Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 12 | Page 258

“We’re- we’re Emily and Conner Taylor,” Emily replied nervously. The man lowered his gun cautiously but still
kept his eye on the twins. “And you are from?” he asked sinisterly. Conner thought faster than he ever had.
“We’re from France,” Conner replied, making a quick and thoughtful lie.
The man suddenly smiled and tucked his gun back into his belt. “Anyone who is French is a friend! Come join me
for a party in the International Settlement!” he said.
“I’m Ambassador Moreau from France,” he continued. “You can just call me Pierre.” Pierre led Emily and
Conner to a building with the word ‘Paramount’ on it.
The twins walked into a nightclub with fancy silverware, chandeliers and bouquets. In the heart of the room,
there was a grand table surrounded by elegant, majestic chairs.
In the front of all the tables and chairs, there was a large stage with ladies wearing long, swishing dresses, with
fancy feathers stuck to their backs. They each held a feathery fan, and their hair was tied up in fancy styles, adorned
with elegant hairpins and flowers. They were singing and dancing to songs while everyone else drank wine and ate
cheerfully.
A Chinese man was sitting in one of the tables. “Sun, let me introduce you to my friends, Emily and Conner
Taylor,” Pierre introduced. “Emily and Conner, this is my friend Sun.”
Suddenly, everything started to snap in place. Pierre was one of the French people who had occupied land in
Shanghai, and ‘Sun’ was Sun Yatsen , father of modern China!
After quite a few glasses of wine, Pierre’s eyes began to droop and he started to sleep. Emily and Conner knew that
Sun Yatsen was a very trustworthy person, so they began to tell Sun their situation.
After explaining what had happened, Sun’s eyes opened wide and he stared at them in awe.
“I know it seems unbelievable, but it’s true,” Emily said. “Please believe us.”
Sun looked at her pleading face. “Well, for a fact, I believe you and I know what you’re saying is true. I can tell
you two are not lying, and are of good heart. I shall help you.” Sun answered.
Sun, Emily and Conner quietly tiptoed out of the dining room, careful not to wake Pierre.
Once they left Paramount, Sun brought the twins to Yuyuan Garden, “Have you eaten Shanghai’s famous xiao
long bao yet?” he asked. Emily and Conner shook their heads. “You have to!” said Sun.
Sun led them inside a nearby restaurant with traditional Chinese decorations. The twins and Sun sat at a small
wooden table. A man smiled mysteriously at Emily and Conner and served their tea. Emily and Conner drank a
sip. Their throats felt tingly.
Suddenly, a circle of golden light surrounded them. It began to suck them into its warm wrath. As Emily and
Conner were finally sucked into it, Conner shouted, “THANKS SUN!”
Emily and Conner were back inside Starbucks. Their mother and father walked over to their table with their
drinks. Emily and Conner glanced at the clock. Barely any time had passed!
Conner whispered to Emily, “I’m happy we could visit the old Shanghai streets. It’s so much better than
Disneyland!”