smoke gets in the eye

He sits there and after hesitating for a second, takes out one cigarette and lights it up.

You fool, who will care? He says to himself. In the courtyard of Linyin temple, where so many believers or tourists rush burning joss sticks as offering to Buddha. So who cares about my little cigarette smoke.

His tour group of Americans are all on their own to explore this beautiful ancient temple, which was first constructed by a visiting Indian monk one thousand six hundred years back. Mesmerized by the tranquil surrounding around the valley the monk believed it was a perfect place for Buddhist meditation, thus the temple got its name 'linyin' meaning 'soul's retreat'. In its grand halls are some China's best preserved, oldest and most magnificent statues of Buddhas. And now it's already a must-see attraction in Hangzhou.

Motionless mostly, he occasionally takes a puff. There are great pains with my throat. Too much smoke, too spicy the hotpot dinner with my friends, and too crazy screaming at that Karaoke room last weekend. Usually he's not this type of person. But his friends guessed and one girl asks cautiously.

' We heard your news. And is it true about your breakup?'
All of sudden, the air in the room was so quiet and tense. All stopped singing and looked at him.
Braving their gazes, he admitted.' It was one month ago.'

'But why?'
A good question. Their relations are already three years, smooth and stable in the eyes of them, including themselves. But a recent purchase of an apartment seemed to spark all their fights. Both tried and still there seemed no possibility of a truce. So that night all came to end, finally.

'We broke up and I went to a hotel nearest one. I threw myself in, half incautious.... ..I even forget I had a discount card for their room rate.'

His friends exchanged a quick eye contact, and soon suggested toasting and welcoming back to 'available' status.

That night, a boozy night,I pretended so well. He now smiles when his phone rings.After the call, he switchs to camera mode in this Cam-phone and begins browsing pics of his new friend, a young and fresh girl. An easier one, he hopes.