The sudden disappearance of Mr. Zheng, the school director, set in motion a series of events that would test Love’s resilience and ultimately teach her the profound power of silence. When Mr. Chang, the 56-year-old school owner, began searching for new leadership due to unresolved conflicts and his expanding business interests, an unexpected opportunity emerged.
After Ms. Jiang declined the offer to purchase the after-school learning center, Mr. Chang approached Love. “I was shocked. I thought he must be kidding and was overestimating my ability,” she recalls. Despite lacking sufficient capital, Love’s enthusiasm led to a “rent to own” arrangement, allowing her to retain profits while paying annual rent.
Under Love’s leadership, the center flourished, growing from 70 to over 100 students. Her business philosophy was elegantly simple: “While business is about making a profit, business is also about people and knowing how to offer the best service at an affordable cost.” This approach not only increased enrollment but fostered deep connections with families who began bringing gifts and treats as tokens of appreciation.
However, success brought unexpected challenges. Mr. Chang’s demeanor shifted dramatically, making additional demands and setting higher expectations not outlined in their original agreement. “It seemed like he had become a different person I didn’t know,” Love reflects. His surprise visits to review financial records created mounting anxiety, particularly given Love’s self-admitted challenges with organizational details.
“The sense of being taken advantage of and treated unfairly didn’t just make me feel helpless and furious; it brought me a deep sense of humiliation and hurt,” Love shares. Even having her boyfriend present during Mr. Chang’s visits provided little protection, as language barriers prevented effective intervention.
In seeking a solution, Love turned to books on communication strategies. “I’ve always believed that ‘knowledge is power,’ a mantra my father instilled in us as we grew up,” she notes. A pivotal discovery emerged: the power of maintaining direct eye contact in silence as a nonverbal weapon. This revelation proved transformative during her next confrontation with Mr. Chang.
“Despite his piercing gaze that seemed to aim at my vulnerability, I persisted in locking my eyes on his, never wavering,” Love recounts. The impact was immediate and profound: “Within seconds, his speech faltered, and he began to stumble over his words. At that moment, I realized I had triumphed over the fear, obligation, and guilt that his manipulative behavior provoked in me.”
This silent resistance represented more than just a business strategy; it marked a personal breakthrough. “Through the power of silence, I had found my voice; through wisdom, I had freed myself from the shadow of my old father,” Love reflects. The situation was ultimately resolved through mutual agreement to terminate the contract, guided by the Chinese philosophical principle to “start well and end well.”
The experience taught Love that sometimes the most powerful response isn’t found in words but in stillness. As Lao Tzu wisely observed, “To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” Through this challenging period, Love discovered that true strength often lies not in confrontation but in composed, dignified silence.
Discover more wisdom and transformative stories in “Grow in the Dark” by Amy Love. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, iTunes & Kobo.
