Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

“Silly girl! Don’t you see I’m dressed like this on purpose? The only way to survive is to
be invisible. I made myself look like an illiterate dockworker. The Japanese soldiers don’t
even bother to spit in my direction! Now how the hell did you get back into the country
without getting yourself raped or killed?”
Su Yi gestured at the Thai silk dress she was wearing. “I crossed from India to Burma
on the train, and then came down through Bangkok as part of the Thai ambassador’s
entourage—I’m disguised as a lady’s maid to Princess Narisara Bhanubhakdi.”
Shang Loong Ma let out a phlegmy laugh as he looked over his daughter. On the one
hand, he was furious at her for coming back to a war-ravaged island, but on the other
hand, he had to admire her resourcefulness. She knew how to be invisible too, and she
had proved herself braver than her brothers. “What are we going to do with you, now
that you’re back? It’s too dangerous for you to go to Tyersall Park, you know.” He
sighed.
“I’m going back to Tyersall Park whether you like it or not! I’m going to stay there and
do everything I can to help anyone who is suffering and in danger.”
Su Yi’s father scoffed. “The Japanese control everything now. Where on earth did you
get such an idea that you could actually be of help?”
“A priest told me, Pa. A young priest at the most beautiful temple on earth.”
*1 Actually, there are 1,444 pillars in the temple, which also boasts 29 halls and 80 domes in a 48,000-square-foot area.
Built by a wealthy Jain businessman named Dharma Shah, construction of the temple began in 1446 and took more
than fifty years to complete. If you are ever in Jodhpur, please do yourself a favor and head to this amazing place
instead of wasting your time and money buying cashmere throws from charming merchants who claim they were
“handwoven exclusively for Hermès” (or Etro, or Kenzo) “in a nearby village that employs 800 women.” They really
weren’t, and Richard Gere wasn’t just there last week buying a hundred scarves either.
*2 Cantonese for “difficult, persnickety.”
*3 Actually, Bishop See is wrong about that. While Jains and Hindus agree on the concept of karma, the cycle of life and
death, and some other aspects of emancipation, liberation, and release, they are two distinct and separate religions.
*4 Hokkien for “dick face.”