Yesterday evening when I was about to leave for my daily badminton practice, I got a call.  I picked up my phone and found it from Kunming.  I answered it with a slow “hello”, and there was a clear and, maybe, sweet girl’s voice with the accent from west Yunnan, saying, “Hello, my old classmate.” 

     “Who’s that?” I asked.  “Can’t you guess from my accent, and think who had this accent in our class?” was the answer.

      “Is that Miss Z?” I asked, thinking that there was one girl classmate who had such a voice and accent.

     “Right, and I am on business with my workmates in Kaiyuan and I will find some time to visit you if you are free tomorrow?” 

     Thinking that my wife will be out with her old classmates for a get-together in the country, and I will be the only one who is left to look after my father in law, I answered “I ‘m afraid we’ll have to choose some other time.”

     The voice from the other end said, “It’s really a pity, let’s meet next time.”

     At about 9 this morning when I was still in bed dreaming, again, there was a call with the same number from the same person.

     “Hello, old classmate.”

     “Hello, is that Miss Z?” I lazily picked up the phone.

     “Hello, dear old classmate, do you happen to know someone from the police in Kaiyuan?” the voice sounded from the other end of the line.

     “What’s the matter? I grunted.

     “We are taken to the west city police station by them for playing card last night, and one of our workmates is looking for some familiar to solve it.” was the answer.

     “For playing the card?  I don’t think there should be any bigger trouble than a little fine, but let me see.” I answered, remembering that Miss Z is from a high military officer’s family and there shouldn’t any problem for her with money.  But still I began searching for someone in my mind who can help get them out, and surely I get a girl student who is the wife of Party secretary of Kaiyuan committee.

     The call came again half an hour later, saying “My old classmate, they would set us free by fine, all together 12,000 yuan for 6 persons, but still, we have a little problem for a lack of a few thousands.  Is it convenient for you to sent me some, for my bag is still in the hotel and the key is not in my hand, so I can’t get all my money ”

     “How much do you need? ” was my answer.

     “2 or 3 thousand is enough.”

     “2 or 3 thousand?” I began to wake. “ But I am still in bed and I am not able to get my money, because my wife lock it and take it out.” My voice still sounded grunted.

     “If it’s not convenient for you, I will find some other ways.” the voice vanished from the other end of the line.