Night Roses

By Chung Tran

Cotton flowers show off their pride and arrogance

Roses reminiscent of old people

Those who are far away are still nearby

The scent has not flown around yet

The image of flowers and images remains unrelenting

The gentle moon is like loose water

Dream flowers know where to send to play.

Israelite Folk Son

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chung Tran
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088249444

Book preview

1. Chapter 1

Cotton flowers show off their pride and arrogance

Roses reminiscent of old people

Those who are far away are still nearby

The scent has not flown around yet

The image of flowers and images remains unrelenting

The gentle moon is like loose water

Dream flowers know where to send to play.

Israelite Folk Song - Night Roses

oOo

I followed the address on the paper and turned into a small alley on the east side of Taipei.

After four wrong directions, finally found the correct location.

Pressing the electric bell of building C on the 7th floor, no one answered the phone, but two seconds later the door answered and opened.

On the elevator door was a note that read: Elevator broken, everyone forgive me. Take the stairs a lot, good for health.

Had to go up the stairs piled up with eight trash cans, climbing floor by floor.

On the 7th floor, I saw three apartments lined up in a straight line, the house in the middle of the door was about five centimeters ajar.

I took nine steps, got to the door, pushed it open, walked in.

One glance, on the iron truss of the balcony are six pots of plants.

The afternoon sun from the west tilted down, both the balcony and the leaves on the flowerbed were covered with golden light.

Turn around, then bend down to take off your leather shoes, and go into the living room.

It's already bothering you. I say.

Before I could clearly see the layout of the living room, a furry golden dog leaned toward me.

I immediately covered my neck with my hands and squatted down.

Xiao Bei! Can not! A girl's scream rang in her ears.

Then I felt the other dog licking the back of my right hand.

What are you doing? The girl asked me.

I slowly let go of my hands, stood up, and stroked the dog that was wagging its tail at me.

The living room has five blue sofas, one to the left and right, one on each side, three in the middle.

The sofa forms a horseshoe shape, surrounding a rectangular coffee table.

The girl sitting on the center sofa of the three in the middle, her right foot resting on the tea table, looked at me.

Self defence. I answer.

So why call it self-defense? The girl asked again.

Normal dogs are afraid of good and evil, so they rarely actively attack.

Really?

YES. So when the dog chases her and barks at her, she turns around to get close to it, and it backs away.

If you turn around and it still won't move back, what should you do?

Very good question. So that means you encountered a vicious dog, or a rabid dog.

So what to do?

Then you can't do nothing more than I did just now, protect your neck, squat down.

Why?

Very simple. Except for the neck that cannot be bitten, anywhere else can be bitten.

Your kid's name is interesting.

She sat up straight, retracted her right leg resting on the tea table, and smiled.

Kid's name?

Normally I call a boy I don't know kid.

Huh.

Please sit. The girl pointed to the sofa in front, on the left.

Thank you. I sat down.

Xiao Bi seems to like you very much.

Maybe.

But it's a male dog.

Male dogs can like boys too.

So what should the bitch do?

This has nothing to do with the bitch.

Of course. If male dogs like boys, aren't female dogs pitiful?

The bitch is not pitiful, because the bitch can scold people.

Why do you say that?

English bitch is a bitch, foreigners often use the word bitch to curse other people.

Kid, what did you come for?

The girl frowned, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked straight at me.

I am a tenant.

Then why are you talking dog to me?

Second sister, it's because you asked me about dogs.

Sister?

Normally, I still call girls I don't know my second sister.

Tieu Bi, who used to sit on the ground listening to us talk, now started walking to my feet, sniffing my pants.

Tieu Bi really likes you.

YES. I stroked Tieu Bi's head again.

Do you also like Xiao Bi?

YES. This dog is very good.

Why call 'this dog'? It's so close to you, why don't you call it by name?

The girl raised her voice.

Okay okay. I quickly added a sentence: Tieu Bi is so good.

So I decided to rent a room to you. The girl stood up and said.

But I haven't seen the room yet.

Huh? Which room is not the same? They are all rectangles.

I think it's better to just watch it.

You're so indecisive, it's a waste for Xiao Bi to like you like that.

Sister.

Don't call me big sister. My name is Diep Mai Que, apricot in apricot blossom, cinnamon in cinnamon flower.

So what about the monthly rent? On the rental ad it just says: negotiable monthly rent.

This place only has two rooms, the owner rents it out for ten thousand years, so we each have seven thousand years.

Aren't you the landlord?

