Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 103

One Family
Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Ma, Tuen Hang Luann - 11
"Tap, tap…" her fingers danced briskly over the cold plastic keys like a troupe of dancers. How
soothing the sun was while returning to the welcoming embrace of its home. Mei watched this charismatic
scene intently, mesmerized, as the rich warm hues of colours blended together… Lowering her head, she
could undoubtedly locate it with ease -- there, the Five Rams Statue.
"Mei, the Five Rams Statue!" the tremulous but caressing voice said. Mei held dear onto this
memory when her grandma first brought the toddler her to the sculpture’s foot. Despite the Yuexiu Hill
was a challenge for her tiny legs, she looked up in awe at this emblem which Guangzhou proudly boasted -
- the biggest ram, poised, confident, seemingly searching for its dream while the other four enveloped it
harmoniously. She was all ears while listening to Grandma’s tale of how these five immortals saved
Guangzhou, and Mei was determined that her dream was to do the world some good too. Her phone’s
beeping interrupted her reverie, so she let her vision soak up the graciousness of the blue sky outside her
office of the World Trade Centre and murmured, "I’d chase my dream, and soon, I’d be one of the biggest
rams in the world." Indeed, she was carrying out this desperate ambition and to fulfill that, she had to offer
the best solution to global warming.
**********
A whimsical yet mechanical tone rang out from behind Kei, "Ms. Chiang, how may I help you?"
Kei burst out, her voice nearly screeching. "I’ve already told you for the umpteenth time, for
goodness sake, just find a method, no matter what it takes, for me to gain access to the supercomputer
Sunway TaihuLight 3! I need to know what my nemesis, Mei, is up to!"
Again, the rigorous voice said, "Yes, mistress."
Kei was adamant about winning this contest, but her opponent was unquestionably Mei. As she
gazed out of the 115-storey Ping An International Finance Center, she was dying to discover her strong
rival's proposal to stop global warming. After all, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you will win a
hundred battles.
-A week later-
**********
The Ruins of St Paul's of Macao appeared more divine and spirited as Kei admired its grand façade
and intricate stone carvings. While the ruins of this Portuguese Church reminded Macao of its unique
roots, the nearby streets were still brimming with the hustle and bustle of authentic food stalls. However,
Kei realized that she had little time to waste.
She was led into a vast room by a man who shielded most of his face with pitch-black glasses. “I
got to know Mei’s proposal,” she muttered to herself, as if she was in vain to disrupt the deathly silence and
the sombre atmosphere. Minutes felt like years, and did an aeon pass before some documents were passed to
Kei? With trembling hands, she collected the report provided to her by the supercomputer. The instant
that she returned to her limousine, she tore open the envelope and her eyes widened with avidity…
**********
As the competition day drew near, Mei became more burdened and flustered, so she began to burn
the midnight oil, rushing to skyrocket her plan. However, she felt self-assured that her strategy was enough
to let the judges know her worthiness. Eventually, she decided to take a break and by the High Speed Rail
and visit the aged Tai O Stilt Houses, which was once her home until she turned four.
**********