This wise old man, sees Adrien on his own. He walks over to him. 

"What you have on your mind there?"  The old man says to him. 

"Nothing, that would concern you."  Adrien says.   "
Oh, so it is indeed a woman then."  the wise old man says.  "

yes, but how did you know?" 

"Don't worry, how I came upon this knowledge.  I am just an old, wise man."  the man says.

    Adrien wonders, how does the old man seem to know that I think about Marinette daily?  I mean it is not as if I told anyone.  I never even told Marinette how I feel let alone anyone else. He sighs as he puts his face in his lap.

   "Listen, young man the best way to her heart is to be patient with her, to be yourself, and to never let anyone else bring her harm!"  The wise, old man says.

  "What?  How am I to let her know, how I feel?"  Adrien says.

   "Trust me, in time, she will know.  In time she will respond to your feelings." The wise old man says.

    "Look, mister, I appreciate your advice, but how can she respond to my feelings when she has no idea how I feel?   I  mean, I try to show her, but I am not really good at this sort of thing. Also, there is someone else who also likes the same girl." Adrien says.

    "I see, well, I must admit this makes it harder for you, yes.  Harder indeed, but not impossible."  The wise, old man says.

   " There is no way a woman like her could ever see anything in a guy like me!"  Adrien protest.

   "Oh, why not?  She is friends with you, yes?"  The wise, old man says. 

    "Yes, I suppose, but..."Adrien says.

   "Well, then, Adrien Agreste, I suggest you take the advice I have already given you. Try not to worry so much!"  The wise, old man who calls himself Fu says.

   "Oh, kind sir, what may I call you?"  Adrien ask.

  "Oh, call me Mr. Fu!"  the old man responds.

  "Ok, then, nice to meet you Mr. Fu!" Adrien says.

   "Nice to meet you too, Adrien!"  Mr. Fu says.

  "How do you know my name!  I didn't tell it too you." Adrien says.

  "Well,well, that is for me to know and for you never to find out."  Mr. Fu says.

   " Oh, and Adrien, I can see why you love this Marinette person!" Mr. Fu says.

   Adrien stares at him with his mouth wide open. He knows he never once said her name out loud in front of this stranger, yet the man seems to know a lot about him already.  He figures the man would know the name of the woman he loves as well.

    "Oh, and why is that?"  Adrien says.

   "Simple, she is not a foolish, flirty girl like the others, she does not want to be with you because of fame, or fortune. She is kind, she is smart, and funny. She looks up too you since you helped her with that horrible creepy guy that one time." Mr. Fu says.

   "You know that I rescued her?  I never told anyone about this, not even Luka."  Adrien says.

   "Ah, yes!  Luka, the other lifeguard, boy. He is a fine young man. Fine indeed.  It is not he who holds the heart of the young woman. Oh, no! "  Mr. Fu says.

   "What? What do you mean, she does have a thing for Luka?"  Adrien says.

   "Oops, sorry, I believe I have said too much already. I must take my leave now."  Mr. Fu says.

     As Mr. Fu leaves, Adrien shakes his head. He thinks that the old man is one strange man. Why the very idea, that Marinette does not love Luka, why is it crazy?  That is what!  There is no way Mr. Fu could be right, or could he?  If so, then who is the one who holds her heart?  What did Mr. Fu mean that in time she would realize his feelings?  He ponders all the things the man told him.  He goes over the entire speech in his head over and over again.

     Meanwhile, Mr. Fu sees a young, blue-haired woman on her own. He smiles as he approaches her next. He does not tell her he has just spoken to Adrien. This would only complicate things more.  So, he keeps his mouth shut about his conversation with the young, surfer boy.

     "Why good day to you Miss Marinette!"  Mr. Fu says.

    "Good day to you, too sir,"  Marinette says.

    "What seems to be on your mind?"  Mr. Fu says.

   "I don't believe that is any concern of yours,"  Marinette says.

   "Why it is a young man is it not?"  Mr. Fu says.

   "Wait, how did you know?"  Marinette says.

   "Oh, so you don't deny it?" Mr.  Fu says.

    "Why should I?  What good would it do me?"  Marinette says. She thinks him to be a funny, old man indeed.

  "Well, then, what seems to trouble you?"  Mr. Fu says.

   "It is just that I am friends with these two young men. One works closely with me regularly and the other has a different job altogether."  Marinette says.

   "Oh, I see.  Why does this bother you then?"  Mr. Fu says.

   "It is just that I can tell the one I work with likes me. Only I am not sure how I feel about him."  Marinette says.

   "Hmm, yes indeed!  Well, what about the blonde one?"  Mr. Fu says.

   "The blonde one?  Oh, you mean Adrien?"  Marinette says. As she says Adrien's name she appears to have a far-off look about her.

   "Yes, him!"  Mr. Fu says.

   "What about him?  We are friends, but..." Marinette says.

   "But what?"  Mr. Fu says.

  "Oh, nothing. Nothing you would understand anyway."  Marinette says.

   "You are in love with him, are you not?"  Mr. Fu says.

   "What?  Are you crazy?  What makes you think you can say such a thing?"  Marinette says.

   "Believe me, Marinette!  I am a wise, old man called Mr. Fu." Mr. Fu says.

    "Yes, so old man, what does that have to do with it?"  Marinette says.

    "I can tell you love this Adrien.   I can tell when you speak his name, and the blush on your face when I talk about him with you."  Mr. Fu says.

   "Fine, so what?  It is not like he could ever feel the same for me,"  Marinette says.

   " Oh, I would not be so sure about that young lady," Mr. Fu responds

     "What?  Why?  what has he said about me?"  Marinette says.

    "Sorry, I must allow you to find out these sorts of things on your own,"  Mr. Fu says.

    "Ugh, what is the point in your conversation with me if it only confuses me more?"  Marinette says.

      "Confuses you in what way?"  Mr. Fu says.

    "Well, Adrien is great.  He is a real friend to me. He even saved my life once!  Then, there is Luka who I work with and I can tell he likes me.  I am just not sure what I think about him."  Marinette says.

      "Only, I think, I am taken with Adrien.  Okay, you were right the first time, I love him!"  Marinette says. She blushes and cries at the same time.

     "Marinette, don't cry over some boy.  I advise you to be yourself and in time you will find out his feelings."  Mr. Fu says.

    "What?  How will this help when so many others flirt with him and throw themselves at him all the time?"   Marinette asks.

   "That is true, but his heart is not with these girls. He holds a special place for someone." Mr. Fu says.

   "What?  He loves someone.  Who?  Who has taken his heart?"  Marinette says.

   "I can't say. That is not my place to tell, Marinette!"  Mr. Fu says.

   "Then, go!  Leave me alone, I don't want to talk to you anymore!" Marinette says.

    "I am sorry to have upset you. That was not my intent, young lady.  Look, trust me!  Take my advice in time you will find happiness,"  Mr. Fu says as he leaves.

     Marinette thinks, the old man, sure is one strange person.  His words make sense in a way, yet they puzzle me.  What did he mean, that I would find happiness if I followed his advice?  How?  It is not as if  Adrien could ever feel the same for me.   I mean it.  The wise old man might be right about many things, but Adrien could never love me.

     Marinette ponders over the entire speech Mr. Fu just gave her. She thinks, it is strange.   The conversation troubles her.

  to be continued in Chapter 9  Adrien's  Father Comes for a Visit?

Published in 2020 Edited January 31, 2023, and Edited August 5, 2024