Introduced to Lulu, she's nice; nothing special. Until I peer into her big, brown, mischievous, smiling eyes. And now? Oh my Buddha (OMB)!
Lulu, her English name. When we meet she's a first year under graduate student. I teach English in a Chinese University, including "English Corner". A voluntary venue for students to improve their English. Also a good social venue, to chance upon a boyfriend (bf) or girlfriend (gf). A regular attendee introduces Lulu to "English Corner "for the first time. I never thanked her.
We are the same height, 170 centimetres, Lulu a touch taller than me. There, the similarities finish. She's smart, personable, ambitious and sexy. And now I recognize, impetuous, over confident, tricky and perhaps a little arrogant too. The youngest of four from a well off Middle Class Fujian family. I'm an Aussie, forty years her senior. There's huge age, cultural and economic differences to overcome; an unlikely relationship. Two years on, Lulu decides we must move on. Is this love? You be the judge. Whatever the emotion; it's become my curse! Maybe for Lulu too.
January 2013; I first visit the Philippines for dental treatment and escape the Chinese winter. Suddenly I'm sixty years young. Six great weeks, good beer! Girls! Girls galore! What more could a male want? Ok! And the food good too! This will do me! But first I must return to China, teach the second semester and complete my contract.
I meet Lulu.
We soon spend much of our free time together. Often needing to write notes to communicate, I use pen and paper. Lulu uses her I phone. Chinese study English at school from an early age. But their oral and listening skills are often poor.
Our first time shopping together we meet a neighbour of mine. A female teacher (Chinese) of about thirty years. A nice neighbour! I say 'Hi!' And introduce Lulu as one of my students, helping me shop. Lulu laughs when the teacher goes.
'What's so funny?'
'I am a student of her. Not you!' Lulu's listening improves.
One sunny spring day, walking by the river, we sit and rest together under a tree. Lulu plays music on her I Phone; Chinese and English songs. Words spoken few, a calm relaxing forty or fifty minutes. My finger follows down her leg, from above the knee to her ankle, no reaction.
Always dressed in skin tight jeans; Lulu's long, incredible long legs. Willowy arms, slim body, long slender fingers and I suspect sumptuous breasts. She wears modest tops. I often ponder her breasts because most Chinese women wear extra padded bras. Lulu's face is round, it should be angular. And her neck not slender like her body. A flat nose; typical Chinese. Her succulent lips, distinguish a vertical kissable middle crease. Shoulder length black hair, practical and neat. Creamy white skin, no makeup on Lulu's face. Her number one asset? Big brown eyes, sharp and mischievous. A human Chameleon; nothing much gets past her.
Her jewellery; a simple silver Christian cross hangs from her neck on a modest silver chain. Lulu, her Mom, oldest brother and his wife are Christians.
We soon spend most evenings together, her English improving rapidly. We discover many new restaurants, distant from the university. A few nights a week I teach outside in a private school. Lulu comes along too, my guest, no tuition fee! The spring nights most pleasant, we often walk two kilometres back to Uni. We can hold hands crossing busy roads and I love the rain. Sharing an umbrella arm in arm; a Chinese cultural acceptance. Otherwise we rarely touch, even when Lulu takes me to the cinema. A platonic charade on behalf? I'm not sure what I'm thinking, only to confess enjoying every moment with lulu.
After a month, Lulu decides it's time to meet her family, a two hour bus ride. Sitting together, Lulu in the window seat, the seats opposite us empty. The bus suddenly in darkness, a long tunnel. How could I resist? My hands all over Lulu, not her boobs! Tickling and touching, extreme behaviour in China. Lulu's genuine astonishment and shock after exiting the tunnel. Mmm! Maybe a big mistake. Another tunnel! This time Lulu's alert, a hand wrestle, she is strong. Further up the road we enter another tunnel as I reach into a bag. Lulu's hands all over me tickling, touching. Return to daylight I discover a big satisfied smile on her face.
We arrive in her hometown, Lulu sticks me in a hotel a few blocks away from home. A sudden change in plan. That night she has dinner with her family before coming out to meet me. I drink a few beers, Lulu just the one.
Next day we do the tourist thing; Museum, walk around the lake and sit together on the grass, under a tree in the park. Especially enjoyable because my guide wears a dress. Her long shapely legs visible for the first time.
In the afternoon Lulu goes home to rest. After dinner, we meet and go to a bar to meet three of my American friends; English teachers. Two males mid-twenties, Keith and Dan, one female mid-thirties; I've forgotten her name. We met six months earlier on a bus trip for foreign teachers, organized by the Fujian Education Department. We sit together at a solid timber table. Four foreigners enjoy catching up. Lulu's English keeps up with most of our chat.
