breath-taking to Ethan, dumbfounded and transfixed. He couldn’t look away, for the wall had held his gaze in a
stony stare…
“
Wow… It is so firm… It must be great help defending China against all foes …” He murmured.
“
Just like our …” When he heard someone’s response, he turned around his head. His eyes just matched
with Wylie’s. Then, they both giggled wildly, pleased to know each other’s thoughts well…
***
“
Let’s go up to the Great Wall now!” He exclaimed after all teens had left the coach. As an experienced
guide of the study tour, he introduced the history of the Great Wall in great detail as if he was a Chinese history
professor. After regaling the students with the wall’s long and glorious history, he gestured them to take a time
off to appreciate this amazing piece of architecture freely. Meanwhile, Ethan and Wylie started walking along
the stairs.
“
Hey! Don’t mark anything on the wall! How come you boys are still so naughty?” When the tour guide’s
furious voice reached their ears, they looked at each other with cunning grin. They climbed up the stairs swiftly
in order to stay away from the tour group. Finally, they stopped where the highest beacon stood ...
“
Luckily, here’re only a few people…”
“
Because today’s Wednesday, and it is still early now!” Wylie replied.
“
What do you want to mark?”
“
Today’s the last day of our tour… let’s mark...‘friends forever’ to commemorate our valuable friendship!
Though it’s a bit stupid …” Wylie laughed in excitement and embarrassment.
Ethan said ambitiously, “Not really!” He started to carve the letter “f” on the wall with his army knife
secretly while Wylie stood in front of him to block others’ sight. Although it was extremely difficult to mark it
and not to let others know they were doing so at the same time, they did it without getting noticed. They took
turns to mark the words for nearly two hours… “Yes! We did it!” Ethan shouted gratifyingly. Wylie
immediately covered his mouth, “Keep quiet, Eth!” Then, they looked at each other and smiled to their hearts’
content.
The markings were perfectly done. Each word was engraved on the wall so deeply as if it would remain
firm and strong regardless of time… When Ethan and Wylie touched the letters, their fingers could sense
warmth that lit their hearts …
“
I’m sure that they can be as firm and strong as us and the Great Wall—” Ethan looked at them with pride.
“—
and it can defend against all enemies regardless of time like us and the Great Wall!” Wylie added.
Then, their loud, sincere laugh echoed across the Great Wall…
***
They climbed down the stairs so as to reach the rendezvous on time. Soon, all students were there and they
went to have lunch. Meanwhile, Ethan and Wylie grabbed their last valuable chance to talk face-to-face until
they reached the Chinese restaurant with round tables. “Ethan, don’t follow Wylie. There’re too many people
around that table,” The tour guide looked around and led him to another table nearby.
When Ethan sat down, his handsome face was as red as rose. His angel was right beside him! He had tried
to calm himself down by using millions of methods, but his breath became shorter and shorter instead.
“
What’s the matter? Why is your face so red?” When he saw her scowling with concern, he was speechless.
“
Oh—your face’s even redder—”
While she placed her hand on his forehead, he said, “…so…so cold…”
“
What?”
“
I… I mean your hand…”
She chuckled, “You’re funny. What is your name?”
“
Ethan.”
“
Angel.”
He stared at her dully, “It… it suits you…I mean it…”
“
You are a funny one, aren’t you?” Suddenly, he remembered what Wylie once said, “Girls love humorous
boys!” After that, he started to brave himself and chatted pleasantly with Angel.
When everyone was eating, they whispered, they talked and they grinned. To Ethan, it seemed that there
was no one except her in the restaurant. Each move of Angel was under his observation. He kept praying in his
mind: please Lord, let me stay here with Angel forever…
“
Ethan, it’s time to leave!” Her delicate voice brought him back to the reality. “Hey! Can we exchange…
phone numbers? I don’t want to lose… a friend…” He asked tensely. After exchanging slips on which their
phone numbers were written, she left for her buddies. Then, Ethan walked out of the restaurant alone, stepped