Good morning, XD. This Blog is for you, in case you see it.

As a freelancer, I am always willing to be extra helpful. In fact, being helpful must be in my blood, plus my 18-year education in China, for I was truly "made in China." That's how I started my editing business six years ago, to help my colleagues publish papers in English. Of course, I even question myself from time to time whether or not my friendly manner may be driven by my business goal; I guess it's hard to separate the two now as long as I remain a freelancer.

Being helpful is also a reason I get along with most of my clients. I am rewarded by many "Thank-You," plus payments for my work.

I get along with most of my cleints, partly because many of them are my collegues/friends whom I have known for ages. Sometimes, new clients come to me because they heard about me, which is happening more and more these days. Getting paid in USD is still a problem, because it's must easier for my Chinese clients to pay RMB. When they pay in USD, I have to pay bank fees, sometimes twice because a few banks in China deduct fees from the payment without telling my clients.

That is why I was shocked when I saw extra USD11 from a new client. I emailed her and joked about being tipped. She wrote me back and said she just wanted to make sure I get paid without a cent less. And she told me to get a cup of coffee, and wished me happy all the time.

What a nice surprise from someone I have never met! Yes, XD, I will go get some latte today, and save the 2nd cup until we meet!