A Two-Year Stint in Asia Wraps Up Amid Unfinished Business: A Journal

JEL is going about his business as a professor in Canada when there's a knock on his door one April morning.

The visitor, Royal, is a language instructor in China looking for teaching material, and he finds a treasure trove in JEL's office. But the more consequential aspect of the meeting, for JEL at least, is it reignites his lifelong dream to teach in China.

He chats with Royal who advises him that it would be best for him to go to China if he's serious about securing a position. Once there, he puts him in touch with Min, a university professor who might be able to help him get a job.

JEL returns home feeling great about the trip, but then he gets an ominous call from Royal, who tells him to say good-bye to his teaching plans. "You just can't trust Min anymore," he says, telling him that she'll do whatever it takes to get her Canadian residence permit.

Suddenly, teaching in China has become a lot more complicated, but JEL throws caution to the wind and decides to move forward with his plans.