Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 210

Ching Shih. Sadly, Ching Yi died a few years ago, in 1807. Ching Shih has taken over the fleet and is an extremely
successful leader. Perhaps even better than Ching Yi ever was.
Cruelty and Kindness - Tales from Old Shanghai
Harrow International School Hong Kong, Joseph-Hui, Lexi - 10
M
any moons ago, in the bustling city of Shanghai, a 12-year old girl named Lin Lin Yang was stacking boxes
in a small, dusty room. The room was in of one of the city's famous tailoring shops, and stored some of
Shanghai's most expensive silk.
Carefully, Lin folded the silk into boxes, each labelled by a card describing their vivid colour. Her back ached. Not
only did she work there, she also slept on the stone cold floor with only one blanket. Lin had lived in this shop for
five years, ever since her parents sold her to master tailor, Kuat, for 88 dollars.
"Get back to work!" yelled Mr Kuat . Suddenly, she snapped back into reality. She had to labour for Mr Kuat,
probably the cruellest and most selfish man China had ever met. Lin squeezed her eyes shut and tried not to cry.
Ding! Ding!
A middle aged man with a cotton suit and a beautiful chestnut coloured briefcase strode into the room. He had
creamy white skin and a moustache the same colour as his briefcase. His eyes were blue. She stared.
"He looks so elegant," Lin murmured. She sat quietly in the corner and watched the mantle about how he wanted
a magnificent silk dress for his beloved wife.
"You see," the man said, "My wife and I will be attending the royal ball."
By now Mr Kuat was purring with delight.
"Lin! Fetch a cup of golden blossom tea for our fine gentleman. And use our best porcelain."
Lin came out of the room, gently balancing a cup on a delicate plate. She looked up at the man, noticing his
twinkling eyes. Surely, he thought, a girl this age would not be working.
"Is this little girl your daughter?" he asked Mr.Kuat. He was shocked and saddened to see that she had dark purple
shadows under her eyes and she was so thin you could see her ribs sticking out.
"Here," he said to Lin, "Drink this tea."
"No!" barked Mr Kwat.
"Why not?" asked the man.
Mr Kuat snarled. He was acting polite and sweet, but his true colours were showing.
"She's not my daughter, she's merely a servant!" he growled. He said the word daughter as if someone would say the
word manure.
"I see," said the Englishman. He went straight on to discuss his ideas for the dress, building his vision for a lavender
gown.
Mr Kuat nodded at every suggestion, sending Lin to and from the store room to fetch materials. Soon, the dress was
designed and the business deal was settled.