Not. I have been here for more than two years, the owner is overseas.

If the monthly rent is fixed, then what is the 'agreement'?

What's wrong with electricity and water?

"Ah. How is the electricity and water bill calculated?

Um, I feel that the electricity and water bills should be shared equally by the three of us. What do you think?

Three?

YES. You, me, Xiao Bi.

Does Xiao Bi also have to pay for electricity and water?

It's also a member here, why not close it?

But it's just a dog anyway.

What about the dog? We all live under the same roof, no favoritism.

Well spoken! It has to be closed, of course. I gave her a thumbs-up, in awe of her impartiality.

Moreover, if Tieu Bi also has to pay electricity and water bills, I will only have to pay a third, so why protest?

However, considering that Xiao Bi does not have economic capacity at the moment.

Economic capacity? I gaped my mouth.

So the part of Xiao Pi will be taken care of by the two of us.

That's not fair! It was my turn to stand up and speak loudly.

As a human being, the quintessence of all things, why do you compare electricity and water bills with dogs?

It's not a matter of comparison, it's your dog.

But Xiao Pi likes you too, don't you think you should return it?

She said again and again, the electricity and water bills are still shared by the two of us.

Haha, kid. She laughed out loud, pointed at me and said, You're finally smarter.

At this moment, Tieu Bi suddenly stood up, put her front foot on my waist, opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue.

You see, Tieu Bi also agrees. According to the democratic law of society, it is already two against one.

It's probably agreeing to do so, maybe it's agreeing.

Agree to what?

Agree with me.

Okay, boys, don't hesitate to decide. Make that decision.

Sister...

I already told you. She interrupted me, saying: My name is Diep Mai Que.

Before I could open my mouth to continue, she turned and entered the room.

Not long after, she came out of the room again, threw me a bunch of keys, and I continued in midair.

You can move in anytime. She pointed her right hand: Your room is over there.

After saying that, she turned around to prepare to enter the room, took a few steps, and suddenly turned her head: Of course you can call me, roses bloom late at night.

What does that mean?

Night Roses. After saying that, she entered the room and closed the door.

(Night rose ~ night rosary, in Chinese is pronounced similar to Diep Mai Que)

2. Chapter 2

The dense yellow light repelled the blinding white light from the mercury lampposts, illuminating the dancing people in a circle on the square.

The face is yellow and white.

Music came from the old radio, loud but not jarring.

The tune is not a favorite, nor is it classical, probably folk.

The melody is so wonderful, it feels so old.

The music is so disproportionate to us boys and girls who are only in our twenties.

The music stopped, immediately applause rang out, everyone looked at each other and smiled.

Don't know is clapping to cheer for yourself? Or clapping because luckily, finally finished this dance?

Please invite you to dance!

A tall and thin senior, but his voice was opposite to his body, said this.

I suddenly felt dizzy.

Looking around, hot girls were soon surrounded.

There was a girl smiling and waving her hand, her right hand according to the rules, gently pulled up her skirt, slightly bent down to show her agreement.

Seniors often say, girls are like cakes, the sweeter they are, the more flies and bugs are around.

I'm just a small fly, I can't beat those blue-headed flies.

Had to follow Lu Xun's so-called AQ spirit, comforting himself to eat sweets that would only harm his body.

Then slowly retreat to the back, leaving the center of the square.

The atmosphere inviting you to dance was very lively, but I just wanted to find a place to hide.

oOo

I am 28 years old, currently single.

After graduating from Tainan School, completing his military service, he worked in Tainan for a while.

Later, the shipping company did not do well, for two months without paying wages, and then the boss was nowhere to be seen.

Colleagues bought a lot of eggs, they beat the door of the company for two days in a row.

On the third day, start burning votive papers, burning while calling for the owner's conscience to return quickly.

When my colleagues discussed whether to bring the coffin to protest, I decided to give up and find a new job.

Unexpectedly, Taiwan's economy stalled, a series of companies closed, causing widespread unemployment.

Finding a job in Tainan is like climbing a tree to catch fish.

Bewildered for a week, had to go to the best area in Taiwan - Taipei, try your luck.

I was lucky, a month later I received a notice of admission from a construction consulting company.

So I packed up all my things, left Tainan, who had lived for more than 20 years, and went to Taipei.

After coming to Taipei, I first stayed at a friend's house from college.

He is a good friend of mine, I used to help him write love letters to his girlfriend.

He was also very generous and enthusiastic, immediately giving up his grandfather's room to me.

It's embarrassing, what about your grandfather? I ask.

