after all the boss was too busy for him to sound out on his request for a month's leave from work.

He then went to the temple and burnt paper offerings after what he had felt sincerely, asks the Gods to intervene in his prayers as things had not gone the way the divination had implied on his mariage. He then went home and strangely, he felt serene as it could be probably be the peaceful surroundings of the temple which was desolate and quiet on the weekdays. He had then bought some of Ah Feng's favorite foods for dinner as well as for his mother who had went over to prepare lunch for her and take care of her. He then told his mother and Ah Feng that he is thinking of taking a long holidays for both of them as before marriage, he had also been working very hard without taking long leave. He is also worried that he might fall sick especially now that Ah Feng is not working. Ah Feng then asked Ah Shan that whether they could go to somewhere that have snow in Winter as it is one of her childhood dreams. Ah Shan readily agreed with tears almost coming to his eyes when he thought of her illness and excused himself that he wanted to take a bath.

The next day while he was thinking of how to approach his boss on this matter as he was the manager and the boss might have to take over some of his works while he is on leave, the Boss suddenly called him for a meeting. He then went to the Boss's room and hoped that it is some good news and that at the same time, he could put forward his request to take long leave.

His boss was called Mr. Tang, an amicable person when he is not under duress from the parent company and leaves everything in the company to Ah Shan to run freely.

Mr. Tang: 'Ah Shan, you know I have been very supportive of you when you first came to the company and your present position as a manager is from my recommendations to the head office in Britain. In another few years, I would be retiring and I would recommend you to take over my position as long as things goes smoothly.'

Ah Shan familiar with the office protocol and hoping to put the boss in a good mood: 'Yes sir, I am aware and thankful for your patronage in the company as it is the reason why I have stayed for so many years despite being given higher offers elsewhere.'

Mr.Tang: 'All right, we would cut short all the formalities and get straight down to the point. To be frank, the head office had wanted me to go over to our branch office in Canada as the managing director over there had suddenly resigned without ample notification. I am reluctant to go over as they are unable to give me a definite period when I can be back to Hong Kong and you know I am retiring in another few years time.'

As Ah Shan had kept quiet, the boss carried on: 'I was thinking of recommending you to go over as deputy managing director and hope that you can accept this position. If after two years, you are not happy over there, I would put a request to the company to place you back here as by then I would be retired and they would need a person familiar to take over my position, what do you think?'

Ah Shan was thinking that he would have to accept the proposal as he have no other choices from the way his boss had put it even if he don't like it. But in his heart, he was glad as Canada have snow in Winter which was what Ah Feng had wanted. However, he was thinking of whether he would have the time to accompany Ah Feng on outings when his boss said: 'I had told the company that once you have put the branch office in order, to let you have two weeks of leave to look for a permanent residence to stay as you might not like the present property that the company had rented over there.'

When Ah Shan heard that, he immediately reply without trying to sound anxious or happy: 'Sir, to be frank even if I do not like the idea of relocating to Canada temporary, I would still do it for you as in my eyes, I looked upon you like my father after what you have done for me all the years I was here.'

The boss sounding relieved and happy replied: 'All-right, I am glad to hear that and I would asked the head office to give you the same salary though you are designated as deputy managing director and the view they might have of your young age. However, I will convince the company that you have the experience to handle and I hope you would not let me down. Ah Shan was then told to take the next few days off to prepare the immigration paperworks for his family to go over.

Ah Shan then happily went home to inform Ah Feng the good news as he would be fulfilling her wish of seeing snow at least for the moment. Interestingly, in Zi Wei astrology, we normally believed that when the Life palace is not favorable, it would be logical to go over to the opposite travel palace by emigrating as it would helps in diluting the effect of the unfavorable formations. It looks like the Gods are convinced by Ah Shan's love for Ah Feng and his destiny could be changed.


To be continued next week, cheers.

Seasons in the Sun

'We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun but the wine and the songs like the seasons have all gone.......'
                                                                                                                 Terry Jacks, 1973.

Ah Feng then started to think of what to do next as she realised that she have to keep the matter from her parent. The next day, she called the bank and told the manager that she had some urgent family matters to settle and needs to apply for a week of leave. The manager approved as she had quite a number of uncleared days left from the year before.

She then went out immediately as her parents had went out for breakfast in the early morning and she did not want to meet them yet. Although being dealt a blow to her normal life, she sensibly first went to her family doctor and had a checkup while telling her doctor that she did not want to get pregnant as she had forgotten to take precaution while sleeping with her boyfriend. After this was done, she went to a cafe nearby the clinic and had breakfast and thinking of what to do next. She do not have any close girlfriend to confide in and discuss her situation. She felt like going crazy while thinking of the incident and with no one to confide into. And also whether she should let Ah Shan knows about it. Though Ah Shan appears to be deeply in love with her, but she do not know whether their relationship in the future would be affected by this incident after he knows about it. Further, they are going to get married and if later on, he might be influenced by the incident which might leads to them separating during quarrels and it would be complicated. She then decided to temporary avoid him until she can finds a way to be sure of his feelings.

