Many things have changed when I started studying at U of I. The campus was in Champaign, more than 2 hours drive away from home. During the week, I slept in the dorms and returned home for the weekends. After the second week, Dad asked me how I was adjusting to the new academic environment. I said it was OK. He stared at me for a long moment but remained silent.

On the following weekend, at dinner time, Dad said, "Leon, the company hired a lady to take care of our finances. I invited her for dinner at a restaurant tomorrow. I told her my son would likely join us,...