Shanghai Mysteries
Peak School , Papp , Dorottya ( Dorika ) – 9
I
t was a dark and gloomy afternoon in 1934 and panic was seeping into the helpless minds of the people in
Shanghai . A loud cry came from the Square in the center of town . “ Come back with my lunch !” Shouted a man , looking angrily at a little boy running down the crowded streets . The little boy was dressed in an ugly , beige rag that looked like paper . He had shaggy , black hair , and bright green eyes filled with terror . He was incredibly fast considering how small he was . He found his hideaway in just over a minute . When he reached the small shack , a guard was talking to a friend . “ Apparently , there is a organization named ‘ RED DRAGON ’ who is very much ready to do whatever they want to destroy China . They are rumored to have a plot to kill the emperor and let Japan take over ,” said the guard . “ Ha ! Yeah right . Like they ’ ll get past us !” replied his friend . But the little boy just sat in wonder . Just because he was a petty thief didn ’ t mean he was cruel . His thoughts wandered off to what would happen if Japan took over . Child slaves , blood on the streets . The boy shuddered at the thought of it . “ I was just joking ! Don ’ t take this seriously Liang Liang ! Like there is such thing as the RED DRAGON ,” said the guard . They both laughed like that was the funniest thing in the world . The boy figured this was no joke . He was not completely sure , but his gut was telling him that this is all true . The guards were walking away , but another figure could be seen in the horizon . “ General Kong .” said the shocked Liang Liang . “ Why is your daughter here ?” “ She is going to guard the area for 20 minutes . Now , get away before I kill you !” The two guards backed away then ran into the distant village . “ You be a good girl Zhang Xiu Yang . I ’ ll be back in 20 minutes .” The girl nodded and turned her head towards the young man . She didn ’ t see him , but he could see her . She had glossy black hair in a bun with some hanging at the back of her head , a majestic flower called the ‘ eve ’ placed on the side of her pale face , a long blue purple and white ombré gown with sleeves that droop to the ground , and in her hands she held a brown stick which looked like she could kill ogres and Giants with . The young lad was shocked . The girl was so beautiful ! She turned her head towards him and shouted , “ Who are you ? What are you doing here ?” “ I .. I .. I ’ m Li Jie .” “ Hero ,” whispered the girl , “ I ' m sorry I interrupted whatever you ' re doing right now , it ' s just my father , he ' s letting me look after the area . He ' s the chief of the army .” “ Well all I know is that you live up to your name , since it ’ s beautiful and brave .” “ Why thank you Li Jie . No one ’ s ever noticed that before . For 12 years in a row I ' ve not been able to get the appreciation I deserve . They think I ' m just a little prissy princess . Well let me tell you I ' m not afraid to put it through your brain . If , you know , you didn ' t say I was brave and beautiful .” “ Zhang Xiu Yang , I have something to tell you . But first , do you want to fight and battle evil gangs ?” “ Uhh , isn ' t that what I ' ve been talking about ?’ “ Okay , but with this , don ' t tell anyone , I mean anyone .” Li Jie explained what he heard from the guards . The girl just kept nodding and nodding . She said ‘ uh huh ’ sometimes , but mostly she just listened . “ Hmmm .” Thought the girl . “ I did hear about mysterious gang stealing from the rich . Luckily not from me and my family . Yet . I suppose they ’ re going to- ” She couldn ’ t finish because her father was coming towards her . “ Quickly , go . Before my father sees you !” Li Jie ran inside the small shack , out of sight of general Kong . Now that he came closer , he could see the rusty armor on the old man . “ My dear Zhang Xiu Yang , you ’ re growing up too fast ! No one even came near you .” “ Thank you father …” replied Zhang Xiu Yang . The girl took general Kong ’ s hand and they both walked into the horizon .
The next morning was dreadful . Hundreds , no THOUSANDS of people were screaming in the streets all over Shanghai . Nobody knew why though . As Li Jie was taking his daily stroll through the streets to see what he could