Shengliver’s Note: Mengqing is a Year 11 student in high school. She shares a lot in her English journal. Behind each story lies a heart of gold.

A weekend was around the corner. Mengqing, a boarder, decided that she should not go home this time for an exam was on the way. She would rather stay behind on campus, getting prepared for the exam.

When it was Saturday, however, she changed her mind. She would go home, but this time she was not going to call her mum as she usually does. Normally she gives her mum a ring before she leaves for home on the weekend. Then her mum will busy herself preparing a rich meal for her dear daughter. She will shop at the market buying various vegetables and meats. Then a long time is spent in the kitchen in doing the meal.

This time, Mengqing planned to give a surprise. On the coach, she visualised how her mum would react. It would be a big surprise!

Getting off the coach at the station in their town, Mengqing rushed to the local market, where she picked up the vegetables and ingredients her mum loved. She was bargaining with the vendors there when it occurred to the high schooler that her mother had been showering love and care upon her all these years. “Mum is great,” she said to herself.

On reaching their flat, Mengqing knocked at the door. No one answered it. “Perfect. Mum and Dad are both at work,” she thought. She unlocked the door and slipped in.

After putting on the apron, the teenager rolled her sleeves up and set about the task—washing the ingredients, cutting them to size, and stir-frying in the wok. Soon the family dining table was laden with her mum’s favourite dishes.

Surprise in store, Mengqing took a seat at the table and waited for her mum to return. When came the time, her mum opened the door and found the lights on. She was startled, crying, “Who is there?”

“It’s me, Mother,” chirped Mengqing from the kitchen.

When her mum came over, she was greeted by the dishes on the table, which were steaming and mouth-watering. Instantly she became all smiles, like a full-blown flower. After a big hug, mother and daughter sat down to a meal of love and warmth.