A story about Litz, a Finnish lady, and her mother-in-law.

     My husband and I had long wished to bring his mother to stay with us for a while. Last summer, after we redecorated our house, we invited her over. You can well imagine how happy my husband was! And I was just as happy. I know being filial to parents is a great value Chinese people cherish. As wife of a Chinese, I try to be as filial as my husband.

     Two days after my mother-in-law's arrival, I talked to my husband while his mother was sitting in the garden enjoying the sunshine. 

Litz: Huasheng, how long is your mum going to stay?

Huasheng: I don't know, I haven't asked her. 

Litz: Why not ask her?

Huasheng: What do you mean by asking her?

Litz: I mean what I said. Just ask her how long she's going to stay.

     My mother-in-law overheard our conversation. Can you guess what was going to happen the next day?  She decided to leave for Zhengzhou the very afternoon. I had never expected that her visit should be so short. I tried very hard to persuade her to change her mind, but in vain.