How to be Happy?

And so Fei pondered.

For an hour, all she did was look at the bright blue sky and feel the late summer breeze. She thought about her experiences in the Rochester thus far. She thought about her master's sweet smile and twinkling emerald eyes.

In the end, Fei was able to conclude one thing: she didn't want to be a burden to her master. As his master's humble servant, it was her duty to care for his emotional wellbeing.

That face wet with tears and his eyes full of pain were things that she did not want to see.

She wanted him to smile.

She wanted him to… what was the word?

Oh yes, to be 'happy'.

In the fiction stories Fei occasionally read in between her class breaks, she found that the main character always seemed to want to be happy. To be joyful. That seemed to be their entire goal.

Even in the strange story that spoke of the pain of hardships, the main character wanted to be happy.*

But how? How was she going to make her master happy?

She recited the question to her teacher, who was sitting in front of her.

The old man laughed in a surprised manner at this unexpected query. "To make someone happy?"

Fei confirmed with a nod.

"Hmm… Well… You can encourage them to be happy…" The Wing Chun master didn't quite understand either. He can't recall if he's ever been in such a situation; maybe it's just been too long since the last time?

Fei mused over his words. Encourage them to be happy? Slowly, her eyes brightened. That is a splendid idea! But how can she do so?

Fei further questioned her teacher.

"… Well… you… you can write a note that tells them to be happy," the old man replied while smoothing over the white whiskers on his face. He truly wasn't skilled in such matters, but he couldn't possibly say 'I don't know' and ruin his prestige, could he?

Noticing his student's blank look, he continued thoughtfully, "You should write those words on a piece of paper instead of electronically. It is more sincere that way."

That's right! Telling him to be happy via a piece of paper! Unable to contain her excitement, Fei could no longer stay idle. "Do you have a pen and paper, sir?"

The man chuckled. "Wait."

He opened a wooden rectangular box that was on the stone chair beside him and rummaged around. Within the box were different herbal medications and many pieces of paper, although most of the pieces had already been used.

Finally, he took out a blank paper. It was a little yellowed at the edges and only the size of one's palm, but it was usable. He handed it to Fei along with a black fountain pen.

Fei eagerly picked up the pen and paper and began scribbling.

When she was finished, she held it up with her hands expectantly to her teacher. "Is it good enough? Do you think he will be happy when he receives this?"

"…" The man coughed slightly, before showing an awkward smile. "… I'm sure he will be."

Fei beamed. It wasn't a mistake to ask Teacher. I must give it to master after this class ends, before he leaves. She carefully folded the note and tucked it into the pocket of her chambray shirt.

The old man in front of her shook his head silently and smiled. "The hour is almost over. Girl, let's just drink tea for now. It's excellent tea."

His student nodded and silently began drinking the freshly refilled tea. Time passed way too quickly.

Right before Fei left the courtyard, she suddenly remembered something.

She turned towards her teacher who was still seated at the stone table and asked, "Sir, if we meet again, what should I address you?"

Fei thought that it was inappropriate for her to not even know her teacher's name. She knew that he was only in charge of teaching her Wing Chun, nothing more. Perhaps today would be the last day of their interactions in their entire lives.

The old man's eyes widened. This girl, he thought, never ceases to surprise me. He smiled. "Isn't it obvious? If we meet again, I'd like you to call me 'teacher.'"

Fei furrowed her eyebrows in thought. Weren't they ending their student and teacher relationship after today?

Seeing through her confusion, the old man continued, "Remember, as long as someone teaches you even one thing, then they will be your teacher for life."

…

Fei sped up the stairs and through the halls, clenching the small piece of folded paper in her hand. She couldn't wait to see his expression.

She was heading towards Carlos' room, where he should be on Sundays. Fei hoped that he would be there, since, after her five-minute break, she wouldn't have free time until after his departure, which was in the early afternoon.

As she arrived in front of his door, Fei first tucked a few loose strands of ebony hair behind her ear. Then, she gently knocked on the door under the scrutiny of two guards.

No response.

Fei pressed the push button beside the door that served as a doorbell.

No response.

Her heart dropped.

After a few seconds of hesitation, she reached out her hand. As she was about to grab the doorknob, a guard swiftly stopped her attempt. "Stop!"

Fei furrowed her eyebrows. "I need to give Master something important."

"The young master is not in the room." The guard spoke monotonously.

"If so, I can just put it on his table."

The guard sized up the young woman before him and peered at her with contempt. "The young master's room is not a place just anyone can enter."

"But I am his bodyguard."

His patience was running out. "Enough, stop making trouble. Leave or else I will detain you."

Fei froze as a thought came to mind. Was she making trouble for her master? She felt the texture of the paper in her hand for reassurance. She didn't want that. She wanted Carlos to be happy.

Suddenly, the door next door opened, and a girl stepped out. She had wheat-colored hair and sharp emerald eyes.

"What happened?" Her voice was commanding and full of inborn confidence.