Preface

At the end of January 2020, my husband and I decided to go on a trip before returning to my home country, France. I never in my life thought I would encounter an ‘epidemic’! My husband went back to work in China from France, and I had planned to go back within a week, but what I didn’t anticipate was my inability to return to China. The epidemic was slowly spreading throughout the world,and France was no longer a safe option. I was immobilized, and my husband and I were forced into a long-distance relationship. For six months, I had no way of returning home into the arms of my loving husband. I was restricted to staying at home the majority of the time in France, occasionally wearing my mask while also going out to help my mother with her groceries. Luckily, I was very busy during this particular time period, working during the day whilst starting to write the novel during the evening and weekends.

Initially I wasn’t particularly clear about my vision for the book.I just wanted to share my overall love for China. Suddenly one day it dawned upon me that I must not be the only one who loves China as much as I do. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to find people of a similar view in order to share our stories and experiences as regards China? I reached out to numerous people in other countries to see if they had similar thoughts to myself. Did we see, hear and feel the exactly same way?

Writing by the canal, during Covid restrictions in France

The book has reacquainted me with friends, including those I thought I knew well. A few of them, we have known each other for a long time, and I met many of them in China. After hearing their stories, I felt I had so little knowledge beforehand. These were stories that made me laugh, while they also moved me and excited me at the same time. Experiences, nationalities and ages vary across the world,but we are one big family when those differences are put aside. I am extremely grateful for their willingness to share their stories within this book.

In fact, I am grateful, as while writing the book, it helped open my eyes and mind up to the rest of the world. Because of it, I have contacted old friends and even found new ones. I found that I could relate to the 21 friends who spoke of the word ‘fate’ in their stories and ‘home’ when describing China. I found it to be an amazing opportunity in putting their stories together for this book. I also hope that through the prism of this particular book, more people will begin to learn about China, and develop a new love for it.

During the period of time I spent in France, this book has given me the belief and confidence along with patience to wait for the day when I can eventually return home. It has also given me a moment to reflect, and to consciously think, while reminiscing on ten years of happiness in China.

Thanks to my husband and family for always trusting and encouraging me to finish and complete this book. Thanks to my parents, because of them, my time in France was filled with fond memories. I feel somewhat melancholy for them. I was torn as on one hand I was particularly happy to hear that I was finally able to return to China, but they were so sad also in parting with me. They still respected my choice, which I appreciated and it also touched me deeply. I have wonderful parents, who kept me motivated, with my dream, and it was because of them that I initially learned about this beautiful country, my second home, China.

Now I’m finally ready to return home, and the book is almost complete! Thanks again, to you my friends. I hope you will enjoy it.

Melody

2020.12