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If you believe in numerology, you will believe in the mystical relationship between numbers and events. The two figures, “123” and “689” keeps appearing at the beginning of this year." For example, the “6.89 million votes” in Taiwan this January completely changed its fate. Another example, on 1.23 (January 23), HKU held a Forum on “Halls and Society” which touched on the topic of student movements. That same day, the HKU Students’ Strike Organizing Committee also organized a general meeting to discuss class boycott. Still another example, the students finally decided to strike on Week 1 Day 2 (Tuesday) of the new semester, and my first lecture was to be held the following day, which is Day 3 of the week (Wednesday). I had to reflect on the question of teacher striking versus student class boycott…

However, the most recent “123” event might well be HKU’s “University Life Trio” held on January 31. On that day, more than a thousand parents from all walks of life gathered at the Grand Hall in our new campus to attend the “123” event, when parents, teachers and students shared their experiences and concerns of university life.

The event began with a string trio performed by three students, followed by an opening speech by the President, a key-note by a Vice-President and an introduction of “Trio” by the Dean of Student Affairs… Between the lines, the students were often compared to a violin in a string trio, parents to a viola, and the university to a cello, and together they combined into one ensemble piece of university life.

I attended the “Trio” event as a warden. At the tea reception, I had a little chat with a gentle mother…

“I am very happy that my daughter was just admitted into HKU.”

“When I was small, I lived in government low-cost housing, my whole family spoke foul languages at home, we were all used to it.”

“Now, my two children are both university students, and my family has become more cultured.”

“I am very worried about the student strikes and protests. Although my family is poor, we can still distinguish between black and white. We support democracy, but we now hate to see people speaking foul languages.”

“I asked my daughter: Can you ignore other matters and make study your first priority?”

“My daughter replied by asking: I am enjoying public funding, to gain knowledge and to learn what is right and wrong. Should I not stand firm on what is right?”

“I, as a mum, was convinced, I could only remind my daughter by saying, ‘Be careful and be reasonable, go and do what you should do.’ ”.

After a while, the mother said, “I can tell that the student leaders are all gentle people, they do not speak foul languages. I am relieved now. It is not easy to retain one’s composure under such heat.” I can tell from her words that she earnestly cares about her children, and she has lots of touching experiences to share.

As mentioned in my last “blunt words”, “I still consider it important for intellectuals to maintain a polite and civilized mentality, even when facing bullies and hypocrites, in order to convince people with reasons and self-demonstration”. My views seem to have been echoed by this mother. It is never easy for the young and vigorous to hold their temper, remain calm and not to fight back, when provoked by outside bullies and inside vices.

Our system has toppled. Those in power are using every bit of power they have. What can we do when nearly everything has been incorporate into one troop and become hegemony? Fortunately, we still have a lot of parents with caring hearts and a lovely generation of youngsters with a pure heart and mind. If “123” represents the start of purity and “689” represents the ultimate use of power, I would rather remain simple and naive for the rest of my life.