Kanghan YUAN - One Who Moved Out to Get Rich

"If you want to know more about China, I will answer only one question a day, until we go back," she says.

"A German husband is then good business for a Chinese woman," I reply ironically. She smiles with a nod, but I am not sure whether the smile is real or not.

"To get rich, we have to do something extraordinary," she suggests that we could design a software application and sell it expensively.

She knows this is only a simple joke because none of us an expert in software engineering. She again comes up with another idea, that we could may be design artificial organs since many Chinese are eating an unhealthy diet. She thinks at least some Chinese somewhere, will need an organ at some point. In China, it is already possible to produce a functional living kidney they are using organic ink and 3D printing. She explains further.

"The Chinese artificial kidney does not contain veins or blood channels, and its life span so far is only four months. There is still a lot to be done. Whether these kidneys will ever function properly, is what is under serious scrutiny. For example, if you need an artificial prototype organ, you must pay money to university professors to make it for you. Other than taking your money, the professors will do nothing much, because most of their publications anyway are just mere translations from the West. Maybe I will have to buy a 3D printer and build a prototype myself." She says jokingly.

I shake my head because I have no idea about this whatsoever. I tell her that I want to live a simple life and prevent diseases from attacking me. "Organs of people executed in China, are removed without anyone's consent. We also know that even Germans who cannot afford high costs, run to China for their organs to be transplanted". She reveals. I am shocked at hearing this.

At the airport back to China, we get our VAT refund. We manage to get away with extra weight on our baggage at the check-in counter. I manage to hide the excess weight in my rack-sack. I, however, crack a joke with the lady at the check-in that slim people like me should be allowed some extra baggage because I do not add much weight on the plane. It is merely a joke; the lady seems not to be bothered either. She looks confused. It is a busy since she is working alone. It is now my turn. She puts, the baggage on the scale, the sticker prints out of the machine, and I give way for the next passenger. I am lucky to get away with some extra weight.

In the waiting lounge, I use the opportunity of free internet to check on emails, but the speed is unbelievably slow. It is now time for boarding. I am getting a bit nervous because Hong is shouting at me to hurry up to join the queue. The passenger's compartment in the plane is small. I am struggling to stretch my legs. I feel uncomfortable. To make it worse, I am sitting near the corridor.

Every time stewards pass by with drinks and food trolleys; I feel nervous.

I try to get a quick nap, but it is not possible. People are talking on top of their voices. Children are screaming running all over the isles. The woman next to me tries to wrap a cloth around her head to have some sleep. I turn on the in-flight entertainment. I can hardly sleep. I am lamenting because cheap things can sometimes turn out to be expensive.

Hong gives me a magazine to read, to make me forget my dissatisfaction. She starts explaining to me about the new French private jet Falcon 5x from the French company Dassault, which has plenty of space for passengers in the business class compartment, and much more, but I am not paying attention to her.

I vowed not to buy low-cost tickets again. I want to reach home and rest. Later, Hong tells me that the Thai Royal family is away on vacation at their summer residence in Hua Hin.

"They are away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Royal family's home is in the wealthy suburbs of Pattaya, on the other side of the Gulf of Thailand, at the oldest seaside resort in the country.

Chinese want to do business and live a good life, which is why there is a booming market in the real estate business in China and other countries. There are already eleven golf-course resorts in the area near the Thai Royal family's retreat resort, and Shanghai is only a day's drive from day Hua Hin".

"May be we should learn golf and soon jet to Hua Hin with our brand-new Falcon 5x," I say joking with a smile..

We arrive safely. As expected, Shanghai is still very cold. We call a taxi to drop us at our home in Taicang. When I enter the house, it is a significant relief. I feel as if some weight is loaded off my head. I get a glass of water; it was given to me by my father-in-law.

Both in-laws remained home when we were away on holiday. While gulping down the warm water, I browse through my emails. I remember that I had to change my password.

ALL IS UNDER CONTROL ON THE SINKING SHIP

Today it is raining heavily. We get up to start unpacking our luggage.

I use the opportunity of the lousy weather to prepare presentations for the coming week and to read and reply to my emails. Since HSBC bank in Shanghai blocked my account, I send an email to them to rectify the problem. Hong is meanwhile busy translating our marriage contract from Chinese to the German language to make it easier for me to understand it thoroughly. In the agreement, Hong states that she wants to live independently out of my life. She aims to avoid sharing with me the inheritance of her parent's wealth. I cannot agree with it since we're already married, and above all, she is more conversant with the Chinese law than myself. So, it could end up not working for me.

Interest rates in the bank have gone up. I am going to the bank of Suzhou local branch in Taicang, to finally open a fixed deposit account and get my money transferred from the local ICBC Bank. I am told that it is not possible because of my financial status. I drive to the company headquarters in Shanghai, to fix an appointment with my boss. We discuss the expiry of my probationary period and the evaluation report too. I don't expect too much praising. I know I am good books.

Hong and I go to attend the German Chamber of Commerce GCC meeting in the German Centre. Many things have changed at the office since we were on holiday. My department, for example, was relocated to a floor above. I am upset that despite moving my office much of my furniture was left behind. The meeting is about to begin.

The head of the Human Resource Department, and my boss have already arrived. I observe a strange look from him and the human resource manager. They start by reading the assessment report about me. They interview both my German and Chinese bosses. They say that they are not satisfied with my performance. What follows is not good news at all to me. The evaluation report recommends terminating my contract. I receive a copy. I have to get time to settle down. Without showing any remorse, the human resource manager calculates all my remaining vacation days and deducts them from the current month. I am horrified that it is my last working day today.

I leave the meeting with a threatening remark.

"See you in court!" I say to them.

It is like being in a trance. I don't know what is going on. A security officer asks me to hand over the laptop, my identity card, and a company mobile phone. I am not thinking about what to do next. Everything is unfolding so damn fast. At home, Hong is working on her laptop. I am in another world. I sit next to her and explain what has happened. I am surprised at her reaction. She shows no pity or any concern at all.

"Did you hear what I said to you?" I ask her.

"Yes, I heard you quite alright, but it does not surprise me at all, because after all, you are too expensive for the company. There are many Chinese here who the same job can do you are doing, for lower salaries".