The New Tales of Old Shanghai
Singapore International School ( Hong Kong ), Chan , Shelby – 11
H
umans are basically living , breathing books . They are complex , intricate , elaborate , just like books . There are an unceasing amount of them , just like books . Their lives are interesting stories , just like books . They are categorized into many genres , just like books .
One of them , your typical , regular person . Your typical , regular person sees with their eyes . Your typical , regular person hears with their ears . Your typical , regular person is probably a friendly extrovert . Your typical , regular person , well , they just live their lives .
Another , observers . Observers watch with their eyes . Observers listen with their ears . Observers are reserved introverts . Observers , well , they observe , and analyse , of course .
There ’ s a immeasurable difference between them . Watching is different from seeing . Listening is different from hearing . An introvert is different from an extrovert . Living a normal life is different from observing and analysing .
I am an observer , forever observing . Even if I choose not to observe , I have absolutely nothing to do . It ’ s not like I , an orphan whose parents abandoned her , can actually afford to go to any sort of school , be it the prim and proper type of school , or be it the cheap , rowdy and loud type of school . There ’ s no way I , one of the lower class people , who stay hidden in the shadows and only get acknowledge by rats and cockroaches scurrying the battered alleyways , can possibly get into an actually educational school . Say , I do get into one , but I , being the introvert who lost all interest in ever trusting anyone after being left on a street to fend for herself , could never make friends . And soon I will get bullied - those relentless students will first get thrilled , and unwrap me , expose me , as if I was a gum wrapper , then they will chew me , a five cent piece of sugary gum , leading to them losing interest and regarding me as worthless , along with tossing me away .
Something just around the corner catches my eye .
I manage a quiet run to the edge of the building , and inquisitively peek over it . I observe as one of the wealthy Shanghainese standing suspiciously close to a beggar survey his surroundings carefully before dropping a sealed envelope onto the ground and striding away . I observe as the supposed “ beggar ” does the same , scanning the area before deeming it clear , then proceeding to crouch down and stand up again , with the envelope clutched tightly in hand , all happening in a split second you would not even notice if you were not originally paying attention . He rips apart the envelope , skims through its contents , proceeding to tuck it into his worn out pocket , and heads off towards the same direction the wealthy Shanghainese did . I , too , follow along , staying wary of my surroundings and making sure to steer clear of others , keeping my eyes darting back and forth , once again , doing what I do best - observing .
" Don ' t you get sick of doing that everyday ?" A silvery voice says , and I swear to all the Gods in this universe you could name that I am not lying when I say I leap metres into the air . I whirl around and scowl with a face that will make even the strictest and harshest war soldiers proud , directed at , of course , the discourteous intruder .
“ Sorry , currently busy , maybe later .” I mindlessly say in a tone which clearly conveys a simple message that even the most idiotic of idiots will get - “ By ‘ maybe later ’ I mean centuries later when we are both in heaven , so don ’ t ever speak to me again and leave me alone .” Darn , the two Shanghainese men are gone .