Life of a Boy

... somewhere in mainland China ...

“Hubby, I am pregnant!”
“Good. I will take you to Hong Kong to give birth. They have better facilities and they don’t ask so many questions.”

... Later, in a hospital in Hong Kong ...

“Doctor, is it a boy or a girl?”
“It looks like it is a boy, but the ultrasound image is not very clear. It is too early. We have to wait until the 14th or 15th week to be sure.”
“Is there some way that we can find out now?”
“Well, we can draw some blood and do a DNA test.”
“Why don’t you tell us earlier? Please do that, now.”
...
“Congratulations, you are going to have a girl.”
“A girl, and you congratulate me? Are you trying to make fun of me? We were hoping to get a boy. Now all our plans are ruined. We are going back to China now. And you can cancel our appointment to give birth.”
“Why? Where are you going to give birth? What are you going to do with the baby?”
“That is our business. You are just a doctor. There is no need for you to know.”

... One year later, the couple is back in Hong Kong, with the wife pregnant again ...

“Doctor, please do a DNA test and tell us whether it is going to be a boy.”
...
“Congratulations! You are going to have a boy.”
“Great. Here is a big fat Lai See for you. Now make sure my boy is delivered safely.”

... 10 years later ...

“You are so fortunate. Your son is so smart and so good looking.”
“Yeah. He is OK. But it is not due to luck. We worked hard to get such a good boy.”
“What is your secret?
“Actually it is no secret. I have many friends who did the same thing. And now they all get boys.”

... another 10 years ...

“Hey, why are you playing computer games again. Don’t you have better things to do?”
“This is fun. Besides, I have nothing else to do.”
“Why don’t you go out wth your friends.”
“There is no need for us to go out. We can all staying at home. We can still meet on line and play collaborative games through the Internet.”

... yet another 10 years ...

“Son, when are you going to get married?”
“How do I know? I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
“How come?”
“I don’t have a filthy rich father. And my father is not a high level government official with special connections and privileges. How can I attract the girls?”
“But not very man is rich or highly placed. There must be some girls who are not so materialistic.”
“Are you kidding? Don’t you know how many men are around these days? And how few women? Each girl can choose among 10 men these days. Who would you choose if you were a girl? A poor man or a rich man? A worker or an official? You know, it is all your fault.”
“Why is it my fault?”
“Why aren’t you rich? Why aren’t you a government official? Why did you have me when you were not in a position to ensure I have a good future? The least you could’ve done was to ensure your friends had girls.”

“...”