怒氣沖沖的離開公證人的辦公室，上氣接不到下氣的衝進麥當勞，與外國友人的約會整整晚了一小時，擔心他們不耐久候已經離去。踏進喧嘩的店裡，只見友人正比手畫腳與一位老兵談話，身影清癯的老兵顛顛危危的從口袋摸出小小飾品，遞給友人，嘴裡不斷說著感謝與讚美的話。原來老先生要賣自己的畫，友人沒興趣買，但不想讓他失望，給了他一些錢，老先生開心的不斷道謝，但無功不受祿，所以拿出飾品當作禮物回贈。
看著老先生感激的表情，又看到朋友誠摯助人的臉龐，這是何等溫馨的畫面。兩個生命完全不可能交集的人，因為心中有愛，讓彼此都感受到對方的溫暖。我心中很感動，人生在世不就是應該這樣過日子嗎？多一些關懷，多一些體諒，多一些誠懇，這樣世界不是可以多一些美好？
想起ㄧ個早上與房東在公證人處激烈的對招，在房東叫囂威脅立即搬遷之下，我忍著淚水，心中無限的羞辱，顫抖著簽下了世界上最不平等的租約，若不是一群的外國老師、中籍員工和學生，因為學校被迫搬遷而將立即走投無路，我一定會咬緊牙，頭也不回的走出公證處。
萬萬沒想到平日自己奉行說好話做好事，希望以身作則帶給週遭朋友快樂，也給社會多一點祥和，卻會遇上窮凶惡極的房東。多年的良好租賃關係，因著房東過世，突然天地變色。無法相信房子的繼承人枉顧情面，惡言相向。我們按時繳房租，全天候保全，每天清潔公司打掃，每年定期粉刷油漆，甚至平日代清垃圾代拿信件，這一切一切我們從未要求回報，也視為理所當然。在景氣低迷下，到處貼滿空屋招租廣告，許多房東自動調降租金，我們從未提出要求，即便如今想要調漲房租，也用不著言詞羞辱，甚至置人於絕境，立即驅逐搬遷。ㄧ個家庭搬遷也需時日，更何況一個學校？而且租約到期也是我們主動提醒，如果無意續租為何到事後才提出？
看著賣畫老先生一堆未賣出的字畫，我有一個衝動，想買一張畫，讓他開心，即便我既無興趣也不需要，只因為今天自己背到極點，或許應該讓別人開心。掏出了錢，隨便挑了張畫，老先生開心的ㄧ再道謝，彷彿他的大作獲得知音，隨手又塞了一張字畫當作禮物，攤開一看是治家格言。讀著「退一步自然優雅，讓三分何等清閒，忍幾句無憂自在，耐一時快樂神仙。」眼淚簌簌流下，外國友人一臉困惑。我的ㄧ個小小付出，突然讓我豁然開朗，上天已經看到我的委曲，也透過這位不相識的老先生告訴我，人生不要計較，一切自有公斷。
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Never Mind
Rushing out the notary’s office with fiery anger, I dashed to McDonald. My foreign friends had been waiting there for me for an hour, and I was afraid that they probably already left. Out of breath, I stepped into the noisy McDonald and spotted my friend talking with an old veteran. I was greatly relieved. I couldn’t understand what they were doing, but I heard the old man thank my friend repeatedly while he gave her some small pieces of jewelry. What I found out later was that the old man wanted to sell his paintings but my friend had no interest in buying any. Instead, she gave the old man some money, but the old man refused to accept it without having any transaction. The small pieces of jewelry were tokens to express his gratitude.
The old man’s earnest face and my friend’s kind gesture made a beautiful picture in my eyes. They were two strangers who had nothing in common, but their love and kindness brought each other happiness. I was very touched. Shouldn’t we always be nice to other people so we can make the world a better place to live?
This morning I had such a horrible fight with the landlords at the notary’s office. Under the landlords’ threats, I clenched my teeth, held my tears, and signed my name on the most unreasonable lease in the world. I should just walk out but I was afraid that my students, foreign teachers and Chinese staff would have no place to go immediately.
I was so shocked to be treated like this way. All my life I have tried my best to help people and to bring happiness to others. I couldn’t believe that my relationship with the new landlords could change drastically after their father passed away. Ever since we signed the lease with their father, we have never been behind the due day of the payment; we have hired a 24 hour security service; we have paid for a daily cleaning service; we have painted the building every year and renovated it constantly. . In addition, we have helped them dump the trash and collected mail. We have done many things beyond what we were supposed to do as a tenant and we never expected anything in return. We believed that was the right way to treat other people. When the economic crisis occurred, we were heavily hit financially. The advertisements for leasing real estate were everywhere. Many landlords even lowered the rent in order to keep the tenants. We never requested for any favor from them to reduce the rent when we lost many students. On the contrary, we were open for a new deal if they could talk nicely and be reasonable. Ironically, they never mentioned about the raise of the rent or the termination of the lease before we reminded them that the lease was about to expire, but now they are threatening us by telling us to move out immediately if we cannot accept the new deal. The money is not a big deal for us, it is the disgusting way they have handled the issue. It is common sense that to make a move is quite a fuss, not to mention moving a big school. How could they just threaten to kick us out without any notice while there is no one interested in taking it over?
Looking at the big pile of the old man’s unsold artwork, I had an urge to buy one. Even though I didn’t need any and I was not interested in his work either, I wanted to give this old man some encouragement. Instead of moaning over my dismayed fate after such an explosive fight, I decided to do something good. I picked up one painting and paid the old man. He was thrilled as if he met someone who could recognize his work. In order to express his appreciation he tucked me another piece of paper which was a famous poem. It read: Back down and you will keep your grace, give in and you will get peace, hold your tongue and you will feel relieved, bear the insult and you will be strong…
My tears rolled down my cheeks and my friends were very puzzled to see me so emotional. The small offer I gave to the old man opened my mind immediately. The Lord comforted me through a stranger: Never mind how badly people treated you. You will be stronger than before because I am in charge.
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