As I looked around in horror, I heard the sound of the lock on the outside door turning.
I leapt out of bed, put on my shirt and stared at the door. As I looked around, wondering if I should prepare a weapon, the door opened.
A tall young man stood at the door looking at me, blocking a piece of sunlight behind him, but his face was smiling: "You Awake?"
His accent was so strong that I almost didn't recognize it as Chinese at first.
This is the first time I met Zheng. He is a Thai, but his ancestors came from China.
He says his ancestors were part of the anti-ming movement, but were cornered by the Qing government off the coast of Fujian, so they sailed south all the way to Thailand.
I feel like I'm hearing a story.
He said that this is what China often calls the Southern Ocean.
Forgive my ignorance, I always thought that Nanyang is in Singapore there. Zheng Lin said he picked me up on the street, along with my suitcase.
I didn't know what else to say.
"You don't have to thank me." He smiled a little, then sat down across from me and looked at me with some regret. "But I couldn't find your bag, or... you didn't bring your bag?"
He asked the latter question with some uncertainty.
Of course I brought my bag.
So, my bag was stolen...
Well, it never rains but it pours.
Fortunately, the blessing of Ma Yun, a few days of life in Thailand can be fully supported by Alipay.
But the biggest problem now is that my passport is in my bag, which means I can't check into a hotel, and I can't go home.
That's the worst news of the day!
After a few seconds of contemplation, I brazenly asked Zheng Lin: "Although I am very sorry, but can you let me stay at your house for a few days?? I need to apply for a new passport."
Without waiting for him to speak, I quickly added, "I'll pay the rent! And I can sleep on the floor!"
Zheng Lin's house is very small, than I have seen the ordinary single apartment is also small, in fact, just a room, the door placed a small rice cooker, it seems that usually do not cook.
There's a tiny bathroom inside.
Zheng Lin seems not at all surprised that I would say so. It seems that he guessed that my bag was stolen.
"You can stay here and not sleep on the floor, because I need to work at night, but I need to sleep in the bed during the day," he said, in less fluent Chinese.
I am very grateful, just ask him: "Money... Do you have Alipay."
He smiled again: "I do not have Alipay."
"Then... I'll think of something. Oh, right, my name is Cheng Xia. And, thank you."
He smiled and yawned. It seemed that it was because of the night shift last night.
I am relieved that the problem of living has been solved.
While Zheng Lin was sleeping, I had to go to the police station to report the loss of my passport.
After leaving the police station, I went to 711 for a pile of groceries and instant noodles,and my way back across the bustling Padang coast.
Sitting alone under a giant coconut tree, I opened a can of beer and began to drink.
Looking at the various skin colors of the people happy look, I gradually forget the inner those tangled and uncomfortable.
Blowing the sea breeze drinking wine, time seems to pass especially on the land.
It happened to be on the west coast, and I sat there until sunset, when I realized it was time to go back.
Back to Zheng Lin's residence,found the door closed, I just remembered Zheng Lin said night work.
Now what? I forgot to leave his contact information, I don't have his house key, and all my luggage is in it!