Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020 | Page 78

Fiction – Group 4
Zhongshan compared with Hong Kong. All had tall office buildings and nice apartments.
All had drones flying around them.
The only difference was the natural terrain and the culture. Each city had its unique
culture. When the Cultural Department decided early on in the formation of the Greater Bay
Area that the culture of the cities and special administrative regions had to be maintained,
it was a significant move. The Cantonese dialect, being the dominant dialect in the Greater
Canton Area was and still is the main dialect. Even more so than 50 years ago, it was
encouraged to be used and even the migrants from outside Greater Canton have to use it to
get by in daily life.
Shenzhen is the main city. It is futuristic and modern, and home to the tech
entrepreneurs. It surpassed Silicon Valley decades ago in terms of size, innovation, investment
and bright minds. There are tech entrepreneurs in Shenzhen from all over the world. This
is the place to be. Flashy drones, nice houses with wonderful fresh air. Schools and medical
facilities are the best in the whole of the Greater Canton area.
“I’ve got to go now. I’m preparing to go to my Uncle Shek’s tonight,” said Xiao Lu.
“Alright. See you in two weeks’ time!”
Xiao Lu used her left-hand gesture again and out popped the main menu in front of her.
“Drone instructions: Uncle Shek, Foshan.” A robotic voice blared out. “The address has been
programmed in. Departure in 1 hours’ time”. Good. That was enough time to get ready
and dressed.
-1 hour later-
Xiao Lu’s drone appeared parked by her 15th floor window bay. Xiao Lu emerged from
the balcony door and stepped into her drone. The drone sped away as Xiao Lu waved another
shape to lock the balcony door. She was thinking back to her review today of old houses
and apartments and residents fumbling for their keys. She didn’t quite understand why metal
keys were a necessity in those days. If you lost your key you needed to locate a locksmith.
Well, there aren’t many houses that use keys nor are there any locksmiths these days. Today’s
apartments are impervious to burglars, unless they kidnap you and force you to wave your
secret wave codes.
“Time to Foshan 12 minutes.” In the old days by road it would have taken hours. Now
drone travel saves a lot of time for a lot of people.
Xiao Lu continued her review of the old cities in the drone and requested the 3D images
of historical Foshan. An old city, it still had its culture of Cantonese opera and Southern
Martial Arts. Famous Martial artists originated from Foshan. Cantonese opera had seen a
revival in the past 30 years. Xiao Lu thought that these cultural aspects had been kept alive
by those that had the vision to keep handing down these skills and knowledge to the next
generation. With technology advancements, this should even be easier but you never knew
what the masters took to their graves.
Xiao Lu’s drone stopped outside Uncle Shek’s house. Her Uncle Shek used to live in the
old house with a bit of farmland, and later it had been converted into a modern house with
a garden.
“Leave the drone in the garden!” greeted Uncle Shek. They embraced.
“You are getting more beautiful every time I see you, my favourite niece,” he teased her.
“Come. Let’s go to the ancestral temple and pray to your ancestors before we eat.”
Uncle Shek was a traditionalist. Even in the modern times. Joss sticks still were the norm
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