As Seen From My Kitchen Window

Sometimes, after the school bell rings, two lovers linger on the concrete slab below our apartment.

She appears almost prepubescent in a baggy school sweatsuit. He's thicker and older, casually dressed for university classes. They sit shoulder to shoulder while she takes supper from a carry-out box. Once she's through, he pulls her over, cups her face and kisses her. She shoves him back, whacks him, scolds him. But he knows she liked it. They linger and kiss, and kiss, with intermittent text messaging.

Among urban Chinese middle and upper-middle classes, it's unusual for a high schooler to date a college student. Any real dating in high school and college is uncommon. Students are much too busy preparing for high-pressure exams. They don't have expendable time, freedom, or cars. The most socially acceptable and common period for this demographic to seriously date is after college graduation. Even so there are exceptions.

She stands up and makes a few steps towards home. He catches her arm, pulls her around, tips her head back again. They advance along the street reluctantly, pausing every few strides for another kiss.