Dear Maggie,

I am a university student. I'm also in Beijing. Actually I'm in my last year. University life is exciting, and I've lived three wonderful years here in my university. But as I step into this new life ahead, I will be leaving something very valuable behind: my heart. In my second year I met a wonderful man. We have been da
ting ever since. But we have been dating secretly because he also happens to be my professor. I do realize, to some extent, this may be a wrong thing. This isn't why I'm writing to you for help though.

I heard from a few friends that he is dating another girl from another department. I felt my heart was crushed. I thought I was special. He told me that he loved me. It seems to me that it is a lie. And because I can't tell my friends about my despair, I'm lost and I need help. Have you fallen in love? Can you help me? Please tell me what to do.

Love,
Lost Soul

Dear Lost Soul,

First of all... I like the name you chose for yourself. Maybe you were trying not to give your identity. But the name you've given yourself speaks louder than you think. You seem to be confused about love. I'm not sure if I could help you in this department, since I haven't fallen in this trap myself. And when I say trap,I mean love. (No, Lost Soul, I do not discriminate against love and lovers.) Sometimes you have to watch where you lay your heart. Although I do not encourage a relationship between a'teacher' and a student, I do not know enough about your relationship to judge. The teacher-student love story is an old one. But it's rational is also controversial. Is it correct for a teacher, who is entrusted with embodied fragile innocence, to take advantage of this for his/her personal pleasure? It's debatable. And many countries around the world have laws against it for the protection of the youngsters? I don't say that what you are doing is necessarily wrong, Lost Soul. But I hope you and your love weren't acting hasty when you did hook up.

Love is a tricky thing. And if you aren't careful, you may suffer great consequences. I do not know who your love is. And I do not know if the rumors about him are true or not. And before you do act rash, you should know if what you heard about him is true. Then you act upon that. It seems to me that he is a very charming
fellow, since his personal life is included in female students?nbsp;gossip. And handsome young professors are always on the minds of students. So it's not unusual if this may be a story that has been cooked up by one of your female schoolmates. This does not mean he is not loyal. Go up to him and ask him. See what he has to say to this. Maybe it isn't true. One is innocent until one is proven guilty!

Maggie