it seems a good story, but I totally get confused. I read most of chapters, but I still cannot figure out why Alex has to break up with Annie. it seems that all romantic stories involving with modern China and high-class men have to be negative, keeping distance with who they may be interested,and to very passive to any chanlleges or difficulties.I have to say that it is a story with strong classic Chinese esthetics, although it has the main character who has Swiss background and speaks 6 languages. I wonder if you may watch the soap "Boston legal"? this soap also has a man who had stage-three lung cancer and had less than one-year's life when he met Denise the lawyer he loved. he was very positive, never gived up on his conditions, and enjoyed ebvery minute he has.he was a real fighter: I think that's what American winners look like. be positive, and to fight with any unfortune fate.

I hope I didnot say that Alex was so weak. Does he love Annie? I think so, otherwise why he cares if she smokes or not. they should just enjoy the love with each other, becasue they do not have much time. Alex never tried that way, and he even failed to offer a reason why he excapes from Annie's world. Alex performed that he respects all women, even on every small details. In fact, he never respects Annie: he doesnot let her know whats going on. he broke in her world, and suddenly disappears without a sign. he took the totally control, he dominates this relationship which has to end whenever he wants. Annie is an adult, and she is capable to decide what she wants, and has the ability to confront any chanlleges.Annie, she never has the right to be informed about anything on her. the worst, Alex did everything that hurt Annie, made the decision for her under the name of Love. Should I say that: love, what crimes are committed thy name!

if I were Annie, I will get rid of Alex ASAP. its not about love, but dignity. It is not the ture love, if I cannot love you as a one who has equal values. I believe that equality is as important as love in a relationship, regards to below poetry;


Ode to the Oak

If I love you---
I will never be a trumpet creeper
Clinging to your body to highlight my ＨＥＩＧＨＴ;
If I love you---
I will never be a spoony bird
Repeating the monotonous song for a green shade;
Nor a spring
That brings perennial cool solace;
Nor steep peak
That increases your highness, reflect your eminence.
Even the sunlight.
Even the spring rain.
No, all these are not sufficient!
I must be a ceiba stand by your side,
A tree
With roots clinched underground,
And leaves touched in the cloud.
We nod to each other,
When each gust passes by,
But nobody
Can understand our words.
You have your iron body,
Like a knife, a sword,
As well as a halberd;
I have my red flowers,
Like a heavy sigh,
And a valiant torch.
We share cold, storms and thunders;
We enjoy brume, mist and neons,
Seems we are part always,
But we are together forever.
Only this can be called a great love,
The loyalty is this:
Not only your manful body I love,
But also the place you hold, and the land under your foot.

致橡树

我如果爱你---
决不象攀缘的凌霄花，
借你的高枝炫耀自己；
我如果爱你---
绝不学痴情的鸟儿，
为绿荫重复单调的歌曲；
也不止象泉源，
常年送来清凉的慰籍；
也不止象险峰，
增加你的高度，衬托你的威仪。
甚至日光。
甚至春雨。
不，这些都还不够！
我必须是你近旁的一株木棉，
做为树的形象和你站在一起。
根，紧握在地下，
叶，相触在云里。
每一阵风过，
我们都互相致意，
但没有人
听懂我们的语言。
你有你的铜枝铁干，
像刀，像剑，
也像戟；
我有我的红硕花朵，
像沉重的叹息，
又像英勇的火炬。
我们分担寒潮、风雷、霹雳；
我们共享雾霭、流岚、红霓，
仿佛永远分离，
却又终身相依。
这才是伟大的爱情，
坚贞就在这里：
不仅爱你伟岸的身躯，
也爱你坚持的位置，脚下的土地。