My grandfather? Don't worry, he just passed away last month.

I can't refuse your good intentions, reluctant to stay for a few days.

Every night when I sleep, I always feel someone touching my head, touching my hair, helping me to put on a cotton blanket.

After thinking about it, it's not good to disturb people forever, so I started looking for rental opportunities.

Searching for three days in a row, still can't find a satisfactory room.

Actually, I'm not a fussy person, but the rooms I found didn't even meet the standards.

Circumstances, if not too messy, are too chaotic, or too dirty.

Moreover, a lot of motel rooms compared to the description in the advertisement, it is very different from heaven and earth.

For example, I once read: The air is cool, the view is clear, you can see the sea in the distance.

When I went to look at the room, I found that even if I pulled out a telescope to look at it, I would not be able to see the sea.

Didn't you say you can see the sea? I asked the landlord.

You see. He stretched out his hand: Look over there, isn't there a little bit of blue?

Really? In the direction he pointed, I still couldn't see the sea.

Alas, you haven't practiced enough. The host patted me on the shoulder: In my heart there is the sea, in the eyes of nature, there will be the sea.

Huh? I do not understand anything.

Come here. The tenants here are all Zen practitioners, we can practice together.

Is there a way to see the sea without practicing?

You're still clinging to ignorance. The host sighed: We look up and see the moon, but that doesn't mean the moon is very close to us. Right?

So what?

So we can't see with our eyes, we have to use 'mind' to see.

He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and slowly said: Come here, you most attached. Please follow my movements, first close your eyes.

Then the two hands like snakes twisting in the air, forming a few complicated curves, finally the two hands intersect to form a cross: Remove distractions, breathe gently. Seen yet? Afternoon light stretches on the sea, far away, fishing boats full of afternoon sun, slowly entering the port. Heard yet? The waves lapped against the shore, some children chased on the dike, some accidentally fell and called for their mother. On the sandy shore, the crabs leave the cave and swing their claws together.

I didn't dare to listen, and quickly ran away. I wonder if he heard me closing the door?

As the number of times my head was touched while I was sleeping at night, the more anxious I became to find an inn.

Last night, when I had a dream, I seemed to hear someone say be careful of colds.

As a result, when I woke up this morning, I discovered that I was wearing a thick red cotton blanket, but before sleeping was a yellow blanket.

So I decided to make up my mind, no matter what, I must find a new room today.

Common house for rent, apartment-style room, 21m2, negotiable price, anyone interested, please contact.

Those are the words written on a red paper, pasted on the electric pole.

I copied the phone number written on it.

Even though it was the eighth series today, I decided to try this number first.

This rental advertisement is written very succinctly, even the rent is not written, showing that the landlord has no experience.

Normally, experienced people will write things like convenient traffic, peaceful environment, comfortable neighbors, cool and windy... and so on.

I also found a place to write: Welcome to live with me, let's work together for the future of the community.

What's more, this red paper is also pasted over the notice Prohibiting arbitrary pasting of the Environmental Protection Department.

So they show that the lessor is not only inexperienced, but also eager to rent out the room.

It is possible to negotiate a good price.

So I called, set a time to see the room, then came to this place.

Because of that, I met Diep Mai Que, or it could be said, the night rose.

But when I heard her say night rose I was suddenly electrocuted, frozen there.

Because the night rose is a very familiar name to me.

Just as seeing the Statue of Liberty brings to mind New York, in my recollection, the night rose represents my college life.

It is the most obvious mark, also the only one.

After Diep Mai Que entered the room, it took me a while to recover.

I followed her right hand direction, and entered the room I was about to move into.

A single bed, a desk, a cupboard, um, that's enough.

The desk is leaning against the window, from the window looking out, you can see the blue color on the balcony, and also see a little blue of the sky.

Out of the room, go to the kitchen, in the kitchen there is a refrigerator, an induction cooker, a gas stove, and a microwave.

Behind the kitchen, there is a small balcony, placing a washing machine, Diep Mai Que hangs clothes here.

In the living room, except for the sofa and tea table, there is also a television.

Except it's a bit weird when the housemate is female, everything else is very good.

Before leaving, knock on the door of Diep Mai Que's room, it seems that she is listening to music.

I'm going. I will move in tomorrow.

After Tieu Bi barked twice, she called out from the room: Remember to lock the door when you go out, kid.

She called me kid again, I felt uncomfortable.

Miss Diep, I also have a name. My name is…

Still not finished, she interrupted: I told you to call me Diep Mai Que, don't call me Miss Diep. Don't forget it, kid.