Well, when Ah Shan awoke from his drunken stupor from the night before, he immediately thought of Ah Feng and called her office. He was surprised that she had applied for leave and he then called the home but the maid who answered told him that she had left the home as usual in the morning. He then thought that maybe Ah Feng had went out with her parents to tend to some family matters. He remembered he had also asked Ah Feng to apply for leave before the party and that they could spend a day together but Ah Feng had said she had things to do that day. After taking some rice porridge to cure his hangover, he went back to sleep as he still feels tired.

It was in the late afternoon when he awoke again and he immediately called Ah Feng but this time, the mother who took the call told him that she was sick and sleeping and to call back again the next day. At this point on hearing that she was sick, he then decided to pay her a visit instead when he have finished work. The following evening, he drove straight to Ah Feng house and the door was opened by the maid who told him Ah Feng is still not feeling well and resting and asked him to go back first. He then did not wanted to interrupted her rest as the parents might misunderstood that he is being possessive even before marriage.

This carried on for a few days and even though he had called by telephone but she had not take the calls and each time it was the maid or mother who told him to wait for her to call him back instead. Ah Shan then start to think whether it was because of that night that he had got drunk that Ah Feng was unhappy and therefore had avoid him. He then decided to go early in the morning during breakfast as she should then not be in her bedroom and be able to avoid him. True enough, the maid let him into the house as Ah Feng should be having breakfast at that time as he expected, he then saw her at the dining table. Ah Feng then told him to wait at the living room as she had just finished her breakfast and help the maid to clear up the table.

In a while, she came to the living room and then just sat opposite him instead of the usual side next to him when he visited in the past. She was silent and Ah Shan immediatedly started to apologise about that night. She was rather cold while listening to his explanation and did not reply. Ah Shan then continued about her health and whether she have recovered as he wants her to look at the bed he had wanted to purchase for their apartment. At this moment, Ah Feng said: 'Who said we are getting married?'

Ah Shan was shocked and said: 'Why did you say that? I had already apologised several times over the phone through your mother and the maid to you apart from now here.'

Ah Feng just kept quiet and just looked blankly at him.

Ah Shan then asked: 'Is there a problem from your parents on our marriage and you are in a difficult position to tell me. I can wait for your parents to be back and discussed with them if they are still unsure about my feelings for you.'

Ah Feng just said : 'No, this have nothing to do with them, it is my decision.'

Ah Shan then noticed that Ah Feng' s eyes was red and teary and he had thought that she had looked unwell as she probably had not recovered from her illness. Sensing there is something amiss, he started to talk loudly, unable to control his feeling. Ah Shan: 'Then please tell me what is the problem that have made you change your mind?  We can try to discuss and there should be a way out as we have known each other for such a long period.'

Ah Feng was starting to lose her control as she senses the sincerity in Ah Shan and about to break into  tears when she firmed up and then told Ah Shan: 'My parents will be coming back here soon and I don't want them to hear what I want to tell you, come back in the evening to pick me up and we will look for a quiet place.'

Ah Shan was relieved as he was worried that she might locked herself up in the bedroom and avoid him again.

'All-right, I will come back in the evening and we can go for dinner.'

Ah Feng: 'No, I am not in the mood for dinner, you can have yours first before coming by at 7.30 pm.'

Thus saying, Ah Feng then went back straight to her bedroom without sending him to the door. Ah Shan felt helpless but to leave and hope that he will be able to settle any misgivings she have on the marriage later on.

Well, as expected, Ah Shan took a quick dinner and came before 7.30 pm and Ah Feng was already waiting for him. In the car, Ah Shan as usual asked where she would like to go and Ah Feng said: 'Anywhere that is quiet as I want do not want to be disturbed by other people in our conversations.'

Ah Shan said: 'I will get some soft drinks from a provision shop then and we can go to the same place at the beach where you had saw the shooting stars.'

Ah Shan hope that as Ah Feng like that place, it would be easier for him to convince her of his love for her which is true as he really cannot imagine life without her by his side. This was why he is so anxious to get married as he was worried that anything can happens in the future to affects their relationship if he do not commit himself to her soon. He of course, believed that Ah Feng truly loves him and felt he was correct in wanting to get married early as this incident had shown.