The American's suggest this bar, their regular. Rusty timber panels and brown varnished brick walls; simple western style. No Chinese signage! American paraphernalia adorn the walls. Everybody speaks English. The only hint of China, the staff. I enjoy the cold Thai beer; a refreshing change from gassy Chinese beer. At about eleven Lulu wants to go home, wants us both to go. I walk her to a taxi, open the rear door, and sit her in first saying 'See you tomorrow!'
I receive a nasty text or two. Our first real fight; first of many.
'Lost your concubine?' asks the American girl when I return to our table. Her distinct Missouri drawl, rather becoming. A strawberry blonde, wiry hair hard to control, like her independent streak. Never married and a bit overweight, live life for today, she's witty and fun to be with.
Dan sits at the bar on a stool, chatting to an attractive foreign girl in her early thirties. I need a beer! Introduced at the bar, she is a Mexican sales rep. I forget which company and product.
'They look cosy?' I comment, glancing at our table.
'They hooked up last Christmas!' Replies Dan.
Back to the table with a beer I comment 'The Mexican girl is nice, maybe our friend will be lucky tonight.'
Both burst out laughing, hands slapping the table.
'He's filling in time waiting for his Chinese boyfriend.'
Oh well! "Bagua"! Chinese for gossip.
I've travelled extensively in China, it's a safe country. But beware of pick pockets, it's still an art form in China, unlike the western robbery with violence. So no worries about making it back to the university alone. 10 AM, my bag almost packed, comes a knock on my door. There's been no text or calls.
Lulu in jeans, no smile. 'What time you come back?'
'About one!'
She brushes past and sits on the edge of the single bed. I continue packing my things on the double bed. The room is comfortable, clean, and inexpensive. One negative; no Wi-Fi away from the foyer. Finished packing, I lay beside Lulu, still sitting on the bed. I run my finger down her spine.
'Who gives permission you touch?' Lulu moves abruptly, going to rest on the other bed, far from me.
We lay in silence for ten minutes, I'm on my side, chin in hand staring at Lulu. She turns away. He he!
Swift as, I spring onto her bed, turn Lulu toward me and kiss her tightly closed mouth. She struggles, but not with the same strength displayed in the tunnel. No luck with her mouth, I focus my lips and tongue on her neck. Then her ear, back to her mouth. No luck! I blow gently into her ear, nibble her lobe and back to her mouth again. This time her lips meet mine. OMB!
What goes on in her mind? I'm trying to probe her beautiful eyes. Please give me a clue! Her mouth opens a little. She tastes good.
Lulu motions she wants to speak, I give her some space, not too much.
'My first kiss. Happy?'
We kiss again
Her mouth opens more
My tongue searching
Eventually our tongues meet
She quickly retreats
Mine follows
She doesn't want to swallow
Teeth menacing
Don't temp fate
Guess it's too late!
We lay kissing and caressing for thirty or more minutes. I close my eyes, I don't care what she thinks now. Happy just relishing her willing mouth.
Kiss; a means to an end. I don't expect sex with Lulu today. Why do I savour this moment so? I believe; I am her first kiss. Her technique or lack thereof, testament. So expecting no further reward and her kisses amateur; definitely something is happening here. A sensual experience.
Time to liven things up I slip my hand into her bra; her true strength returns. I discover her bra lining not thick at all. Best save these sumptuous rewards for another time.
After lunch we visit another park. Nothing special. Together on the bus ride home Lulu texts on her phone. "Will you rape me?" I first consider it a request; a wishful thought. No! It's a question. Rape her? I'd need to drug her first. Not my style! And she doesn't allow herself to become drunk. Anyway she says some Chinese bf rape their gf. Not for the last time, I promise never to rape her. Why? Because I would never want her to hate me.
Back at university Lulu often comes to my apartment. Sometimes staying overnight instead of returning to her dormitory. Our kissing soon escalates! I kiss her sensational boobs; beautiful shape and colour, immaculate nipples, not a blemish and ample size. She gives me hand love. OMB!
The university asks if I want to sign for another year. Stay another year with Lulu? But reality must eventually set in and she finds a bf her own age. I decide against another contract. Lulu is the first one to hear my decision. She is disappointed but it is Lulu who says several times we have no future together.
After graduation Chinese parents pressure their children to marry. Family remains a strong traditional unit in China, even in this digital age. Eventually the adult child succumbs to tradition. At first they protest they can find a spouse by themselves. By age twenty five, parents organise blind dates for unwed progeny, petrified there be no grandchildren. A Chinese "blind date"; usually arranged by a professional matchmaker. One of Lulu's brothers met his wife this way. The matchmaker also attended the wedding uninvited, hoping for a bonus.
A cultural diverse country, China consists of fifty six ethnic nations. The dominant nation is Han, also diverse. Lulu's city prefer their children not to marry foreigners, and not just any Chinese either. Her family will introduce a wealthy local suitor. Oh! And Lulu is expected to be a virgin on her wedding night. She's determined NOT to disappoint her future husband.
No future for Lulu and I; my future is the Philippines.