A touch story 遙遙回家路(1)

I met a Chinese old man during the coach journey to Poole from London today. He sat next to me. We had talk. He comes from a village in Fu Jian prvince of China where is the famous smuggling place in China to Europe. He told me he has two sons in the UK. They all have legal passports to UK. But, he didn't. He has smuggled for over ten years across Russia, East Europe, France, and finally to the UK. He stays in the UK for years. He earns a lot money just for sending his two sons to study in the UK and to build his five layers house in his home village. Now he achieved all goals. His elder son runs Chinese take away in Edinburgh and his young son studies in Bournemouth university. We talked about the difference between UK and China. In the UK, almost Chinese are isolated and survived with small business, but never have chance to enjoy their live in this country. I agree with him totally. He regrets his decision to follow his village mates to start the smuggle journey. Now he is 50s, just wants to go home. He wonder it is worth smuggling or not. Nobody can give him an answer and also nobody will tell the truth when they return to China. People in China are still excited to go out of China. When they come to UK, first job almost in Chinese restaurant or take away. Very hard work with little incoming. No good good condition to stay, don't know outside world, no TV, not interested in listening to the local radio. just nothing knows about the country where they stay in. He has worked many different jobs during his over ten years smuggling journey. He told me he has very good skill on building, cooking, trading. Whatever he goes, he is trying to find his foot to get his talent to business. but very difficult. Now, he realised the most important is family. He has not seen his wife since he left home. I asked him why he wants to go out. He said to me in his village, all men smuggle to outside China, only left women there. Men will be no face if they stay in their home village. Now, his wife lives in the five layer house, his house cost RMB1.8m (£130K), in his home village, feels lonely and unstop waiting for his husband and sons. Many families broke as the long time separation. Many his villages mates finally get nothing, no money, no family then, turn to gamble, drug and something else. The whole life is destroyed by the smuggling.
I said to him, the family is the most important than anything else. Life is short, we have to lower our ambition and live in reality. He agreed with me. We seem friends. then, he got off at Bournemouth station and I continued my final journey to Poole. When I played my Su doku, he asked me what it was, I teached him how to play Su doku, he seems very happy.

I have a lot of thoughts. His deep wrinkle, brown coloured face, cautioned eyes show his hard life. I just pray him go home early and gather with his family soon. Buddha, please blesses them all.