Looking for a writing desk Ah Cheng does not see himself as an "author in exile" who went overseas for political reasons. Going to America was his own choice, and he did not go there to seek better career opportunities or permanent residence, but just to "find a desk to write at with no-one looking over my shoulder."
阿城自認不是因為政治因素出走的「流亡作家」，到美國的選擇不為在異地求發展、定居等目的，只為「找一張沒人管的書桌」。