Ancient Chinese Secrets

There is a random Chinese family that lives in my library. I’ve tried making a few discreet inquiries as to where they come from and what they are doing sitting in the corner near the windows, but so far the only responses I’ve received are puzzled looks and shrugged shoulders. And one woman cryptically answered, “They’ve always been there”, as she ducked her head and kept walking.

There are two old men, a younger man, and an old woman. They all seem very nice, big smiles, nodding emphatically whenever I attempt a half-hearted wave in their direction. That is, except for the old woman, who scowls and stomps about in her stilettos, looking like some kind of Chinese manga character straight out of a graphic novel. I’ve noticed some of the students glancing furtively at her when they think she’s not looking, but she sees them all right.

So what are they actually doing all day? Occasionally I’ll hear a random word in English issued from their talking Chinese/English translator. Mysteriously, the chairs are always pushed in. Sometimes I see them checking what I can only assume is the Chinese news on the computers. Once, out of the corner of my eye, I even caught one of the old men sleeping, a little bit of drool spilling out onto the wood-grain table. But since they don’t speak any English, and since I’m only mildly curious, I will probably never find out what they’re really up to. They fade nicely into the background like Asian ornaments.

I’m holding out hope that one day I’ll come in and find a little Chinese teahouse constructed in the corner, or maybe some of those pretty silk screens. At the very least, I think I should get some delicious pork fried rice out of the deal.