Taiwanese illustrator Jimmy Liao's graphic novel A Chance of Sunshine occupies a special place in Stefan Harfich's collection of books. Sunshine, which was adapted into the 2003 Hong Kong movie Turn Left, Turn Right, touched the hearts of many with its tale of a couple leading parallel lives who become attracted to each other after a chance meeting but are constantly kept apart by odd twists of fate. But for Harfich, the story holds exceptional meaning because it reminds him very much of his own.
The regional treasurer for a multinational company, Harfich relocated from Germany a decade ago and soon afterwards met his wife, Li Ching, on a tram. Li was feeling ill and came close to fainting, so he offered his seat.
'I was quite upset as many passengers saw me but didn't help. He was reading the newspaper and noticed my pale face as he turned the page. He didn't think twice before giving me his seat. He's pretty kind-hearted,' Li says.
Harfich doesn't remember the date, but Li does, as she marked the incident in her diary: January 7, 2002. Both lived in Happy Valley at the time and ran into each other three months later at a tram stop. They struck up a pleasant conversation, exchanged e-mail addresses and kept in touch.
Then abruptly, his messages to her work and personal e-mail addresses met with complete silence.
'I also didn't meet her any more on the tram,' Harfich recalls. 'I was quite sad about that. I'd given up, thinking it happens in life sometimes. I was under the assumption that she didn't want to reply any more.'