As they sat there looking at the sea and that night, there was no moon or stars as if they were afraid to appear before the troubled love couple. Ah Feng was still quiet and looks solemn while Ah Shan had kept quiet, waiting for her to start the conversation as he did not want to annoy her unintentionally because of her present mood. Ah Feng then said : 'There is something I must tell you which had made me decided to call off our wedding.' Ah Feng then told him about the incident though she had misgivings about whether she should or not before she left home. But she felt that it is not fair to let him know without any explanation to call off the wedding because of her doubts about his feeling. Being her character and her principles, she also had no wish to keep it as a secret from him too if they were to get married.

When Ah Shan heard about it, he started feeling guilty as he had gotten drunk that night and even more as Xiao Jin had warned him about it. He had not let Ah Feng know about what Xiao Jin had said or bought her a protection talisman. He also felt that he had a part in causing this incident as he had not being able to send her home personally that night for he will usually walk her up to her apartment before leaving. Rather than berating himself further in the mind, he started to assure Ah Feng of his true feelings and that he will not let the incident affects their future relationship. Of course, he did not dare tell her about what Xiao Jin had said which ironically will leads to more problems later on. He then insisted that they will get married in Spring when he confirmed the wedding date with his father while having his usual breakfast at home in the morning. He was glad when Ah Feng kept quiet and did not voice further objections. He then decided to send her home as he also don't want her to suddenly change her mind again and also to let her have more rest as the incident is a big blow to her as well as to him. When he send her to the door of her house, he told her he will be back the next day to bring her out for lunch and go to her favorite places to let her slowly forget about the incident so she can be back to the usual cheerful girl he knows.

The next morning, he called his office and apply for leave and then while having breakfast with his father, told him that he wants to confirm the date for the wedding. To his annoyance, his father told him that he is not sure of which is a better date and wanted him to asked the old fortune teller, Master Ze De to choose the date again. Without any choice as he knows his father will not pick the date for him since he had said so, Ah Shan had to call the old fortune teller. This time, when he told his request to the assistant who took the call, the latter after making him wait on the phone, came back and told him the master is busy. Ah Shan was about to throw his temper at the assistant after all he went through the last few days over Ah Feng's incident when he thought of his Feng Shui master cousin and an idea came to him. He then told his father who had not gone out that the master is still busy and suggested why don't they asked his cousin to pick the date instead as it was already nearing the Chinese new year. As what he expected, his father agreed saying that if the cousin was willing to do it, he have no objection.

The relieved Ah Shan immediately calls his cousin who happened to be at home and agreed to meet him as it was still early for him to fetch Ah Feng. When he reached there and after the maid had served him tea, his cousin Ah Chong immediately took out a Tong Shu, a chinese almanac without even asking him for their birthcharts and in a while, gave him the date after asking Ah Shan for the month that he wants to get married. Ah Shan despite after meeting that old fortune teller and his schoolmate, Xiao Jin, he should have felt something amiss that this was done without even looking at his birth data even though Ah Shan do not know or believed in this stuff. Rather in his mind, he thought that this should be the way as he don't understand what had took the old fortune teller such a long time to decide the date for him.

Anyway, the cousin then carried on and asked him whether he have started renovating the new apartment at which Ah Shan told him there was no major renovation except for some minor repairs which the previous owner had left behind. And also that he just needs to furnish the place apart from that at which his cousin told him that he was lucky to have got the apartment at a good price, considering that it was quite new as the previous owner had stayed there for less than a year. As expected, with Ah Chong' s inadequate knowledge in Feng Shui, he was unable to know that there are major problems with the apartment. But common sense should have told him that there is something amiss as the owner was obviously willing to lose money when he sells the place at that price after staying there for less than a year. And it looks like the owner was in a hurry to get rid of the place as soon as possible.

His cousin then wanting to show off his feng shui knowledge started  to tell Ah Shan that there are further things that needed to be done like positioning the bed and stove at the right place. Ah Shan was impressed by his so called knowledge. And as Ah Chong was free, he asked Ah Shan for lunch after which they can then go to the apartment and he will tell Ah Shan what to do. Ah Shan was agreeable as he have been thinking of where to go with Ah Feng after they had lunch. He remember Ah Feng was delighted when he had collected the keys to the apartment and bought her there to discuss on the changes to be done on the apartment.

When they finished lunch and as usual with Ah Chong, the fengshui master talking most of the time and bragging about his skills, they then proceed to the apartment. Ah Chong lately because of his unfavorable luck pillar which had started have less clients and business, was bored as he was the boorish type with few friends willing to pay him that kind of attention. Ah Chong then started to tell  Ah Shan that the bedboard is to be positioned at the South and which had the end of the bed pointing towards the bedroom door which is located in the North sector in a straight line which was bad advice as readers here familiar with feng shui layout should know. The other thing was that Ah Chong do not know destiny analysis and was unaware that Ah Feng was born a week before Chinese New year and her Ming Gua is still Dui Trigram which belongs to the West group and not the East group for Eight Mansion Feng Shui. Anyway, as for apartments till today, there are practitioners which uses the balcony and some which uses the Main door to decide on the category of the property that it belongs to. Therefore, we would look at Flying stars feng shui instead for readers here to understand easier what I had earlier mentioned about how the six relationships in a Bazi chart affects a person destiny where the story started.

