Only the old Chairman seemed to understand. He had a warm paternal smile that made Wan feel loved.

Wan knew not to expect good news, and knowing his weakness for showing his emotions, Wan rehearsed endlessly for the week before the meeting how he would smile and thank the Dean for his wise guidance even though Wan knew he was sunk.

THE GREAT MARCH BY CHARLES LOWE 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 18

Wan wore a brown thinly threaded suit and sat on a couch wi…