Feng Ping, University of Warsaw

Sometimes, travel enriched his experience. He just wished that time could stop there, so that he could devote himself to his deity.

I found myself to have a lot of common topics with him. We talked about religions, about international relations, about politics, and even about our personal lives. Once, I happened to tell him that I could play Chinese chess. It surprised him. He insisted I teach him how to play. He said in South Korea, they also had a Chess game, similar to Chinese chess, but the rules were a little different.

“Okay. That’s fine. How about walking to the center of Warsaw, and finding a cafe? We can play chess there,” I suggested. It was already June in Warsaw. The weather was extremely good. There were more sunshine days than rainy days. I wanted to walk in the street, and at the same time to lose weight.

“No problem. But it takes an hour’s walk towards the city center. Aren’t you tired?”

“Not at all. I like walking,” I laughed.

“You are quite different from South Korean ladies. Korean girls don’t like walking under the sun for a long time.”

I laughed, and took it as a compliment.

We reached the cafe. I briefly told him the rules of Chinese chess, and he grasped the essence in just a few minutes. Then we started our game.

“Now it is an international chess competition between Chinese and South Korean players,” he joked.

“I am just a beginner of chess,” I hurried to say. “I don’t want to compete with you.”

“I am just joking,” he laughed.

He was very quick, and intelligent. After a few games, he could win without too much trouble. I was a bit tired, and lay on the chair, enjoying the music in the cafe.

“To be honest, I would rather become a writer instead of a chess player. I always play chess, but I am always a loser,” I said.

“Do you like writing? “Mr. Park opened his eyes. “Do you know in the future, writers will have one competitor in writing.”

“I don’t know. What is that?”

“AI,” Mr. Park said half seriously.

“Ah. Al. But they are controlled by human beings.”

“No, they will defeat human beings. Now they can even write poetry, which means they have human’s emotions.”

I laughed.