To make things worse, Ah Chong have never heard of  Xuan Kong Flying stars which was gaining popularity at that time after the knowledge was made public in the 1920s. The property is considered Age 6 which had started in 1964 and will complete its 20 years cycle in 1984. It is sitting at the Xun Trigram or South East where the Golden Dragon is and have the main entrance door at the West where water star 5 and mountain Star 7 meets and have the Master bedroom at the South Sector where you have mountain star 9 and water star 3 which is in clash with Ah Feng' s Ming Gua. Most of the readers here familiar with the Flying stars feng shui would know that water star 5 when it is untimely is best to be left alone as activation would creates problem. The main door of the apartment in the West sector is facing South and had made Ah Chong determine it as auspicous for the East group in Eight Mansions Feng Shui. I would leave it here for readers to analyse further on how bad the configuration of the apartment was for both Flying Stars and Eight Mansions. The only saving grace was that the Early trigram for the bed position is at Qian Gua.

After Ah Chong had told the couple where the stove needed to be placed in the kitchen, he left as he had an afternoon tea appointment for Tim Sum (A Chinese afternoon pastime like the English afternoon tea) with an old friend who do not mind listening to all his feng shui stories. Ah Shan then told Ah Feng that he thought of going to the temple to seek blessings for their coming marriage as the date have now been fixed by Ah Chong. He was glad that everything is now proceeding smoothly and with placement of furniture for the apartment settled instead of another day. He also finds that it is coincidental that Ah Chong had volunteer to instruct him on the layout of the furniture for the apartment. He have been thinking of how to approach Xiao Jin for advice about the apartment on the things to be done to neutralise the harm that is in his Zi Wei birth chart accordingly to the latter who had told Ah Shan to inform him when the apartment is ready. He had to do it without Ah Feng' s knowledge as he feels guilty if Xiao Jin would to ask if anything had happened the month before infront of Ah Feng. He was glad that Ah Chong had got him out of the dilemma and had then thought of going to the temple as he felt that the Gods must be helping him now.

They had then went to a popular Chinese Taoist temple at Causeway Bay and while there, Ah Shan had asked for a divination which was 'Colours belongs to Spring while Magnificence is in Summer. Unintentional Grievances is resolved with a Stroke'. Not knowing what it meant, they had then look for a fortune teller to decipher it at the temple. They found one stall which was still opened with an old man who appeared to be sleeping as the late afternoon weather was warm and breezy. There was a banner with the words, 'Half Fairy' which must be his hallmark as most fortunetellers have one. Ah Shan then approached the stall, thinking of how to awake the old man when a small boy he had not noticed at the side, pulled at the old fortune teller sleeve. The old man opened his still sleepy eyes and saw him and then asked: 'Yes, young man, anything I can do for you?'

Ah Shan replied: 'I would like to seek your opinion on this divination I got from the temple.'

Half Fairy: 'Not a problem, let me have a look...'

Ah Shan passed the paper on which the divination was printed to the old fortune teller who then stared at it blankly for a while. He then asked Ah Shan what he was praying or seeking for as he needs to know in order to decipher it correctly as it is a poem. Ah Shan with the by now curious Ah Feng at his side, then told the fortune teller that it was for his coming marriage in Spring.

Half Fairy: 'Mmm, it is a very auspicious divination for it means that as with Spring and Summer, all things have reached its glory and that all previous grievances would have been resolved when you get married.'

Both Ah Shan and Ah Feng was pleased to hear that as it had in their hearts,implied that the rape incident would not affect their marriage which would remove the negative feelings of grievances from that incident. Of course, they did not tell the fortune teller about it and gave him a more than the usual token of money in the red packet which Ah Shan took from the table for customers to put their money in as appreciation. However all of them did not know that there is a hidden meaning in it including the fortune teller who had taken over the stall by paying a sum of money to his friend who had gone back to his hometown in China to retire. The so-called Half Fairy actually had no foundations in destiny analysis or divinations skills  .

The words : ' 艷於春而盛於夏, 無心之怨一筆解決.' is actually part of another poem which is 

':艷於春者, 望秋先零

 而盛於夏, 未冬已萎'

and together with: '無心之怨一筆解' is not auspicious at all to a person who is well versed in divination and familiar with the old chinese poems and its hidden meanings.

Ah Shan seeing that Ah Feng had now more or less revert back to her usual cheerful self, was glad and thankful that the final trip to the temple had helped. The deeply in love couple then happily went to look for a restaurant to have dinner.

To be continued.............................