Go away, kid, kid.

3. Chapter 3

I was about to put on my shoes when Diep Mai Que suddenly opened the door to the room, and Tieu Bi rushed in again.

This time I just sat down, my hands no longer needing to protect my neck.

Xiao Bi wants to say see you again.

YES. I stroked Tieu Bi's head: Tieu Bi is good, I will move in tomorrow.

Hey boy. Are you going to jump on top of me?

Where is it?

I'm just Xiao Bi's sister, how dare you say you're her uncle?

Although I was a bit helpless, I still corrected: Good Xiao Bi, I will move in tomorrow.

I stood up, Tieu Bi also stood up, put her front legs on my waist.

Can you tell me how Xiao Bi likes you so much?

Diep Mai Que looked at Tieu Bi and then back at me.

Maybe it was because her gaze moved so quickly that she hadn't had time to change, so I could see that there was still a bit of tenderness in it when I looked at Tieu Bi.

It even has the beauty of a rose when it's in full bloom.

Later, when she moved in, Diep Mai Que's eyes could not be said to be fierce, but a bit cold.

Even when smiling.

Her gaze was dry, unlike the watery eyes of the other girls, a glint of enthusiasm could be seen in it.

Her eyes were like a deep well. When she looked into the well, she could only see the depth, not knowing what was at the bottom of the well.

A friend once told me, whether there is sadness or not in a person's heart, it can be seen from the eyes.

Anyone can fake laughter, anger or pain, but there is no way to control the temperature or depth of the eyes.

It seems that only when looking at Tieu Bi, Diep Mai Que is like a blooming night rose.

I have never seen Diep Mai Que's rose-like eyes, so after she finished asking, I was dumbfounded for a few seconds.

But only those few seconds was enough for her eyes to cool as before.

Kid, why are you so dumbfounded? Rep.

Ah, I don't know either. Maybe because I used to have a dog.

Really? So what now?

Not now. I used to have two dogs, both of whom died in car accidents.

After I finished speaking, I squatted down and patted Tieu Bi's head.

Are you sad? We were silent for a while, Diep Mai Que asked again.

Don't ask questions that you already know the answer to.

I'm a little angry, being a dog owner, must also know that dogs are no different to us than family.

Losing loved ones, how can you not grieve?

So sorry. She said.

This apology of hers made me feel awkward again, I didn't know how to respond properly, the atmosphere was a bit confused.

Unexpectedly, she also sat down, gently stroking Tieu Bi's hair with her left hand, so gentle and so gentle.

So are the eyes.

Do you know? I didn't like dogs before.

Then why did you raise Xiao Bi?

He was originally a stray dog, hanging around at the nearby grocery store.

She lifted Tieu Bi's front paw, let Tieu Bi lick her right cheek, then hugged it again.

When I come to buy things, it just follows me. Then I brought it here.

Diep Mai Que is clearly having fun, playing with Tieu Bi.

I guess when Diep Mai Que decided to bring Tieu Bi back, there was a contradiction in her heart.

Since this is my first time meeting, I don't want to ask too many questions.

Maybe she, like me, is lonely.

Loneliness is different from loneliness, loneliness means that there is no one else around, and loneliness is a psychological state.

Or it can be said, when we have acquaintances by our side, we are not alone.

But it's not like he's not alone.

Ever heard of this? I put on my shoes, stood up and said.

What sentence? Diep Mai Que also stood up.

Love is like a dog, if you chase it you won't keep up, if you chase it you won't run.

What a nonsense sentence.

I found that sentence very interesting.

Exciting? Kid, your humor is really high.

You still insist on calling me kid?

If not, then what do you call him?

My surname is Kha, my name is Kha Chi Hoanh.

Huh? Don't you have a Thai surname?

Why do I have to be Thai?

I always felt, you must be Thai.

Actually, it's not wrong, because Kha and Thai are from the same family.

Really? Why?

If I told you that reason, it would be a historical novel, not a love novel.

What did you say?

Ah, nothing. In short, Kha Thai is a family.

Can I call you Kha Chi Hoanh from now on?

Thank you. I'm leaving, see you tomorrow.

Diep Mai Que sat down again, grabbed Tieu Bi's left leg, and waved.

Xiao Bi, say goodbye to your brother.

Hahaha. Her movements and tone of voice made me smile.

What are you laughing? She raised her head and glared at me.

Nothing. It's just that I find her movements and voice lovely.

"I don't like being laughed